A New Way to Relax On the Water: Say “Namaste”

OK.. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the image is both not me and not Mirror Lake!  🙂  It’s still a great shot though!

Summer calls for us to sit by the water, jump in the water, splash in the water, and drink lots of water. But yoga on the water is a new thing entirely and a new way to enjoy the days of summer while also maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Yoga has been known for centuries to provide various health benefits, including increased flexibility and better posture. Combining this ancient practice with your local lakes or beaches could make for a new way to relax during the hot months of summertime.

Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga

Sometimes called “Stand Up Paddleboard” Yoga, or SUP, the sport entails carrying out the ancient practice on a floating board. This requires a new level of focus, balance, and engaging the core—no plopping into the next pose or abrupt movements.

According to Yoga Journal, standup paddle boarding was a product of the 1940s and was born when Waikiki surfers navigated through waves while standing on boards with a long paddle. SUP is usually practiced on 10 to 12 foot-long boards in the ocean, on a lake, or even on the surface of a river. Some poses to try include:

• Bow Pose
• Downward Dog
• Camel Pose

Nationwide SUP Yoga Classes

There are a variety of Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga classes available across the United States. Whether you live on the coast or up north, you could be on your way to a serene day on the water. And it is not just large bodies of water that are seeing a piece of the action-in parts of Pennsylvania, local pools are scheduling SUP classes as well. A recent article on the Observer’s site highlighted the unique fun taking place this summer.

Read on for more information about SUP groups that may be taking place near you.

Paddle Into Fitness began in 2009 in San Diego and soon expanded into Orange County. Check out their SUP certification programs and beginner lessons.

Coeur d’Alene Paddle Board Company is locally owned and operate. Their SUP classes are for both the quiet Idaho mornings and the evenings of adventure.

Yen Yoga and Fitness in Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan takes Yin SUP out onto Lake Michigan’s shallow waters. Find your balance with a certified and trained team who will help you get your asana on.

Yoga Energy Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida could help you get up close and personal with dolphins and manatees while you pose your way through the Gulf of Mexico. Try Intro to SUP or SUP & Dolphin Watch for a truly unique experience.

Balanced Rock Bodyworks!!  Yep!  We offer SUP classes and encourage you to just give it a try.  It is a fantastic workout and a great way to have some fun in the sun with great friends!

Yoga Fun in the Summertime

If you love summer and can’t wait to get out on the water, a Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga class may be for you. Every class will offer its own variations, but you can be sure that when you combine good-for-you yoga with the fun of the water, your routine will never be the same.