The Powerful Benefits of Combining Yoga and Surfing

June 6, 2023

Surfing is a challenging sport that requires strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility.

But did you know incorporating yoga can help you take your surfing skills to the next level?

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and is well known for its physical and mental benefits.

Yoga is a powerful tool for athletes of all kinds and the benefits of yoga for surfing are significant.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the ways in which yoga can improve your surfing skills.

We’ll discuss the specific benefits of yoga for surfers, including increased flexibility, improved strength, better balance, and more.

You’ll also learn some of the best yoga poses for surfers to help you get started.

So if you’re ready to take your surfing skills to the next level, then read on.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner surfer that’s just starting out, yoga can help you become a better surfer.

Let’s dive in.

INCREASED FLEXIBILITY

Surfing requires a lot of flexibility.

Have you ever watched an expert surfer and noticed the positions they get themselves into?

Clearly, surfing well requires a lot of flexibility and range of motion.

Surfing requires flexibility in your entire body and particularly in your shoulders, hips, lower back, and ankles.

Paddling, popping up on the board, and shifting your body while riding a wave require you to be able to move your body in a full range of motion.

Beginner surfers often look stiff and struggle to move and control their bodies in a way that’s conducive to surfing.

Regular yoga practice can help you to improve your flexibility and range of motion in the areas specific to surfing. So you’ll be able to execute the movements on the surfboard with more ease and efficiency.

Here are some yoga poses that could help improve your flexibility for surfing:

Thread the needle pose (Parsva Balasana): This pose stretches the shoulders, upper back, and neck, making it a great pose for surfers who spend a lot of time paddling.
Low lunge pose (Anjaneyasana): This pose stretches the hip flexors and quadriceps, which can help improve flexibility in the hips and lower back.
Pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana): This pose is a deep hip opener and can help improve flexibility in the hips and lower back.
Seated forward bend (Paschimottanasana): This pose stretches the hamstrings, lower back, and hips, which can help improve flexibility for popping up on the board.
Half saddle pose (Ardha Supta Virasana): This pose stretches the quads, and hip flexors, and opens the front of the hips, which can help improve flexibility in the hips and lower back.
Sphinx pose (Salamba Bhujangasana): This pose stretches the spine and chest, which can help improve flexibility in the upper back and shoulders, improving paddling efficiency.

Remember to move slowly and mindfully in each pose, and never force yourself into a position that feels painful or uncomfortable. With regular practice, these yoga poses can help improve flexibility and range of motion, making you a better and more efficient surfer.

IMPROVED STRENGTH

Of course, surfing doesn’t require just flexibility. Surfing also requires a level of strength and muscular endurance.

You see, yoga poses can help you to build strength and endurance in the muscles that you use for surfing. For example, your core, arms, and legs.

Here is some yoga poses you could incorporate into your training routine to help you develop strength for surfing:

Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II): This pose strengthens the legs, opens the hips, and improves balance. It’s an excellent pose for surfers as it can help improve the stability and balance needed for riding waves.
Triangle pose (Trikonasana): This pose strengthens the legs and stretches the hips, hamstrings, and spine. The triangle pose is a great pose for surfers as it helps develop the strength and flexibility needed for paddling and maintaining balance on the board.
Boat pose (Navasana): This pose strengthens the core, which is essential for maintaining balance on the board. Boat pose can help surfers develop a strong, stable core that can withstand the demands of the sport.
Cobra pose (Bhujangasana): This pose strengthens the back muscles, which can help prevent injury and improve posture. Cobra pose can help surfers develop a strong, resilient back that is better equipped to handle the rigors of the sport.

When you get stronger in these areas, then you can paddle faster, maintain balance more easily, and ride waves for longer periods of time.

In other words, developing strength and muscular endurance in your muscles by practicing yoga can help you to surf for longer periods of time without getting tired.

If you can surf for longer periods of time, then you’re going to get more practice in the water, so you can improve your surfing ability.

BETTER BALANCE

Obviously, surfing requires a lot of balance and stability. You’re riding an unstable board on unpredictable waves.

Many yoga poses require tremendous balance and stability, which can directly translate to you getting better balance on the surfboard.

