Feb 18, 2013 |
~~~A lot of people have been asking me what is up with the standup paddle board yoga (SUP Yoga) that will be offered on my upcoming Beach Yoga Bliss retreat in Aruba. I’ve written about my experience doing SUP Yoga on Lake Erie last summer, and I can’t even tell you how excited I am to get up on a paddle board again, this time on the crystal clear blue (and calm) waters of the Caribbean in Aruba!
To share a little more about this yoga hybrid, I called on my good friends over at DoYouYoga.com, who put together this awesome guest post to give you the scoop on what’s up with SUP Yoga! ~~~
If you’ve ever seen people doing weird poses on a paddleboard on the water, chances are they’ve been doing Standup Paddle or SUP yoga. Not only does it look pretty darn cool, but it also comes with a bunch of spectacular benefits that extend far beyond the adventure factor. Spoiler alert: You’re gonna get hooked.
SUP yoga works your core in an amazing way. It involves doing yoga on a paddle board in water, while being careful to keep afloat the whole time. Obviously, it’s much more challenging to maintain your balance on a paddle board than it is on a yoga mat. Your muscles inevitably have to work hard to keep afloat, while maintaining the yoga poses for the desired length of time.
Of course, the first time you try it there should be no surprise when you topple over into the water while doing a good ol’ downward dog. No worries – that’s part of the fun! Get back on the board and keep going. Getting to learn this type of yoga is a great experience, and it helps that the water offers a soft landing (believe me!). Soon enough, you will be able to do head stands on the board while maintaining utmost control of your muscles. The fat burning and muscle toning possibilities are remarkable, something your muscles will certainly tell you the next day.
SUP Yoga Is Challenging
The fact that water never quite stands still means you will have to work much harder at maintaining your balance than when you are practicing yoga on a flat surface. Those who have practiced yoga for a long time have developed excellent core strength to prove it. But even for dedicated yogis, the first session of SUP yoga will be quite a challenge because it intensifies the experience and shifts one’s yoga abilities into overdrive.
Most fitness enthusiasts incorporate cross training into their routine, combining different exercises in a bid to avoid boredom and to work different muscle groups of the body at the same time. It is a good way to increase your fitness levels while keeping you from injuring your muscles due to overdoing one workout. SUP yoga is the perfect cross training sport for yogis who want some fun in the sun. It is not strenuous on the joints and helps your yoga skills by strengthening your balance.
Big thanks to the lovely yogini Elise Gulan who shared this picture from her yoga retreat held at
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa in Aruba last April!
Before You SUP – This is What’s Up
So, what do you need to have at hand to enjoy this magical experience and gain the benefits you’re looking for?
1) The Right Kind of Paddle board & Instruction
Since you will be spending a lot of time trying to balance on top of it, it goes without saying that the paddle board should be large enough to hold you. In addition, it should have a non-slip surface so that you don’t spend your time sliding out of poses and into the water. Just like yoga in a studio, you probably started out with classes for beginners. The same holds true for SUP Yoga: Be safe and go out the first few times with a seasoned instructor who can guide you through the nuances of moving into yoga asanas while balancing on a paddleboard.
2) Stay Hydrated in the Sun
Anyone who has done yoga knows how strenuous it can be. Ensuring you are well hydrated is vital, and this is even more crucial when doing SUP yoga in the sun. With this kind of yoga you do not have the luxury of reaching for a bottle of water that’s standing next to your mat. The best thing to do is to ensure you are well hydrated before going for the session.
3) Dress Appropriately
Most yoga enthusiasts dress light in sleeveless tops and cut-off shorts because yoga can generate a lot of heat and sweat. Keep in mind that you are likely to get wet, so you’ll want to wear materials that dry quickly and will not weigh you down. You may want to wear a personal flotation device (life jacket), and in some regions/bodies of water it is mandatory.
4) Don’t Go Without Sunscreen
If the sun is out, you need to keep as much of your skin covered as you can to avoid any sun damage. You’ll also need to apply a waterproof sunscreen lotion. Forget the hats and sunglasses, which will fall right off unless you can securely tie them around your head like a bandana.
