Simply put, SUP yoga (paddle board yoga) is the practice of yoga on a paddle board in the middle of a body of water. SUP yoga is best practiced on calm waters such as lakes, bays, or harbors.
Over the past couple of years, SUP yoga has become a popular water sport for yogis and those who already enjoy kayaking. In fact, many yogis greatly improve their yoga skills by practicing SUP yoga because it requires more strength, balance, and concentration. People even practice acroyoga on stand-up paddleboards.
Today we will help you learn as much SUP Yoga as possible so you can start practicing as soon as possible.
Before you start, you should know that you don't need any previous yoga experience to try SUP Yoga but if you are an experienced Yogi or Yoga Teacher you can attend our SUP Yoga Teacher Training Course in Mallorca and become a SUP Yoga Teacher certified by Yoga Alliance.
If you have the desire to try, you will succeed. Like everything, practice makes perfect.
The only thing you need to know before trying SUP yoga is kayaking and swimming. There are some contradictions between the practice of yoga on land and on water.
PRACTICING YOGA: WATER VS LAND
Standing yoga with a paddle includes hatha and vinyasa flows that require different settings that you would not be used to if you only practiced yoga on the ground. For example: on land, you are always on the ground, but on a paddle board you are constantly moving with the wind and current, while also balancing on a narrow surface. Because of these water restrictions, SUP yoga requires intense concentration and balance to keep the paddling board stable while holding or shifting from one position to another. Ultimately, these new challenges will improve your grounding technique and work muscles you are not used to.
Another amazing benefit of above ground water yoga is that you will be practicing outdoors in a beautiful and peaceful body of water. You will breathe fresh air in every pose you do and when you open your eyes you will be able to appreciate the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. Ultimately, outdoor yoga is a relaxing and calming experience.
SUP YOGA BENEFITS
Recently we dedicated an entire post about SUP Yoga benefits. This practice has some amazing health benefits, as does paddleboarding. If you combined kayaking and SUP yoga, your workouts would increase significantly. In short, paddleboarding is a full body workout, which means it works the legs, back, core, shoulders, and arms. Kayaking for 15 minutes and then completing a 15 minute yoga stream would be an incredible training challenge.
SUP YOGA CLASSES IN MALLORCA
Living in the beautiful island of Mallorca and surrounded by the beautiful bay of Pollença we enjoy privileged conditions that allow the practice of SUP Yoga pretty much all year long.
Depending on where you live and what time of year, you can find SUP yoga classes that take place weekly. Classes usually begin with a short warm-up. After warming up, the yoga instructor will choose a quiet place and start the class with focused breathing, sun salutation and some yoga poses for beginners. SUP yoga classes typically last an hour and also include simple fitness exercises such as planks, lunges, and yoga poses for beginners and advanced.
SUP yoga classes are just one way to practice yoga on a paddle board. You can also do SUP yoga anytime alone or with a group of friends.
OUR TOP 5 SUP YOGA POSES
If you're interested in SUP yoga, here are our top 5 beginner poses for a balanced and fun yoga practice.
Do several rounds of these poses until you feel full:
- Boat Pose
- Downward Facing Dog
- Chair Pose
- Warrior 2
- Savasana
SUP YOGA: WHAT TO WEAR ON
To do SUP yoga effectively, you need the right clothes. Stretchy and water-repellent training clothes are recommended for these poses.
Also, be sure to check the weather before you leave the house so you can be prepared if it gets colder than expected.
BEST SUP BOARDS FOR PRACTICING SUP YOGA
There are many SUP boards designed specifically for SUP yoga. The SUP yoga board is wider, bulkier, and has a longer mat. When comparing epoxy paddles to inflatable yoga paddles, inflatable SUP boards are recommended. Generally speaking, inflatable paddle boards are more stable, sit higher on the water and provide a more comfortable platform for floating yoga. SUP Yoga (Yoga on Paddle Board) is a great opportunity to practice yoga on the water.
SUP YOGA IN A NUTSHELL
If you already love earth yoga, SUP yoga will provide you with many amazing benefits that can improve your yoga skills and take you outside. Benefits include improved balance, muscle strengthening, improved technique, and the ability to relax while being outdoors on the water. You can practice SUP yoga alone, with friends, or in a class. Also, the best paddle boards for yoga are inflatable paddle boards because they are more stable, comfortable, and usually have larger decks.
If you are ready to explore SUP Yoga or become a Certified SUP Yoga teacher join our SUP Yoga Teacher Training course in Mallorca and start teaching SUP Yoga around your city.