Beach Day!

So, today was our day off! But, we still did a yoga practice (it is a yoga teacher training, after all!) And WHAT a yoga practice we did!!

It was an hour of sun salutations (vacillating between challenge-loving and life-hating moments). Sun salutations are very vigorous, in case you don’t know. Then, we did handstands and forearm balances. Then, we did abs until everyone groaned. THEN, we did six 10-breath wheels (I could only manage  3 very short 10-breaths, then 3 bridge poses). Then, we did headstands (which is where I expended the very last of my energy) and finished with legs-up-the-wall pose. In all, it was almost two hours!

The fact that I even completed such a crazy hard yoga practice makes me happy! I was wiping sweat out of my eyes with every other forward fold.

So, those of us whose rooms were close enough, rushed to take showers and grab a quick breakfast before going to the bus. We rode to Punta Uva beach (apparently one of the top ten beaches in the world) and it was GORGEOUS! Of course, pictures don’t quite do it justice.

Florida is comparable, but in a different way. This beach had a very tropical feel with its dense rainforest lining the beach. I started a light dip in the ocean, which turned into a long dip because it was so divine! The water temperature was just how I like it – not cold; and the waves rolled gently, giving me the feeling that I was in a whirlpool, or getting a little massage. Plus, the water was very “clean” – no seaweed, very little sand creeping under swimsuits, etc. Perfect.

Plus, the water lowered my body temperature back to normal! After the rigorous yoga practice today, I thought I would be sweating to cool off the rest of the day! I took a little nap in the shade and recuperated. It was lovely.

For lunch, we stuck to our vegetarian diet and I had hummus, bread, and gazpacho. Mmmm! But, the big deal for me was the ICE CREAM!!! This place also had great ice cream (a little like gelato) and I had mango and sweet lime. It was DELICIOUS! And I was so happy to have sweets!!!

Oh yea, there’s no sweets here. We only get dessert two or three times a week. There’s sugar for coffee and tea, but no goodies. I think the instructor has it as part of our “detox.” Oh well. I miss them the most. Someone mentioned cupcakes the other day and I would really love someone out there who can to eat a cupcake for me! My thoughts will be with you. Longing.