Working out on holiday

The title may sound like the start of a joke, but for me it's one of the things that make my holiday even better!

When I go on holiday, it's important to me to clear my head, see new places, eat well and spend quality time with the people I love – or even quality time with myself. When I add short, easy workouts to my holiday, I feel lighter alongside all the big meals. I start the day with movement and breath, which lifts my mood, and the whole day looks and feels different. And if I train with local instructors, I also learn about and experience new places through the workout.

How is it even possible?

1) A light, foldable mat that fits in any suitcase or carry-on – ever since I started taking my mat with me and rolling it out in the hotel room, by the pool or on the beach, I practise more and feel like training more.

2) Nothing forced – I don't make myself train, don't set an alarm, don't commit to anything. I wake up, see the time, see the mat next to me, and decide whether to train or not. Usually I'll train on a day I woke up early and have time, the morning after a day of driving and flights when my back hurts, or on a day when the weather doesn't allow sightseeing – a rainy day, or a day we finished touring early.

3) Where can you train? Wherever you can!

• In the room, with my mat

• In the hotel gym – I'll even use the time for an easy walk on the treadmill while answering work messages, watching an episode on Netflix, or calling the family back home to share my experiences.

• I'll try the classes the hotel offers – not every hotel has them, but when they do, I'm always up for trying one.

• For the adventurous – I recommend going to a local studio and trying something special: yoga, Pilates, SUP, local dance classes, boxing, or even gyms in special places.

4) If not me, then who… – I don't force anyone to join me.

Usually I train alone, in the morning before everyone wakes up. But sometimes you can train with your partner or family too, and I think that totally upgrades the experience. Just don't force it. I believe that once you start training, others will want to join – even if it's just once.

5) Short and sweet – workouts that are shorter and easier than what I do at home.

The goal isn't to progress in weights or exercises, or to get sore.

The goal is to release the body after a long day of travelling or long walks around the city – to breathe for half an hour and start the day with good energy. If you don't know how to practise alone, I recommend going to YouTube and following a short video of up to half an hour. I recommend the Move with Nicole channel.

And of course, you can always practise what you remember from our classes:

• Stretches

• Our regular warm-up

• Yoga sun salutations

6) No expectations, no judgement – just move.

Started a workout and felt it was hard? Practised and had enough after 10 minutes? Let it go! You're on holiday – you came to enjoy yourself. The very fact that you rolled out your mat is amazing and not to be taken for granted. It takes time to make workouts part of your holiday routine. Every bit of movement you add is great, even if it's short and light.

Still not sure what to do? We've got you, as always –

we wrote a class plan you can practise anywhere.

We wish you lots of fun, travel and seeing the world – and we hope we'll all be travelling every corner of Israel again very soon.

A reminder that we're always here to help and support you, and if you'd like advice on training on holiday, we're here.