Yoga at Sea: Sailing and Mindfulness

Intro

My name is Violet Cai and I am a Canadian traditional boat sailor from Ottawa, Ontario. I first discovered the world of traditional sailing in 2019, when I received a bursary to sail in Norway during the annual International Tall Ships Races! It was a life-changing experience; I now work and live on boats full time.

What I love about the traditional boat world is the deep sense of community and solidarity with nature. At sea, a sailor becomes humbled by the forces of the wind and ocean, and quickly develops deep respect for the natural forces. Additionally, the ability to maneuver oneself under sail and travel anywhere in the world is such a freeing feeling!

Yoga

My yoga journey began around the same time as my sailing journey. I worked at a hot yoga studio called Enso Yoga in Montreal, Quebec, and felt regenerated and grounded after each session. I really enjoy the extra challenge that a heated space brings to yoga, and I always seek out a hot yoga studio in every place I sail to. Most recently while sailing in the UK, I’ve attended Stu Alexander’s hot yoga class at the Liverpool Yoga Hub, and HotPod yoga in Bristol.

Mindfulness at Sea

Being at sea long-term is an incredibly challenging activity for the mind and body, and I find that the constant impermanence of my surroundings and routine to be a shock to the system. With irregular sleep schedules, the odd bout of seasickness and missing home, I definitely found myself struggling to find balance at times. Yoga and meditation definitely helped me a lot. Last year, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, I picked up the Girlvana book at a local bookstore and began practicing the different activities for fostering mindfulness and self-awareness. I found that it was great to read a resource focused on feminine solidarity and strength, especially in a male-dominated space like the boating world.

Since last year, I have incorporated a gentle flow yoga routine into my busy life at sea, and I especially enjoy holding my practice under the morning sun on the wooden deck of the ship I am working on. I enjoy feeling the grain of the wood under my hands and feet, which helps me feel more connected to the ship's energy and myself.