what do yoga and sailing have in common?

yoga and sailing: a surprising and wonderful connection

at first glance, yoga and sailing might seem worlds apart—one practiced on a mat, the other on the open water. but if you take a closer look, you’ll find that these two activities share a deep connection. both require mindfulness, balance and a strong relationship with nature. whether you’re holding a yoga pose or adjusting the sails, the principles remain remarkably similar. let’s dig deeper

mindfulness: being present in the moment

one of the key benefits of yoga and sailing is the way they cultivate mindfulness. in yoga, you focus on your breath, body movements, and mental stillness. Sailing demands a similar level of awareness—reading the wind, adjusting the sails, and responding to changing conditions. Both require you to be fully present in the moment, fostering a meditative state that calms the mind.

balance: on the mat and on the boat

yoga enhances both physical and mental balance, training the body to stay steady even in challenging positions. patanjali refers to this in the sutra 2.46 – “sthira-sukham asanam”. this sentence can be translated as “postures should be stable and comfortable”, and it is also often reworded as the balance between “effort” and “ease.” sthira refers to stability, intent, and strength.
the same principle applies to sailing. whether you’re moving across a shifting deck or keeping the boat stable in changing conditions, balance is key. the ocean, like life, is unpredictable—you must stay grounded and adjust with ease.

harmony with nature

yoga encourages a deep connection with yourself and nature, whether practiced outdoors or by simply tuning in to your breath, which mirrors the natural rhythms of life. sailing takes this relationship a step further, relying on wind and water as partners rather than obstacles. to sail effectively, you must respect and understand these elements, working with them rather than against them—just as in yoga, where you work with your body rather than forcing it.

we don’t use the body to get into a pose. 
we use the pose to get into the body
~ bernie clark

the calm within the chaos

both yoga and sailing have a way of calming the mind. yoga’s slow, intentional movements and deep breathing bring a sense of peace. likewise, the gentle rocking of a sailboat and the rhythmic sound of waves can be deeply soothing. even in challenging conditions, experienced yogis and sailors learn to remain calm, adapting gracefully rather than resisting.

we cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails 
~ dolly parton

flexibility and adaptability

in yoga, flexibility isn’t just about stretching—it’s about being adaptable, both physically and mentally. the same goes for sailing. weather can change in an instant, and a good sailor must adjust quickly, shifting strategies just as a yogi modifies a pose when needed. the more flexible you are—on the mat or on the water—the smoother the journey.

connection: with yourself, others, and the world around you

while yoga is often practiced alone, group sessions require synchronization and shared energy. sailing, too, is sometimes a solo endeavor but often a team effort, where communication and cooperation are essential. both experiences create a sense of connection—whether it’s with yourself, your crew, or the natural world around you.

final thoughts: different paths, same destination

yoga and sailing may take place in different settings, but their underlying lessons are remarkably similar. both teach patience, resilience, and the importance of going with the flow—whether it’s the flow of breath or the flow of the wind. they remind us to stay present, to adapt and to embrace the beauty of the journey.

so whether you’re unrolling your yoga mat or setting sail into the horizon, remember: the destination isn’t what matters most—it’s how you move through the experience, one breath, one wave at a time.

have you ever experienced the connection between yoga and sailing? share your thoughts in the comments below!

join me on my next adventure:

the yoga and sailing experience in corsica from 06th – 13th September 2025 and 13th – 20th September 2025 one week sailing along corsicas north west coast more infos click here

Yin Yoga & The Chakra System

Yin Yoga was developed by focusing on the energy lines (so called Meridians) of Traditional Chinese Medicine. But it’s always nice to have another point of view.
The angle we are looking at has its base in yogic tradition. The Chakra System.
Chakra can be translated as wheel or circle which keeps the energy in your body flowing.

Or imagine a roundabout in a big city.

Bild von frimufilms auf Freepik



Energy has different names in different traditions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it’s called Qi (Chi) . In Yoga Philosophy we call it Prana.

In the perfect world everything is balanced, Prana is flowing through your body to give life force and clarity. Prana would nourish every cell in your body and you would feel perfectly aligned and at ease. Perfect world.

Now imagine the big roundabout around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. At rush hour. 12 Avenues coming together. Well, let’s say every now and then this gets out of control.
And this is something that happens all the time in your body. Influenced by the outside world which is not always sunshine and butterflies. Influenced by what we take in. On all levels of senses.

One day something unexpected happens which will bring you out of balance. Physically, mentally or emotionally all layers of your body can be affected. Energy stucks or runs too fast.


By practicing Yoga we want the energy to flow. At the right speed. We want the energy to run from the very root to the very crown in our body. It’s said that we have a main channel or energy line (Sushumna) and two lines wrapped around Sushmna.
The Energy lines are called Nadis in Yoga Philosophy. And the two around the main Nadi are called Ida and Pingala. There is a whole story about these two, but this is another chapter.
On this main channel – Sushumna – are the main chakras located.

