Beach Yoga to Start Your Week Off Right
By Laurel Ciohon
If you're looking for a way to start your week off right, look no further than yoga on the beach each Monday morning! It truly is the most incredible way to clear your mind, stretch your body, and start your week on a positive note. Junction Center Yoga owner and instructor, Kathy Navis, offers two classes each Monday morning at the Egg Harbor Beach – Level II at 8am and Beginner/Level I at 10am.
I showed up early since it was my first time at beach yoga. Kathy had mats, blocks, and straps set up on the picnic table near the far north end of the beach, not far from the parking lot, just past the DC Adventure Center rental shack. Participants trickled in and began to set out their mats. There's no need to RSVP to these classes and drop-in's are welcome. There's plenty of space at the Egg Harbor beach, so there's no limit to the amount of students who can participate. Kathy asks for a $10 donation, which I dropped into the money jar she had out on the picnic table. I found a sunny spot on the grass, rolled out my mat, placed a yoga block under my head, and closed my eyes as I waited for the 10am session to begin.
During the next hour and half, Kathy led us through an amazing beginners yoga session. I have injuries, so she helped me with modified poses and gave great advice. She helped us to remember to focus on breathing and relaxing, which – paired with the beach – was not difficult to do. The sounds of waves crashes, birds chirping, and trees swaying was an amazing way to enjoy a yoga class.
Towards the end of the class, Kathy had us move our mats down towards the water where there was a rustic wood fence and had us prop our legs up at 90 degree angle. We held this pose for a good 20 minutes. Wall up pose helps promote relaxation, increase circulation, soothe cramped legs, stretch the lower back, relieve tension, and provide pelvic floor relaxation. By the time she had us finish up, I was so calm and unwound that I could have napped in that position for the rest of the morning! If you're hesitant to try yoga, I urge you to try a beginners class with Kathy, either at the beach or her Junction Center Yoga Studio. Yoga has many benefits, including increased flexibility, increased lubrication of joints, ligaments and tendons, stimulation of all organs in the body, complete detoxification, and excellent muscle toning.
Junction Center Yoga Studio also has indoor yoga and tai chi classes taught throughout the week by several different instructors. The studio is open the year round at their barn located just a few miles north of Jacksonport, off County Highway A on Junction Road. Find out more by calling 920.823.2763, check the complete schedule online at JunctionCenterYoga.com and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/yogaclasses.