You have seen the pictures on Instagram. You have read the posts on Facebook. You have even stopped and looked at the glossy magazine pages.
You have been wanting to try it... It looks like so much fun! You are on the paddle board, standing tall, your arms are reaching up towards the sky, your lungs are filled with fresh air, your senses are being nurtured by Mother Earth, you are wearing your biggest smile ever... Yet you are not sure if this is for you. This little voice inside your head keeps telling you that your balance is not that good and that you are not flexible enough. You cannot do that yoga stuff on a stable ground; why would you want to turn yourself into a pretzel while on the water?
Well, the list is long... :-) But first of all, SUP Yoga and pretzel are two terms that do not belong together.
1. SUP Yoga Is The BEST.
It is all about Balance, Endurance & Strength Training. You get to train your core and increase your stamina without even realizing it. Even though the paddleboard feels extremely stable, it is considered (by your body) an unstable surface. You are going to involuntarily and voluntarily engage muscles that you don’t even know you have, to keep you from “falling over.” This muscle contraction inherently helps you develop strength, endurance and balance.
2. SUP Yoga Gets You Wet.
Science shows that we are at least 70% water, a mere fact that seems to explain our natural attraction to this magnificent source of life. Recently there has also been quite a bit of discussion and speculation on the benefits of the negative ions counter acting the damaging effects caused to our bodies by free radicals. The negative ions are molecules released from a moving body of water such as the ocean, lakes and rivers.
3. SUP Yoga Creates Flow.
Yoga on the paddleboard dramatically enhances your concentration skills. Your land training can be forgiving; your board however, will give you immediate feedback. If you are not in the moment, you are in the water. This merging of action and awareness, concentration on task and feedback are some of the factors that create the state of flow (a term coined by Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in 1975). When we are in the state of flow, we feel our best and we perform our best.
4. SUP Yoga Plays Well With Others.
According to Juan Carlos Santana, founder of the Institute of Human Performance, in Boca Raton, Florida, as human beings, we are hard wired for the following four pillars of movement:
Standing & Locomotion
Level changes in the body's center of mass
Pushing & Pulling
Rotation
SUP Yoga is one of the most natural and complete types of movement ever experienced as it innately involves all of the above pillars. This makes it the perfect cross-training partner to any sport or other physical activity.
5. SUP Yoga Does A Body Good.
Stand up paddling, if performed properly, is undeniably a low-impact, strength and mobility developing activity. Even though there are no formal studies showing the benefits of SUP on our joints, a growing number of orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists and joint rehabilitation specialists recommend stand up paddling to their patients. Many old time surfers who were forced to "retire" from their favorite sport are now able to get back on the board (stand up paddle board that is). One can only imagine the manifold combined benefits of SUP & Yoga.
6. SUP Yoga Makes You Bright.
There are numerous studies showing the many benefits we receive by simply being out in nature. One of these benefits is linked to our current state of Vitamin D deficiency. The sun is one of the main components that aid the synthesis of Vitamin D in our body. What a perfect way to boost our immune system, regulate our hormone production, sharpen our mind, uplift our mood and strengthen our bones all at the same time. Not to mention, a great tan as a bonus.
7. SUP Yoga Teaches You Tenacity.
Amelia Mary Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean said: "The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity."
Think of tenacity, just like any muscle in your body. If you do not use it, you loose it. SUP Yoga trains your tenacity. Any time you "fall", you need to get right back up. And this happens over and over again, in one of the most fun ways possible.
8. SUP Yoga Makes You Popular.
The moment you try SUP Yoga, you realize that you just became part of an incredible community. You got to experience something unique with people you had probably never met before. This bond is ever lasting and the moments will always be treasured.
9. SUP Yoga Knows You Deserve More Than A Treadmill.
Nature is Mother Earth's playground and undeniably way more exciting than the gym or the studio. It is fascinating how much you get to explore about the area and the wildlife surrounding you, simply by practicing SUP Yoga. On your board, you train your body, cleanse your mind and honor your senses.
10. SUP Yoga Enhances Your Wardrobe.
There is no better reason for you to now buy those cool looking boardshorts, cute skort, leggings or bikini you have always wanted. :-)
We would love to hear your reasons for practicing SUP Yoga. We can be reached at:
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About Tim & Vie:
Tim Ganley is a lifestyle entrepreneur, outdoor adventurer and author. He loves experimenting with disciplines that lead to physical and mental strength and endurance. He believes that if people learn about the state of flow and practice building their life around it, the world will be much happier. When he is not teaching or designing new programs, he can be found white water kayaking, rock climbing, scuba diving, off road biking or surfing.
Vie Binga is a lifestyle entrepreneur, outdoor adventurer and author. She loves to biohack blending science and nature, to enhance physical and mental performance, sharing her findings with others. She believes that high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution will always make an impact in people’s lives and the world. When she is not teaching or writing, she can be found rock climbing, surfing, whitewater kayaking or scuba diving.