FITNESS Yoga for surfers

Snaking towards surfer’s paradise


Yoga
Lee Kennedy

Those of us who have experienced both yoga and surfing come to realise that they both share some common threads, both physically and spiritually. The physical and mental benefits of practising yoga are vast and are a great preparation for surfing, so whether you are new to surfing or a seasoned pro, yoga can help take you to your full potential.
Both yoga and surfing are personal practices, not team sports. They are similar, in that you are often surrounded by other students, either in a class or in the water, but the practice itself is very personal. So, whether you are looking for a warm-up before a surf, trying to recover from a surf injury or looking for a way to relieve the feeling of restlessness when the ocean is flat, yoga has the answers.

Benefits
Practicing yoga can help eliminate aches and pains in your back, knees and hips while improving your surfing fitness so you’re stronger and more powerful – you’ll find getting into the waves easier and getting to your feet faster.
With yogic breathing you can develop your lung capacity and strengthen your cardiovascular system.
You can surf for longer and shorten recovery time between sessions.
Creating a regular yoga practice will improve your surfing, sharpen your mental focus, improve balance and increase your strength and flexibility.
The Cobra pose (Bhujangasana) is a basic yoga move to get you started. It strengthens the spine; stretches chest and lungs, shoulders and abdomen; stimulates the abdominal organs; helps relieve stress and fatigue.
It is also good for asthma sufferers.

Cobra pose
Lie tummy-side down on the floor, stretching your legs back, lying the tops of the feet on the floor.
Spread your hands on the floor under your shoulders.
On an inhalation, begin to straighten the arms to lift the chest off the floor, going only to the height at which you can maintain a connection to the floor with your hips.
Firm your shoulder blades against your back.
Distribute the backbend evenly throughout the entire spine.
Hold the pose from 15 to 30 seconds, breathing easily.
Release your front back to the floor with an exhalation.

Lee Kennedy qualified with The BKS Iyengar Yoga Association UK, the YTTC and Ana Forrest of Forrest Yoga. She specialises in pregnancy-related yoga and also studied with Janet Balaskas, founder of the Active Birth Foundation, UK. Visit Yogadara.com or call 0863906343 for more information.