Land Yoga vs SUP Yoga
- Make Adjustments to your yoga flow: when you engage in SUP yoga, you’ll likely be incorporating elements of both hatha and vinyasa styles into your routine. Hatha yoga is a slower and gentler approach, while vinyasa yoga is about ongoing movement between poses. Depending on your typical land yoga habits, this might take some adapting.
- Make sure your balance is on-point: you’ll need more balance and greater focus for SUP yoga, especially when you’re first getting started. You’ll be floating in tandem with the wind, waves, and a smaller space for your feet. Your senses will be heightened and invigorated.
- Enjoy the natural surroundings: the soothing sights, sounds, and smells of the open water and great outdoors will fill your soul with peace and contentment. It’s simply not something you can experience within the confines of a yoga studio. This will especially enhance the spiritual benefits of your yoga practice.
- SUP yoga will feel harder at first: give yourself time to adapt to this new form of exercise. Even the most experienced yogis will need to make adjustments and give themselves patience when they first learn yoga SUP.
Outfitting Your Board for SUP Yoga:
Paddle boards for yoga have special gear needs, and they’ll need to be tethered or anchored as you practice. Although nearly any SUP can be used for yoga, look for a wide, stable board with an extra-large, soft traction pad.
- Anchors and Tethers: A securely tethered board keeps you stable and in place during your SUP yoga session. It’s not a necessity and if you do not mind drifting off a little during your routine than don’t bother!
Keep your SUP secure during yoga class with an anchor, tether line, or floating dock. A great option is a Paddle Board/Kayak Anchor, which is used to keep your SUP in place when you're far away from any tie-up points. Other SUP yogis like to attach their boards to a tether line using d-ring clips, a SUP leash, bungees, or a strap. Make sure you also have a paddle board leash so you don’t get separated from the board if you fall into the water while on the board. You can also use your leash to tie up your paddle while practicing yoga.
- Paddle: Any adjustable SUP paddle will do great for SUP yoga - just make sure you have a place to store your paddle when you’re moving through your poses. Some boards, like the 10'6 Komodo, have special paddle holders for this exact purpose. Otherwise, you can store your paddle in your board’s bungees, or wrap your leash around the paddle in order for it to float behind you.
- Personal Flotation Device: A personal flotation device (PFD) is so important in case of an emergency. We suggest getting a compact PFD to wear around your waist.
- Emergency Whistle: Emergency whistles can save the day in a situation where you need to call for help. Keep yours close at hand - many paddlers like to keep them attached to their PFD.
- Dry Bag: A dry bag can keep your phone and an extra set of clothes secure and dry. Lots of yogis like to dress in layers, and a dry bag is perfect for stashing any layers you take off in the middle of yoga class.
- Bungees and Straps: Bring extra bungees or straps to your board for an extra option to hold your paddle, a water bottle, or any other gear you’d like to keep close by but out of your hands.