By Caroline Graham-Wood, Summersalt yoga SUP yoga teacher

In spiritual growth, it is important to avoid imbalances between academic or intellectual learning and practical implementation. Otherwise there is a danger that too much intelectualization will kill the more contemplative practices and too much emphasis on practical implementation without study will kill the understanding. There has got to be a balance.

Dalai Lama

As the indulgences of December and resolutions of January fade away, it’s a good time to reflect on how we can practically implement changes in our lives that are realistic and sustainable.

We are often told that dramatic and quick solutions will change our bodies, change our lives and change us for the better. However, the longer I practice yoga and as I reflect on the benefits of taking up rather than giving up, I believe that perhaps one word offers more answers to the changes we may seek, than the fads that are sold to us. It is a word that is open to subjective interpretation as well as having the potential to hold a deeper meaning, depending on those we choose to influence our lives and learn from. That word is very simple, balance. Balance can be applied to so many aspects of our lives, from what we eat to how we choose to spend our time.

A key emphasis in yoga is to progress at your own speed, to avoid competitiveness yet to find a level that pushes you and helps you grow in your practice. This is never more true than in the balance poses.

In yoga we seek balance and allow that balance to move in a positive direction, rather than remaining static. In a tree pose we move the ball of the foot slowly up the leg as we progress our balance, from below then above the knee, then moving the heel to the groin and finally up to Arda Padmasana. Once there we can try a further challenge, moving your drishti (view point).

The approach to asanas, especially balancing poses, can often bring out a side to yoga that we need to counter-act. Seriousness, frustration, competitiveness. One fabulous way to challenge these often natural impulses to the balance poses is SUP yoga. This ultimate challenge to balance never fails to release the tense approach that can accompany balance poses, because pretty much everyone falls in the water at least once!

SUP yoga offers wonderful benefits to not only balance your body but also your mind and energy (pranic) flow. It focuses on your core, a powerful centre for the body where manipura charka, the seat of the ego lies. The core is also at your kanda, where the 72,000 nadis (energy channels) converge. The Uddhyiana banda – ‘belly flies up’ – is when we use the muscles around the core to draw the navel back towards the spine and up, promoting the upwards flow of Kundalini energy through the body.

There are many ways we can seek balance in our lives. For me, SUP yoga is an opportunity to understand it in a way that is tangible, that is fun and where in a short space of time you can see progress.

You learn to accept the challenge of doing playful asanas on the SUP, to surrender to the elements and accept that you may fall in! This overrides the ego and also by practicing outside in nature, you create the harmony and reconnection with the world.

In a small way, the way we approach SUP yoga can represent how we often have to approach life. Lets face it, life is not easy and throws many obstacles at us. In SUP yoga we learn to fall off balance, fall in the water, laugh, get back on your board try again! And slowly, with focus, we can try and stay on the board a bit longer.

The post SUP yoga and the approach to life appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

By Vanessa Fleming, Summersalt Yoga teacher 

Imagine floating on the blue and turquoise sea, with the sun sparkling on the waters and nothing but the sky is above you, and not a worry or care in the world is with you.

Imagine embracing the same relaxation you feel after a yoga class, and falling deep into your savasana in this setting.

Now imagine it as a reality.

This is one of the wonderful benefits of SUP yoga. Being able to practice warriors, headstands, shoulder stands, wheel pose, all while being challenged in balance and composure. Or even coming into the fish pose and seeing the sky and sea meet along the horizon, it’s a new vision and takes on “traditional” yoga. The chance to utilize the Hatha and vinyasa poses in a completely different environment is just another opportunity to reconnect with the present.

But it isn’t just about bringing your mat practice to the board. It’s about bringing a new perspective, and perhaps challenging the ego. Paying attention to the transitions a little deeper and closer, looking at the poses from a very symmetrical and asymmetrical point of view. And? Maybe ending up in the water when that balance is challenged. All moments of letting go, letting things unfold.

And now for the (superficial yet noteworthy) bonus: your summer glow is going to be on point!

Fun in the sun, a new perspective, and a challenge for the mind, body, and soul. What else could there be?!

The post SUP yo..ga! appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

As we all love lists and pretty pictures, Summersalt Yoga team has gotten together and prepared one that will leave no doubt that it’s time for you to book that SUP yoga holiday! Here are 10 reasons why you should go on a SUP yoga holiday.