5) Not for the Hydrophobic
Above all, SUP yoga is not for the hydrophobic. Be prepared to have fun in the water and take in quite a few gulps, especially if you are new. This is not surfing, so it’s best to practice when the waters are calm.
6) Have Fun!
Enjoy the beautiful water, sunshine, and nature all around you. There is nothing quite like it to lift your mood and let go of stress. Some people even do SUP yoga in cold weather. It is quite addictive because of how fun and challenging it is, and the benefits are enormous. It is a terrific workout if you want to boost your balance, get a toned body, and have a uniquely exhilarating experience.
~~ I can already tell you that I am hooked. All it took was one trip out on a paddleboard on Lake Erie, and I couldn’t wait to do it again. It is way easier to do than it looks, and my good friend Trisha Yourkvitch was able to pull off a headstand on her very first try on the board. If you want to try out SUP yoga, the lovely Rachel Brathen will be guiding us through a class during the Aruba retreat. You are welcome to sign up for as many additional classes as you like throughout the week!
If you are interested in the Aruba retreat – you must book very fast as there are only a few more spots left!
Thanks again DoYouYoga.com for sharing what’s up with SUP!
DoYouYoga.com is a blog that brings together yoga enthusiasts, instructors, influencers, and bloggers. It’s a resource for everyone who loves yoga and a meeting point for people who want to share their ideas, experiences and thoughts. Head on over to DoYouYoga.com and sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. I’m honored that DoYouYoga.com named The Daily Downward Dog one of the Top Yoga Blogs in 2012 and has provided a home for a few of my articles as well!
Feb 4, 2013 |
I’m not a fan of all-you-can-eat buffets. Don’t get me wrong, I have a big appetite, but I just don’t like gorging myself on what is affectionately known as trough food, and for the most part, I have yet to find a buffet that is vegetarian friendly or reasonably healthy.
But, when it comes to all-you-can-eat (AYCE) yoga, I am a huge honking fan. What do I mean by that? AYCE yoga is that coveted unlimited monthly pass at a yoga studio where you get to take as many yoga classes as you like for one set fee. Granted that fee can be exorbitant depending on the studio, but if you can afford it, it is so, so worth it and the cost per class goes way down if you use your pass as much as I do!
And, I have a little secret confession to make. Once you finally give up paying for drop-in classes or something like a 10-class pass and go for that AYCE pass, it will change your life.
It changed my life!
Back in the day, I was a regular 10-class pass purchaser, applying self-imposed limits on just how much yoga I could do per week in order to extend out the life of my class pass. Even though my body and mind was craving more yoga, my schedule and my wallet weren’t quite ready to commit to the AYCE concept. And then it happened: the studio I was attending at the time ran a special on unlimited monthly yoga that I couldn’t resist, and I finally hunkered down and purchased my very first unlimited monthly pass. It was love at first taste. At this buffet, I could go to class as many times per week as I wanted, try new and different styles and levels of yoga, and try classes with each of the instructors. I could go in the morning, I could go in the evening, I could go two days in a row, and if I really got a little crazy, I could go twice in one day.
All of a sudden, my yoga practice took flight. I got stronger and more flexible, I learned how to meditate, I started doing asanas I never thought I’d do, I became part of an incredible community of yogis, and I grew deeper into the spiritual side of yoga. Once I bought that AYCE pass, my love of yoga grew into what I like to call a healthy addiction. Yep, once that AYCE pass was activated, there was no stopping my craving for more yoga, and I knew I would never go back to the restrictive 10-class pass.
I have students ask me all the time, “How many times per week they should practice yoga?” My answer is never the same because it really depends on what the student is seeking from their practice. However, I like to recommend that, when ready, everyone should go for the AYCE yoga pass so they can practice more than just 1–2 times per week. I can’t tell you how many times I have had these same students come up to me later with a big grin on their faces telling me I was right, that the AYCE pass is what got them totally hooked on yoga and what made their practice blossom.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that yoga can become very addicting, but I can’t think of a better (more natural) high that I’d like to have than a yoga high.
