I have spent the entire last month here in the UAE. Really! After a 2012 full of non-stop travels, I’m back to hanging out in this amazing country of ours and despite having had to reach one too many deadlines and squeeze in an overdue apartment move, I’ve still managed to find time for a few little adventures.
Out with the old and in with the new
The question was raised in early December regarding how to spend New Year: an over-priced, bling-tastic, loud and arguably ostentatious city-based affair or a fabulously chilled escape to the desert for a spot of camping? Naturally, the latter option won hands down. A pre-trip reccie confirmed our spot and so on New Year’s Eve, we had just 50km to drive to our super secluded and utterly peaceful campsite. We set up tents, tables, chairs and a BBQ before sundowners at sunset. Darkness fell as did the temperature and we lit a fire. We spent the remainder of the year eating, drinking, chatting and laughing. Bliss. We also wrote our 2013 wishes on sky lanterns before setting them free into the abyss. At midnight, we toasted to the New Year and stood on top of a dune whilst watching the Burj Khalifa and Atlantis fireworks from afar, with Auld Lang Syne blaring from the car stereo.
On the 1st of January, we awoke to glorious sunshine, brilliant blue skies, some wandering camels and a brekkie of hot coffee and bacon butties. I said when leaving, “within an hour of the concrete jungle we have this amazingly expansive giant sandpit to play in, yet too often we get caught up in our every day lives and don’t make the effort. It’s so worth it though. It really is.”
Downward dog meet stand up paddle boards
Back in the sandpit, I headed to the beach to check out the latest water-based offering in Dubai. I met Emily, the very fit chick behind stand up paddling (SUP) Yoga at a dinner party in the end of last year. At the time, she was just setting up the first company of its kind in the UAE and I promised I’d be down to give it a shot sooner rather than later.
SUP is pretty big business now. Feeling like you’re walking on water, it’s a wonderfully therapeutic activity and pretty good for cross-training too. It’s low impact and great for core strength and balance.Throw in yoga on the boards and you take it up a whole notch higher on the fun and fabulous factor – the world becomes your studio and all the elements are invited.
We met at a secluded and sheltered secret beach and started off with a little paddle around, just to warm up and get confident on the board. We then lined up aside each other,threw our anchors in and moved on to some breathing exercises.
Moving onto our asanas, we did a series of stretches, twists and hip openers before a few rounds of sun salutations. It was bliss. The deck of the board is the perfect non-slip yoga mat so whilst balance is harder on a moving board, it was definitely easier than I anticipated. The trick is to find that sweet spot on the board (right in the middle) where you can balance best.
SUP Yoga brings in a whole new dimension to regular ground-based yoga. The core strength and balance required is immense and the intense focus required allows for not a glimmer of monkey mind. I even pointed this out during the class – it’s not often I spend an hour really present and mindful without finding my mind drifting off to today’s training, tomorrow’s deadline or next weekend’s dates.
We finished the session with sublime savasana and on opening my eyes, I felt energised and truly amazed by my surroundings. Straight ahead, the effortlessly elegant Burj Al Arab shone in the sunlight, behind, the glistening skyscrapers of Dubai Marina stood tall and our azure ocean waters lay like glass, as far as the eye can see.
I totally recommend SUP Yoga, as a one-off, occasional dalliance or a regular weekly fixture. Combine a stunning backdrop with the joys of paddle boarding, the sheer mental and physical rewards of yoga and the kind instruction, easy laughter and positive energy of a beautiful teacher and you can’t fail to finish all smiles.
And on to 2013…
As of this writing, it’s already mid-January and I’m nearly done with the race research for the coming year. Just a quick Google search and you’re overwhelmed with races and events in all four corners, regardless of your chosen sport. Every registration completed gives me an innate sense of satisfaction, not exactly because I can’t wait to get in training, but because I thrive off having a goal in sight and nothing tickles fit chick Tori more than an adventure on the horizon. Because that’s what life is all about isn’t it?
Best wishes for 2013 and may you have a year full of physical adventures and personal growth.
Love Tori Leckie x
