As most Yogis’ will have seen or heard recently, Stand up Paddleboard Yoga or ‘SUP and Floating Yoga’ is the new trend for the summer months around the world. All you need is a stand up paddleboard, some relatively calm water and the courage to dive in head first to test your yogi skills on water.

For some, the thought of paddling out on to the water or ocean to try SUP Yoga brings up thoughts like, ‘My balance isn’t good enough’, ‘I’m not great in water’ or ‘I don’t want to fall in’. But I’m telling you, you will be fine and you will love it – this is the mind stuff that Patanjali tells us to be aware of and to silence in order to take those steps towards something new and something we never believed we could do.

The first bit of advice I would give to you if you are intrigued by SUP Yoga is to let go. Let go of what you think you know, let go of any fears you have of the water and ocean or the creatures that reside in it or even your yoga ability. Like any yoga class you are guided, enlightened, given the information you need and the freedom to ask for more throughout the class in order to ensure your experience is one to remember.

Secondly, don’t worry, enjoy it and have fun! Not everyone is a water baby, just like flexibility and strength varies between people. You may fall off (although we try to keep you on the board) so just go with it. The more you fight your emotions the less relaxed you will feel which in essence defeats the purpose of SUP Yoga. Being on the water may not feel natural to some, but if you take a deep breath, allow your body and board to move with the water and be at one with the environment around you, you will LOVE it. And for all you water babies already out there this could be your way into the beautiful world of yoga!

Like most yoga classes or even standup paddleboard classes, the activities of the day are tailored towards the students and the environment or props available. Some students may wish to try a stand up paddleboard class first to get used to the feel of being on a board, but true beginners can still come along to try and learn some different yoga variations, and lots do.

The best thing about SUP Yoga by far is that you get a different perspective, a different perspective on yoga, a different perspective on watersports and most importantly a different perspective on the natural world surrounding you, as you look out from your board across the water in lotus or easy seated pose.

When in savasana tune into your breath whilst listening to the water lapping against the bottom of the board and remember that amongst all of the madness of modern society there is a place you can always escape to and go within yourself to find your very own piece of paradise.

If you are in or around the Sunshine Coast come and join me for SUP Yoga Classes in beautiful Noosa at Noosa Standup Paddle on Saturdays at 8.30 am. Follow my instagram account @yogakiss or facebook page Yoga Kiss for further updates and details on how to contact me for more information or to book your spot, places are limited.