Paddleboard Yoga?
Paddleboard yoga involves combining Stand Up Paddle SUP and yoga postures on reasonably calm waters. Doing this kind of exercise increases the balance and efficiency of your yoga workout. This sport combines many of the skills used in surfing with yoga postures such as Hatha and vinyasa yoga asana. You can begin by practicing on beach sand or a swimming pool until you gain the required stability to perform SUP yoga in a lake or ocean. SUP yoga uses on a regular surfboard or a special paddleboard specifically made for this type of yoga.
It is known yoga has its roots from India, paddle boarding originated in Peru and was refined in Hawaii to its modern form. When you combine the peace and tranquility of floating on water with the meditative nature of yoga, you achieve maximum connection with nature. You are also able to increase your focus, balance, and core strength. These benefits are making paddleboard yoga increase its popularity globally.
Beginner Tips for Paddleboard Yoga
Yoga poses are challenging which makes practicing SUP yoga more intimidating. The good news, however, is that paddleboard yoga exercise is not entirely impossible. The following tips will help you take your next yoga session on the water.
Master the center of your paddleboard
Determining the center of your paddleboard is important as that’s where you will find your balance when doing different poses. If you are doing paddleboard yoga standing poses such as Warrior I and II, ensure your feet are firmly planted on the board. In case you feel it wobbling, start with a narrower posture and widen as you get accustomed and comfortable. You can tell the midpoint of your surfboard by looking at the handle you use to carry the board to and from water.
Start with Low Poses before Trying Standup Poses
When practicing SUP yoga, poses closer to the board are easier to master than standing poses. Although the latter is referred to as the “standard” yoga poses, you need to first accustom yourself to practicing on a SUP paddleboard. You can start off by trying the kneeling position whereby your back knee should start on the board. After you gain stability, slowly and carefully plant your back foot and then straighten the back knee ready to stand up.
Take Your Time to Learn
Learning yoga in a vinyasa class is different from SUP yoga. In the former, you might find yourself learning every pose with ease. Using the same speed in SUP yoga might send you on an unplanned swimming session with the fish. To avoid such a situation, ensure you make every transition with a lot of care and mindfulness. With time, you will master SUP yoga and be more comfortable on the board to changeover your poses at your desired speed.
Connect with your Surroundings
Yoga is all about connecting. While doing it on water, find new ways to connect such as nature which includes the fish underwater. You can also connect with other water sporters including kayakers, fishers, and fellow SUPers. You might fear that motor boaters will kick you off the board with the waves but trying to connect with them will make a difference from other forms of exercising.
When practicing paddleboard yoga, remember to bring along your safety gear. Also, ensure you have fun to the maximum when paddleboarding. In case you fall off the board, don’t give up but instead laugh it off and climb back on the board and try again.
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