Yoga routine to enjoy your vacation in Cancun

What better way to do it than practising yoga in front of the Caribbean? Your trip to Cancun will become even more heavenly if you decide to follow a yoga routine. Regardless of your level, Cancun is a great destination for yoga beginners, and for those looking to take their practice to a more advanced level.

Cancun has gained popularity as a haven for those looking to incorporate yoga into their travel routine. From beach classes to wellness retreats, this destination offers options for all levels. By staying in a hotel that offers a holistic approach, you can enjoy daily yoga sessions, rejuvenating massages, and healthy breakfasts, all while enjoying your holiday in this corner of paradise.

In this article you will discover dream locations to practice this discipline and postures to perform a basic yoga routine. It will even help you decide the most appropriate time of day to practice it.

It will help you learn basic information about a discipline that is becoming increasingly popular, and that improves our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. From its origins thousands of years ago in India to the moment you are reading these lines, yoga has evolved into different more or less dynamic styles, and merged with different cultures and countries. Despite its adaptation, it has always had many benefits. 

Regardless of the type of yoga you practice, the foundation is yogic breathing -or Pranayama in Sanskrit. It should be done by practicing the complete cycle, moving from abdominal breathing to thoracic breathing and then to clavicular breathing. This way, the lungs have total ventilation, filling up to the maximum, capturing all the oxygen and helping to eliminate the residual air.

It is a very useful technique for our day to day life, and it is necessary to be fully aware of it. During the practice of yoga, and whenever you want to stop and slow down, we must stop breathing automatically, which will lead us to oxygenate every cell of the body. A good breathing helps relieve stress, while not doing so can lead to tiredness and lack of concentration, to name a few effects.

Taking a deep breath in front of the Caribbean Sea enhances the feeling of renewal and takes your wellness getaway to the next level.

The long tradition of this practice is no coincidence, it is backed by the multitude of benefits it offers.

The many benefits that this yoga experience in Cancun will bring you range from the physical ones, improving metabolism or gaining strength and flexibility, to the mental ones.

By working on the body and mind connection, you will feel a great progress. Physically, among other things, you will improve your posture and balance your blood pressure. Mentally, you will be less stressed, which will improve your mood and your self-esteem, as well as helping you sleep better.

The environment, without a doubt, is an incentive to achieve greater relaxation: on the beach, among the lush vegetation of Cancun... Or wherever you decide to practice. Here are a few suggestions for you to find the best spot to connect with your purpose.

With its stunning white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, Cancun offers the perfect environment for practicing yoga. Whether in the serenity of nature, in front of the Caribbean Sea or in spaces designed for your well-being, you can choose from several ideal places to connect body and mind.

Whether you choose to do your yoga routine on your own or in a specialised studio in the area, here are some ideas of idyllic places to place your mat.
If you want to get close to the sounds of nature in front of a mystical landscape of mangroves, have a look around the Nichupté Lagoon, an extensive protected natural area full of diversity and with a mysterious halo.

Many people choose being close to the sea. If this is you, Cancun is a paradise of beautiful beaches. One of the most beautiful beaches in the Riviera Maya is Playa Delfines, but if you are seeking a more private environment, here are a couple of suggestions where you will surely find serenity.

The first recommendation is Playa Langosta, north of Cancun's hotel area. Its turquoise waters will inevitably captivate you. Its calm atmosphere will be a good starting point for your yoga routine. You can access it directly from Meliá Casa Maya - Cancun - All Inclusive. In addition, from there you can see Isla Mujeres, another popular spot for many yogis.

Another location in which you will easily find peace is in on the other side of the Cancun hotel area, where Paradisus Cancun is located, near Playa Ballenas and overlooking a more open deeper blue sea. In addition to yoga classes on the private beach or on its fabulous terraces surrounded by gardens, the hotel offers activities to improve your well-being even further, with mindfulness sessions with Tibetan bowls.

From exclusive retreats to outdoor classes, Cancun is an ideal destination to enjoy yoga in full harmony with nature.

The ideal time to practice yoga can vary depending on personal needs and preferences, although certain times of the day certainly offer specific benefits.

The morning is one of the most recommended times to do yoga. You start the day clearing your mind and with good energy. Some even choose the sunrise to practice their daily yoga routine, an extraordinary way to say good morning to the Caribbean.

In the early hours of the day, the mind is stress-free and the body is stiffer (and fasting, by the way), but receptive to toning and increasing energy with slow but dynamic movements guided by the breathing. 

However, yoga routines performed in the afternoon seek just the opposite: slowing down and preparing the body to rest. Practicing yoga at sunset is a good way to reduce the stress gained throughout the day, and relax your body and mind.

