THE BAY IS YOUR YOGA STUDIO

Watching the morning sun touch the mountain peaks that surround a pristine bay. Hearing murmurs of “Namaste” punctuated by the bark of a nearby seal. Perfecting your dolphin pose with the gentle movement of water under your feet. It’s all part of stand-up paddle yoga (SUP yoga), a practice that combines traditional yoga poses with the challenge of balancing on moving water. It’s a challenge that yoga enthusiasts are gladly taking on: SUP yoga is growing in popularity, with classes and retreats popping up worldwide, from Sausalito Bay to Caribbean islands of the Dominican Republic to the Rhône-Alpes region of France. And no wonder: instead of finding a spot for their yoga mats in an elbow-to-elbow studio, students enjoy the freedom of open water. Instead of a view of another student’s back, there’s sunshine, sea birds, and other natural wonders. And thanks to the added balancing required by the paddle board, SUP yoga adds extra power to core and leg moves.

Interested in finding your own beautiful center on top of a paddle board? Locate SUP yoga classes or retreats worldwide at namastesup.com.