What if there was a way to perfect your yoga poses, except on the water? That is the magic of SUP yoga! As the name suggests, this discipline combines standup paddleboarding (SUP) and the ancestral practice of yoga. It’s been gaining a lot of traction over the past few years, as more and more yogis and cross-trainers look for new ways to get a good workout, foster their connection with Mother Nature, and enjoy a mental getaway. In what follows, we shed light on the rising popularity of SUP yoga and suggest some reasons why it’s definitely worth a try. Prepare yourself for a unique experience!
Great Accessibility
For starters, contrary to many adrenaline-filled water sports like surfing or wakeboarding, SUP yoga is relatively more beginner-friendly and easy to pick up. Those who’ve never stood on a paddleboard shouldn’t feel intimidated, since these are very stable and not difficult to maneuver. As an ongoing trend, countless venues now offer the opportunity to try out SUP yoga and master paddling techniques (building momentum, how to turn, and stop). This certainly explains why more and more people are willing to give it a go, including celebrities and first-class athletes.
A Superb Full-Body Workout
One of the reasons that explain the popularity of SUP yoga is that it provides a comprehensive workout. By combining the benefits of both disciplines, you should expect to engage your core, arms, legs, and feet. You’ll not only solicit various muscles for stability, find your balance, and paddle, but also for the actual yoga postures. Even if you’ve never handled a paddle before or practiced yoga, you can expect to build strength, hone your balance, and develop your flexibility. In fact, it’s been shown that a person engages nearly 85% of their muscles in that sport. In other words, fitness all the way!
Minimum Equipment
An obvious benefit of SUP yoga is it doesn’t call for a mountain of equipment and gear, as opposed to other water-based disciplines. All that’s required is a board, a paddle, and preferably a wetsuit. That’s it! Now, when it comes to selection, the sports equipment pros at StandUpPaddleBoardsReview.com recommend choosing a paddleboard that suits the intended purpose of SUP yoga. Since there are many types of boards available on the market (surfing, inflatable, touring, racing, etc.), all with different characteristics, quick research will get you acquainted with the kind of board you need.
A Relaxing Experience
Whether it’s practiced for athletic or leisurely purposes, SUP yoga is a formidable way to unwind and get in your own bubble. The scenery alone is just breathtaking and will encourage you to get in your zone. Just imagine lying on your back floating around, letting yourself be rocked by the movement of the water, with a nice breeze and the sound of the waves surrounding you. You’ll feel grounded in the moment and develop a greater sense of mindfulness, which will do wonders for your mental health.
No More Fear of the Water
Taking up SUP yoga is an excellent opportunity for people to get over their fear of being in the water. As a beginner, you should expect to fall; that’s simply part of the practice. Now, the more you practice, the less you’ll fall off your board, and the more comfortable you’ll be in the water. On the Pacific ocean, a great lake, or a river close to home, there is no shortage of places to enjoy the benefits of this unique discipline and develop your confidence.
A New Challenge
Last, but certainly not least, more and more people seem to appreciate SUP yoga because it’s an awesome way to get a workout outside the gym or the home. The water element brings a new dimension, which makes the whole experience more enjoyable and exciting. No two sessions will ever be the same. Moreover, given their lower center of gravity, SUP yoga is a particularly suited activity for women. So, if you’re looking for a change of scenery while still wanting to perfect your yoga postures, this is the way to go!
At the end of the day, few recent disciplines have had a greater impact than SUP yoga. Not only is it a super way to work your core, build muscles, and improve flexibility, but the psychological benefits are also very compelling. Whether you live in a coastal city or are heading to a great lake region on your next family vacation, SUP yoga definitely deserves a stop on your activity schedule.