Stand Up Paddle boarding #Standfree #PaddleYoga #SUPLife

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The sport of Stand Up Paddling (SUP) has really taken off. It seems everyone these days is enjoying, or would like to experience, the feeling of “walking on water.” SUP is all the rage, and for good reason. It is an amazing cross-training sport, as it is low impact on all joints and is also being used to improve balance and core strength for people recovering from serious injuries. I have also witnessed this sport transform people’s lives overnight, by instilling a newfound level of confidence and achievement, making them feel invincible. So true!

For me, being a yoga teacher first and foremost, as soon as I got on a paddleboard seven years ago, I was inspired to start playing with yoga postures while floating on the water. The deck of the board was the perfect non-slip yoga mat, just begging to be explored! Downward Facing Dog, Plank, Chaturanga, Up Dog, ah… and the upside down view as I dropped my head into Downward Dog was magical. More and more that first summer on my board, I was inspired to try lots of different poses, including headstand and wheel, and other more challenging balancing postures. Adding a whole new element of core strength, intense focus, and single-pointed concentration, SUP yoga takes the practice to an entirely new level. Add to that being outside, in nature, on the water, and it is truly like heaven on earth.

Anyone can begin practicing yoga postures on a paddleboard, especially in flat water. If you are new to SUP in general, begin to play around (don’t be afraid to fall in!) with the distribution of weight in your feet. Begin to feel your board, and all boards are different. Shift your weight from foot to foot and allow the board to rock a little from side to side. We are told as we are learning to find that sweet spot on the board (usually right around the handle of the board, or if there is a logo on the rails) and that is the best place to stand to balance on the board. But begin to also feel how you can walk the board a bit more, moving more towards the nose, or more towards the back.

The easiest poses to start with will be sitting or kneeling. From there, you can start to transition to some symmetrical poses such as plank, downward dog, camel pose, and others. Try the sequence below on land first, then take it out onto your board! Remember — have fun, be creative, and don’t be afraid to get wet!

If you are unsure about trying this on your own, at OC Paddle Company we offer a PaddleYoga Class during the weekend and two during the week to accommodate your busy schedule. Check out our website at OceanCityPaddleCompany.com for upcoming SUP yoga classes this summer. Pre-registration is strongly suggested on our website as classes are limited to 10 participants.

Come out and join us for this once in a life time experience! You can join OCPaddle Company every Sunday, Wednesday, & Friday this summer 2018 at our 201 W. 10th Street, Ocean City, NJ location - right on the Bay! Come out for a morning class with a focus on PaddleYoga, Zen & Fun! We also offer Morning Yoga Flow, Sunset Yoga & Boot Camp on the dock (on semi-solid ground!) as well. You can find registration for all classes on our website. We are excited to offer these classes and invite you to keep checking our website for more exciting announcements about our Ocean City, NJ program offerings. Whether you are looking for a vacation at the shore or to bring a group of friends together to try a PaddleYoga practice, Stand Up Paddle Lesson, Eco tour, Rental, or Fitness, the team at OCPaddleboard will make you feel at home and provide you with a top notch experience.

“May the light in me, join with the light in you and the two become one”

In Love and Light,

Kimberly