Yoga for Surfers

Spending the days in the water, the constant movement of the ocean does quite a number on your body. Luckily for surfers and all water enthusiasts, yoga is a fantastic compliment to the sport. Even 11th time world champion Kelley Slater incorporates yoga into his daily training routine, as well as big wave surfer Gerry Lopez! Yoga provides strength, flexibility and balance (which are all key components to catching waves) and even more specifically core stabilization, mental focus and breathing techniques.  Here are the top 5 poses every surfer can add into their yoga routine:

Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)

This posture directly mirrors what surfers do through when starting to “pop up” on their boards. Surfers are often tight within their chest and shoulder muscles, as they used these muscles when paddling and standing up. Upward Facing Dog elongates the front side of the body, while increasing flexibility in the spine. This can help your pop-ups be smoother with less muscle soreness in your lower back… which allows more time in the water!

Half Pigeon (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)

Let’s be real….this asana is great for all athletes! Half pigeon is a great hip opener that stretches the thighs, groin and hip flexors. Working with surfers, a large injury that I see is the groin muscle. This allows more flexibility in the hip joint and its surrounding muscles to support the strength that the legs must provide when steering the boards. Don’t forget to do both sides, and find a level that best suits your practice.

Extended Side Angle (Utthita Parsvakonasana)

This strength building posture allows the whole body to strengthen and lengthen. Since surfing is a whole-body sport, this posture speaks to its needs. Extended Side Angle provides a nice stretch along the top side of the body, from the back heel to the lifted arm. It also continues to open the hips, while giving a nice stretch into the groin area.

Wheel/Bride Pose (Dhanurasana)

This posture is known for both the physical and mental benefits, as it will open up the front side of the body will allowing stimulation to the brain. Start out with bridge pose to strength the lower back, and move into wheel once the shoulders and psoas open more. This posture will stretches out hips, the groin, shoulders while providing increased stamina and concentration.

Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)

Since most athletes are blessed with strong hamstrings, this posture is a great balance to all the front body opening completed in the other asanas. Seated Forward Fold provides physical grounding in the body while stretching the entire backside of the body. This will lengthen your calves, hamstrings, and all the muscles along your spine. A great pose to do prior to paddling out, Seated Forward Fold will also support injury prevention.

Enjoy the wave my friends, and see you on your mat…or in the water!