Last week I found myself quite drained. I guess we are all at the end of a long and full Summer 2016.
I decided I needed a treat for body and mind.
It was a beautiful calm Corfu morning, as I stepped out onto the beach to embark into some beach Yoga and a swim.
There is nothing more beautiful than practicing Yoga in nature.
Naturally it is good to be out of the wind and strong sunlight, since the body is meant to open up in a good Yoga practice.
Early morning and late afternoon are the traditional times recommended for Yoga.
Based on the five nature elements practicing in nature brings us very close to these.

Earth, as we struggle to find balance on uneven ground.
Air, that surrounds us as we practice our postures.
Fire, that we generate from within through the heat we create by warming the body through movement and breath.
Water, is the flow we create through aligning movement with breath (Vinyasa in Sanskrit).
Space is the sum of all nature elements that we generate between muscles, joints, bones and within our rib cage and organs.

Ultimately we create space in our mind and hearts as we connect with our own self and nature; this is an act of uncluttering the busy mind with simple ‘facts of life’ that is part of the mystery of Yoga.
Yoga defines correct alignment as the act of connecting all relevant body parts evenly.

Five aspects create the magic that Yoga provides:

1. Our skeletal alignment underlies the physical law of gravity and resistance. Resistance to the ground creates spinal extension and a lifted poised posture.
   Equal weight distribution of the feet creates equal distribution and activation throughout the spine.
2. The bodies muscular alignment happens through controlled muscle activation and relaxation.
   Muscles need to” know” contraction – release – relaxation.
   Active Core Muscles strengthen and extend the body centre, thus help us to ‘stand tall’.
3. “Where the eyes go the body follows.”
   The spinal movement and extension follows the eyes.
   Our Gaze point, “Drishti” in Sanskrit is leading our movement to a higher place.
4. The Yoga breath is a focused and yet relaxed activity that besides the taking in of oxygen is also used to distribute energy from the central spine to the extremities.
   Breathing can connect the different elements that give structure and alignment to the body.
5. For structural and energetic alignment you can set an intention for your practice. An intention can be to nurture yourself, to become more flexible, to have fun or to open your heart. Etc.

When we align the physical, structure the breath and the intention we can create inner and outer alignment.
You will immediately feel more invigorated and at peace.
Already ten minutes make a difference when you apply yourself.

This is how to make your body smile:

A Yoga beach practice will make your day.

Yoga is best practiced in the morning or late afternoon evening when the sun is not too hot on the skin.
It is good to find a location out of the wind and the direct sun if it is a hot day.
As Yoga was based on the five nature elements, practicing in nature brings us very close to these.
In a posture practice you will be focussing on five main aspects.

1. Standing strength and stability in all your postures.
2. Breathing deeply in and out through both nostrils
3. Warming the body through movement and breath
4. The flow we create through aligning movement with breath (Vinyasa in Sanskrit)
5. Space generated in muscles, tissue, bones and within our and organs

Yoga defines correct alignment as the act of connecting all relevant body parts evenly.

It is important to find that balance also in the long summer break and after.
A regular Yoga posture practice certainly can help to keep you connected and in balance.

After completing these postures lay down on the ground, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax your muscles progressively from head to toe.
When you get up say a little thank you to yourself and nature around you.

As we align the physical, structure the breath and the intention we can create inner and outer harmony.You will immediately feel more invigorated and at peace.Already ten minutes make a difference when you apply yourself.
We create space in our mind and hearts as we connect with our own self and nature.