Headstand on Share Light PureSUP Yoga Board!
So maybe you have heard of this SUP Yoga experience but are not too sure what it is or why anyone in their right mind would want to try such a thing. Well, let me tell you a little about Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Yoga!
Stand Up Paddling is awesome on its own. Using big stable boards and starting out in really calm waters makes this low-impact activity attractive to many people. You can SUP on any body of water, so you can image the growing popularity inland with all the lakes in America. When done properly, the activity is a great total body workout and really targets core strength.
I’ve taught many SUP beginner lessons to people of all sorts of sizes and athleticism and am yet to come across anyone who hasn’t been able to get through the 2 hour tour. SUP is much easier than people think.
Now, I don’t recommend jumping straight into SUP Yoga, although I have had brave SUP Yoga students who came to class having NEVER done yoga or SUP. I guess they just decided to go full throttle and jump right into SUP Yoga. They did great and the experience totally intrigued them to try out regular yoga and get into SUP. This made me very happy because I am a huge advocate of cross promoting my two favorite activities.
Okay, cutting to the chase…. What is SUP Yoga???!!! Most classes start with basic SUP instruction, gear set-up, water rules and safety, and a paddle warm-up. Depending on the location, some classes will start with a yoga warm-up on land to get people comfortable with the movements that will be on the board. This also gives us instructors the opportunity to gauge ability and adapt the class accordingly. Next we make sure everyone is comfortable on their boards and can handle turning the boards.
Once everyone feels comfortable and we’ve paddled a bit to get the heart pumping, the SUP yoga portion of the class begins. Some people use anchor systems and some just have really loud voices and allow the students to sort of drift around in a general area. The yoga class has a similar flow as a studio class with a nice warm-up, heat building, core work, peak pose, and cool down. Each teacher and class is unique and there are some cool moves using the paddle and board that are different from studio yoga. Savasana on a SUP is like heaven on earth, I swear.
One of the many reasons I love doing yoga on a SUP is the instant feedback you get on your balance and uneven stances and your attention span. I have a wondering mind (ok, borderline ADD) and struggle with staying focused on the present moment. Well, when my mind starts to wonder in a SUP Yoga class, I have about 3 seconds to bring my attention back to my body or I am getting wet. This body awareness and present moment focus has transpired into my regular yoga practice and my life.
The other main draw for SUP Yoga is the unbelievable connection to nature. Your vibrations magnify as they reflect off the water and out into the universe. The sun beating down on your chest and the sweet ocean smell, it’s really something you have to experience to appreciate. It brings me back to the time I went hiking in Costa Rica and had my “epiphany” and realization of the powerful blissful force of nature.
Honestly, your first time will probably be a little less magical. Mine certainly was. You might be stressed about falling in (which is actually part of the fun), nervous about your ability and just hoping you survive (you will, trust me). Usually though, at the end of the experience something about it will speak to you and you’ll know if it is an activity you will want to do again. If nothing else, at least you can say you’ve tried it, right?!
Questions about SUP or SUP Yoga, email me: info@puresupyoga.com
Thanks for reading and sending you all lots of love!
