Looking to switch up your yoga routine for something a little bit more strenuous and reinvigorating? Look no further than paddleboard yoga.
Paddleboard yoga, or floating yoga, is a full-blown workout that has been racing across the country and the world over the past five years. This challenging take on yoga is a more challenging workout, as the unstable platform pushes you to work your midsection to keep you balanced and afloat.
Yoga in itself is a great workout, and paddleboarding engages the entire body. Combining the two creates a distinctive and unique way to refine your yoga techniques. For example, a downward facing dog pose on the paddleboard will quickly show you if your weight is unevenly distributed on one side.
The water adds a new level of difficulty to your practice, as you have to combat swells, winds and tides while trying to remain serene and focused. Safety is key when practicing yoga on a paddleboard; teachers must ensure their students know water safety and how to use a paddleboard before approaching practice on the board.
Whether you are a devoted yogi or a novice, paddleboard yoga is a great way to expand your practice. The body becomes more aware when on water. You pay more attention to your breathing and to the placement of your hands and feet so you don’t fall into the water. It gives you a sense of empowerment, providing a unique perspective of both the water and the horizon, almost as if you are walking on water.
Paddleboard yoga is a must-try this summer. Spend just one day gliding across the water, practicing your asanas, and you will understand why so many people have fallen in love with this tranquil practice.
-by Jackie Hart & Michelle Gierst
