How to choose the best paddle boards for yoga? A SUP Yoga board will have several characteristics made specifically for yoga, but are these features necessary? The majority of boards available for SUP yoga are variations of current all-purpose stability boards that have had the deck pad and accessory attachments modified to make the board more yoga-specific. When you carefully evaluate the characteristics of an inflatable SUP, you could discover that it performs well for other paddling pursuits and has the appropriate configuration for yoga.
What is SUP Yoga?
An increasingly popular subset of paddle boarding is SUP Yoga. More than conventional yoga, it challenges the paddler’s balance and demands attention. As the board sways under your feet, more muscles are used, much like when you squat on a balance board at the gym. It works the whole body well and also helps to relax the mind.
Zen and calm are heightened while doing yoga on a paddle board. The best way to unwind is to spend time outside near the water. While doing yoga, you may observe the natural world around you and feel the water running down your fingertips. Yes, you can burn calories paddle surfing instead of going to the gym.
How To Choose The Best Paddle Boards For Yoga?
Deck Pad
The deck pad on boards advertised for SUP yoga often extends the whole length of the board. This may suit preconceived conceptions of how a sup yoga board should appear, but you will often never find yourself there when practicing yoga. The bungee system should be placed in an additional area beyond the deck pad so that you have a location for your water bottle, dry bag, and other items. The deck pad should resemble your mat and have a somewhat flat texture to prevent skin irritation.
If the deck pad has adequate grip, most individuals won’t need or require a towel. Search for a handle that flattens so you may comfortably sleep on top of it. It is best to have a flat strap handle with a detachable hand grip cover. Some yoga-specific boards have handles at the edges of the deck pad. This arrangement can be awkward to carry because they tend to drag on the ground due to the handle position. You may also need to use strap systems that are a little ungainly given the general size of an inflatable SUP.
Read more: Standup Paddle Boarding Surfing Tips for Newbies
Fin
When practicing SUP yoga, fins have little to no impact on how well the board performs on the water. There are significant benefits and drawbacks to various fin systems that will influence how the board is used in general. Yoga suits a permanent 3-fin set up since you don’t have to worry about broken or missing fins. If you’re beginning in a shallow region, it makes it simpler to enter the water with a single fin.
A board with a fixed 3-fin configuration may also be used on land, but you will need to raise it off the ground by a few inches. You can use a foam roller for this, and we’re assuming most yoga practitioners will have one on hand. Even though it costs more, a customizable fin system that has all of the fins detachable enables you to practice SUP yoga on land. Selecting a fin system that can be customized will allow you to utilize the board in a variety of settings.
If you want to use the board for activities other than yoga, it is also important to consider the fin system’s all-around usability. Simply select a fixed fin arrangement or seek one that is completely customizable for the majority of SUP setups. Even though we provide several models with mixed fin systems, we believe that these systems are not the ideal option for paddling. These systems do not offer the benefits of a dedicated permanent dorsal fin arrangement or a completely customizable design.
Anchor
Grapnel hooks used as SUP anchors include a military-grade rope and a highly visible float to assist you to maintain your place in the water. When paddling and fishing from a paddleboard, anchors are a must. You may completely relax, start practicing yoga, and polish your posture after your stand-up paddle board is secured with an anchor.
Bungee
Bring a small waterproof dry bag, a bottle of water, and a camera to take pictures of your buddies honing their form and posture. Bungee cords will already be attached to high-quality iSUPs. When you aren’t paddling, you may also use paddle board bungee cords to keep the paddle attached to the rail. The space on the deck will then be clear for you to focus on the yoga positions.
Read more: 10 SUP Yoga Poses for Beginners
Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board Or Hard Stand Up Paddle Board – Which Is The Best Paddle Board For Yoga?
Inflatable paddle boards are more stable than hard boards of equivalent proportions. An inflated paddle board’s thickness is uniform throughout its width, but the edges of hard boards are tapered, which makes them more tippy. A further benefit of purchasing an inflatable paddle board is that you may take it on trips to far-off places where practicing water yoga can be an unforgettable experience.
Conclusion
How to choose the best paddle boards for yoga? A specialized yoga board isn’t necessary, even for paddlers who are serious about yoga. Consider what sets apart any SUP Yoga board from a comparable all-purpose board. Will you hang your gear from the portion of the deck pad that reaches to the tip of the board, or will a bungee system work better for you?
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