Yoga by the Beach

Early morning sunrise was so beautiful and worth waking for at 5:30am. The ocean sat quietly still with hardly a breeze to blow away the clouds embracing the sunrise. The mosquitoes were out in full force with only the light Caribbean breeze hugging our skin. A test of patience to sit in peace and quiet with the buzzing sounds from the flapping wings of our pesky blood-sucking intruders.

At times like great beauty such as now, when travelling, I find it difficult to decide which digital camera lens is best for photographing a momentous experience. Carrying both around is a challenge at best and a trial of my juggling capabilities. So in making the best of what I have, I choose one or the other lens, hoping to capture the essence of the scene. This morning, a 18-200mm lens would have been perfect. The 50-300mm lens which I opted to use in photographing the sunrise was just too long for my liking. Although I make do with what tools I am blessed to have, I sometimes miss ‘the perfect shot’. Yet I am grateful to now have a SLR to experiment and play with. I am super excited at having such opportunities of vast beauty and opportunity. Tell me what you think of my morning photo shoot?!

Kirsten’s yoga class at 9am was a true delight. 16 morning practitioners (some trying yoga for the first time!) revelled in the gentle breeze which swayed with our bodies, fluid as the breath and waves which engulfed our every sense. The railings of the pier yoga studio were an awesome tool in furthering one’s balance, stretch and alignment. It truly was magical, at times hearing the ocean beat a cadence of delight when the rain pelted out a spontaneous tune that ended as abruptly as it began. In Savasana, I fell in to a deeply entranced state of stillness, out of body in both physicality and mind. I was flying with the wind, in tune with the universe. It was a surreal timeless moment, connecting with Mother Earth and the ocean floor beneath me, the stilts of the studio swaying in lovely unison with my breath.

We ended up our gorgeous luxurious day, of reflection and sun, chatting with Kirsten about the possibility of holding a yogaFLIGHT retreat here in the Caribbean. We learned a bit more about Kirsten and her family. Kirsten originally visited Belize 15 years ago (originating from Chicago, Illinois). She instantly fell in love with the Island of Ambergris Caye, and much of her time and effort went into getting back to Belize as often as she could, eventually creating the magical Ak’bol Yoga Retreat with her husband and two children, 5 years ago.

Now I’m curious, would anybody be interested in a week-long escape of yoga, yogaFLIGHT, scuba diving, drumming, and meditation at Ak’bol?