There are thousands of wonderful books and texts about yoga to guide your practice, but it’s not always possible to pack a bunch of books in your suitcase, nor is it possible (or legal) to kidnap your favorite yoga teacher to take them on the road with you. Want to practice hatha, Ashtanga, vinyasa, yin or Iyengar yoga when you’re on the road? These days, all you need to do is download a few free and paid yoga mobile apps so you can keep up with your practice anytime, anywhere. Here are a few of my favorite yoga-related apps that every traveler should download now!
1. Airplane Yoga
You may have seen embarassing-slash-hilarious videos of airplane yoga fails. While you probably shouldn’t attempt a tripod headstand in your airplane seat, there are a number of simple poses you can practice to help reduce muscle stiffness and reduce anxiety. The app also provides a number of bonus tips like a checklist of ways to relax en-route to the airport. The app is available on iTunes for $0.99 and I would recommend this for people who are newer to asana (pose) practice or nervous fliers.
2. MINDBODY Yoga
This is a essential app to have on your phone – it’s a wonderful app to use at home and a great way to find yoga classes abroad while you are traveling; it also offers reviews from fellow yoga-lovers of specific studios and classes. The “Deals Near Me” feature displays deals around you so you can find introductory offers or special discounts for classes. The app itself is free and is available for iOS as well as Android.
3. Yoga Studio by Gaiam
This is probably my absolute favourite yoga app and, IMHO, well worth the $3.99. It has more than 70 ready-made classes (beginner/intermediate/advanced essentials, deep relaxation, yoga for back pain, yoga for runners etc.) for different levels of asana practice as well as an amazing pose library which you can sort by name, type, ability and focus. You can also create custom classes and build your own sequence using their “pose blocks”. The app is available for iOS.
4. Ashtanga Yoga
This amazing app maps out the full primary series of Ashtanga yoga – this style of yoga (which I practice) is based on a set sequence with vinyasas inbetween each pose. Sometimes you forget that upward plank pose comes after paschimottanasana, and these “flash cards” make it easy to not leave out a pose in the sequence. The app also provides simple cues for each asana, a few videos of specific routines within the series and includes the opening and closing mantras that are traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of the practice. The app is free!
5. Universal Breathing — Pranayama Free
Yes, yoga is more than asana (poses)! This is a simple and straightforward app to help you practice pranayama, or breathing, anywhere. Pranayama has a massive array of physical and mental benefits, and is just as important to your yoga practice as your warrior 2 pose or headstand.
You can adjust the breathing pattern and track your “progress”; the best part is the animation that reminds you to expand your chest and belly on each inhale, and contract on the exhale. Did you know that most of us tend to do the opposite? The app is free and available for iOS and Android.
6. Headspace
New to meditation? Then this is the app for you – it offers a number of free guided meditations and in-app purchases if you want to take it to the next level. Meditation is an important part of yoga practice and is especially beneficial while you are traveling as it helps you to be present, reduce anxiety and become calm. The sessions are straight forward and uses normal language (don’t expect any talk about the third eye or chakras), so is very accessible for everyone. The app is free (in-app purchases) and available for iOS and Android.
Looking for even more wellness apps? Head on over here for a roundup of the best wellness apps to download ASAP.
These are some fantastic apps to take with you on-the-go – what are some of your favorite yoga apps? Share them with me in the comments section below!
You might also enjoy these yoga reads:
- Want more tips on how to choose a yoga studio when you’re on the road? Read my article on 5 Tips for Choosing a Yoga Studio While Traveling
- There are many ways to integrate yoga into your travels – here are some ideas
- Interested in the perfect yoga gift (that isn’t a new yoga mat)? Why not check out these alternative gifts for yoga lovers
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This is great! I always lack resources for exercise during travel so this is perfect!
Thanks for checking this out, Sam! I find that even if you don’t have time for the physical aspects of Yoga there are other things you can do to enhance your travel experience – breathing, meditation, eating clean, etc 🙂
Oh man! I think I need the Airplane Yoga! My feet get so swollen in air and I suck at getting up to stretch. Thanks for the tip!! Thanks for joining #FlyAwayFriday as always Flo!!! xoxox
I get super lazy on airplanes as well, Kana! I tend to just get on and pass out haha
Great list!! I love Mind Body Yoga already, going to check the others out!
