|
Stand Up Paddle Yoga on Water |
|
|
|
|
By: Kimberly Depasquale
|
|
Tuesday, 11 January 2011 |
|
As stand up paddling continues to evolve so does the desire to find new ways to use your paddleboard. A new trend sweeping the SUP industry is yoga and paddle boarding fused together. Kimberly Depasquale owner of Love Life Paddle, LLC and founder of YOW (Yoga on Water) shares why paddleboard yoga or YOW as she calls it is becoming so popular. The stability of the paddleboard gives you the opportunity to relish your practice and embrace the beautiful surroundings of nature. Removing the competitive edge so many have in a studio setting you are able to enjoy a delicate balance of both energizing and relaxing elements. The board is essentially your floating yoga mat where the body finds it’s natural alignment. Linking into the breath, movements are enhanced, deepening the experience physically, mentally and spiritually.
YOW is an excellent over all workout that not only strengthens and stretches the body, it clears the mind and allows any stress to melt away. Many yoga poses can be done on your board. One of my favorite poses is Adho-Mukha-Svanasana in English, Downward-facing-dog-posture. This pose looks like the letter “V” upside down. It is a great inversion allowing fresh blood to pump through the lungs, heart and brain. It jump starts the nervous system helping us with concentration and memory. It also elongates and lengthens the back. I can go on and on about the benefits which are too many to review. You should always consult your physician before attempting yoga.
- Start with hands and knees on the floor, like a table, hands under the shoulders, fingers spread wide, all fingertips engaged, knees under the hips and typically about six-seven inches, with the spine straightened and relaxed.
- Press your palms down allowing your body to balance itself and find the sweet spot on the board.
- With Straight arms press the hips up and back allowing a natural tilt in the lower back.
- The feet will be hip distance apart with toes directly point ing forward. Press the heel down toward the board. Do not force just allow the back of the legs to stretch.
- You can pump the one foot then the other with the knee bent one at a time, to walk the dog as we call it.
- Head and neck are hanging free form the shoulders and the gaze is towards your belly button.
- Talk 5 deep breaths, all in and out through the nose.
- Other options include lifting one foot towards the sky for downward dog split, then the other.
- Bring both feed to the board, bend at the knees and come back to the table.
Take a big breath and try it again. This time connect with the water looking through your legs and get that AHH HAAA feeling. Have fun and enjoy!
 |
July 25, 2011
24.8.175.241