Sunday, May 17, 2015

Chocolate Yoga



It's been all things chocolate for the past week in Grenada.


There have been parties, cooking with chocolate demonstrations,
 fashion shows, tours to chocolate factories and cocoa plantations
 and more.  It's a great time to visit!
 
 
One of the events that caught my attention was a yoga class at
The True Blue Bay Resort that featured chocolate.
Curious about how the two could be combined I gathered up several
other cruisers from my yoga class and we headed over to
the yoga studio early last Saturday morning.

 
The studio is really lovely with windows that open up to allow the
breeze through and a beautiful view down to True Blue Bay.
 
 
The class was gentle, the surroundings beautiful and the aroma, well
it alternated between the scent of the flowers outside the windows to
the occasional whiff of chocolate.
 
 
The class ended with an unusual meditation that went something like this:
"Place the piece of chocolate in your hand.
Look at the rich color, the texture.
Watch how the light catches it.
Bring the chocolate slowly towards your nose. Inhale and notice how
the aroma intensifies. Close your eyes and breathe deeply.
Now place the chocolate on your tongue but don't chew it.
As it melts, how does the texture change?
Do different flavors start to come through?
Now swallow.  Feel the sensation as the chocolate reaches  your
stomach.  How does that feel?"
 
Well, you get the idea.  It was all about tuning into each of our senses
and savoring every moment.  We repeated the exercise with cocoa tea.
 
It really was quite lovely and you normally don't get to end an exercise
class with chocolate.  I'm pretty sure that if I had know that you could
meditate with chocolate, I would have taken up yoga years ago.
 
Namaste.
 

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Paddle Boarding



A sport that we've been seeing more and more of in recent years is
Standing Up Paddleboarding or SUP.  
As a lover of all water activities I was curious to understand the attraction.


The University Club added 2 boards to their list of water sports that are 
available for us to use.  I already make use of the kayaks and enjoy 
paddling around Prickly Bay.


My friend Hope and I decided to give it a try.


Getting started.



Hope is a natural!



I've always heard that SUP is a great workout for your core, 
arms and legs and that seemed to be true.  
Before we knew it we were up and off!


My final review, I prefer to kayak.
You can more easily look around and take full advantage of your 
surroundings in a kayak.  It's more relaxing.  
And why would I want to stand when I can sit!
Did I mention that the kayak has a drink holder?