Ah, thank god for this! We are about to embark on so many flights in 2017, it’s going to be so difficult to keep up with my yoga. I’m glad I came across all these apps, because hopefully, they are going to keep me a bit more focused. Trust me, I need more movement and more stretching in my life.
Let me know how you like them, Cory! Safe travels 🙂
I’m even embarrassed after reading this post and all the comments… I’ve never tried yoga! ? Always hear great things, but end up getting discouraged by seeing all these positions… Don’t know if my body will ever get there!
Not to worry, Renata! Yoga isn’t just about touching your toes 🙂
OOO thanks for this list!! I’ve been looking for a good app since I always have to go on YouTube to stream videos, my life is changed lol. You should start doing yoga vids on YouTube Flo!!
Let me know how you go! I’ve heard good things about YogaGlo but that’s subscription only 🙂
Never thought of trying this on an airplane, but maybe I will! Could definitely use it some long 13 hour flights I’ve been on recently!
Absolutely! I find that breathing techniques help to calm the nerves (especially in horrid turbulence)!
Great suggestions! I want to stay in shape while traveling and I think yoga is a fun, easy exercise to help that! I will check out airplane yoga and mindbody yoga!
Absolutely – apart from the physical poses there are also breathing techniques and mindfulness/meditation practices that come in handy when you’re traveling 🙂
Perfect! Thanks for sharing. I’m addicted to Yoga / Pilates apps and I will definitely check out airplay yoga!!
Let me know how you like it!
I love Headspace. Thanks for the other recommendations. I do need some Yoga after a long plane ride.
I use MyYogaWorks but will check out your recommendations as well.
❥ tanvii.com
I’ll have to check out MyYogaWorks!
I love the poses you have all over the world! I’m definitely going to rethink getting into yoga!
It’s a wonderful practice, Alice! Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
My boyfriend uses headspace and he really likes it. The Gaiam app sounds really interesting, gonna check it out!
Let me know what you think! Thanks for checking this out Aneesha 🙂
Yes! So important when you’re spending lots of time in buses, planes etc. I’ve just recently got into doing yoga regularly but would love to keep it up while travelling. Thanks for these recommendations, will definitely be downloading them.
Let me know how you get on with these apps 🙂
I had no idea about this! Nor did I have any clue about airplane yoga… that is such a good idea! I just got off a flight and my legs were getting so restless, I’m sure some of these apps would come in handy for the future!
I find that I use a lot of breathing exercises when I’m nervous during turbulence!
This is such a great list. It’s so important to maintain your practice on the road. You have to work out the kinks from traveling for sure but it’s equally important for your mindspace. Purging the stress and opening your self up to the experiences will bring your travelling to a new level.
Great article. Thank you for sharing these tips!
Thanks for reading this!
Yoga Studio app looks good, I’m gonna consider it! For me, I have Cody app and I had purchased classes, so I’ll download the videos ahead and play it overseas if I need a class and didn’t have wifi. I use Headspace to unwind before sleeping!
That’s fantastic! I also hear great things about YogaGlo 🙂
I love love love love Headspace! I have yet to download these others, but I will certainly look into them. Love the ashtanga and Gaiam apps as they allow for on-the-go poses.
Laura, his voice is sooooo soothing! Did you know he used to be a monk?
Wow this is really cool, thanks for compiling this little list here. I would’ve never thought of downloading a yoga app, but I did use Headspace for more than a year and really enjoyed it. It’s nice to have something giving you that extra push so that you actually follow through on your mindfullness
Thanks for taking the time to read this, Dave! I love Headspace because it makes meditation and mindfulness very approachable and non-intimidating. It’s not just about sitting there and having 0 thoughts in your brain!
OOOH I love this! I never thought about looking for an app to do yoga! I’ll have to try this when I’m on vacation and want a little practice.
If you can’t find the time for a full asana practice even 10 minutes of meditation and breathing exercises will work wonders!