Beach Yoga: The Power Of Yoga On The Beach!
The Beach! A place many individuals go for serenity and relaxation. A place to go get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In fact one study even investigated whether UV light could help lower blood pressure, crazy right? So what may be achieved if you coupled yoga with the beach. Beach yoga may just open another whole dimension of tranquility.
Did you know, numerous yoga studios around the globe, actually offer beach yoga.
Beach Living Advantages:
- Mind and Soul Relaxation: The beach environment naturally clears the mind and soothes the soul. The sensation of warm sand beneath your feet, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing, and the refreshing scent of the ocean create an atmosphere of relaxation and escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.
- Vitamin D Boost: Practicing yoga on the beach offers the added benefit of exposure to natural sunlight, allowing you to soak up some much-needed vitamin D. Sunlight is essential for overall well-being and can enhance your mood and energy levels.
- Scenic Beauty: The beach provides a picturesque backdrop for your yoga practice. Enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean, endless horizons, and the beauty of nature, which can elevate your yoga experience and inspire a deeper connection with the environment.
- Nostalgia and Tranquility: For many, the ocean holds a sense of nostalgia and tranquility. Being near the ocean can evoke peaceful memories and a sense of calm, making it an ideal setting for yoga and meditation.
- Sand Challenge: Practicing yoga on the sandy beach adds an element of challenge to your practice. The uneven surface engages your muscles differently, requiring greater stability and balance. This can enhance your strength and flexibility over time.
Embrace the advantages of beach living and consider incorporating beach yoga into your routine to enjoy these unique benefits.
Related Article: Stand Tall: Yoga Poses for Perfect Posture
Cool Tidbit: Did your know, the color blue even has been found to be associated with feelings of calm and peace.
All things considered, researchers have shown that being close to the water or coastal living may just offer some advantages. Certain census data in England has showed people living near the coast reported better health. According to researchers, living closer to the sea may also improve peoples well-being.
Additionally, there are correlations between nature and health. Being near nature, has been suggestive to have a stress reducing effect.
Pairing The Two: Beach Yoga
As such, one may imagine that if you paired the two, the potential for bettering both mind and body well-being.
Although we have mainly hinted at the advantages of beach yoga, this can also be a way of adding more of a challenge, to your practice.
Have you ever tried to run on the sand? Play volleyball? Beach Soccer?
It’s not easy is it?
The sand effect, (if you will) creates more friction. Therefore, it becomes harder to move and balance. The accumulation of all those granules of sand creates an unbalanced surface and adds resistance to your every move.
You may find yourself making small adjustments to hold each and every pose. The surface (sand), in other words, can increase muscle recruitment and provides a higher calorie burn (or energy expenditure).
Performing yoga may just help increase stability in the foot and ankle, while creating a softer, lower impact training stimulus. Since the sand is uneven and is constantly moving around your feet and in between your toes, it will require premium focus to stabilize yourself in and out of asanas.
A Boost In Creativity?
Spending time at the beach may just also give your creative soul a boost. The atmosphere gives many individuals (unless you live at the beach), a change in routine.
Moreover, it also connects you more to nature. Additionally, the beach can just be an inspiring atmosphere. The color blue has also been associated with a boost in creativity, according o some research.
The Breath:
Breathing is such an important aspect within the practice of yoga. Breathing techniques (or pranayama), have been associated with yoga for thousands of years. In yoga it’s believed to help maintain a sense of balance, helping to restore physical, mental and emotional health.
According to an article posted on University of Michigan Health, “breathing is one of the best ways to reduce stress”. In laments terms, deep breathing sends a signal to your brain to calm down. The brain then in turn signals the body.
Breathing (in many ways) effects your whole body, literally from your “head to your toes”. Even simply changing the ratio of inhalation to exhalation can help calm the nervous system down.
When coupled with yoga (specifically asanas), these breathing efforts help to maintain focus and clarity, as well as staying present in the moment.
Final Thoughts!
Hopefully you’ll be enticed to give beach yoga a try. Imagine exercising, breathing clean air and admiring the scenic view that is characterized by beaches around the world.
Breath in……Breath out……Relax……
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References:
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.119.013837
- https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/what-beach-does-your-brain-ncna787231
- https://www.livescience.com/37819-health-benefits-living-near-ocean.html
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282041436_How_Might_Contact_with_Nature_Promote_Human_Health_Promising_Mechanisms_and_a_Possible_Central_Pathway
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23968257/
- https://hbr.org/2020/09/research-why-breathing-is-so-effective-at-reducing-stress#:~:text=This%20approach%20is%20one%20of,to%20calm%20your%20nervous%20system.
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205142143.htm
