Finding the Connection between Surfing and Yoga
When I was first introduced to yoga, it was on a beach before a surf session in Montanitas, Ecuador.
“I practiced “Surya Namaskara A” every time before I hit the water to surf, it calmed me down, help loosen me up and set my breath in motion, it became my mantra.”
Breath & Body Connection
The Breath can be used as a tool, not only to calm the mind & body, but also as a way of drawing more energy into a movement. All martial arts practices use the breath in this way. Swimmers also do this, and because their movements are timed, their breathing is rhythmic. Pranayama is the yogic practice of exercising the breath. By focusing on the way you breath, you can increase the capacity, length, and energy of your breath. So not only will you be able to hold your breath under water longer, but you will get more "bang" out of every movement you take.
Paddling
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Bottom Turns
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Top Turns "hitting the lip"
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Body & Mind Connection
Yoga helps to build awareness within the body, through breath and movement. Surfing can be an exciting and also dangerous sport, being alert and calm can be extremely important to stay safe in any surf condition. By drawing from yogic techniques and philosophies we can help to increase our awareness in and out of the water. Style and grace are what drawing a nice line is all about.
Staying Calm
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Staying Connected
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Staying Loose
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Elements of Surfing and Yoga
Mental Field
State of Mind
Present Not Present Emotions Awareness Scattered Thoughts |
Physical Field
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Energetic Field
High Energy Level
Medium Energy Level Low energy Level Collected State Neutral State Scattered State |
Consciousness Field
Connecting Internally
Connecting to your External Surroundings Universal Connection |