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 ventured 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!

A month ago, I was feeling anxious.  I was being heady about the challenges I was dealing with in life. I knew the beach always made me feel happy.  I had been complaining for months how I kept putting it off.  I was telling myself, “This is ridiculous, beach access is one of the perks of living in LA!”  I love the beach, it feels like home, it feels nurturing.  However, my actions said differently.  I always had an excuse, the beach is too far.  It’s takes too much gas.  There is too much traffic.  It takes too much time.  Blah blah blah.

Enough was enough, I had to make a move towards the ocean.  After all, spending time at the beach I claimed was one of my deepest desires.  I began to surrounded myself with a friend/student of mine who goes to the beach 2-3 times a week.  One late afternoon after my classes, my friend and I decided to head over to Point Dume Beach (just pass Zuma in Malibu).  I was not prepared, no bathing suit, no towel, no flip flops, and no snacks.  I knew if I went home first I would not make it back out.  I had to trust the Universe that it was all good. Luckily my friend has a beach bag in her trunk ready to go!

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 (excuse my French, the saying is just too perfect for my article.)

While spending time at the beach I take walks and practice yoga too.  With the Holidays soon approaching, staying connected to the ocean and all it’s healing properties 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.

Below is a short sequence of poses that reminds me of the ocean.  The poses all embody strength, flexibility, openness, fluidity, and so much more.

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

•    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.

•    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.

•    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.