Yoga should not be restricted to a yoga studio with the practitioner bare foot and in a spandex 'yoga outfit'. Yoga can be part of a hike, or a picnic, or a sight seeing tour. On a long car or airplane ride, it is a good idea to do some Cat/Cow spinal flexion/extensions followed by some ankle circles along with a seated pyramid forward fold and then a gentle twist. Research has shown that the body needs to move every 20 minutes. Sitting and being inactive is bad for our health. Be inventive and practice some seated yoga in your car seat or airplane seat on your next vacation (Right, Red Fort across from the Taj Mahal, 1999) | For years I have been a hiker, preferring to take my morning walks out in nature rather than a gym and the treadmill. As I walk, I am inspired to practice a yoga pose, and to capture the scenery in which I find myself. I snap a pic to take home and show my husband. My file of pictures is growing...and it has become a silly, fun trademark of mine as I travel, many of my pictures will include me doing a yoga pose in front of the monument or surrounded by spectacular scenery. (Left: Breckenridge reservoir lake, morning walk 2010) Nature has a powerful and soothing effect on the mind. Put out a towel or throw out a mat and practice outside on your next camping trip or hike. The singing of the birds is your yoga music, the whisper of the wind provides the back ground. The dappled sunlight on the forest floor provides the carpet for your practice. Move through your standing poses and then enjoy Shavasana as the sunlight filters down onto your resting body. Learning to be grounded where you are, practicing letting go of your tension and relaxing, breathing in and breathing out, exhaling fully and completely. |
Some of the best yoga can be practiced at the beach. There is something about the sunshine and the warmth of the sand with the sound of the waves that can be soothing for meditation. Mindfulness meditation can be practiced anywhere and anytime. All you have to do is to slow down, sit or lie where you are comfortable, close your eyes and Ground, Relax your Palate, and Exhale. Just 15 minutes of mindfulness meditation can change the brain. (Right: Lido Beach, Sarasota, Florida 2014) |
Sun salutations can be especially memorable at the beach and I often find myself practicing the full sun salutation or a modified sun salutation while at the beach. Making yoga part of your walk or your day at the beach can make your experience richer and more playful.
(Right: Oahu, Hawaii 2015)