Ultimately, the best time to do yoga will depend on your goals and lifestyle. The magical hours of the sun, such as sunrise and sunset, are the most special in the oasis of Cancun, but the important thing is to listen to your body to find an ideal time when you can connect with yourself and fully enjoy the practice.

Cancun, with its heavenly setting and relaxing atmosphere, is the ideal place to practice yoga and enjoy its benefits. Here are some of the best yoga poses to perform in this destination, that will allow you to connect deeply with nature, make the most of the warm weather, and calm the mind. Postures that ground you to the earth, with your feet firmly set on the ground, perceiving the textures around you, such as sand or grass.

Dress up in comfortable clothes, unroll your yoga mat, and keep a water bottle by your side to hydrate. Although it is not essential, some people also like to carry a cushion or a foam brick, or even a towel or blanket for the final part of meditation and total relaxation that is included in a full routine.

This is the selection of poses, or asanas in Sanskrit, that I recommend when practicing outdoor yoga to experience a greater connection between body, mind and environment. Given how important harmony with nature in this practice is, it is no coincidence that many of the yoga poses bear names related to it.

Before you begin, remember to breathe intentionally with slow deep breaths from your abdomen. Connect with your surroundings through the senses, feeling the sea breeze, listening to the ambient sounds, feeling the warmth of Cancun's mild weather on your skin.

Lie on the floor face down, resting your forehead on the floor, and keep your legs and feet together and straight. With the palms of your hands under your shoulders, breathe in and raise your head, followed by your chest and abdomen, keeping your shoulders down. Look up at the sky, gently lengthening your neck to avoid injury. At the same time, do not stop pressing the pubis and the tip of your feet against the floor, pulling your tailbone in. Exhale, slowly descend, and progressively lay down on your abdomen, chest, chin, and nose until your forehead is back to the ground.

Position yourself on all fours, on your hands and knees and with your toes also on the mat. Bring your hands a little further away than your shoulders, push them into the floor, stretch your arms and back, and raise your pelvis. Leave your head relaxed, in line with your spine. Bring your heels to the floor, without touching. If you're a beginner, it may be hard to stretch your legs, but it's preferable to leave your knees bent than curving your back. After taking five breaths in this pose, bring your knees to the floor to finish.

A perfect and very simple technique for relieving back tension. Get on your knees, which should be at the width of your hips, and sit on your heels with your back straight and your toes together. When exhaling, lower your chest until it rests on your knees rounding your back. If you can, touch the floor with your forehead. Your arms should be placed parallel to your body and your palms facing up. Hold this resting pose for at least five to ten breaths.

Stand with your feet hip-width apart, bend your torso forward, and bring your hands to the mat. Then, step your left foot back and rest your knee on the floor. Your right ankle should be aligned with your right knee at a 90° angle, while your left knee should be positioned slightly behind your hip. Now, bring your hands together and raise your arms overhead. Feel the stretch in your torso from the hips. Move your arms from above to the back as far as you can, open your chest, and arch your back. After at least five breaths, or as many as you can, exhale and repeat the steps, this time stepping your right leg back.

Standing with your feet hip-width apart, raise your arms upwards and then lower them to rest your hands on the floor. Then, bring one leg back, without that knee touching the ground. The front leg is bent, and try to bring the ankle in line with the knee. It is important that the heel of the leg stretched back touches the ground. That is, the entire sole of the foot must be in contact with the ground, giving you stability. Your trunk should be lifted, with your belly button tucked in, and the hips forward. By raising your arms and bringing your palms together (keep your shoulders down) you will be in warrior I pose. By turning your hips and trunk to the side of your straight leg, you open your hips, and then lower yourself with your arms straight until they are parallel with the floor. Your head also turns, looking towards the front leg. Hold the pose and perform your breaths.

In this posture it is very important to root the supporting foot in the ground, looking for balance and a point of focus for your gaze. Standing up, look at the sky and open your toes wide, noticing your legs very firm, which will give you a lot of stability. When you feel a complete balance of the body, bend your right knee and bring the weight to your left leg. Bring the sole of your right foot to the inside of your left thigh (help yourself with your hand). Find the height that suits you best and align your pelvis with the supporting foot. The hands are clasped in front of the chest, with the thumbs on the sternum. With your gaze fixed on a point, on the horizon over the sea, for example, you will achieve greater balance. When you feel ready, as you inhale, you can raise your hands above your head, or you can leave them at chest level. Take 5 to 10 breaths. Then, undo the pose and repeat by changing the supporting foot.

Lie on the floor, with your back touching the mat, and bend your legs. Then put your hands under your hips, with your elbows close to your body. Then stretch your legs, so that they are close to the floor. From this position, lift your trunk by pushing yourself up on your elbows, and drop your head back until your crown touches the ground. With your chest open, take a few breaths. Then, raise your head, bring your chin to your chest, and lower your trunk.