What is SUP Yoga?


If you are a yoga lover who likes to be close to water, you may want to look at SUP (stand-up paddleboard) yoga, which is a combination of paddleboarding and yoga for one thing. This popular yoga session is designed to challenge your strength and balance as you float in the water.


From Hawaii, SUP yoga reached the mainland in early 2010. Since then, it has risen to the heights of solidity as a basic stage and opportunity to interact with the mother nature.

The foundation is simple. Take the SUP board, paddle to a safe distance from the lake, the sea, or even the lake, and begin your yoga practice. Here's everything you need to know about SUP yoga that includes the benefits, risks, and even the potential training.


Benefits of SUP Yoga

It does not mean that many of the qualities of yoga support the principles of translation in SUP yoga. This ancient practice, a spiritual one centered on Indian culture, is the subject of countless lessons that are of practical value. In addition, it has a positive effect on mental health and can be used to treat low back pain.1


SUP yoga is also an excellent way to engage in neuromotor exercises, which increase a person's balance, coordination, and comprehension.


Standing on the SUP board puts all the basic muscles together - transverse and rectus abdominals and obliques. This exercise will also improve your mental and physical interactions as you hold the focus during each stop. Here are some of the benefits.

Inserts New Muscles

SUP yoga forces you to strengthen multiple muscle groups at once to maintain balance. This action will cause you to work on tissues that you did not know you had.


It Brings You Out

Played floating in the water, SUP yoga will give you energy to relax outside. Research has shown that it creates a psychological connection between nature and positive spirit.2


Releases Pressure

The link between yoga and stress reduction is clear. Participation in the general principles of this ancient practice has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in all experimental studies. These results suggest that it can do the same for you.3


Strengthens Proprioception

By providing a quick response — like falling into water — paddleboarding also strengthens the body’s proprioceptors. According to Schenone, proprioception is a human experience of one's space.


"SUP yoga is also an excellent way to engage in neuromotor exercises, which increase human balance, interaction, and acceptance," explains Dani Schenone, a registered yoga instructor, and Mindbody Wellness practitioner. "Rocky water adds an extra layer of weight that challenges human balance, making it a great way to increase stability and efficiency of movement."


Potential dangers of SUP Yoga

Sup yoga deserves a lot of fitness levels, even if you haven’t studied in a yoga class. To stay safe, be sure to follow your instructor's instructions and make sure you keep your form in mind.


For visually impaired students, watch the trainer and follow what they do to make sure you keep your body safe. You should also take safety precautions in the water.


“Make sure you wear a life jacket as you may enjoy a splash in the water a few times [common in SUP yoga],” explains Schenone. "Once you agree that you can come in, you should start relaxing and enjoying the class!"


Remember that there are certain dangers that come with SUP yoga. These include:


Falling to the bottom: Note how low water is under your board. Make sure it is deep enough to avoid falling on any rocks or sharp areas that may be directly below the surface.

Climate change: The wind can cause water to change. For this reason, morning is often the most popular in the SUP yoga class because the beach breeze is cool.

Exceeding your limits: Listen to your body. SUP yoga is designed to give you exercise, but is also intended as a natural relaxing session. Stick to your skill level and work on improving your form before completing the most advanced exercise.

"To reduce the risk, inform your instructor about your level of resilience and ask him or her to give you changes in the most improved posture," Schenone suggested. "And if you are just starting out, avoid making inversions that you would not do on solid ground [such as placing your feet on your head or your waist above your heart]."


How to Prepare

There are a few things to consider before rowing to the beach. First, check to see if your class offers a rowing board or if you need to invest yourself.


While most inflatable boards can come with a high price tag, there are affordable ones with minimal digging. You can also check out the rental options.


Also, make sure that you wear the right clothes. Both swimwear and sportswear work, as long as the wearer is comfortable and supportive.


Be prepared for the fact that you may fall into the water and wear a garment that you do not care about being wet.


Make sure you wear sunscreen and hydrate, too. Listen or not, your skin and body will thank you for the extra SPF and water. You can keep your water bottle in a dry bag to protect it and other essentials in the water during class.


Also, keep in mind that some classes will allow you to tune your board to reduce erosion while others will encourage you to float in calm water. Be prepared for both options, or call ahead to find out what to expect.


Lastly, in order to stay safe, you must keep at least two points of contact with you on the board at all times. You should also choose a wider position on the board to improve your balance.