Do yourself a favor if you can and try out your very own AYCE yoga pass and get ready to enjoy endless helpings of yogaliciousness.
Have you had a similar experience with the AYCE yoga pass? If so, please leave a comment below and share your experience at the yoga buffet.
AYCE Yoga Pass Suggestions
Yoga Bliss Akron offers a new student special of $50 for one month of unlimited yoga and also has unlimited monthly yoga passes. I teach a lot of yoga classes at Yoga Bliss, and I highly recommend the new student special it is a great way to get that first taste of all you can eat yoga!
If you don’t live near a studio or need a more cost-effective method for buying an AYCE yoga pass, try out these online video services that offer unlimited yoga for free or for monthly fees starting at $9.99.
My Yoga Online by Gaiam TV provides a wide variety of class videos and offers support groups and forums for their students.
Yoga Download offers a ton of classes you can try for free and has a variety of pricing options (order a class à la carte, or get unlimited streaming on a monthly or yearly basis). Sound good? Read my full review here.
Do Yoga With Me One word: FREE! Do Yoga With Me offers yoga online for all levels, hundreds of streaming videos absolutely free of charge with high quality video and sound. Read my review of this awesome service!
![Yoga Anatomy, Alignment, and Kinesiology]()
Jan 23, 2013 |
Can I just tell you how excited I am for Kreg Weiss to come to Richfield, Ohio? You heard that right – not Cleveland, not Columbus, but my very own ’hood! Kreg is one of the founders of MyYogaOnline, a certified and highly experienced Hatha yoga instructor, international presenter, super nice guy, the teacher of one of my favorite yoga videos “Siesta for the Spine”, and kinesiologist.
Say what? You had me until kinesiologist.
Kinesiology is the branch of physiology that studies the mechanics and anatomy of the body in relation to human movement – or, in simpler terms, it is the science of movement.
Kreg is coming to Nirvana Yoga in February to lead a series of workshops that will take students on a journey through the fundamental elements of anatomy and kinesiology that will enhance their yoga practices. If that seems a little intimidating or heady for some yoga practitioners, Kreg has promised me that the material will be presented in a fun, user-friendly manner that is accessible to all (regardless of previous experience with anatomical concepts). Now we’re talking!
Kreg showed off his one-handed peacock pose for me when we met up at the New York Yoga Journal Conference in 2012.
I’m a big fan of Kreg’s classes on MyYogaOnline because of his unique style of teaching that combines asanas, pranayama, and meditation to create a peaceful yet powerful yoga practice. It’s not easy to do, but Kreg has the ability to deliver classes that provide a challenge, but in a way that not only keeps you safe but leaves you feeling full of peace. If you want to check out his style, Kreg has posted excerpts from quite a few of his videos on his website.
Wanna geek out with me and get a good fix of yoga anatomy? Here’s the deets (what, where, when) on Kreg’s upcoming workshops in Richfield, Ohio.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Exploring Core Elements of Vinyasa
Enjoy exploring the foundational elements of vinyasa as we break down key poses and transitions of this classic flow. This yoga anatomy workshop will offer an integrative approach, providing insights and tips on how to enhance integrity and functional form so that vinyasa practices retain a therapeutic, nurturing intention.
*6:30 – 9 PM $45 / $35 before Feb. 1
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Enhanced Steadiness and Integrity for the Knees
Delve into the world of kinesiology and yoga anatomy as we examine functional elements for maintaining strength and awareness in our knees. From how we stand to how we sit, we will look at how we can best manipulate the entire chain of joints and muscles in key poses in order to keep the knees safe while acquiring the optimum benefits of each pose. Following this 2.5-hour workshop, we will integrate these concepts into an energizing Hatha yoga flow.
