Stand-up paddling is now more than just a trend. The boards can be found almost everywhere on local waters. SUP yoga is still relatively new. Here, the SUP board becomes a yoga mat and your own four walls are swapped for the great outdoors.
Which SUP boards for yoga and which exercises are possible?
In our recommendation, we present the most popular SUP yoga boards from 2024. The following Checklist shows the most important features that a good yoga SUP board must have. You can also find out which exercises are possible on the SUP.
Contents:
Boards: The best boards for SUP yoga?
These SUP boards have proven themselves in terms of quality and stability and are ideal for SUP yoga:
1. best non-slip board for SUP yoga
The SUP board impresses with its stylish look and high-quality workmanship. The scope of delivery is very comprehensive and includes a transport bag, air pump, paddle and leash.
Why we like it: The latest version of the Aqua Marina Dhyana impresses with better stability and even more accessories. The board is made from 100% recycled plastic flaps and its welded seams guarantee durability.
Recommended for: This SUP is suitable for both beginners and advanced paddlers and is particularly suitable for paddlers who value sustainability.
2. best tip-proof board for SUP yoga
This Bluefin SUP is characterized by its robustness, stability and safety. The adjustable two-piece paddle has an ergonomic design and sits comfortably in the hand.
Why we like it: This SUP is very beginner-friendly due to its high tipping stability. It can be easily transported in the spacious bag together with its accessories.
Recommended for: This SUP with a generous width of 91 cm has been specially designed for activities such as yoga, water aerobics or Pilates.
3. best board for SUP yoga with accessories
This SUP from Bestway has a maximum load capacity of 100 kg. It is available in many colorful designs.
Why we like it: The included paddle is height-adjustable and allows everyone to find the ideal paddle length. The bestway paddle board is equipped with practical carrying handles that make it easy to take the SUP to the lake or river.
Recommended for: This SUP is ideal for calm waters and small waves. The non-slip surface also makes it suitable for yoga exercises.
4. best board for SUP yoga with removable main fin
This colorful SUP board has a length of 308 cm and can carry up to 120 kg. The complete set includes an adjustable paddle, pump, repair kit, safety line and carrying bag.
Why we like it: The SUP board from ECD Germany offers enough space for an adult and a child or a dog. It has a practical carrying bag in which important accessories can be stored safely and easily.
Recommended for: This SUP board is suitable for all skill levels, both for beginners making their first attempts and for experienced stand-up paddlers looking to develop their skills further.
5. best board for SUP yoga with high load capacity
With a maximum load capacity of 200 kg, this SUP board offers a reliable platform that can easily support the weight of one or two people. The high-quality material is tear-resistant, which ensures a long service life for the board, even with intensive use.
Why we like it: Lots of grip, a good water position and a high degree of tipping stability make this board the ideal yoga SUP. This paddleboard has a non-slip surface that provides a secure and stable footing.
Recommended for: This SUP is suitable for anyone who is looking for a challenge and wants to move their yoga practice to a stand-up paddleboard.
SUP Yoga Board Checklist
- Dimensions: Wide all-round boards are best suited for SUP yoga. Narrow touring boards or short surf SUP boards, on the other hand, are a poor choice. The following dimensions are relevant for yoga SUP boards:
- Length: SUP boards with a length of 10-12 feet (305-366 cm) offer enough space for SUP yoga. On shorter boards, tall people in particular find it difficult to stretch out completely. Longer boards are generally too narrow and prone to tipping.
- Width: The width has a direct effect on the stability of the board; the wider the SUP board, the more stable it is. A yoga SUP board should therefore be at least 78 cm (30-31 inches) wide.
- Thickness: A thick board guarantees the necessary rigidity, as the SUP board should bend as little as possible under the paddler’s body weight. 15 cm (6 inches) thickness is now standard for most SUP boards. Thinner boards have the advantage that they protrude less high out of the water, which makes balancing easier. Good, thin SUP boards are available from the manufacturer Starboard sup, for example.
- Surface:
- Deck pad: A soft and non-slip deck pad is an absolute must for yoga SUP boards. There are also boards specially designed for SUP yoga, where the grip pad covers the entire surface. This may sound tempting, but if you also want to paddle normally with the SUP board, these boards are not the best choice. Instead, it makes more sense to buy a SUP board with a luggage net so that you can take your equipment with you on the water. In any case, the front part of the board is practically never used during SUP yoga.
- The handle: There is a carrying handle in the middle of most SUP boards. Although this makes transportation easier, it can be annoying during SUP yoga. When lying down, the handle often presses into the stomach or back. When buying, therefore, look for a fabric handle, which should be incorporated into the surface of the board if possible. The handle can also be removed and the SUP board carried with a shoulder strap instead.
- Inflatable vs. hard yoga SUP board: There are hard and inflatable SUP boards.
- Hard SUP boards: Hard boards have the advantage that they glide better through the water, generally deliver better performance and are stiffer. On the other hand, they are more susceptible to damage and require more space for storage and transportation.
- Inflatable paddle boards: now perform almost as well as hard SUP boards and are much easier to transport and handle. When deflated, the boards have a small pack size and are easy to roll up and transport. If you don’t necessarily want to race SUP, an inflatable SUP board is usually the best choice.
- Maximum carrying capacity: The maximum carrying capacity, or maximum load, indicates how much weight a SUP board can be loaded with. The manufacturer’s specifications are usually somewhat optimistic and can be 10-20% lower.
