Practicing yoga is a good way to get physically active, especially for those who prefer low-impact exercises. It can strengthen your body without putting strain on your joints and has the added benefit of calming your mind. If you are a beginner, joining a class in a studio is a good way to learn the basics. But as you become more confident in your practice, you might want to step it up by doing yoga at the beach. Here are some benefits you’ll receive when you take your yoga practice outside.
Enhance Your Mood
Aside from the benefits of physical fitness, many people are drawn to doing yoga because it can help their mental health. You may even amplify these benefits when doing beach yoga. Being outdoors for just five minutes can improve your mood by 50 percent, so just imagine what a 60-minute yoga session at the beach can do for your health. In addition, being at the beach can help reduce your stress and ease depression. You can also increase your energy and happiness when you do physical activities outside.
Be One with Nature
Being at the beach gives a naturally calming effect. You can get a deeper sense of peace just by looking out at the ocean. Hearing the waves and feeling the fresh breeze is enough to slow down your mind and put you in a meditative state that can improve your yoga practice. You can also use the rhythmic sound of the water to guide your breathing. Try doing beach yoga at different times of the day to see how it affects your mood. You can invite new beginnings as the sun rises and cap off your day when the sun starts to set.
Absorb Vitamin D
Doing yoga at the beach gives you the chance to soak up some vitamin D from the sun. This can prevent vitamin D deficiency, which is linked to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Even on a cloudy day or under a shade, you’ll still receive an ample dose of vitamin D for healthier bones and muscles—which are vital to your yogi journey. Also, exposure to sunlight can improve your workout and sleep quality.
Breathe in Ocean Air
Aside from the calming effect the sea air brings, it can also relax your chest muscles—improving how you inhale and exhale. Due to the negative ions present in the ocean air, you absorb oxygen better. You might also notice feeling happier with beach practice because the negative ions help release more serotonin, the hormone associated with the feeling of joy. Because of the better air quality, many people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other breathing difficulties choose to live near the coast. In Miami, many communities enjoy the health benefits of the refreshing sea breeze. The fresh air is also a draw for people working on their recovery to stay in a drug rehab Miami residents trust instead of other cities.
Focus Better on Your Practice
If you want to challenge yourself, doing yoga at the beach is the best way to do it. You will need to make more of an effort to focus and maintain your posture because passersby and loud music from other beachgoers can be distracting. Since you have no control over the conditions of your environment, you also learn to adjust your mindset and attitude about your practice. If it gets too hot or starts to drizzle, will you pack up your mat or shoulder on with your practice? The choices you make can also give you a fresh perspective. It may help you better understand yourself and how you respond to challenges.
Get Hardworking Muscles
If you’ve been doing yoga for a long time, then you might find staying in different poses on the sand more difficult. The effort needed to stay balanced in yoga poses while on the sand can give you more of a full-body workout. The sandy beach can help strengthen muscles on your legs, hips, core, and back. As you get used to the uneven surface, you’ll see your stability also improving. But you can also use the sand to your advantage. It can serve as a soft cushion, so you don’t need to worry about falling on a hard wooden floor when you do more challenging poses.
Open More Opportunities for Other Physical Activities
Beach yoga can create new ways to exercise or try new combinations in your routine. Before starting your practice, you can swim or run by the beach. If you want to take it slow, walking along the sandy path can also help warm you up and prepare your mind and body for the workout ahead. You can also add a little bit of fun by catching the waves in the early morning while working on your leg and core muscles.
Cool Down in the Sea
Once you’re done with your session, you can enjoy the best thing about beach yoga—getting to dip in the ocean after practice. Instead of taking a shower in the locker room or at home, you can cool off in the salty water. When you do, remember to wear Lycra clothing so your skin won’t feel chaffed. Take your time in the water and soak in all the benefits of your practice.
Beach yoga is great for both beginner and experienced yogis. Aside from the relaxing effect, being surrounded by nature can inspire you to work harder on your poses. But there are other benefits of taking your practice out by the sea. Whether you want to challenge yourself or have a change of environment, doing your favorite yoga poses at the beach can also be an enjoyable experience.
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