1. Reduces stress more effectively than traditional yoga
The connection to nature helps to relax participants in a way that is typically not reached in a yoga studio, ultimately helping participants to reach a more meditative state of mind, Pytleski says. “It’s a little bit more fun, and people tend to take paddleboard yoga a little less seriously, so they’re more relaxed and they get a few good laughs in,” she says. “Laughter is always the best medicine for any ailment.”
2. Clears your mind
Paddleboard yoga yields all the benefits of traditional yoga, plus an additional mood boost. Because of the sensation of practicing on water, you feel differently after a session of yoga boarding than you would after a yoga session in a studio. “Immediately after the class you feel a change in you,” Pytleski says. “You feel so much lighter, more clear in your mind and you let go of a lot of negative emotions.”
3. Uses more muscles
Practicing yoga on the unsteady surface of a paddleboard makes it more difficult to balance, so participants become more aware of their bodies. “You use muscles that you may not have to use on a still surface,” the instructor says. “You’re definitely using more muscles to achieve the same pose that you would on land.”
4. Breaks the monotony
Sometimes practicing yoga in a studio can lead to zoning out and simply going through the motions. “In paddleboard yoga, you have to be aware of your surroundings and the placement of your body,” she says. “You can get so stuck in a routine, so when you try something new it brings an entirely new perspective.”
5. Improves your yoga on land
Paddleboard yoga has given Pytleski a different perspective on the practice because it is a different dynamic entirely. She says many students focus more on stabilizing their muscles. As a result, once they achieve something on the board that they previously struggled with, they find it much easier to achieve on land. “Some poses are more fun and challenging out on the paddleboard,” she says.
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