We love supporting other local businesses that share our core values. That’s why we spoke with Valerie Twomey of Chatham Lighthouse Beach Yoga to learn about how she embraces the local environment to provide a service to the community that betters their lives.
Valerie, why is practicing yoga an important part of your life?
My daily yoga practice is a reflection of my daily life. My approach to a situation or a pose may be assertive, unsteady, compassionate, fiery or I might even back away. Yoga practice is a place to explore all the possibilities and observe what is working in the moment.
What are the benefits of the community practicing yoga?
The practice of compassion begins inside. Compassion grows and extends out to others. As a yoga community, we offer an intention of loving kindness and practice quieting the harsh voice of the critic. Community yoga is a united prayer, witnessing the perfection in our imperfection. As we leave the turbulence of the need to get ahead and dissatisfaction with things as they are, we may find spaciousness. This opening not only helps us but leads to a freedom to truly see the needs and ways we can help others. Community practice ultimately serves all.
What made you start Chatham Yoga on Cape Cod?
I heard a voice and it said “Go outside.”
How is beach yoga different from other forms or yoga?
Chatham Lighthouse Beach is a magnificent landscape. This morning, the sky showcased wispy, puffy, and long lavender clouds. “Eyes to the sky” was a long gaze! Mountain pose embodies “Tada”. The waves and seals demo beautiful fluidity. The sand is particularly kind to joints and knees. And, of course, the moment your toes hit the sand – you cannot stop the smile. Lucky us – nature’s finest yoga studio.
How important is the environment to people who practice yoga?
Beach Yogis not only enjoy the fruits of a morning practice, they pick up what others have left behind. Trash pick up contributes to cleaner beach. Also a great way to add to your towel and T-shirt collection!
Does connecting with nature and the environment make a Yoga class more effective?
The effect on the breath is tremendous. Being at the ocean, creating ocean sounding breath with slow moving yoga poses is liberating meditation in motion.
To learn more, email spirit@chathamyoga.com or visit ChathamYoga.com.