Life’s a Bitch or Life’s a Beach, It’s Usually Our Choice

Are you one of the many Angelenos who keeps putting off going to the beach?  When I first moved to LA I went to the beach easily once a week.

Depending on how I felt I’d venture to Malibu, Santa Monica, and even Redondo.  As the years passed by, going to the beach became a monthly activity.  Then once every several months.  One year I remember I didn’t make it to the beach at all!

Recently I was feeling beyond anxious.  I was being heady about challenges. Relationship and work stuff.

The beach always made me feel like home (yes, even though I’l from Ohio), it feels nurturing.

I always had an excuse for not going to the beach. Its too far.  Takes too much gas.  Too much traffic.

What are you all up in your head about? Well….

Enough is enough. Its time to take action.  

I began to surrounded myself with a friend of mine who goes to the beach 2-3 times a week.  And walla, my buns were at the beach that week.

Commit to What You Desire 

Since then I have made a commitment to myself to go to the beach once a week and it feels glorious.  It’s funny, going after my desires assisted me in other aspects of my life.  My business picked up and my personal relationships became more vibrant, making life more like a beach instead of like a bitch.

Stay Connected to Nature

Staying connected to the ocean, or most bodies of water, will gift you a world of healing from the inside out.  Moving to the rythm of the waves feels natural.  Breathing with the ocean instantly takes your mind to a deeper place.  Filling your lungs with the sea breeze expands your lung capacity for effortless breathing.

Ocean Inspired Yoga Moves 

The poses all embody strength, flexibility, openness and fluidity.

I recommend taking a brisk walk on the sand and warming up the body before starting these yoga movements.

Downdog 

• Start on all fours, press your hips up and back.
• Lengthen your arms, spine, and legs.
• Drive your heels down, they may or may not touch the ground.
• Expand your belly muscles on your inhales, contract on your exhales.

Plank

• Shift forwards into Plank, top of a push up.
• Heels up, gently pressing balls of feet on the ground.
• Feel free to bring knees on the floor to modify.
• Wrist, elbows, and shoulders all in one line.
• Your abdominals are doing all the work.

Updog

• Mindfully dip your hips down towards the ground, arms remain straight.
• Knees up or down, listen to your back.
• Lift up and out of your wrists.
• Point your toes straight back.
• Lengthen the entire front on your body.

Reverse back to Plank, then Downdog.

Repeat 3-10 times and take a rest in Child’s Pose.

Yoga Tip:

This sequence will help you feel invigorated, yet calm.  Your cells will be buzzing.  Of course this sequence can be practiced on or off the beach.  It only takes  between 3-5 minutes depending on how many reps you do.

Whether it is going to the beach or another one of your deep desires, commit to yourself!

Much Love,

Cindi