Staying Committed to Your Hot Yoga Practice During Vacation Season
By Hannah Moran, Director of Operations / Yoga Teacher
Summer: the season of sunshine, sandy beaches, road trips, and an ever-growing to-do list of adventures. It's also the time when many of us hit pause on our routines – including our hot yoga practice. While breaks and rest are essential to a balanced lifestyle, summer doesn’t have to mean abandoning your yoga journey altogether. In fact, this vibrant season can be an opportunity to deepen your dedication in creative and fulfilling ways.
In this blog, we’ll explore why staying committed to your hot yoga practice during the summer matters, and how you can keep it going, whether you're traveling the globe or enjoying a staycation.
Why Maintain Your Practice in the Summer?
1. Summertime challenges your discipline – yoga strengthens it.
Summer often brings spontaneity. Impromptu barbecues, weekend getaways, or sleeping in instead of hitting your mat. Sticking with your practice helps you stay grounded and intentional even amidst all the fun and freedom!
2. Keep your physical gains.
If you've been practicing regularly, you’ve likely noticed increased flexibility, stamina, and strength. Taking a complete break can mean losing some of that progress. Even just a few weekly classes can help maintain your physical edge so that all your fun summer activities don’t leave you winded and sore.
3. Stay centered in the chaos.
Hot yoga is more than a workout; it's a moving meditation. Vacation season, though fun, can also be busy, stressful, or overwhelming. Your practice is a powerful tool for returning to your center, wherever you are in the world.
Common Summer Challenges & How to Overcome Them
Challenge #1: Travel Disrupts Your Routine
Solution: Plan ahead.
If you're heading out of town, look up some local hot yoga studios in the area. Many offer intro specials or drop-in rates. Practicing in a new space with a different teacher can be invigorating and help you see your practice with fresh eyes.
No studio nearby? Pack a travel mat and take your practice outside! While it won’t replace the hot studio environment, moving through flows under the sun’s warmth offers a beautiful, natural heat that supports your flexibility and detox process (just be sure to stay hydrated and practice safely in the heat). Plus, Inner Fire Yoga Members can access hundreds of on-demand yoga classes on our website, so you can take our lovely teachers with you anywhere in the world :)
Challenge #2: Lack of Motivation
Solution: Set a summer yoga goal.
When your routine gets disrupted, it helps to set a seasonal intention. Maybe it’s committing to two studio classes a week, trying a new pose, or finally perfecting your crow. Use this goal as your North Star – it’s easier to stay motivated when you have something to work toward.
Also, lean into the concept of community! Invite a friend to join you for a class, share your progress on social media, or ask a teacher for accountability tips.
Challenge #3: Summer Social Life
Solution: Schedule your yoga like any other appointment.
When your calendar fills up with barbecues, weddings, or reunions, your practice can get pushed aside. One simple fix? Treat yoga like a non-negotiable appointment. Block it off in your calendar just as you would a work meeting or dinner date. And if your social events tend to be in the evenings, consider taking early morning or 4:30pm classes – shower at the studio, then head out for your evening plans!
Early AM Bonus: Starting your day with hot yoga can boost your energy and focus throughout the rest of the day, helping you enjoy your summer plans even more!
Tips to Stay Consistent with Hot Yoga in Summer
1. Hydrate Intentionally
With higher temperatures and increased sweating (both outside and in the studio), hydration becomes even more crucial. Drink water consistently throughout the day – not just before and after class. Consider adding electrolytes or coconut water to replenish what you lose during sweaty sessions (both sold at Inner Fire Yoga).
2. Adapt Your Schedule
Your usual classes might not fit into your summer routine, so don’t be afraid to explore different class times! We offer early morning, mid-morning, and occasional mid-day sessions in the summer. Mixing it up might even help you discover a new favorite time, teacher, or class type.
3. Travel with Yoga Essentials
Pack a lightweight mat, a yoga towel, and a reusable water bottle when you travel. These small items can make a big difference in helping you stay consistent. Tip: Some brands even make foldable mats designed specifically for travel!
4. Use Technology
If you can’t make it to the studio, check out our hundreds of virtual classes or follow along with a hot yoga-inspired sequence on YouTube. And if you’re craving that Hot Yoga heat, you can even recreate a heated environment at home by practicing in a small, warm room or using a space heater – just make sure it’s safe and well-ventilated, and that you’re thoroughly hydrated.
5. Reframe Your Mindset
Instead of viewing summer as a time where practice “gets in the way” of other activities, see it as an opportunity to make your yoga fit into real life. Your practice doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective. Even a short session on the mat can keep your body supple and your mind calm.
Remember Your “Why”
When the days get long and your schedule gets packed, remember why you practice. Maybe it’s for clarity, or to manage anxiety, or maintain physical health. Maybe it’s the post-class glow or the feeling of accomplishment. Maybe it’s all of the above! Whatever your reason, let that drive and anchor you when your motivation wanes.
Final Thoughts
Summer doesn’t have to be a break from your practice – it can be a breakthrough. Whether you’re sweating it out in the studio, flowing poolside, or practicing in a hotel room, hot yoga is a gift that you can carry with you wherever you go.
Stay flexible (in body AND mind), stay committed, and most of all – stay connected to your breath, your body, and your inner peace. Your mat will always be there for you, whether you're at home or a thousand miles away.
See you in the studio – and out in the world. Namaste.