Beach Etiquette

I should have had this column last week, but I was quite busy with the fabulous Memorial Day Weekend weather and missed my deadline! And I am sure with beach closures and ferry visitors, space will be a hot commodity.

Here is my annual beach etiquette column and it is for all of our new residents and our visitors that were pouring off of the ferry last week. One loyal reader a few years ago said Kevin should place my column as one of the photos on the boardwalk, and I forgot to tell my new bosses! And these rules are not just for the actual beach, but the peninsula in general.

Rule 1: When you get to the beach and there is a lot of space, please do not sit directly on top of people already at the beach. I never understand why someone who has never seen me or met me before wants to sit so close to me. Don’t you want your own space as well?

1b: This also goes to setting up a huge crew directly in front of someone. Many times, the residents know that the tide will be coming in as the day goes on and you sitting directly in front of them is both blocking their view and now creates a problem when you have to move when the tide comes up the beach. I truly think this rule will be broken as the beaches close to the ferry are so small from boardwalk to shore and many beaches are closed.

Rule 2: I love music. Our group often has a radio on the beach. However, when your music is so loud that the entire beach cannot even hear their conversation, that is rude.

2b: This noise rule also applies to vulgar language. Rockaway is a family-oriented beach, so please respect that families with children are surrounding you.

Rule 3: Clean up after yourself. This was said in Robert Fulghum’s book "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" One of the things he listed 25 years ago was: clean up your own mess. This is not beach etiquette; it is etiquette in general. This is especially true for Beach Channel Drive around the ferry. Please do not clean out your beach bag onto Beach Channel Drive. Also, if you know your teenagers are heading to the beach (day or night), send them with a garbage bag.

Rule 4: Dress appropriately. Shirts and pants are not optional. I do not want to see your butt cheeks, ladies! Please understand that I am not against non-residents of Rockaway enjoying our beaches, and our local establishments, I just think that if they knew the rules, it would be a bit better. I have a few more rules and they will be out next week. Have a great week everyone. Of course, if I missed a rule, let me know so I can include it in next week’s column: email me at mrshanning308@ gmail.com. P.S. Thank you for all of your support since I have returned. Have a great weekend!

The Heart Chakra

June is the height of heart season, which is why our focus at Ocean Bliss Yoga Studio this month is Anahata, or the Heart Chakra. Have you ever heard of the chakras? In today’s article, we will briefly learn what chakras are, why they matter, and we will specifically dive into Anahata.

Just as the universe is made of spinning wheels of energy (picture the Milky Way Galaxy), we, too, manifest from 12 wheel-like energy centers called chakras. Chakras are energy hubs in and around the physical body that link to specific areas of consciousness and directly affect our physical, emotional, and mental states. When the chakras are balanced and functioning properly, we experience clarity, flow, and expansion in our lives and are equipped to handle difficulties, should they arise, with calm and grace.

The chakra system, or energetic body, is the foundation of our being. By understanding the chakras, we can trace any symptoms (physical, mental, or emotional) back to specific energy centers, which can, in turn, inform and encourage our healing process. For example, if I am experiencing issues with the organs of elimination, feelings of not belonging, insecurities, and/ or mental resistance, I know that I have to work with Muladhara, or the Root Chakra. In this case, I would do grounding activities, such as walking barefoot on the Earth and gardening. I would choose movement that helps me to connect with my physical body, such as yoga, Pilates, or dance. I would incorporate root vegetables into my diet, and

I would wear and surround myself with deep reds, browns, and burnt oranges.

Anahata, or the Heart Chakra, is the fourth chakra and it is located in the center of the chest. Its corresponding color is green, its seed sound is “yam,” and its symbol looks like a flower with 12 petals and two overlapping triangles (one right side up and one inverted) in the center to represent the dualities of like and dislike.

I understand Anahata to be the place in the body where Heaven meets Earth. It is a sacred room in our temple (body). Visiting the chapel of the heart by simply placing our attention in that part of the body reminds us that there is only one of us here and we are it. All of the people, animals, plants– all of nature– are one in the same.

Working with the Heart Chakra helps us to find kindness, compassion, understanding, and empathy for ourselves and others. The awareness that we are all one reminds the mind that there is nothing we lack. We are abundant by nature, and everything we need is attainable. Centered in the heart, we become more generous, patient, and gentle. We realize that what we do to others, we do to ourselves, and what we do to ourselves, we do to others. The interconnection is unbreakable.

Some signs of an imbalanced Heart Chakra include loneliness, feeling unlovable, depression, fear of intimacy, jealousy, selfishness, possessiveness, clinging, smothering, codependency, being judgmental, and defensiveness. If you experience any of these symptoms, I invite you to place your attention in the space of your heart and meditate with the following mantra: “I am whole and I am healed. I am abundant.” You can also wear and surround yourself with the color green, eat green foods, practice heart opening yoga poses, spend time in nature, chant the seed sound “yam,” use heart opening crystals (like jade, emerald, or amazonite), use heart opening essential oils (like rose, jasmine, or lavender), and/or listen to 528 hz.

We invite you to join Helen Kilgallen at Ocean Bliss Yoga this Sunday, June 11 at 11 a.m. for a Restorative Yoga Workshop with Essential Oils. Sign up at oceanblissyoga.net