Practising yoga by the water | Benefits, postures and yoga retreats

Yoga develops self-awareness, improves breathing, boosts your energy, and tones your body — a practice embraced by 2.8 million French people!

Yoga develops self-awareness, improves breathing, boosts your energy, and tones your body. Yoga is practiced by 2.8 million people in France!

Yoga studios are ideal during the winter, but when the weather is nice, roll out your mats on the sand or grass and enjoy practicing yoga by the water!

The benefits of waterside yoga

Taking care of yourself and nurturing your well-being in the heart of nature is priceless. What better way to clear your mind and breathe fresh air than by the sea or a lake?

Practicing yoga in nature, especially near water, offers many benefits:

• Get in touch with nature: doing yoga by the water awakens your senses. On a beach, the sound of the waves enhances your session.
• Letting go: yoga combines relaxation with physical effort and concentration. Sessions alternate between calm poses and more challenging ones, helping to reduce stress.
• Strengthen your body: over time, your muscles become more toned and your flexibility improves, making poses easier to master.
• Relax: simply sitting by a lake or gazing at the ocean while breathing deeply is a source of calm and mental clarity.

Morning and evening are the most popular times to practice yoga. In the morning, take advantage of the fresh air and the rising sun for your Sun Salutation. Practicing on sand or grass also gives your ankles, feet, knees, and hips a gentle workout.

In the evening, hold poses longer to deepen relaxation. You can also finish with a short meditation: take in the view, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself.

Postures for practicing yoga

The principle of yoga is based on a series of postures called asanas in Sanskrit. Each posture strengthens the body and mind.

The most well-known sequence is the Sun Salutation. This series of poses balances energy and coordinates breath with movement.

The steps:

1. Stand with hands in prayer at chest level (Namaste)
2. Inhale, extend arms towards the sky and stretch the body
3. Exhale, bend forward until your hands touch the floor
4. Inhale, step the right leg back, stretch the neck, gaze upwards
5. Exhale, step the left leg back, feet side by side, gaze downwards
6. Knees touch the floor, almost lying on your stomach
7. Inhale, push hands against the floor, lift your chest and gaze upward (Cobra pose)
8. Exhale, lift the pelvis towards the sky, forming an inverted V (Downward Dog)
9. Inhale, step the left leg back, bend the right knee, gaze upward
10. Exhale, push through your legs, gently bring the torso forward, hands on the floor
11. Inhale, stand up, stretch arms skyward and arch back slightly
12. Exhale, bring hands back to prayer at chest level

Other postures you can practice at home include:

• Vriksasana: balances the body, strengthens thighs, calves, and ankles
• Urdhva Mukha Svanasana: strengthens arms and core, stretches back, shoulders, and spine
• Trikonasana: works legs and core while improving balance and flexibility
• Halasana & Marjariasana: relax the back and strengthen abdominal muscles
• Utkatasana: strengthens thighs, ankles, and shoulders, and improves balance
• Uttanasana: stretches the legs and spine

Yoga retreats

A yoga retreat is a getaway where you can relax and practice yoga more intensely over several days. It’s an opportunity to step away from your daily routine, either once or annually if desired.

Retreats often combine yoga with meditation and activities like hiking or water sports, especially if you are near the sea.

Destinations abound: in France, Quebec, Italy, Morocco, or Bali, offering all the ingredients for a timeless experience. Yoga retreats provide relaxation, focus, and the chance to reconnect with yourself.

Note that retreats vary depending on the type of yoga you practice. Always gather complete information before planning your trip.

Paddle yoga

Paddle yoga, or SUP (stand-up paddle) yoga, involves practicing yoga on a board in calm waters such as a pond or lake. It has become increasingly popular and is a great alternative for beginners and experienced yogis alike.

Being on water changes the dynamics: balancing on a smaller, moving surface requires more concentration and engages muscles differently than on land.

In Brittany, excellent spots for paddle yoga include:

• Le Minihic-sur-Rance on the Emerald Coast
• Kerbiloet Beach at Arradon in Morbihan
• The Rhuys Peninsula at Sarzeau in Quiberon Bay

Practicing yoga by the water increases awareness of your surroundings, your breathing, and your body. It’s a perfect way to strengthen yourself while reconnecting with nature and finding inner balance.