Jul 31, 2010 |
It finally was nice enough yesterday for the great team at Oceanfront Fitness & Yoga in Virginia Beach to take the morning yoga class to the beach. I’ve done yoga on the beach once before on vacation, but I forgot how amazing it is! The sound of the waves, the wind on my face, and the beautiful view add a whole new dimension to a yoga practice and gave me the perfect yoga high.
As I stood in tree and mountain pose, I loved looking out at the beautiful rolling surf. With the sun warming my body and my gaze out over the horizon, I’ve never felt more fierce in warrior 2 pose.
But the best part of beach yoga is savasana. The sound of the waves is the perfect accompaniment to the relaxing final pose of practice, and it just feels so much better on a beach towel on the beach versus a yoga mat on a hard wooden floor.
It’s going to be hard to go back to indoor yoga next week.
Photo: Vivek Chugh
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Jul 31, 2010 |
I tried a little beach meditation today. That white noise called the sound of the surf really helped me block out distractions and clear my mind, so I could focus on restorative breathing. It was an amazing experience, but I have to admit, beach meditation has one major flaw. The beach is just too beautiful. I couldn’t possibly close my eyes, so I tried meditating with my eyes open. It was working out for me, until I saw a group of surfers run into the water. Oh well, I lost my meditative focus, but I was still at the beach. Life is good.
Photo: Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo
Jul 31, 2010 |
“I was in yoga the other day. I was in full lotus position. My chakras were all aligned. My mind is cleared of all clatter and I’m looking out of my third eye and everything that I’m supposed to be doing. It’s amazing what comes up, when you sit in that silence. “Mama keeps whites bright like the sunlight, Mama’s got the magic of Clorox 2.”
–Ellen DeGeneres
It really is amazing what comes into your brain when you sit in that silence. I don’t think I’ve ever started thinking of an advertising campaign, but now I probably will, thanks to Ellen. My recurring thought is always what I’m going to eat for lunch or dinner.
Let me know if you’ve had a really funny thought come into your brain while meditating.
Jul 31, 2010 |
“Fire the judge and hire the witness.”
–Gurudev Shri Amritji
So many times in yoga class I look around and compare myself to others.
Why can’t I reach my toes like her?
Will you just look at that show-off over there doing the head stand.
Why is my body so inflexible?
It’s time to fire that judge inside my head. Just turn it right off and instead be the witness to how amazing my body and yoga practice has become.
Want a little tip on how to do this? Close your eyes! I can’t do it in every pose, or else I’d fall over, but when you can, close your eyes to quiet that inner judge. With eyes closed I can’t focus on others, and I’m free to witness what my body is experiencing.
Witness the beauty in life and in others, instead of always being a judge. This is a lesson that can and should be applied off the yoga mat as well. Except, please be careful with the eyes closed part!
Amrit Yoga and the Yoga Sutras
61 Point Yoga Nidra -Shavayatra
Jul 31, 2010 |
Let your mind go and let the prana choreograph your body.
–Gurudev Shri Amritji
Prana is our energy, breath, and life force. When I’m in yoga class, if I follow this advice, it is amazing how much more enjoyable and rewarding the class is. Quieting the mind, focusing on my breath and letting that breath heal and guide me. Yoga is like a dance, and using your prana is the best way to choreograph it.
Amrit Yoga and the Yoga Sutras
61 Point Yoga Nidra -Shavayatra
