There are thousands of researches that prove numerous benefits of yoga for your health, body, and emotional wellbeing. These advantages work with any kind of yoga, and so with practice in the open air under the sun with hot sand between the toes. Here we will cover some of the pros and cons specifically applying to beach yoga.
Benefits of Beach Yoga
1. Increased Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an essential part of any yoga class, however, beach yoga will only increase this effect. The immediate proximity to water deepens this feeling of a quiet mind, peace, unity, happiness, and contentment at this very moment. Yoga practice near the sea waves results in lower stress and anxiety levels and can help you deal with depression and sleeping disorders.
2. Sounder Health
The sea air is saturated with iodine and ozone, so a good beach yoga class can strengthen your immunity through right asanas and breathing techniques. Yoga by the sea also stimulates and improves metabolism, and increases serotonin levels in your brain.
3. Higher Dose of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is in charge of keeping your muscles, bones, and teeth strong and healthy. It is also essential for keeping the right balance of calcium and phosphate in your body. Sunlight is said to be the main source of this element, so taking a beach yoga class will boost vitamin D production in your body.
4. Level-Up Asanas
On the sand, your body should work harder to keep the right balance, so you will turn on some deep muscles that you do not normally use. The unstable surface can also enhance the effect of some asanas, such as Warrior, Downward Dog, Trikonasana, etc. For advanced yogis, a beach yoga class is the right opportunity to master balances and handstands, as soft sand is safe enough to fall.
Drawbacks of Beach Yoga
1. Dehydration
As an outside activity in hot weather, beach yoga can be even more dehydrating than a normal class. Make sure you drink enough water an hour before and right after the class. Also, have a bottle of water nearby to grab during water breaks.
2. More Interruptions
During a beach yoga class, you will most likely come under more interruptions, such as outside noises, unwanted public, or unusual feeling of the sand on your body. This may easily distract your attention, but at the same time, it is a good chance to improve your concentration skills!
3. Less Solid Footing
A soft cushion of sand can also become a challenge for a beginner. It is better to level the surface to avoid asymmetrical muscle work in symmetrical asanas, such as Cobra, Bridge, Bow, etc. It is important in the view of equal charge to different groups of muscles, as well as the psychological and emotional effect of the practice.
Conclusion
There are obviously more positive things about beach yoga than side effects. After all, most of these disadvantages can be easily transformed into exciting challenges. Just give it a try, and you will get a new thrilling experience and widen the horizons of your practice!