Who is Lucia Roca?
I'm 31 years old and I'm from Barcelona but I live in Portugal. I studied Advertising and Public Relations, but a few years ago I left everything to be a Yoga teacher. My two passions are Yoga and surfing, and I feel super lucky to be able to make a living from it. The most important thing for my daily life is my yoga practice and being able to get into the water. For me, a healthy lifestyle is very important, combining movement, healthy eating (I'm vegetarian), connection with nature and mental health.
Why did you move to Portugal?
The first time I came on holiday to Portugal I fell in love with the country and I always had in mind to come back for a season. I fell in love with nature, surfing, the energy and its people. I spent a few weeks alone to disconnect and connect with myself. That week, I waited to see if I would be accepted for a Masters in Sports Management. I was sure that if they didn't accept me, I would stay here. In the end, they accepted me for the Masters and I had to go back to Barcelona for a year. When I finished the Masters I bought a one-way ticket to see what would happen. I came with nothing in mind and after 5 years I'm still here doing what I love the most. Surfing every day, close to nature and out of town, having the opportunity to give yoga classes every day outdoors and in a studio. Nowadays I can say that it is my home and that I feel at home, that a season has become a lifetime.
How did Yoga enter your life?
I have always been a very athletic woman, I also used sport as a way to escape my thoughts. When I was 20 years old, I started to hear about Yoga and I was impressed by this way of exploring the body's movements and, at the same time, calming the mind. I started taking some classes and really fell in love. I started taking classes in a gym instead of a studio. Every time I came out of yoga, I left with a feeling of mental and physical peace that I loved. Yoga for me in the beginning was just the practice of asanas, I hadn't explored much beyond that. But little by little, after a few years of practice, I started to have a regular and daily practice where all the knowledge of yoga started to open up. Through yoga, I learned to accept myself, I learned to move consciously, and not judge.
How did your surfing journey start?
Years ago I started surfing in Barcelona and during some trips to the north of Spain (Basque Country). I always liked the idea of starting to surf from an early age, and at 23 years old I tried it and fell in love. I knew it would be an important part of my life. It was one of the biggest reasons why I moved to Portugal. The fact of having the waves close by and being able to surf every day. 5 years ago I moved to Portugal and that's when I became really connected to Surfing. When I surfed in Barcelona there was no consistency and I didn't surf much. Now here in Sagres, surfing has become an essential part of my life. I don't see myself living in a place without surf.
How do you relate surfing and yoga?
For me, yoga and surfing complement each other very well, as they are two disciplines that work both the body and the mind, leaving us in a state of calm and happiness. I love the energy of the sea, every time I enter the water I feel new and at peace, like when I finish my yoga practice. Every time I practice yoga, it's a moment that connects me with myself, like every time I surf. It's a time when I can let go of all my doubts, worries and fears. I feel so alive and awake in every moment. Yoga is like surfing because they both teach me to be present with myself, to be present with what is happening, otherwise we fall, and the moment is over. Yoga helped me a lot to improve my surfing technique. It has helped me to feel lighter in movement, more flexible and at the same time strengthening parts of my body needed for surfing. It helped me to be more aware of my body while surfing, to be more aware of my breathing to improve my endurance while surfing and, above all, it helped me to avoid a lot of injuries. Both are disciplines that help me to be connected with my body and my breath, to be aware of each moment, both are fluid movements that complement each other and help me mentally feel more of who I am.
What is your routine?
I wake up around 6:30 am to practice yoga, when I finish my practice, which varies between 30 minutes and 1:30 am (depends on the day), I have a glass of hot water with lemon and teach a yoga class from 9 am to 10:30 am When the class ends, I usually have breakfast. It depends if there are waves, if there are, I just have a banana. If not, I usually make a good breakfast. During the day, my priority is to find a good peak, and get in the water once or twice a day. I go surfing with my friends or my boyfriend. When I'm not surfing, or giving yoga classes, I organize things on the computer, like yoga retreats, yoga classes, my website or do illustrations, etc ... I also meet my friends for a drink. During the day, I walk with my dog Mocha, which I usually take to the beach while I surf. Sometimes I have an afternoon yoga class from 6 to 7:30 I have an early dinner if there is no surf in the afternoon. I usually have dinner around 7:30 am. I eat dinner at home or go out to dinner with friends or my boyfriend at a restaurant. I go to bed very early because at 6:30 am I wake up.
How was your first Deeply Together for you?
It was amazing. I loved participating in this experience and getting to know the whole team.
I didn't know anyone, but I felt very close to everyone.
I loved that during the day there were activities around surfing, we would go surfing and then do yoga focused on surfing. I loved having the opportunity to give yoga classes to everyone.
The food and the house were spectacular. I loved the experience and it seems to me a brilliant idea to bring the whole community together to get to know each other and spend a few days together.
