Soothing Waves, Stretching Sands: A Guide to Florida Beach Yoga

Photo: inspired-horizons Clearwater Beach

Top 14 Beaches For Yoga in Florida

Updated: November 28, 2022. Beach yoga is a new trend that many people are enjoying on every coast. It is a great way to get in touch with nature and enjoy the beautiful scenery, especially on a Florida beach. The ocean, the sand dunes and blue sky: check out our beach yoga list.​

Exercising on the beach is a great way to feel alive and in touch with the natural world. We love to jog in the refreshing  Florida winters. Just like surfing, walking and horseback riding on the beach, there are many benefits to be gained from practicing beach yoga such as:

• it helps you connect with nature, the sun and your breath
• it improves your balance and coordination, especially on the sand
• it helps you relax, de-stress and feel like you're on vacation
• yoga outside provides vitamin D from more sunshine. Even on a cloudy day you get more vitamin D when exercising outside.

Yoga on the beach may include poses that remind us of the ocean and natural freedom. Such poses include the dolphin pose, camel pose and some gentle twists. A sequence in a class of beach yoga may then move into land-based exercises that include downward dog, plank pose, tree pose, child's pose (a gentle resting position), and finally savasana or corpse pose which is total relaxation. These yoga poses build strength and flexibility. Of course, breathing is of the utmost importance and who doesn't want to breathe in the fresh seaside air? 

Outdoor yoga improves blood circulation, calms your nervous system, decreases the potential for anxiety, eases fatigue, and can improve immune function. Add in a sunrise or sunset and your day is complete! How does beach yoga work and where can you try it? In some places in Florida, yoga classes on the beach are free. At other popular Florida beaches, the seaside yoga classes are pay-as-you-go or by donation. This makes it easy to slip in a beach yoga class during your Florida vacation. You can get started with beach yoga for as little as $10 a session in beach locations like Siesta Key.

Meditating on Florida Beach

Typical Sequence in a Class of Beach Yoga

There are different styles of yoga you may encounter at the shoreline. Practice yoga using your beach towel or use a mat that the class provides (many for free) because sand is sticky. The sequence in a class of beach yoga is often the same as a traditional class, with sun salutations, mountain pose, etc. Here is a sample sequence you can expect for beginners. It is a slow flow that will allow you to feel the sand beneath your feet, the sun on your skin, and awareness of the water in front of you. Theses poses may be chosen to open up your hips and back, and to lengthen your spine. You’ll be able to focus on taking deep breaths as you release any tension from your body.

• Warm-up: 5 minutes of sun salutations and some gentle stretching
• Standing poses: 10 minutes of standing poses with the ocean breeze providing a natural cooling effect
• Seated poses: 10 minutes of seated poses with the ocean waves or sea birds providing a calming soundscape
• Cool down: 5 minutes of sun salutations and gentle stretching.​ ​

Ocean Breath (Ujjayi Pranayama) can be used in yoga postures to increase oxygen as you move from one pose to the next. In this breathing technique, each inhalation and exhalation is long, full, deep, and controlled. Combine your breathing with the meditative sounds of the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico water. The water lapping onto the beachfront can deepen your experience. The effort of balancing your poses on the soft sand will provide an extra challenge. Watching the horizon over the ocean can make a simple pose more meaningful. 

Beach Yoga in Siesta Key Florida

While researching yoga on the beach, we were amazed at how many beach destinations in Florida offer it. Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Fort Myers Beach, Ormond Beach, Juno Beach, Destin beaches and the Florida Keys. Florida beaches provide the perfect, blissful environment for getting in touch with your inner self. For the beginner or more experienced exerciser, there is a yoga class for everyone. There's even yoga on a stand-up paddle board! We won't be trying it, but I'd sure like to watch a class. 

Beach Yoga on Florida Gulf Beaches

Click on a link below to find out more about beach yoga in your preferred Florida location. This is a small sample of the top 14 Florida beach yoga classes we found. Please note: these classes and schedules may have been impacted by Hurricane Ian. Class availability may change at any time so check with the provider for more information.

Siesta Key Beach: ​Yoga On Siesta Beach - $10 cash each session.
Anna Maria Island: Thrive Yoga & Fitness - donation-based classes.
​Fort Myers Beach: Pink Shell Beach Resort - $10 cash (non-Pink Shell guests welcome)
​Madeira Beach: Caddys - Free
Venice Beach: Beach Yoga with Elin - Free

Outdoor Beach Yoga on Florida East Coast Beaches

Ormond Beach: Yoga Ormond Beach - $10
Daytona Beach The Shores Spa: Kula Yoga - $10 donation
Fernandina Beach: Go Yoga - $15 - overlooking the beach by candlelight
​Juno Beach: Native Yoga - $10 donation
​Miami Beach: 3rd Street Beach Yoga - cash donation. The City of Miami Beach also offers free yoga classes at 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at Collins Park, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the North Beach Bandshell.

Beach Yoga Classes in the Florida Keys

Key West: Yoga On The Beach - $20 drop in fee
Key West Paddle board yoga: Lazy Dog Adventures - $40 for 2 hours

Yoga Classes on Florida Panhandle Beaches

Panama City Beach Access 47: Mermaid Heather Yoga - donation based
Miramar Beach near Destin: Yoga Destin - $15 drop in fee

Photo: Beach yoga by Raimond Klavins

Try Beach Yoga On Your Next Florida Trip

​Yoga is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries. It is a physical and mental practice that helps you to improve your health, spirituality and well-being. With these low impact exercises, you will become stronger with less pain during the day. It is the perfect activity for an early morning sunrise class on the beach. You will also find in Florida unique sunset beach yoga classes and even moonlight yoga events! 

Yoga is a great way to have fun with friends and family, or get in touch with your spiritual side. You can do it when you're on vacation. It's even better when it's free! Kids will likely love outdoor yoga too. It is never too soon to help them develop mindfulness as well as a love for physical activity. Anyone of any age will benefit from this!

Disclaimer: Our blog website is for general information only and not to be used for any official information. Reference official news and sources for your travel making decisions. Though we aim to provide you with up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind (expressed or implied) about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of any information, products, services or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Full Disclaimer here.

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