It resembles a sphinx, hence the name, as the practitioner lies on the floor on his belly and faces ahead, supported on parallel forearms. This pose releases stress, provides energy, and makes the spine flexible. The Salamba Bhujangasana or 'Sphinx Pose' The camel pose keeps you on your knees - tail bone pushed forward, chest up and back bent, with hands holding the heels. This challenging backbend pose improves the flexibility of the neck and spine and relieves backache. Arms are outstretched, parallel to the floor.īy standing straight and gently bending at the hips as if to sit, with arms stretched upwards, the 'Chair Pose' works the arms and legs' muscles and stimulates the diaphragm and heart. Stand with feet apart, one knee bent toward the front, and the other stretched to the back. The 'Warrior II Pose' increases stamina and concentration, stretches the hip, groin, and shoulders, relieves backaches, and improves circulation and respiration.

The Virabhadrasana II or 'Warrior II Pose' It opens the hip joints, stretches the groin, and releases the shoulders and neck. This pose is a stretch along the top side of the body, from the back heel through the raised arm. The Utthita Parsvakonasana or 'Extended Side Angle Pose' Knees, arms, and back are stretched, forming an angle.Ī pose variation, known as the 'Dolphin Pose,' is also great for opening shoulders and strengthening the core, arms, and legs. It consists of standing with hands and feet on the floor, the sitting bones pointing to the ceiling, and heels touching the ground. It is one of the most widely recognized and famous yoga poses.

'Downward-Facing Dog' is a rejuvenating stretch that strengthens the wrists, arms, and shoulders. The Adho Mukha Svanasana or 'Downward-Facing Dog' This asana requires constant practice to do comfortably, but once achieved, it calms the mind and stretches the ankles and knees. It is a sitting pose, with legs crossed one over the other and each foot placed on the opposite thigh. The Padmasana is mostly a meditation pose. Here are some of the best yoga poses for surfers: The Padmasana or 'Lotus Pose' Now that you can see what deep bonds connect surfing and yoga, you can dedicate yourself to it at home or in the line-up before you go into the water. Yoga also aids in stronger paddling and faster, more grateful popups.

Yoga stretches and techniques are perfect before and after a surf session. It also allows yogis and yoginis to take physical and balance skills acquired through yoga to a whole new level. Riding a wave is, for many, a highly spiritual experience that presents itself as an outward expression of yoga and meditation practices. What is not so talked about, however, is that surfing also benefits yoga practitioners. Yoga also strengthens key physical points to the surfing practice, such as arms, legs, back, and wrists, minimizing the risk of injuries and improving recovery time after a surf session. Surfers need deep focus and optimum fitness to attain their in-water goals.īig wave riders make good examples of this, requiring great mental skills to overcome fear, along with very fast physical responses.Ī yoga routine can provide these things, emphasizing focus, confidence, balance, energy, endurance, vitality, flexibility, longevity and, ultimately, performance. This possibly pre-Vedic tradition combines the power of mind and body to create a perfect balance and open the path to nirvana and illumination.īut what does this deep, inward activity have to do with the outdoors? What could it offer an extreme surfer? A lot, it seems. Both physical and spiritual, surf and yoga work together to help a surfer achieve a clearer mind and a stronger body. The ancient practice of yoga has grown deep roots in the surfing community.

Core yoga ballard