As a mindfulness practice, yoga is one of the most popular due to its many health benefits. It can improve your mental and physical well-being and help you better connect with the world around you. The effects of the latter can be further enhanced when yoga is done somewhere idyllic and calming, like on a beach.
A beach environment is perfect for yoga, as you get a chance to commune with nature and enjoy its scenery. The calming energy of being near the ocean also creates optimal conditions for you to do some much-needed self-care and check in with yourself. It’s a simple yet effective way to enhance your practice. If you want to make the most of doing yoga on the beach, here are five tips to achieve a rewarding session.
GO BEFORE NOON
Exercising outdoors is said to be beneficial for health because sunshine has been proven to boost mood. It triggers the production of serotonin, which is the hormone that makes you feel happy. However, staying under the sun for too long can be dangerous and lead to sunburn. As such, it’s best to find a time window when it’s safe to do yoga at the beach. Health experts suggest going between 8 am and 10 am for a healthy dose of sunlight. It won’t be that hot, and sun rays won’t be as intense and direct as they normally are around noon onwards.
USE SUN PROTECTION
As great as the sun is at providing Vitamin D, it can also cause damage to the body when preventative measures aren’t taken. Products like high-SPF sunscreen can lessen the chances of developing conditions like skin cancer as long as it’s used correctly. This means applying an even layer across all exposed skin at least 30 minutes prior to heading out, with reapplications every two hours. Similarly, sun damage can occur in the eyes when not properly protected. You can get beach sunglasses with advanced polarized lens technology to ensure the safety of your eyes. These specialized glasses will reduce the glare that you see reflected on the water from the sun. You can even opt for a custom fit so that your glasses stay on comfortably during a yoga session.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SAND
One of the most unique things about doing yoga at the beach is that you don’t have to prepare extra equipment to start. You can simply choose a spot and do yoga straight from the sand. In fact, bringing a yoga mat is even discouraged as the sand is just likely to stick to it and damage it. In some ways, the sand can actually support you better with yoga. It’s much softer and more forgiving should you lose your balance. This way, you can use your time at the beach to try new poses without worrying about getting hurt against a hard surface. That said, you should still exercise awareness so that you don’t push yourself too much.
BE IN SYNC WITH THE WAVES
Studies have proven that being at the beach naturally gives most people a calming and restorative effect. You can use this to your advantage when you do yoga by using the waves to keep count. The rhythmic sound of the ocean can be used to regulate your breathing, keep you focused, and eliminate any distractions around to keep your attention on the task at hand. It can also make you feel relaxed quickly, allowing you to be in a proper headspace ready for yoga.
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