SOUTH BEACH on a summer’s morning is a glorious place for a pre-work yoga session, says South Fremantle local Joe Surace.

While he’s not a qualified teacher, Mr Surace had been in the bending game for more years than he cares to recall before getting a small band of like-mined folk together six years ago.

Beach yoga has been on six days a week every since – except for a break in April when marriage and a trip to Italy put things on hold.

Anyone can turn up, and its free: “We do it summer and winter. We are there when it’s raining,” Mr Surace says with a laugh.

• Joe Surace leads a beach yoga session.

The health benefits of yoga, which originated in ancient India, are legend.

The American Osteopathic Association says it increases flexibility and muscle strength and tone, improves respiration and helps maintain a balanced metabolism.

It also prevents cartilage and joint breakdown and protects the spine along with increasing bone health and blood flow, especially in the hands and feet by getting more oxygen to the cells. The gentle exercises ups your heat rate (lowering the risk of heart attack), lowers blood pressure and can help relieve depression.

The USOA also lauds yoga’s benefits to manage stress: [Which] can reveal itself in many ways, including back or neck pain, sleeping problems, headaches, drug abuse and an inability to concentrate,” Natalie Nevins says on the organisation’s website.
All of which are good reasons for getting out of bed and heading to the beach.

“There’s also a social aspect,” Mr Surace says, explaining the 30 to 45 minute session ends with meditation – and a hug.

“Every one needs hugs in the morning, it’s a great way to start your day.”

Head to South Beach dog beach (southern end) weekdays 6.15am or Sunday 8am, or phone Joe Surace on 0412 369 558.

by JENNY D’ANGER