The twenty-ninth morning greeted them in the most magical way in Raja Ampat. Long before the sun fully appeared, soft colors—pink, orange, indigo—had already begun painting the eastern sky, reflected beautifully on the calm sea surface like a giant mirror. The air felt so pure and fresh, only the sound of small waves lapping against the yacht's hull and the occasional call of a faraway seabird breaking the dawn silence. This was their second and last day enjoying the peak of relaxation in this hidden paradise.
The idea for sunrise yoga on the ship deck came from Sharon the night before. "Tomorrow is our last morning here; how about we welcome the sunrise with yoga? To make the energy feel stronger," she suggested while they were enjoying dinner under the stars. The proposal was well-received by Nisa and Reza, who had indeed felt the benefits of total relaxation in Raja Ampat. Caroline and Andrea also agreed, on the condition that there were no grasshoppers or impromptu philosophical sessions from Jim. Jim himself just nodded, probably planning to analyze the light spectrum of the sunrise.
So, that morning, while the sky was still colored with violet hues, the top deck of their luxury yacht had been transformed into a floating yoga studio. Mats were spread out facing east. Sharon, who was the most regular yoga practitioner among The Corrs, was appointed the impromptu 'honorary instructor,' guiding them through light stretching and simple sun salutations.
"Let's start with the breath," Sharon's voice sounded soft, blending with the tranquil atmosphere of the morning. "Inhale deeply through the nose, feel the fresh Raja Ampat air filling your lungs... exhale slowly through the mouth, release all remaining tension..."
They all tried to follow. Nisa, who was usually constantly tense because of the burden of the state, truly felt able to let go this time. She took deep breaths, feeling a peace she rarely experienced. Reza beside her looked so calm. Caroline and Andrea, surprisingly, looked more focused this time, perhaps mesmerized by the magnificent view before them. Even Jim looked more 'normal,' not too busy analyzing, just following the movements in his slightly stiff but solemn way.
As the sun truly began to peek over the horizon, casting its first golden rays, the atmosphere became even more magical. Doing a warrior or triangle pose against the backdrop of a Raja Ampat sunrise was an experience hard to describe in words. The extraordinary natural beauty combined with the serenity of the yoga movements created a perfect harmony.
Perhaps inspired by the magical atmosphere and the overwhelming feeling of relaxation, Nisa felt like trying something a little more challenging. When Sharon guided the Vrksasana (Tree Pose), a moderately difficult balance pose, Nisa did quite well at first. But then, she saw a small ray gracefully glide through the clear water below the ship's deck. Her attention was slightly diverted.
"Wow, look at that!" she whispered unintentionally to Reza, turning her head slightly.
And... her balance wavered. Her supporting foot slipped slightly on the mat, which was perhaps damp from the morning dew. She lost her balance, her body beginning to tilt toward... the deck railing!