Wherever You Go, Yoga Can Come Too
Even to the Cottage
Table of Contents
Introduction
Summer has a way of turning our routines inside out. The sun lingers, plans change on a whim, and suddenly we find ourselves practicing yoga in borrowed beds, airport lounges, or lakeside cottages. In those moments of transition, it’s easy to drift away from our yoga practice.
Not out of laziness, but logistics. Props are packed away. Schedules become spontaneous. Space is limited. I get it — I’ve been there.
In moments like these, I turn to Patanjali’s teachings of sthira and sukham. Iyengar Yoga shows us how to stand firm—finding strength and steadiness (sthira)—while also embracing comfort, adaptability, and ease (sukham). So, as summer spontaneity begins to entice, how can we soften rigidity while remaining committed to our practice?
Here are 3 key principles that have worked for me:
1. Keep it simple.
If you can bring a couple of props, great: a belt takes up very little space, and one or two blocks can go a long way. But you don’t need a mountain of gear. It’s summer—go with the flow and improvise!
2. Short doesn't mean ineffective.
You can shift your physical, mental, and emotional state in just 20 minutes. Sometimes, a shorter session is even more powerful than pushing through a full hour. Try this one and see how deeply you can reset with a short, focused practice.
3. Let go of perfect conditions.
Practice in your pyjamas. Practice while the kids nap. Practice outside with birds chirping—or inside while traffic hums. Practice without a mat (a deck or lawn works just fine). Let yoga adapt to your life, not the other way around.
Why Stay With It This Summer?
Iyengar Yoga is a touchstone. Every time we come to our mat, we honour strength and stillness. Whether we know it or not, we’re nurturing self-understanding, self-compassion, and self-respect. Yoga offers our nervous system exactly what it craves: balance, resilience, and efficiency.
So don't start over in September. Let this be the summer you stay connected to your practice—gently and steadily—with sthira and sukham.
Why This Matters
Yoga is more than movement. It’s a relationship with yourself—a practice of self-inquiry, or svadhyaya.
Summer is often a time of joyful chaos: travel, social gatherings, a shifting rhythm. It's easy to become untethered from the steady beat that comforts and nourishes you. The one that comes not from the calendar, but from being in sync with yourself.
Yoga teaches us that discipline isn’t about force. It’s about commitment—a loving, steady commitment to your own well-being. Like any healthy long-term relationship, sometimes it’s inconvenient, sometimes it’s hard, but it’s always worthwhile.
When we pause to ground our feet, lengthen our spine, and steady our breath, we create a more stable container for our thoughts, emotions, and energy. In that steadiness, we can respond more wisely. We can listen more deeply. We can meet the present moment with contentment—santosha.
"Still the breath, still the mind."
— B.K.S. Iyengar
FAQ
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Yes. Yoga does not require perfect conditions or a full studio setup. A short practice with minimal space and a few simple props—or even no props at all—can still be deeply effective. The key is consistency, not perfection.
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No, although a belt and one or two blocks can be helpful. Iyengar Yoga encourages intelligent adaptation, and many household items or outdoor spaces can work just as well when traveling. The practice should support your life, not complicate it.
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Absolutely. A focused 20-minute practice can shift your physical, mental, and emotional state significantly. Shorter practices are often more sustainable and sometimes more powerful than forcing a longer session.
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Yes. A deck, lawn, carpet, or towel can work just fine depending on the practice. What matters most is your attention and willingness to show up, not having ideal equipment.
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Svadhyaya means self-study or self-inquiry. It is the practice of observing yourself honestly—your habits, reactions, and patterns—and using yoga as a way to deepen understanding and connection with yourself.
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