MONITOR
FITNESS
ADVENTURES IN FITNESS WITH DANETTE M. WATT
THIS MONTH’S ADVENTURE
STANDUP PADDLEBOARD YOGA INTENSITY LEVEL MODERATE
HIGH
In keeping with my resolve to step outside my comfort zone, I’ve moved onto the water. When the subject of water activities comes up in conversation, I tell people I’m a sun worshiper, not a water baby. My mother was afraid of the water. She tried hard not to pass that along to her children, but I, a fearful child to begin with, picked up on it. I took many swim lessons as a kid so I could get comfortable in the water. Along the way, I did learn to swim—sort of. So when River Bend Yoga brought standup paddleboard yoga, also known as SUP yoga, to Alton, Ill., I knew it would be my next challenge. Standup paddleboard is the hottest new outdoor activity. Practicing yoga on the board adds a challenging twist. There were eight of us on Ellis Bay off the Mississippi River, including the studio owners, Vicky Danette paddles out to the Delaney and Janet Keffer. The day middle of the bay. was warm for mid-June, and breezy, making the water a little choppy. That tested our balance even more, but it was not impossible to stay on the board. After an on-shore intro on SUP basics and safety, we paddled around a bit so we could learn to maneuver our boards and get used to them. Once we got out to the middle of the bay, we tossed in our anchors and got into our downward-facing dog and warrior poses. Staying close enough together to hear the instructions but far enough apart so we weren’t bumping into one another was tricky. Thankfully, I didn’t fall in, and once I got used to the rocking, I rather enjoyed being out on the water. Keeping my balance while attempting the postures was tough, but if I didn’t feel really comfortable getting into the complete pose, I modified it. Or I just sat and waited until we moved on to another one. SUP yoga is a fun new way to get all-around exercise: You’re practicing yoga, working your core, staying balanced and strengthening your arms by paddling the board. And if you happen to fall in, well then you get to go for a swim, too. 26
SUMMER 2015
C O M M U N I T Y H E A LT H
Danette third from right with her River Bend Yoga SUP yoga group, including River Bend Yoga owners fourth from left Vicky Delaney and far right Janet Keffer.
GET ON BOARD What are the benefits? Yoga’s many physical and mental benefits, including improved fitness, strength and balance, will translate easily to SUP yoga. Where do I go? Any yoga studio in a town located along a river, bay or lake probably offers it by now. Do an online search to find it near you. How much will it cost me? I paid $30 for a 90-minute class. It is similarly priced in Rochester, N.Y. What equipment do I need? River Bend Yoga provides paddleboards, small anchors and life vests. But bring your own board if you have one—you’ll probably get a discount for doing so. Wear a swimsuit or other clothes you don’t mind getting wet, and bring water, sunblock and sunglasses. Is SUP yoga for me? River Bend Yoga requires participants be at least 14 years old with a participating parent for those younger than 18. But the activity itself is for yogis, athletes, people who enjoy water sports or anyone who wants to try something new.
TOP PHOTO BY JANET KEFFER, RIVER BEND YOGA
BASIC