Class is taught on the water using your paddleboard as a floating yoga mat.  It’s brilliant!  The currents, motion of the water, and winds create a studio unlike any other.  And because you’re practicing in an organically changing environment, no two classes (or poses) are ever the same.  If you haven’t tried a class yet, I urge you to do so.   Step out of your comfort zone, off of your mat, and onto a board!  Here are my top five reasons to try a SUP Yoga class.  You’ll be happy you did!

1.  Try Something New SUP Yoga is a fun new way to enjoy a workout in nature’s beautiful surroundings.  It doesn’t get much better than listening to the wind in the trees, the birds singing, and the ripple of the water while you float on the river in your child’s pose.  The upside down view of the clouds in the sky while in    Downward Dog is always a nice treat.   And believe me when I say there is no better way to end a class than an on water Savasana (final resting pose) with the sun warming you and the current lulling you into… pure bliss!

2.  Challenge Your Balance  Floating on the water adds a whole new dimension to your yoga balance.  The motion of the water creates  instability that forces you to go with the flow.  The constantly changing platform fires up your muscles in ways  that they are not used to being utilized. Muscles work hard to keep you balanced and atop of your board, thus  creating a finely tuned workout.   This type of engagement between body and mind will help strengthen your  attention in daily life.  Or as I like to say, “Be here now.”

3.  Strengthen Your Core  Ahhh, the core.  We’ve all been told to “strengthen our core.”  But what exactly does that mean?  Your core muscles are made up of your abdominals, obliques, upper/lower back, shoulders, gluteal muscles and pelvic floor.  A SUP Yoga class will have you using all of these muscles to keep you stable and in your poses, while still floating on your board.  However, if you should fall in (which we all do sometimes) what’s the worst that could happen?  You’ll get wet, have a laugh, and climb right back onboard.

4.   Feel Successful    We all want to feel success and a sense of accomplishment with each new activity we try, right?  Once you try it, see how much fun it is, and how successful it makes you feel, you’ll be hooked!  Yoga in itself will give you a sense of happiness, but SUP Yoga will give your self-esteem a boost and you’ll float away with a smile on your face and a blissful new excitement in your heart.  Trust me, I’ve seen it happen.

5.  Make New Friends  The stand up paddleboarding community is one fun group of individuals who just want to “share the stoke” of the sport. The Yoga community is known for it’s openhearted joy and acceptance.  These two are made for each other!  Getting a workout, having a great time and meeting new people is a major added bonus.  However, I must warn you to be cautious; hugs run rampant in both circles.

Namaste,  (dudes)

Shelby

Shelby Russell Neubauer is a California Power Yoga, OnBoard SUP Yoga, and ASI WSUPA certified instructor with an energetic passion for the practice of yoga and standup paddleboarding.   Sign up for a class today at Clavey Paddlesports 

The Petaluma River once was a major thoroughfare, supplying the agricultural bounty, poultry and dairy products to booming city of San Francisco during the Gold Rush. Beautifully preserved, the downtown is a quintessential Main Street USA and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

There a few very easy spots to put in along the river, like at the turnaround off D street with public floating docks which once served as a roundabout for boats picking up cargo. The Marina is another spot with a boat ramp and docks and is home to the Lokahi Outrigger Canoe Club. Heading south down the river and out of town, the landscape opens up into pastures and parks with waterfront bike and running paths.

Know before you Go
Whenever Standup Paddling a new zone, consideration of the local tides and winds is key and a great to place to get that info and the best equipment for the conditions can be found right in downtown Petaluma at Clavey Paddlesports. From Standup Paddle rentals, sales and tours, the crew at Clavey has the region wired. Take a Standup Paddle tour on the wildlife heavy waters of the Point Reyes National Seashore or on the twisting backwater sloughs of the Petaluma River. Paddle with them under a full moon or in the dark of the new moon and experience bioluminescence at its brightest.

Clavey Paddlesports carries the full line of Tahoe SUP boards, paddles and accessories to get you out on the water and experience this region from the Paddler’s Perspective.