Indiana & Yoga Magazine Summer 2016 Issue 1 | Page 16

COMMUNIT Y What’s SUP with Yoga? By Heather T. Leo Standup Paddleboard Yoga, or SUP Yoga, is a fast-growing, summer sport trend. Depending on the conditions and the location, no experience of either SUP or Yoga is necessary to try it and have an amazing experience. All that’s required is a willingness to try and a positive attitude. Yes, being comfortable around the water and the ability to swim is a huge help, but it is not a requirement in shallow waters. If fear is holding you back, embrace it, and let it inspire you to venture outside of the comfort zone and into the world of the unknown! The perspective we see while standing just a couple inches above the water adds a totally unique dynamic. No other water activity can replicate this. Add in the fact that we bring our yoga studio practice to the water’s surface. The peace and tranquility of paddleboarding harmonizes our minds and bodies with nature. SUP is a water sport that hails from Hawaii and has become hugely popular across the world due to the ease in which almost anyone can pick up the skills. This sport is similar to surfing but predominantly practiced in flat waters of lakes, ponds or protected bays—unless you are game enough to surf it in the waves. It requires you to stand on a board of similar shape to a surfboard but typically much larger in width and depth. One joy of the SUP is that you don’t need any particular turning or balancing skills. All you need to know is a few basic tricks and tips regarding the best 14 places to stand, how to use your paddle properly and effici