Yoga Training Tips For Surfers
Yoga is a great exercise for improving flexibility, balance and strength which are all important for surfing. With all these benefits it makes sense that many pro surfers like Kelly Slater and Gerry Lopez regularly practice yoga.
1. Take It Slow
It’s possible to damage your body by applying excessive force to a stretch. If you want a stronger stretch during yoga it’s much safer to relax into it and deepen your breath. Don’t try to rush flexibility, if you experience any pain, it’s better to reduce the stretch and wait for your flexibility to improve gradually over time.
2. Use a Cushion
If you are still new to yoga there will be many movements and poses that will be difficult for you to perform but a cushion can help you perform a number of these in the early stages. For example, if you struggle to cross your legs in Easy pose sitting on the edge of a cushion will help you raise your hips. Likewise, placing a cushion under your hip will give your bent leg extra support during pigeon pose.
3. Balance Poses
Balance is an integral part of surfing and balance poses are yoga poses that are great for improving overall balance and strength. Great ones to use to improve your balance on a surfboard are the Warrior poses and the Eagle pose. These poses also have the added benefits of improving focus and strength all over the body which are also important elements of staying on your surfboard.
4. Meditation
Meditation is a vital component in yoga and has many powerful mental benefits for surfers. While it may not be the aspect of yoga with the most obvious benefits to surfers it’s just as powerful as any of the poses. We can sometimes struggle to get out of our head and this can lead to a loss in focus and ultimately worsen our surf performance. Meditation helps surfers to stay present and really feel the wave they’re riding.
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Written by:
Caleb Thornton-Shaw
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