12:30 – 4:30 PM $55 / $45 before Feb. 1
Hatha class level will be moderate to intermediate.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Practicing Yoga with Functionality and Relevance
Our daily health is greatly determined by how we settle into our posture. This yoga anatomy workshop will look at posture-related issues including Upper/Lower Cross Syndrome, Forward Head Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, open locked/closed lock principles, kinetic chain effects, and other similar conditions affecting postural health. We will explore how to address this from a restoration perspective and cover the necessary modifications in our practice to enhance recovery and rebalancing of our musculoskeletal and energetic systems. We will follow this workshop with a Hatha yoga practice that will interlace these concepts into the flow.
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM $55 / $45 before Feb. 1
Hatha class level will be moderate.
Follow Kreg Weiss Yoga on Facebook and on Twitter.
One last plug for Kreg, if you run a yoga teacher training program and are looking for someone to come in to cover the anatomy portions, please get in touch with Kreg.
If you’ve done one of Kreg’s online video classes, please leave a comment below and let me know which one you’ve tried and would like to recommend to other yogis.
Dec 12, 2012 |
Well, it happened again: I won the lottery! Last week I bought a Powerball ticket in hopes of winning the $325 million prize. I didn’t win at Powerball, but I did hit the jackpot that very same day when a copy of The Poetry of Yoga Volume 2 arrived in my mailbox! (Keep reading for you chance to win a copy of your very own.)
When I received the first volume of this anthology of contemporary yoga poetry, I felt like a kid in a candy store. The book had pages and pages of beautiful poetry about yoga written by modern-day yogis from around the world. With each turn of the page I found inspiration for both my personal yoga practice and the weekly yoga class themes I develop.
Imagine my utter delight when I opened up the second volume to find a quote from my review of the first analogy printed on page six alongside quotes by Shiva Rea, Yoga Journal Magazine, Rod Stryker, and Master Yoga Teacher Andil Palkhivala, to name a few. Woot!
I have not make it through all 325 pages of Volume 2 (I want to slowly savor and enjoy this book), but in just three readings, I’ve already found many poems like the one below that I would like to share and weave into yoga class themes.
Opening to Grace by Terilyn Wyre
From the Poetry of Yoga Volume 2, page 44
In my practice
in my life
I have planted seeds of hope
been rooted in faith
witnessed the tender new growth
of my awareness
and tended to my practice
like a master gardener
honoring every tight little bud
beginning to emerge
Only when I began to serve
did my yoga blossom
Petal by petal unfolding
Opening to grace
I no longer seek the perfect pose
An end result
the skilled gardener, a prized bloom
I honor the flaws, frayed edges,
dark spots, shadow side
fragmented reflection of light
And another petal unfurls
Opening to grace
I till the soil and gather the seeds
of knowledge to offer my community
A wisdom beyond my own
with my authentic voice
To be of service, to learn and teach
We weed our gardens and mindfully plant our intentions
To witness our physical bodies and minds
Yoking with the subtle energetic body
We yearn for the light
Like wildflowers and stately trees
Shrubs, moss and climbing roses
Opening to grace
The Poetry of Yoga Volume 2 is a project of love edited by author, documentary filmmaker, musician, poet, peacemaker, and yoga teacher HawaH. It consists of 206 poems submitted from toga teachers and students from around the world. Originally the plan was to release one book of poetry, but the power of social media sky-rocketed HawaH’s call for entries, and he received over 1,900 pages of poetry from 19 countries. Thankfully, the decision was made to create not one but two volumes to share these submissions, which express the modern-day collective consciousness of the yoga community. If you would like to learn more about the poets (which include folks like MC Yogi, Ana Forrest, David Newman, and Sean Corn), or just want to know how HawaH was ever able to cull down all those entries, please check out the official Poetry of Yoga website.
How to Purchase: Volume 1 is currently available, and the second volume goes on sale today 12/12/12. You can purchase the books from The Poetry of Yoga website, and when you do, you will not only score an awesome book of poetry – you’ll also be doing a good deed. When either volume of The Poetry of Yoga is purchased, 50 percent of proceeds are donated to the non-profit organization One Common Unity, which provides inner-city youth programs that teach peace education and the building of a non-violent culture through music and art.
