FEATURED IN LEARN TO SURF GUIDE
Balance is one of the keys to surfing. Many surfers find yoga
fantastic for helping improve their balance. It also increases
strength, flexibility and concentration and, super-important, it
helps to prevents injury.
Here are some tips for a quick pre or post-surfing session from yoga instructor
Maria Kodzoman.
1. Easy-seated pose (Sukhasana): Sit in an easy cross-legged position, align your
knees with your hips, and flex both feet inwards towards your face. Lift your head
to the sky and let your knees fall to the side. Put your hands on your knees and
spend a few minutes breathing through your nose.
Benefits: opens the hips and thigh muscles.
Balance 2. Tree pose (Vrksasana): Stand tall with your big toes touching and hands at the
sternum (breastbone). Transfer your weight onto your right foot, place your left
food on your inner thigh, lift your head and focus. Hold for five breaths and
alternate sides.
Benefits: balance and strength.
3. Single leg forward bend (Parsvottanasana): Turn your left foot outwards by
around 45 degrees. Interlace your hands behind your back and stretch your arms
so your fingers point to the sky. Then, pulling your abdominal muscles in towards
your spine, inhale and lift your head, exhaling as you gently fold forwards towards
the right knee. Hold forward for five breaths and then alternate sides.
Benefits: opens the hips and shoulder joints for increased movement.
4. Four-limbed pose (Chaturanga Dandasana): Begin on all fours, with your wrists
in line with your shoulders, spread fingers wide. Balance on your toes, pushing
into back of heels, inhale. On an exhale tuck elbows in close, lower your torso
and legs to a few inches towards ground engaging stomach muscles and hold up
to five breaths.
Benefits: strengthens arms, wrists and shoulders. Aids energy, faster pop-ups and
boosts strength for paddling.
