Yoga and Surfing are a great mix!

Have you ever wanted to become a yoga teacher? What is The yoga + surfing connection: what does it mean and how can we live it? Peggy Hall, Yoga for Surfers Founder, is now offering a yoga program for inspired individuals who would like to learn her technique and style this September in California. Peggy Hall is an avid surfer, certified yoga instructor, surf-nutrition specialist and the creator of the first-ever yoga program specifically for surfers! Surfer Magazine calls Peggy a “legend” in surfing fitness, as she has helped tens of thousands of surfers all over the world surf better — and live better through her Yoga for Surfers® instructional videos.

SwellWomen loves Peggy Hall and all she has done with the Surf and Yoga community. If you are thinking about becoming a Yoga Instructor and enjoy surfing, click here for additional information.

The weather is beautiful and the water is warm! Hope you will be joining us in 2010!

Retreat time is finally here! We are looking forward to an incredible season with women coming from all over the world; Germany, Australia, All over the US, and more. Stay tune to our Facebook Fan Page and our Blog for updates from our retreat. We will also be posting on Twitter, too.  Hope to surf with you in 2010!

What are you waiting for?

It is a well known fact that staying active helps keep you looking and feeling young. Not many activities come close to the effect surfing has on the mind, body and spirit. According to experienced surfers, the special bond the surfer has with their surf board and the open ocean is almost impossible to explain.
1) Fresh Air Fresh air does a body good! No matter if you’re surfing a remote location or something closer to the city, the ocean air smells fresh and clean. When you are on the waves, it’s just you, the water and the fresh air.

2) Stress Free Out in the swells, you can let your stress and every-day worries float away with the tide.  No one yelling for help or that report you should have handed in already. Just a few hours of surfing a week can help release the tension that builds up at home or in the workplace.

3) Muscle Tone People who surf are generally slender and well muscled toned into their 60’s and even 70’s. Surfing is a non-impact sport, meaning it’s very easy on your knees and other joints. After all, you don’t jog or jump on your surf board!

4) Cardiovascular Health Surfing provides an amazing aerobic workout that not only helps burn fat but also keeps your heart, lungs and entire cardiovascular system in tip-top shape. A healthy cardiovascular system keeps your immune system healthy as well as maintaining a high level of stamina, to keep you feeling young.

5) Fun in the Sun Besides giving surfers great tans to keep that youthful glow, the sun provides vitamins that maintain healthy skin and nails. Healthy bones, skin, hair and nails assist in a more youthful appearance. But don’t forget to wear your sunscreen! SPF 30 is essential.

Other Advantages:
Aside from the previously mentioned advantages of surfing, avid surfers understand they have to eat well and exercise. Many surfers enjoy going to the gym and practicing some type of Yoga. Yoga helps keep the surfer’s muscles toned and flexible and their mind alert. Many people who practice yoga taut it as a vehicle to peace and serenity in their mental well being.

Some say surfing keeps you young at heart. Seasoned surfers know surfing also helps keep them physically fit, looking and feeling much younger than their birth date declares.

Surfing is one of the most enjoyable water sports. There is nothing more exhilarating for a surfer than to ride the biggest waves for the longest time. However, people who want to learn how to surf, draw back from the sports even before trying a session because of fear of sharks.

Indeed, sharks are seen as hostile predators of the sea. They are large, strong, have saw-like teeth; or to put it – fierce looking. In fact, of all the world’s sea predators, sharks are the most feared. But sharks are perhaps also one of the most misunderstood predators. Although it is true that there had been victims of shark attacks, there are a lot of misconceptions about these creatures.

If you are a surfing greenhorn, do not give up the enjoyment of surfing just because of an irrational fear of sharks. Here are 5 reasons why a fear of sharks should never stop you from learning to surf.

1. Men and Women do not form part of a shark’s diet.

There is no such thing as a man-eating shark. Men are not staple foods of sharks. Other than the fact that men and women are too bony for sharks’ tastes, these animals prefer rich fat-content meats to maintain its temperature and to give it more energy.

2. Most cases of shark attacks involve mistaken identity.
Data reveals that 90% or more of shark attacks are mistakes. From below the waters, sharks sometimes erroneously identify humans as their common food. That is why in most incidents, after biting a person, sharks let’s go of the victim after hanging on for a while.

3. Only a few sharks have the potential to be dangerous.
It is a wrong to generalize that all sharks are dangerous. Out of 360 species of sharks, only 4 of these are responsible for unprovoked attacks on humans: the Great White Shark, Bull Shark, Tiger Shark and Oceanic Whitetip Shark.

4. The odds of being attacks by a shark very, very low.
Sharks rarely attack humans unless provoked, making the risks of being attacked very little. In fact, only 15% of the shark species frequent the shallow waters or the coast, where anyone may possibly encounter them. According to the International Shark Attack File, a person’s odds of being attacked by a shark is only 1 in 11.15 million. The risk of dying is only 0 in 264.1 million. That is why, in majority of shark attacks, the victim always survives and gets to tell the tale.

5. The dangers of sharks as we know are exaggerated.
Sharks have been adjudged to be evil creatures by mere bad publicity. There are more animals that cause human deaths such as flies, mosquitoes and bees. Perhaps to be blamed for their bad identity is the media, which most likely sensationalizes every news of a shark attack. Other than the media, Hollywood must also take part of the blame for first giving the idea about the legend of “man-eating sharks” as portrayed in movies like the “Jaws” series.

Surf without fear – Leave your shark fear at shore

Love the waves in November!

Rainbows, Fisherman, Surfers, Oh MY

Well, it really never actually ‘feels’ like winter here on Maui but we do get treated to AMAZING windless days and perfect waves during the winter months, especially November! I live 8 minutes doors to beach from Ho’okipa Beach one of Maui’s best surf locations. Do I ever get tired of this? No Way! I count my blessings each and every day. I think I forgot to mention that there are also tons of turtles floating around while surfing…it REALLY is paradise here.

Save The Waves Coalition presents Save The Waves Film Festival, an evening of inspiring environmental films and epic surf films, live music, an art exhibit and a party to benefit the ocean. Featuring Captain Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society presenting a talk about “The Cove” film and the Northern California premiere of “Lost Prophets” surf film.

Save The Waves Film Festival  features these award-winning films:
- “The Cove” – winner of numerous international film festivals and described as “a certain Oscar nominee” by acclaimed film critic Roger Ebert.
- “Lost Prophets” – a new surf film with Dave Rastovich, Hans Hagen, Chris Del Moro & Reef Macintosh.
- “All Points South” – Best Short Film Award Winner, New York Surf Film Festival; this is a film by Save The Waves.

- “Devils Teeth” – a short film about diving with great white sharks at the Farallon Islands.

SAVE THE WAVES FILM FESTIVAL
At 7pm on November 13, 2009
Victoria Theatre, San Francisco
Admission: $20 & $50 (VIP Green Wave)