How to win your own Yoga Poetry Jackpot: To celebrate the release of the second volume, the Daily Downward Dog has two copies of The Poetry of Yoga Volume 2 to giveaway, courtesy of HawaH. To enter, please leave a comment below and do one or several of the following:
- Like Poetry of Yoga on Facebook
- Copy and paste this to either Facebook or Twitter: The Poetry of Yoga Vol 2 available 12/12/12. Purchase yours now at http://bit.ly/X8R7Qx & enter to win a free copy here http://bit.ly/QUEt9q
- Don’t do the Facebook or Twitter thing? Send an email to a fellow yoga friends with a link to this article and tell them about The Poetry of Yoga.
The deadline for entries is 12/21/12 at noon ET, when two lucky winners will be randomly selected to win a copy of The Poetry of Yoga Volume 2 (that is, if the world doesn’t end).
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the yoga lover in your life, or just want to support a great cause, please visit The Poetry of Yoga website and pick up a copy of this inspiring and lovingly crafted book.
Dec 10, 2012 |
Over the last few days, I took a little break from work and was blessed to be able to do what I love: hang out with my husband and family and practice yoga not only outdoors, but on a BEACH!
Before I left, I fooled myself into believing that I still needed to work while I was on vacation and packed up my computer so I could spend a few hours each morning at work. You would think after all these years I had learned the lesson about taking the time on vacation to truly decompress, but my ego mind was not having any of that nonsense.
The universe, however, had other plans for me. I arrived at my vacation destination, went to unpack, and realized with a sense of horror that I have left the plug for my computer at home.
What? – Gasp – F*%#!
After frantically searching through my suitcase numerous times, I sat for a moment weighing my options. Perhaps I should go buy a new cord, or find a location with computer workstations. I let myself calm down with some deep breathing, and as I did, I came to the realization that the universe was lovingly sending me a message, “Maria, relax, you need this mental recharge. Your body needs this escape from the clutches of your computer.” I packed the laptop away, put on my yoga clothes, and went outside to practice and breathe under a brilliant blue sky.
Aaahhhh, yes, be present, let go, enjoy this time with family, this chance to let your shoulders drop and relax. Thanks, universe, I needed that swift little kick in the ass.
A few days later I got the chance to practice yoga on a beach. You can see from the picture below that I found a beautiful space for my beachfront yoga studio that day. The sand was white, the sound of the waves was magical, and I quickly fell into a state of pure beach yoga bliss.
I’m a fan of hot yoga, but I have to tell you that hot yoga on the beach is the best. With the sun shining down on me, my body temperature was rising, but there was just enough cool in those ocean breezes to keep me from overheating. The combination of all the elements – blue sky, puffy white clouds, idyllic breeze, waves rolling up onto the beach, and a flowing yoga practice – it couldn’t get more perfect!
After I finished my first sun salutation, I stood in tadasana, heart soaring as I gazed out over the magnificent horizon soaking in the beauty of that moment. Just then, a woman walked by with her dog. The dog stopped, crouched down, and proceeded to do his bizness about six feet in front of my yoga mat.
What? Gasp, OMG, Sh&*!
What the hell kind of a message from the universe was this supposed to be?
After my initial horror subsided, all I could do was laugh to help ease the tension of the woman who was clearly horrified that her dog had found his bliss right in the middle of my bliss. Her husband quickly came to the rescue and scooped up the mess as we all laughed together.
I’ve had some funny and memorable experiences when practicing or teaching yoga on the beach, but this one is definitely going down in the records. I’m still trying to figure out what the universe was trying to tell me that day, but I’m sure it was along these lines: Even when you’re doing what you love, shitty things can happen, but you’ve got to let it go, laugh, clean up the mess, and move on.
I did just that and was rewarded with one of the most perfect beach yoga practices ever. I held my crow and headstands longer than I ever had, I meditated for close to thirty minutes after my asana practice, and I truly found my bliss.
Thank you, universe, and keep sending those messages. I’m listening!
Join me in Aruba this coming April 2013 for Beach Yoga Bliss!
