10 SUP Yoga Poses You Should Know

10 SUP YOGA POSES YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

SUP yoga is becoming quite popular around the world and it’s easy to see why. With so many benefits to it, you should also give it a try.

 To help you get started, here are 10 SUP poses you should know.

 

1. THE EASY POSE

 

This is a common pose for meditation and breathing exercises. First, you sit, facing the front of your board. Sit up straight and cross your legs in front of you. Your hands should be placed on your knees with your palms down. You can now look straight ahead and balance your weight evenly. Finally, close your eyes and listen to the sound of your surrounding as your feel your board gently rocking beneath you.

 

2. TRIPOD HEAD STAND POSE

 

This variation to the traditional headstand pose provides you with two or more points of contact to help you keep balance while on your paddleboard. It has a wide range of benefits including increased mental clarity and concentration due to the blood rush to your head and a boost in energy. You can move your legs in different positions including both legs pointing towards the sky or one leg parallel to the board making a 90-degree angle with your legs.

 

3. CHAIR POSE

 

The chair pose is great for building your leg and core strength. You start with your feet wide, and your toes grounded. You can make the pose harder by adopting a narrow stance. Try to hold this pose for 30 seconds without falling.

 

4. MONKEY POSE

 

This pose is commonly known as the splits. It is perfect for stretching your groin, thighs, and abdomen. In this pose, adding the additional act of reaching your hands to the sky will engage your entire body.

 

5. UPWARD FACING DOG POSE

 

This is a pose you should try if you are new to SUP yoga. It allows you to lift and open your chest while strengthening your spine, arms, and wrist. It also provides an extensive stretch for your ab and oblique muscles.

 

6. LORD OF THE DANCE POSE

 

Balance on this pose might be a little difficult while on a stand-up paddleboard. This pose helps stretch your groins, abs, thighs and will greatly improve your balance. With just one touch on the board, make sure that you are going slow and focusing on the foot that’s on the board. Try to make your body parallel to the board to get the best out of this pose. You can hold your paddle in the forward hand while you reach for your back leg with your other hand.

 

7. CRANE OR CROW POSE

 

This is a compact arm balance pose that will strengthen your wrist and shoulders. The key to this pose is keeping yourself as packed tight as possible. Keep your heels and butt close together while you press your elbows against the inside of the kneecap to get a good stretch of your groin.

 

8. CAMEL POSE

 

This pose is great for beginners as it uses 4 points of contact on the SUP board, making it very easy to balance. It’s great to do because it stretches the entire front of the body and also strengthens your back muscles.

 

9. WARRIOR II POSE

 

This is a great pose to test your balance on the paddle board. This pose will engage your core and stretch your back and legs.  It will also strengthen and stretch your ankles and increase overall stamina. With both feet in the middle of the board, it’ll be more difficult to balance. Reach your fingertips as far as you can on each side to get the best stretch possible.

 

10. SLEEPING PIGEON POSE

 

This is also great for beginners as it’s relatively easy to do. It aids rotation and flexion on the hips which stretches to the butt muscles. Try flattening your back as much as possible and reach your chest on the board. Allow your toes point to the back of the board to provide the best stretch.