So many surfing holidays are now including yoga classes, but what’s all the fuss about and how will it help your surfing? There are so many connections between yoga and surfing and we’ll explore 5 ways yoga is great for any surfer to help improve their surfing ready for their next surfing holiday!
5 Ways Yoga Can Help You On Your Surfing Holiday (and vice versa!)
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BALANCE
Both surfing and yoga require balance, to stay on the board as you catch a wave or flowing your way through poses to find stillness. That’s why it’s great to add in a few yoga poses to your daily routine to help keep your balance, ready for when you are back on the water in your fave surfing holiday destinations!
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STRENGTH
In a lot of yoga classes you might hear the saying “the pose begins when you want to leave it”[i], which many yogis cultivate into pushing themselves further than they usually would, demanding more of the body. This builds strength not only physically but mentally too.
Powering through the line up to get your spot out back can be quite tiring so physical and mental strength are key to keep pushing on. Yoga can help to build strength in the body and mind to keep us in the water for longer, through a regular practice, working specific muscles in the body needed for surfing, perfect for making the most out of your surfing holiday. You never know when the best wave of the day will come so building your strength will help to make sure you are in tip top condition to ride the stoke for longer!
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COURAGE
On your last surfing holiday, when was the last time you were out in the line up and you thought, “Woah!! That wave is huuuuge!!”
Don’t worry we’ve all been there…. Those big’uns can be a tad scary! We all know in that moment there are two options….
You can paddle over the wave to safety then wait and hope the next one is a bit more your style…
OR
You can go for it, thinking for the briefest moment you are superman and have suddenly acquired the ability to become invincible, all the while wondering as you paddle down the line why you went for this monster and praying to the wave gods that you don’t get completely slammed…
So how does yoga come into this I hear you ask… Well, beginning a yoga practice in itself requires heaps of courage, yoga is growing worldwide building its own culture and hype. Trying something new will always be scary, whether it’s going on your first solo surfing holiday or trying yoga for the first time. So go for it, summon the courage and find your space on the mat… give it a try on your next surf holiday, you won’t regret it!
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PATIENCE
Surfing is not an easy sport. Remember on your first surfing holiday when you were learning how many times did you end up falling off your board just to get that buzz of standing up for the first time? Or maybe you are a local now at the surf camp and how many times have you wished that you had taken that certain set wave and had to wait for what felt like aaaaages for the next one to come?
The key….
(drum roll please……..)
PATIENCE!
Like in yoga, you will have to learn patience in your surfing. No one jumps straight in and can bend in all the radical poses, and the same with standing up for the first time. It takes determination and patience with your body and mind to progress. “Practice and all is coming.”[ii]
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LIVING IN THE MOMENT
Whilst you are out on the ocean, breathing in the salty air, all you are thinking about is that next wave, enjoying the beautiful surroundings, your feet floating in the (hopefully) warm water…. Sounds a little bit like heaven, hey?!
Yoga teaches you about turning inwards, focusing on your immediate surroundings and being grateful for the moment… So next time you are heading off on a surfing holiday adventure, remember in those stressful times at the airport, whilst travelling or maybe on the water to just stop for a moment and enjoy it! You are on an epic surfing holiday, riding glorious waves, soaking up the sun and life is perfect!
So try something new on your next surfing holiday and head to a yoga class. You may surprise yourself and actually enjoy it!
Interested in how to combine you newfound love for yoga and your board? Check out SUP Yoga! Amazing way to take a step back and relax on the water… more on this soon!
[i] B.K.S. Iyengar, Founder of Iyengar Yoga
[ii] Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Founder Ashtanga Yoga