Here are some yoga poses that can help improve your balance for surfing:

Tree pose (Vrikshasana): This pose challenges your balance by requiring you to stand on one leg while keeping your core engaged. Practicing tree pose regularly can help improve your stability and control, making it easier to stay centered on your board.
Half moon pose (Ardha Chandrasana): This pose challenges your balance by requiring you to balance on one leg while reaching your other leg and arm toward the sky. Half moon pose can help improve your balance and coordination, making it easier to maneuver on your board.
Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III): This pose challenges your balance by requiring you to balance on one leg while reaching your torso and arms forward. Warrior III can help improve your stability and control, making it easier to maintain balance on your board.
Eagle pose (Garudasana): This pose challenges your balance by requiring you to wrap one leg and arm around the other while standing on one leg. Practicing the eagle pose can help improve your balance and stability, making it easier to ride waves.
Extended hand-to-big-toe pose (Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana): This pose challenges your balance by requiring you to balance on one leg while holding onto your big toe with one hand. Practicing the extended hand-to-big-toe pose can help improve your balance and control, making it easier to stay centered on your board.

Don’t be discouraged if you find these poses challenging at first. Because with regular practice, you’ll start to see improvements in your balance, both on and off the water.

Improved balance can help you maintain control of your board when surfing, make quick adjustments when riding waves, and prevent you from falling off your board.

REDUCED STRESS

Both surfing and yoga can be great ways to relieve stress and promote relaxation.

But surfing can also be a stressful activity.

You see, surfing is physically demanding and mentally challenging, which can create stress for surfers.

Here are some reasons why surfing can be stressful:

Physical demands: Surfing requires a significant amount of physical strength, endurance, and balance. Riding waves, paddling out to the lineup, and battling currents can be exhausting, especially for beginners who may not yet have developed the necessary strength and endurance.
Environmental factors: Surfing takes place in an ever-changing environment, with waves, tides, and wind all affecting the conditions. These factors can create stress for surfers who must constantly adjust to the changing conditions and adapt their approach.
Fear and anxiety: Surfing also involves an element of risk, as surfers are constantly exposed to the power of the ocean. This can create fear and anxiety, especially for those who are new to the sport or surfing in challenging conditions.
Competition: For those who compete in surfing, there can be added stress associated with performing well and achieving success.

When you’re stressed, then your body responds with physical symptoms. Symptoms that can impede your surfing and ability to improve.

This is where yoga can help.

You see, yoga includes a range of postures, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques that are designed to help calm the mind, body and reduce stress.

When you practice yoga regularly, then you can learn how to manage your stress levels more effectively. Both in the water and out.

Yoga can also help you to become more mindful and present when you surf.

You can learn how to let go of distracting thoughts and become more present in the movement. So you can improve your mental clarity, which can be invaluable.

INJURY PREVENTION

As you know, surfing can be a physically demanding activity and put a lot of stress on your body.

When you go surfing, you put a lot of strain on your shoulders, back, and legs.

So injuries such as rotator cuff tears, lower back pain, and knee injuries are common among surfers.

Yoga can be an effective tool for preventing injuries. Yoga can also promote proper alignment and posture, as well as body awareness.

Here are some other ways that yoga can help prevent injuries in surfers:

Improved flexibility: Yoga postures can help to improve flexibility in the shoulders, back, and legs, which can help prevent injuries caused by overuse or strain. When the body is more flexible, it is less likely to sustain injuries during surfing.
Increased strength: Yoga postures can also help to build strength in the muscles that are important for surfing, such as the core, back, and legs. Strong muscles are less likely to become injured or strained during surfing.
Better balance: Surfing requires a lot of balance, and practicing yoga postures that focus on balance can help to improve stability and prevent falls and injuries.
Promoting recovery: If a surfer does sustain an injury, practicing yoga can help with the recovery process by improving flexibility, strength, and circulation. This can speed up the healing process and prevent further injuries from occurring.

So when you add yoga to your surfing routine, it can be an effective way to prevent injuries. And improve your overall physical well-being.

CONCLUSION

Practicing yoga can be a game-changer for surfers.

Yoga can help you to improve your flexibility, strength, balance, and more. So you can become a better and more confident surfer.

When you take the time to practice yoga regularly, you’ll strengthen both your body and your mind.

Additionally, practicing yoga can help develop a greater sense of body awareness, which can be invaluable in the water.

There’s never been a better time to start yoga than now.

So take some of the poses that we’ve discussed in this blog post, and look to develop a well-rounded yoga practice that’s specific for improving your surfing.

Make sure you listen to your body and move mindfully.

As you develop a regular yoga practice, you’ll begin to notice improvements in your surfing skills.

Remember, yoga is a journey and there’s always room for growth and improvement. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results.

Stick with it, and you may be surprised at how much progress you could make.

So grab your mat, hit the beach, and start practicing.

Your body, mind, and ultimately, your surfing skills will benefit.