The Parallels of Yoga and Surfing
Yoga and surfing have much in common.
Both require a great deal of balance and concentration. Both involve a sense of "letting go", whether it be flowing with ocean waves or a yoga sequence. And both depend on conscious breathing.
In yoga, focusing on our breath brings awareness to our body, increases lung capacity, and also calms us in difficult postures. "Breathing into" a posture allows us to move deeper into the posture, and thus into ourselves.
Breathing exercises, or pranyama, help expand our lung capacity, which in turn is highly beneficial for surfing. The more we expand our lungs, the longer we can hold our breath ~ this can be crucial while being "held down" by big wave sets.
Remaining calm is of upmost importance while surfing, especially while getting tossed and turned in the whitewash or upon wiping out. When we remain calm while surfing, we can actually hold our breath much longer than when we are not calm.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful elements of both yoga and surfing is the gift of being present. Yoga helps brings us to the present moment, just as time seems to stand still while riding a wave.
~Marika Ripke
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You are so right on! There are a number of Surf and Yoga programs that have sprung up in Costa Rica that we actually made a seperate category for them on our surfing subsite.
Cheers, Tee
Tee is Senior Editor of digital magazinewww.CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com about Costa Rica
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I live up
I have also seen yoga being done on paddle boards. It seems like it might be a helpful way to encourage balance on the water when surfing.