Fun fact: there are these 3 famous Nadis and the 7 famous Chakras but there are thousands more…Imagine, like France with it’s 20.000 to 65.0000 roundabouts (no one is really sure about the amount)

The three Nadis reach from the Root Chakra (Muladhara) to the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara). They are passing the Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana), the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura), the Heart Chakra (Anahata), the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) and the Third Eye Chakra (Ajna). Every one of them is passing the energy through. From one to the other. From bottom to top.

Designed by Freepick


If you are on the highway wanting to go from one place to the other, knowing you have to pass seven roundabouts, what do you think will happen? Well, hopefully nothing and you reach your destination without complication. But probably you will find others on the way. A bike that slows you down. A truck which can’t pass the roundabout and causes a traffic jam. Or maybe no one on the streets, which makes you go faster than allowed and will send a picture of you driving home.

By practicing Yoga we are cutting these obstacles out. We create secured highways, where no bicycles are allowed, the roundabouts are big enough for trucks and the car you’re driving is not letting you go too fast.

Now that sounds easy. But going or growing from root to crown takes time. And in this time so many things can happen. You might get a good foundation but years later they don’t have enough asphalt to build what’s necessary. There begins the Chakra Healing.

Btw this insight is an insight and does not claim to be complete. As I write this text more and more appears in my mind and I want to explain more about the Chakras. Actually I already did more than my intention was. So I stop here, but feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or if you don’t understand my metaphors. 😉

Coming back to my intention and the beginning of the text. I want to focus the next online Yin Yoga classes on the Chakra System. In the seventh class we practiced Yoga Nidra. The Yogic Sleep. A Meditation practiced in Savasana.

Hope to see you on the mat.

Lots of love and light, Andrea

#staystrongtogether or what Covid also spreads

I don’t know about you guys but I am done. I recently had what I would call a COVID meltdown. I convinced myself being ok, everything would be fine. But not the last days.

And therefore we can add another case to the Corona study. RIP optimism. But wait, NO! I don’t want to!

@ Paggy Sue‘s 50’s Diner – Route 66

I know I got all these tools I learned from Yoga and Meditation and I should encourage you to not give up and stay strong (and healthy of course). And I will. I promise. But sometimes I am just a human, vulnerable and fragil. And that’s why I am honest and open up this chapter.
When I was back in Germany I thought about visiting friends and family, getting things in order and stay just for a couple of weeks. After all, other adventures meant to wait for me. Like going back to an Indian Ashram practicing Yoga and meditation, learning more about the massage technique I already use. Going to the beautiful, heavenly island Siargao for surfing and on my way back a quick visit in Sri Lanka before I finally end up in Portugal to host my first Surf & Yoga Retreat. Sounds like a perfect plan? And I guess you also had plans which all of a sudden collapsed. And it’s not only about having dreams to fulfill. Many, uncountable livelihoods have been destroyed. Working as a Yoga teacher or Massage Therapist for example was not possible for a long time and still people are afraid having contact to others.

Well, thanks to John Lennon, I already know that “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”. So I was really convinced that this crisis which effects the world, all of us will not last for long. How naive, right? Well, I got it now. It stays already longer then I ever expect it to stay. Doesn’t matter what my desires are. Till my Covid-meltdown I still had this aversion. I don’t want it to be true. Like a child who don’t get its sweets.

Reading the news, following social media posts made me feel lonesome. Day by day a little bit more. And didn’t feel at the right place. Nowhere. Although I was with family and friends or being at the ocean. Nothing was the same anymore. Nothing to feel home.
We where told #staystrongtogether but how does that work when we have to maintain social distance? How to feel like a free human when you cannot act like that anymore? These both loneliness and the lack of freedom lead to the point where I lost my optimism, stumbled and slide into a vast hole of self-pity and cried a lot. I wasn’t aware of where it came from, complained about this and that and didn’t find the right answer. Instead i got tensed. Really stiff. Frozen. It’s ok to have self compassion because we are in a certain situation. But don’t become overwhelmed. And if so just give me a call and we talk it through!

Hold on. Breathe. Meditate. Experience.

Well, I still have these Yoga & Meditation tools in hand, right? As I mentioned in previous posts about stress and adrenaline, tension and anxiety, you just have to hold on and observe without judging or clinging to sensations or emotions. Breathe and stay present and you will figure that it is a sensation that sooner or later will pass away… and it does. The moment when I remembered what I’ve been taught during Vipassana I could let go. And that was a great relive. Fun fact: I could feel it throughout my body. I am not that tense anymore.

Working to release my tension I practice Yin Yoga daily. Wich includes Meditation, observation of the body and conscious breathing. I am happy to share my knowledge and experience with you. If you are struggling, instead of giving up just give me a call and we schedule a private session.

Don’ t let Covid spread fear and loneliness.
Lots of love and light – Andrea <3