Yoga is a practice that originated in India over 5000 years ago. It promotes health and wellbeing of the body, mind and soul through the regular practice of a range of different techniques including postures and movement, breath awareness and breathing exercises, relaxation and concentration, and meditation.
Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent times due to its undeniable health benefits. Some of the benefits that a person will experience with regular yoga practise are:
- increased flexibility and strength
- improved concentration and focus
- increased energy and vitality
- decrease in stress levels
- more clarity and a calmer mind
- balanced metabolism
- stronger immune system
Practising yoga surrounded by nature will allow you to soak up the beauty and energy of the natural environment around you, which may enhance the many benefits of this ancient art.
In Far North Queensland we are blessed with breathtaking tropical beaches that can provide the perfect backdrop for any yoga session. Here we have shared some of the best beach yoga locations in this special part of the world.
Fitzroy Island
If you’re looking for some re-centering and rejuvenation, there is no better way to achieve this than taking an outdoor yoga class on a breathtaking tropical island.
Fitzroy Island is a short 45-minute boat ride from Cairns and is a friendly, laidback tropical island situated amongst the Great Barrier Reef and covered in lush rainforest.
Yoga classes are held in a variety of outdoor locations on the island, allowing you to get in touch with your inner yogi as you listen to the sound of the native birds chirping, palm trees swaying and the gentle waves lapping on the coral shores.
Classes are held on weekends from Friday evening to Sunday morning and welcome people with all levels of experience and abilities. The evening classes are perfect for beginners to advanced, and the morning classes require a moderate fitness level.
Friday: 6:30pm to 7:30pm – Relaxation Yoga
Saturday: 6:30am to 7:30am – Sunrise Ocean Flow
10:00am to 11:00am – Energy Flow
6:30pm to 7:30pm – Relaxation Yoga
Sunday: 7:30am to 8:30am – Morning Ocean Flow
Even if you’re just heading over to Fitzroy Island for a day trip, you can still experience the bliss of a tropical island yoga session.
Simply take the Saturday morning 8:00am Fitzroy Flyer from Cairns and join in with the 10:00am Energy Flow class that will leave you feeling calm and energized and ready to spend the rest of the day exploring all that Fitzroy Island has to offer.
Palm Cove
Palm Cove is one of Cairns’ Northern Beaches and a 30-minute drive from Cairns CBD. As the name suggests, this stunning beach is fringed with swaying palm trees and has long been a popular holiday destination for tourists as well as a great day trip for locals wanting to soak up some beach vibes.
Palm Cove is a residential beach but over time has become more of a boutique beach town with 5-star resorts and array of classy bars and restaurants along the esplanade, all nestled amongst the towering Melaleuca palm trees.
Yoga classes at Palm Cove are held at three different stunning locations.
Weekly classes are held on the beachfront at Palm Cove just in front of the Alamanda Resort at the southern end of Palm Cove, as well as at the Imagine Drift Resort on the spacious deck next to the lagoon swimming pool.
Monday: 5:30pm to 6:40pm – Beach
Tuesday: 7:30am to 8:40am – Beach
Wednesday: 7:30am to 8:40am – Beach
Friday: 7:30am to 8:40am – Drift Resort
Saturday: 7:30am to 8:40am & 9:00am to 10:10am – Beach
Private classes, programmes, workshops and retreats are also available and are held in the Bali Hut Studio at Buchan’s Point, Palm Cove.
Palm Cove has classes to suit all levels of experience from beginner to advanced.
Photo Credit: hartigyoga.com
Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a 1-hour drive north of Cairns and is surrounded by two iconic World Heritage areas, the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest.
This once sleepy fishing village is now an international holiday mecca that welcomes people from all over the world who want to come and explore the magic of this unique part of the world.
Four Mile Beach is the premier beach of Port Douglas and just a short 5-min stroll from the sophisticated and upmarket village centre. It begins at the northern rocky headland and continues for four miles, stretching as far as the eye can see with no buildings or developments interrupting the breathtaking surroundings.
Yoga classes are held on Four Mile Beach every day during the dry season starting in June. They are held once a day from 8am to 9am, 7 days a week and go ahead regardless of the weather.
The class is suitable for all levels of experience and you don’t have to be fit or flexible to join in. Yoga at Four Mile Beach is all about having a rich yoga experience while taking in the beauty of the tropics.
Photo Credit: experienceoz.com.au
So whether you’re an experienced yogi or a newbie just wanting to experience the magic of yoga for the first time, these stunning tropical beach locations will definitely add to the bliss of any yoga session.
