Yoga

Have you ever wondered how to prepare physically for a surf in the ocean or even an entire surf week! Yoga is one way to really get your muscles ready and stretched before going out into the ocean. Peggy Hall, from YogaforSurfers.com has introduced many yoga poses that help with surfing. If you are going to hit the surf soon, why not check out these Free Yoga Stretches for Surfing. Just take a second to sign in and access your surf stretches. We know your mind is ready to surf, but is your body?

Let yoga help your surfing.

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Love the holidays? Love to eat? I think the majority of us would say yes to these two questions. What are some yoga poses that you can do to help your digestion.

Here what Peggy Hall has to say:
Any type of spinal twist is really beneficial to help keep your digestive system in shape. You can also lie on your back with your knees bent and wrap your arms around your shins. Keep your head on the floor and your chin slightly tucked. Stay for several breaths. The pressure of your knees against your abdomen helps to bring energy and circulation to the stomach, pancreas, liver and intestines.
Child’s pose is also good, as it stimulates and tones the digestive organs. But be sure to practice all these poses on an empty stomach! After eating, the best thing to do is to rest a bit and then go for an easy stroll, which will also help aid digestion!

Enjoy the holidays but take care of yourself by practicing yoga and not overdoing it! See you in the surf!

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I love Peggy Hall! She is an amazing woman who, like me, sees the complete connection to surfing and yoga. Check out her video on how to do the perfect downward facing dog.

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Have you tried Anusara today?

People arriving EARLY to a Maui event, nah?! Love it!

John Friend with humor brings us together for a pre-asana chat.

I am supporting you.

Assisted Urdhva Dhanurasana with the lovely Sam.

We are blurry from all the Love and Shakti in the air. Thanks JOHN!

You know when they say that dogs look like their owners and vice versa? What about names, specifically last names? John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga, is just one of those individuals whose name suits them perfectly. In his presence, if only but for a few short seconds you are magically drawn into an unexpected friendship that has the feeling of decades. That’s how you feel around John Friend.

I was grateful for the opportunity to attend one of his Maui workshops at The Studio Maui this past weekend amongst hundreds of other Maui residents and visitors. This was the second time John has joined us at The Studio Maui and what an inspiring and growing experience it was.

I’m not sure if John Friend is a surfer or not, but he certainly made many references to the ocean and swells in life and in your poses. Being a surfer myself, I found these analogies to be spot on. I also enjoyed the reminder from John Friend that, “All beings wish for joy and that All Beings want to be free to delight in their life…to feel Empowered.” He spoke of the yoga pose; that it is not about being focused on the end product (the look of the pose) but the actions taken to get there. This reminds me of being present to all that life brings up, to be in the moment and to enjoy the ride (on my surfboard, of course!).

Mahalo John Friend for your energy, love and dedication in helping others. NOW, are you a surfer or not? If not, let’s get you on a board the next time you are in Maui.

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Downward Facing Dog in Paradise.

Ukatasana Pose

Crescent Pose...love this one!

Besides surfing, yoga is a big portion of the retreat which incorporates some of the wellness portion of the week, as well as, helps to stretch out those surfing arms and shoulders. See some images below of our guest’s first Downward Facing Dog in paradise.

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Yoga and Surfing go together like syrup and pancakes.

Why Yoga and Surfing work so well together:

• Eliminate aches and pains in your back, knees and hips

• Increase your paddling power and get into waves more easily

• Get to your feet faster

• Recover quickly so you won’t miss any days of a new swell

• Feel more flexible and fit than ever before

• Surf stronger and longer — with more energy, endurance and confidence

• Feel calm and focused in challenging conditions — both in and out of the water

Surf bigger and faster waves. Content from Yoga for Surfers.

BTW- Yoga for Surfers has great dvds to purchase on their website. I’ve bought one of them and it has helped with my surfing tremendously, not to mentioned the golden gift of ‘peace of mind’.

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Image by Ben Moon

This ad of Gerry Lopez in Yoga Jounal puts chills down my spine and a huge smile on my face. Amazing, simply amazing. It just goes to show you the profound connection of surfing and yoga and how these two physical activities join together seamlessly while benefiting each other. Gerry snowboards to AND he is 60 years old. No more excuses! We love Gerry Lopez…thanks for inspiring all of us. What a gift you are!

A little bit about Gerry Lopez:

Gerry Lopez was born in Hawaii, USA in 1948.  He won the Master of Pipeline award in 1972. On account of his unique style and mental approach to surfing, he has become known as the surfer who meditates on waves and even god of surfing by many surfers around the world.

What Gerry Lopez has to say about Surfing:

“Surfing has to do with a natural spirituality about being in close touch with the elements of the sea. It somehow relates to everything else that happens in life, as well as outside of it. The concept of waves are what most of life is based on, from the simple idea of our own birth, life, and death relating to the same life-cycle of the waves we surf.”

What Gerry Lopez has to say about Yoga:

“Flexibility is a key element of long-term surfing, and Yoga is the ultimate for staying flexible.”

A Big Mahalo to Ben Moon for supplying us with this picture of Gerry Lopez in a Scorpion Pose.

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You might think that surfing and yoga are far out from each other but that notion is incorrect. Both have similar concepts that really blend well to give you a better life. Here are five reasons why surfing and yoga is a great combination.

1.  Yoga and surfing have a common denominator. They are ways of life.

2.  Surfing without exercise such as yoga can have health repercussions.

3.  Yoga will teach you patience in surfing.

4.  Yoga will increase your strength and flexibility on the board.

5.  Yoga will help you improve posture and breathing.

Surfing and yoga is a perfect complement that assists in excelling each other to higher levels and that is why most women’s surf camps have yoga activities as well. The pair not only enhances your spirituality and physicality but also harmonizes your mind and body in perfect balance. So the next time, before you surf, practice a few minutes of yoga and breathing. Then you’ll realize that surfing is not only a purely physical activity but can have liberation effects as well.

To read the full story, Click Here. 

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Image by: Mike Adrian Photography

 As we know the price of staying healthy sometimes exceeds our budget and we are inspired to get creative with what we have available. A good friend once said to me, “Whatever money you spend on yourself to improve your well-being will be returned ten-fold.” This quote has stuck with me as I’ve chose well-being, health and bliss over Fendi and Gucci. 

Here are some “donation-only” yoga studios in the US; yogatothepeople.com, poweryoga.com, one-yoga.com, humanraceyoga.com, rubbersoulyoga.com, showmeyoga.com, parksidepoweryoga.com and yogabalancestudio.com.

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A great place to practice yoga in Kihei is http://www.kiheiyoga.com

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