Words and pics:
SUP Yoga Brighton (Gerry Broom)
Stand up paddle board Yoga is
a pretty new thing to hit UK
shores. In a SUP Yoga class you
will perform Yoga poses on the
surface of a board, with some
modifications to stay dry! You
don’t need to be a Yoga expert
to enjoy the benefits of SUP
Yoga – classes should cater for
all levels of ability.
Yoga poses on a SUP are more
physically demanding as your
body will automatically make lots
of small muscular micro
adjustments to keep you
balanced. The poses will have to
be well aligned to balance the
board and you will use your core
a lot more than on dry land.
Strengthening your core has a
whole host of benefits including
preventing injuries, improving
posture and making your SUP
technique more efficient.
Performing poses balancing on
an unstable surface really makes
you focus so you are present and
enjoying the moment rather than
dwelling on the past or racing
ahead to the future. To keep from
taking a dip it’s a good idea to
gaze at something that isn’t
moving, as this really helps.
Balancing will be harder at first
but SUP Yoga will improve this by
increasing proprioception and
bodily awareness – which will
also improve your SUPing.
Eagle Arms in Lunge
We tend to carry tension in the shoulders
and thighs, especially after paddling, and
releasing these tight muscles feels amazing.
From all four’s step the right foot through to
a low lunge, find your balance and raise both
arms out in front crossing at the elbows with
the left arm on top. Keeping the elbows
stacked F