When traveling, I have an agreement with myself: Walk to each destination (as much as possible) and take stairs in lieu of escalators. Sound insignificant? Try these small adjustments at the airport with luggage, or, as in my own experience, coming out of the Tribunal Metro station in Madrid and experience how quickly these little modifications become heart racing feats.
For some of us, setting up a consistent workout routine is a challenge, for others, we already have a fixed routine but, when our location or schedule changes, we allow the new environment to be our reason for throwing our movement practice out the window. Enter the “European Workout.”
Here, I will outline some of my Euro-inspired moves, recently “tested and approved” on a trip to London, Madrid and a short jaunt out of the EU to Marrakech, Morroco. Please take the spirit of the tips and apply them to whatever wanderlust vision you have in your future!
Let’s start with those looooong plane rides.
Cooped up in an airplane, I focus on small intrinsic muscles: Neck, hands, and feet, mobilizing/stability exercises in my seat, paired with some Yoga Tune Up® Therapy Ball rolling along my spine (standing at the back of the plane).
More ideas for self-care during travel to come on Friday!
Enjoyed this article? Read Air Travel Yoga: 5 Stress Relief Tips for Traveling by Airplane!
This is great advice. I often opt for stairs over the escalator when leaving the NYC subway… mostly because i don’t want to be stuck behind someone.
Your article made me realize that there are certain subway exits that I always do this and others that i don’t. (It often depends on how tired I am.)
But now I’m going to make it a habit every time I have the option of stairs or escalator.
Breaking habit and getting in some cardio when you can is important. Thanks for this.
Your post reminds me of how important context is.
Thank you so much for this! I am flying to Italy at the end of summer and I have never been on a flight that long before. I was wondering how my body would feel being immobile and in a tiny space for so many hours. Now I will bring my therapy balls to use to release tension so I can relaxed physically and mentally!
Brilliant! For someone who is always busy and has a hard time finding time for a “regular” exercise routine, adding this “European workout” into my day is really doable, fun, challenging, and not a major time commitment. Thanks for the idea!
I drive pretty much everywhere with either my YTUs in tote, or a medium soft massage ball with bumps on it. I have them between my back and the car seat, and tend to change position every 5 mins or so, as and where it’s needed. It really helps to avoid those nasty knots and spasms I get around the scapula!
I recently traveled about 7-8 hours by car to attend a YTU training and placed the YTU balls (in tote) behind my low back to encourage a supported, upright posture while driving. Each time I stopped for fuel, food or a break, I paused in my seat for a few minutes and rolled across the balls left to right cross fibering those stiff, achy muscles. This really helped! For my return trip I’ll add the standing version. Thanks for sharing your travel ideas.
I like the movement-based thinking that infuses your travel!