Yoga By The Beach

One of yogas many benefits its that it can literally be done anywhere.

There’s nothing like practising yoga outside and in nature and if I had to choose one of the best places to practice it is by the ocean.

Here on the Central Coast of NSW we have so many stunning beaches to practice yoga by. With the earth beneath, the big blue sky above and the waves crashing close by when you practice by the ocean it truly feels like a practice of deep connection. A practice of coming home to yourself but also to the natural world.

I regularly hold classes by the ocean at Avoca Beach. We gather together as the Earth and Sky yoga community, roll out our mats and begin to breathe and flow. Being outside to practice has the added benefit of providing time soaking in Vitamin D.

For those who spend a lot of time working indoors this is a great opportunity. Researchers at the University of Southern California have also found that practicing yoga outside tends to make you feel better by releasing positive endorphins to the brain. Studies are also proving that nature enhances your practice in an entirely different way than a studio does. A recent Swedish study found viewing nature increased wakeful relaxation and internal focus—two pretty important components of a rewarding yoga practice.

Some folks might not like the sound of practicing outside and might feel awkward when they are used to practicing in the studio. Practicing outside can be seen as a great opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and open a gateway to an entirely new interpretation of your yoga practice. It is so great to do sun salutes actually under the sun and press into the earth through your feet not just the studio floor and even reach your arms up to the real sky and not just the ceiling.

These classes have actually proved to be very popular. We always start early before the suns light gets too strong and it is said in the Yoga tradition that this is the most auspicious time of the day to practice. A time when the energy is clear, clean and fresh and a new day is about to begin. It is the perfect time to set our intentions for the day and contemplate what we really want to create in this new beginning.

I find it so enjoyable to teach outside with so much of nature to inspire and uplift me. The classes I teach on the beach are always accessible to all levels of student and anyone is welcome to attend. My teaching style has a focus on bio-mechanical alignment meaning we take our time to set a good foundation in each pose and align our bones and engage our muscles for maximum strength and steadiness prior to moving into a stretch. We are not just making shapes with our body but creating a dynamic and strong pose with clear intention and focus.

The breath is always a key component in my teaching but becomes even more powerful outside. My students have reported that the fresh air seems to heighten their breath awareness and you can really feel the oxygen moving through your body clearing the busy mind and energising the yoga practice.

We always end our class with a meditation. The practice becomes even more powerful when you take it outdoors. Scientists have found that meditation helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol in the body and being outdoors vs. in an urban setting helps to reduce these levels more. Having a focus on the sound of the waves also helps you stay focused if your mind tends to wander.

The students often leave with a big smile and feeling both grounded and revitalised as they step back into their day.

Despite the sand, the wind and sometimes even rain it is still a truly enjoyable experience to be outside in nature soaking up the energy of the ocean and enjoying practice together

with the Earth and Sky Yoga community.