SUP yoga( Stand up paddle board yoga) is a kind of water sports, that you can do or practice yoga on a stand up paddle board on calm bodies of water like lakes, bays or harbors. In recent years, SUP yoga has gradually become a popular and trending water sport for those who love paddle boarding and yoga. Actually, many yogis are practicing SUP yoga to extremely improve their yoga skills. People even practice acroyoga on stand up paddleboard. SUP yoga requires more alignment, strength, balance, and focus because the board is continually moving. Paddle board yoga is not elegant but also challenging for any rider. It can be a pleasant method to experience nature and perform your yoga.

Next, we are going to inform you of sup yoga as much as possible so that you can get sup yoga started as soon as possible. First, we are going to discuss the difference about yoga on land and water.  

Land VS. Water

There are striking contrast between practicing yoga on land and water. SUP yoga combine hatha and vinyasa flows which require different adjustments. If you have only done yoga on land, you will not get used to the adjustments. Because you are always on a ground which is still, however, on a paddle board which is constantly moving with wind and current, you need to move along with paddle board. You need to keep balanced on a limited surface.

Due to the restrictions on the water, you need to concentrate and balance to keep your paddle board steady when you are holding or transitioning poses. These new challenges will improve your techniques and skills.

Another benefit to practice yoga on the water is that you can do it on a beautiful, calm body of water and breath in fresh air and appreciate the beautiful scenery surrounding with you and experience the charm of nature. In a word, SUP yoga is a relaxing and calming experience immersing into nature. That is why SUP yoga is booming recently.

The Benefit of SUP Yoga

Practicing yoga on a stand up paddle board is not only relaxing but also benefit to your wellness. There are some amazing health benefits of SUP yoga.

Promote Mindfulness

The practice of SUP yoga requires you to pay more attention to your breath and your body movements. Because you need to keep a balanced posture while floating on the water. Focusing on your breathing and balance is closer to developing a deeper level of mindfulness or self-awareness. SUP yoga is the perfect way to be mindful, gain inner calm, and see your individual power. Then you can have a happier life.

Breath Control

When you are practicing yoga, you focus on the breath. It is helpful for you to transition your poses and holder loner poses. The pace of SUP yoga requires you to slow down, which allows you to focus on your movement and focus on your breathing.

Blood Circulation

SUP yoga can also improve your blood circulation. It can promote a healthier body and help you to destress your mind, reduce depression, anxiety, finally, improve your emotional wellness.

Full Body Workout

SUP yoga is also a workout. You can burn a lot of calories on a paddle board. You will strengthen your muscles. It will also exercise your core, legs, knee, shoulder, arms. It demands a full body workout.

Refreshment

The SUP yoga is different from some other water sports. It is a refreshment from yoga on land and traditional paddle board. Mix up the excise and doing something special is a great way to keep your motivation stimulated. Besides, in Summer, you can feel cool by the surrounding water instead of feeling heat laying flat on your yoga mat inside a room.  

Immersion Into Nature

Practice yoga on an inflatable board allows you to immerse into the nature. In additional to the calming feeling, you will also have a beautiful landscape. You can breath the fresh air. You are surrounded by water and your inner mind will keep peaceful. It can improve your mood and has been proved. Do not miss this experience.

Fun and Challenge

The best experience of excise is always fun. And SUP yoga is certainly the same purpose. But it is also a challenging work. Because you need to mentally and physically balance your weight on water when you transition or keep your poses.  

Challenge Balance and Flexibility

If you can maintain your balance and flexibility when changing yoga poses, then your yoga skill will reach the next skill level. Your body is in a balanced state while floating on the water, it requires your body’s muscle to strengthen with a wide range of poses. Those people who frequently practice yoga have excellent balancing and flexibility.

Calm Your Mind

SUP yoga allows your body to flow along with the water. It has a calming effect to your body. The SUP yoga brings your mind peacefulness and give you a relaxing and stress-reducing feeling. It gives you calming feeling of being integrated with water.

Empowers You

Every kind of exercise is a method of changing your mood. You are granted rights to become a better yourself by prioritizing wellness above something else. Besides, it can prompt you to work hard and be more patient.

Simple SUP Yoga Poses You Should Try

If you are interested in doing SUP yoga, there are some basic poses for beginners to practice balanced and fun yoga. Of course, for experienced, try the advanced poses. Place your hands on the deck and try some SUP yoga poses before you making them into a flowing sequences.

Easy Poses for Beginner Yogis

Child’s pose

Cat-cow combo

Mountain pose

Corpse(Savasana)

Downward facing dog

Advanced poses for expert yogis

Warrior II

Tree pose

Dancers pose

Shoulder stand or headstand

Plow pose

What to Wear for SUP yoga?

If you want to do SUP yoga effectively, you need to choose the proper attire. We recommend you elastic, water-resistant, comfortable, and non-restrictive clothing. Standard yoga pants or exercise clothes are ideal for SUP yoga. Many people choose to wear swimwear for warmer days so they can take a refreshing dip in the water after the session.  

SUP yoga attire for women

Bathing suit

Rashguard

Women’s yoga clothing

SUP yoga attire for men

Boardshorts

Rashguard

Men’s yoga clothing

Gears for SUP yoga

To make your SUP yoga even better, we recommend you prepare some of these accessories to add to your gears.

Paddle Board Anchor: this will secure you in one place and allow you to fully relax during your SUP yoga session.

PFD: You need to prepare a life jacket for your safety in some lakes and parks.

Leash: A coiled ankle leash can allow you to get on your board if you fall in the water.

Sunscreen: Do not forget another ideal summer outfit-sunscreen. The sunscreen is the first line of defense against the sunburn in a very hot and painful day.

Dry bag: Store your valuables, key, phones, secure using bungee cords...

Inflatable paddle board: iSUP higher out of the water and provide you an excellent and stable deck for SUP yoga poses.

Expert tips to help your sup yoga practice

It will take you some time and persistence to master paddle board yoga skills. Here are some expert tips to help you to feel comfortable on your paddle board.

Find a sheltered place: You need to find a place which is less wind and big waves so that you can concentrate on your yoga practice.

Get away from the crowds: Doing yoga on the board can make people take notice of you. If you do not want to be watched, you can find a place where is away from the busy beach.

Move slowly: If you have never done a yoga on a SUP board before, you can start by moving through your poses more slowly than you do yoga on land.

Remember to breath: Inhalation and exhalation will help you focus and keep you balanced in more challenging poses.

Focus on a point in the horizon: When you are doing standing poses, you can pick a stationary object to focus. This will help you to keep balanced.

Keep a wide distance: With SUP yoga, it is helpful to use a wider stance, hip-width-distance apart, for a more stable base.   

Keep two points contact with the board: Poses with only one point of contact are generally too difficult for SUP yoga. So try poses with at least two points of contact.

Mark the center of your paddle board: Keeping your weight centered will improve your shape. A simple paint line or tape in the center will be a helpful reminder.

Fall in the water sometimes: Make the most of blue water space and have more fun.

Get the right board: We recommend a wide inflatable board with an excellent surface slightly higher out of the water.

Embrace the unexpected: SUP yoga is harder to control than an on-land practice. You board will drift away due to a sudden wave. And you may fall in the water. Accept with that, just as in life, you cannot have complete control over everything that will happen.  

Join yoga classes: Some expert yogis show you the poses and help you to improve the techniques. It is the best method start something new. You can also share the experience with others.