SUP Yoga -Is it a Fad ?
Posted: 7 October 2023
SUP Yoga participation continues to gain momentum but is it just a fad or is there some substance that will ensure this aspect of SUP is around for the long term?
You can ask any range of people and some will say, “man that SUP Yoga, is just crazy! Why would you do yoga on a SUP board? Then there are many others who attend SUP yoga sessions religiously.
What is SUP yoga?
SUP yoga is conducting a relaxing yoga session on the water without the need for a lot of paddling.
It's not about doing fancy poses, but going safely on a board and connecting with self in a beautiful environment.
Even persons experienced at land yoga can enjoy a basic SUP yoga session, as the most basic of yoga poses are much more challenging on a SUP board.
For many it’s just the about getting outside amongst the natural elements insteadof doing yoga in the 4 walls of a yoga studio.
Why Study to Become a SUP Yoga Teacher?
Leanne Bird is a ASI SUP Yoga Teacher. A certified yoga teacher (200 hours), she said she got into SUP yoga instructing “as she loves being on the water. SUP allows me to share my passion for water sports with my kids and SUP yoga challenges me in my favourite environment.”
One of the main challenges with SUP yoga not becoming a fad is to ensure there are properly qualified and educated SUP Yoga Teachers, say Tania Nesbitt, CEO for ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors), a training organisation that trains SUP instructors across a range of disciplines.
“We see many people delivering SUP yoga sessions who have no formal yoga teaching qualifications or even correct SUP ability and knowledge. It’s a potential accident waiting to happen”, says Nesbitt.
SUP Yoga is dealing with water and wind elements, an unstable board surface and a person. The wrong yoga stretch, placement of hands or even a lack of understanding of SUP board dynamics as it relates to yoga and the natural conditions can make all the difference in safety or injury.
What do you Need to Become a SUP Yoga Teacher?
First, you need SUP skills and knowledge – know about paddling skills, safety on the board, environment that can affect you on the water, equipment and terminology. ASI has an online manual that covers these skills, with lots of video and you can also do a 3 hour workshop to reinforce skills.
The SUP Yoga teacher also completes ASI SUP Yoga Teacher courses. It covers specific risk and hazards for SUP yoga, locations and equipment, anchoring and yoga poses and sequencing specially modified for SUP, with safety in mind. It’s a 2 day workshop or you can do the online course.
A rescue certificate is also required that covers rescue knowledge and skills, using a SUP board.
Prior to enrolling, participants will hold a minimum 200 hours Yoga teachers certificate. This ensures knowledge to deliver yoga poses safety and without injury.
Leanne said she learned SUP yoga by trial and error over the years. And this process can result in the slow growth in SUP yoga activities and interest.
Increased professionalism and education about yoga poses and sequences that are ideal for SUP yoga, will ensure that participants have an enjoyable experience.
The ASI SUP Yoga Teacher course information is at https://www.academyofsurfing.com/courses/sup-yoga-teacher
