SUP Yoga Class

What does the Indianola YMCA, yoga, and stand up paddling have in common? SUP Yoga in the pool! Awesome idea right! CanoeSport has teamed up with the YMCA in February to offer SUP Yoga in the pool. Normally done out in calm water SUP Yoga is a calm and relaxing way to combine the art yoga with the water. In Iowa in February this means pool time instead of a snowy lake shore!

All lined up ready to launch!

 20 people showed up for 2 sessions and after getting oriented to class and boards students were launched into the pool. We set up the boards to have an anchor to help keep students grounded and not float around the pool. 10 students in each class eagerly awaited the moment of departure from the stable deck of the pool to the deck of a floating board!

Happy students before class.

We started off with poses that were low to the board to allow everyone to get comfortable and practice their stability. This was the first time on a SUP for the majority of people.

Sitting allowed students time to practice balance before standing!

Then with the warm pool water calling our name and people ready for the extra challenge we began to lift our bodies from the board! Starting with standing people began to notice that slight shifts side to side sent their board slipping along the surface. From standing warrior poses were introduced. Students had the option of doing warrior poses standing or from a kneeling position.

Working on our balancing!

Those in standing quickly learned that lining their feet up one in front of the other left no ability to balance left to right. Many quickly found the water and others were left looking like a windmill trying to stay upright. The yoga flow kept going with people falling into the water as muscles began to fatigue. With a low profile boards are very easy to re-mount and jump back in.

Going from sitting to standing took courage and a lot of laughter!

No headstands were attempted at this time (due to safety to self and others) but many are looking forward to upping their yoga ability to the next level. SUPs offer a great challenge because unlike land you now have to have the ability to balance left to right. All the major and minor muscle groups that get a break on land now have to engage to keep your body centered on the board. Looking for a great all body workout? Try SUP Yoga!

Plenty of room to stretch out and work out

CanoeSport is excited to offer another round of SUP Yoga courses through the YMCA in February. During the summer CanoeSport offers SUP Yoga at Lake Ahquabi Tuesdays in June and July 6:30-7:30pm. ($5 for board rental, no reservation required.) For more information on stand up paddling or SUP Yoga please visit www.canoesportoutfitters.com!