- Quality and workmanship: Even with SUP boards, quality has its price. Nevertheless, a good board doesn’t have to cost 1000 $. For SUP yoga and paddle boards for beginners, there are already great SUP boards for 300-500 $. The manufacturers usually promise a lot, but it is always advisable to read the board reviews (also available here at BeyondSurfing) and customer reviews from other paddlers.
- Accessories: In addition to the SUP board, other accessories are required for SUP yoga:
- Paddle: The paddle is used to move forward and determine the direction.
- Fins: Are usually included in the scope of delivery. The fins ensure that the board can be ridden in a straight line at all.
- Air pump: The SUP board is inflated with the air pump before it can be used.
- Bag: A carrying bag makes transportation easier and ensures safe storage of the SUP board. It should be made of hard-wearing materials to protect the board from scratches and damage.
- SUP yoga clothing: Swimwear such as a bikini, bathing suit, board shorts or swim leggings are suitable for SUP yoga. Find out more about SUP yoga clothing in our guide.
Also interesting: The most popular SUP boards for beginners.
Bestsellers: The most popular SUP yoga boards
(**Last update 2024-09-16)
Exercises: How SUP yoga works
SUP yoga is becoming increasingly popular, in our guide we explain what the benefits of SUP yoga are, what clothes to wear and which yoga poses are best for beginners.
Good SUP yoga poses for beginners?
Many yoga poses are also possible on the SUP board. However, a lot of practice is required for poses in which it is already difficult to keep your balance on land.
SUP yoga is all about taking your time and calm movements. The following poses are ideal for paddle boards for beginners:
1. Downward looking dog
Here, too, you start in a quadruped position. The hips are slowly pushed upwards while the legs are pushed through. The arms can be slightly bent and the shoulders gently pressed down.
The heels should also be placed on the board. It takes a lot of practice to achieve this. To relieve the wrists, the weight is distributed over the fingers and thumbs.
2. Dog looking up
Starting position: on your stomach (simply bend your arms in the plank pose and slowly lower yourself to the floor). The hands are placed at the side of the chest, then the arms are stretched and the body is lifted off the board. Ideally, only your feet and hands should touch the board.
3. Plank Pose
From the four-footed stance or downward-facing dog, you move into the plank pose. You get into a kind of push-up position, with your legs stretched out and only your toes and hands touching the board.
The hands should be placed below the shoulders. If you want to make things a little easier for yourself, you can put your knees on the board.
4. Low lung
This is where it gets a little more challenging. In the quadruped position, the right foot is placed between the hands, then the upper body is brought into an upright position.
The arms are stretched upwards towards the sky. Then return to the quadruped position. When repeating the exercise, the left foot is placed between the hands.
5. Child’s pose (Garbhasana)
The upper body lies on the thighs, bent forward from the heel seat. The forehead lies on the SUP board. The backs of your hands and elbows are next to your legs on the board. The shoulders are relaxed so that tension in the back and shoulders can be released.
6. Savasana
At the end of every good yoga session, the body should come to rest. In Savasana, you lie on your back, take up a lot of space and spread out your arms and legs. With your eyes closed, you can listen to nature and consciously perceive your body.
7 reasons that speak for SUP yoga:
- Improved technology
If you already have experience, you can take your yoga skills to the next level on the SUP board. - Muscle training
Paddling and yoga on the SUP trains the deep muscles. - Balance training
What is not easy on land is even more difficult on the SUP board. But with a little practice, you will soon find your balance. - Relaxation
Peace, nature and the gentle sway of the board. SUP yoga is a relaxing experience that makes you forget the stress of everyday life. - Improve breathing
Breathing evenly during yoga can improve your breathing and increase your sense of well-being. - Becoming more flexible
The stretching exercises in yoga not only make you stronger, but also more flexible. - Spending time in nature
Simply switch off and get out into nature without being disturbed by smartphones and notifications. This is easily possible with SUP yoga.
Even more exciting SUP topics:
The right SUP yoga clothing?
If you do yoga regularly or have ever been to the beach, you probably already have the right SUP yoga clothing in your wardrobe. Which clothing is best?
SUP yoga clothing for women:
- Bathing suit or bikini
- Rashguard top or T-shirt
- Swim shorts, board shorts or swim leggings are also a good choice
SUP yoga clothing for men:
- Board shorts or thin sports pants
- Rashguard
- T-shirt
- Moser, Philipp (Author)
If you prefer reading to watching videos, the following book by Philipp Moser and Beate Egger is a great source of inspiration.
SUP yoga classes near me?
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, a SUP yoga course is definitely worthwhile. The trainer gives tips on poses and explains the technique in detail. This helps to avoid bad yoga habits.
SUP yoga courses are available throughout Germany and more and more surf camps are now offering the combination of SUP and yoga.
However, SUP yoga can also be done on your own without a trainer. Numerous YouTube videos show what a yoga routine on the board can look like.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about SUP yoga
What is SUP yoga?
How does SUP yoga work?
What makes a good SUP board for yoga?
- be tilt-proof and stable
- be non-slip
- be lightweight and easy to transport
- Offer sufficient space
- have high-quality accessories
If the board meets all these criteria, nothing stands in the way of a training session on the lake.
What to wear for SUP yoga?
Who is SUP yoga for?
Where can you learn SUP yoga?
What are good SUP yoga conditions?
Finding the balance:
SUP beginners should familiarize themselves with the board before starting SUP yoga. If you can stand on the board and paddle without any problems, SUP yoga is much easier.
Where can you buy a SUP board for yoga?
How expensive is a good SUP board for yoga?
*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.
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