1. Get a different perspective of yoga and water

The SUP board offers a different perspective on two different activities: yoga and being in the water. You can notice the power that Mother Nature has and witness your own power manifest as you adapt to the ever-changing water beneath you.

2. Experience the energy of nature

Speaking of Mother Nature – nothing connects the elements and their energy as being on the water, feeling the sun on your face, fresh air in your hair and the salty water on your skin.

3. Spend 7 days in a place like THIS.

A week in an island paradise does wonders for body, mind and soul. Leave the stress behind and just soak it all in.

4. Challenge your yoga practice

Beginner or a seasoned yogi you will find new challenges practising yoga on a SUP board. Your core and muscles will work harder, you’ll test your balance more and shine a new light of the yoga poses you thought you’ve mastered or thought of just basic.

5. Meet cool like-minded people #yogafamily #yogatribe

Nothing energizes and charges more that being surrounded by like-minded people who share the same passions, interests and good laughs. Bond with people from all over the world and share this new experience with them – because happiness doubles (or triples) when shared!

6. Learn a new skill – SUPing. Chances are – you will get hooked!

No matter how old are you it always feels great to learn something new. And if that something new brings lots of joy, great exercise and being on the beach we’re sure it makes it even easier to get motivated and try harder!

7. Spend every day on the beach. Nothing to add.

8. Laugh and have crazy fun like never before.

Trying this new base for yoga brings so many laughs you wouldn’t believe! We’re talking child-like, belly-deep laughter in situations of slipping into the warm sea after a failed attempt to show off your moves, realizing how crazy some poses feel on the board, messing around with the paddle to create waves and just sharing this vibe with the group. And what else do we need in this world if not laughter?

9. Get in shape. Really good shape.

As you’ve already heard – SUP yoga intensifies the practice and your muscles work more, ergo – you’re getting in shape faster and looking better. Not that this is the point of yoga, but hey – it doesn’t hurt, right?

10. Experience a whole new kind of mediation

Forget your meditation app with recorded sounds of waves and a light breeze– you’ve got the real thing right here, on your board. Relax and just feel one with the world. Trust us, sometimes this experience gets almost transcendental!

The post 10 reasons why you should go on a SUP yoga holiday appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

What is SUP?

To put it shortly – stand up paddle surfing or simply SUP is a form of surfing where the surfer uses a paddle to move through the water while standing on a surfboard (a specially designed surfboard) The sport is quickly gaining popularity all over the world because of its simplicity and quick learning curve.

The history of Stand Up Paddle Surfing comes from its Polynesian roots. The Hawaiian translation is Ku Hoe He’e Nalu which means – to stand, to paddle, to surf a wave. So it’s no wonder that the modern version of this sport has originated in the Hawaiian Islands where in the early 1960 surf instructors would stand on their long boards and paddle out with paddles to take pictures of the tourists learning to surf.

Today SUP is popular around the world and holds an advantage over surfing or wind surfing – you do not need to wait for waves, good winds, as well as no special preparation or physical condition, is needed to practice it.

SUP – an incredible exercise

The full-body workout SUP provides is just unbelievable – it offers a combination of balance, strength, and endurance which are exercised at all times, whether you are paddling or just balancing on your board. It’s not only an excellent core workout but it also makes your legs, back, shoulders, arms and toes work together.

For those who are new to any water sports, it’s important and good to know that SUP is a very low impact exercise, which means that the chances of you damaging your tendons, ligaments or joints is very low. So yes, you can relax and just enjoy the workout and the ride! And what a ride – in addition to the mere pleasure of being on the water you are actually doing a cardio exercise, burning calories and hey – lowering the chances of a heart attack and a stroke.

But you know what we love about SUP so much – it’s not just these incredible benefits, but also a unique way to escape, relax, relieve stress and just chill!

SUP and yoga

Today’s wellness world is incredible – it constantly provides us with new experiences. And so do SUP boards. We’re talking SUP yoga, of course. Why do it? Performing yoga while on a paddleboard adds an extra dimension of balance and challenge to the practice as well as a whole lot of fun! In addition to that, having a SUP yoga class is far more pleasant and relaxing than being in a crowded studio or gym. We’re talking yoga on the water, right, does this get any better?

The post What is SUP and why you should start doing it now? appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.