3 Ways Yoga Will Improve Your Surfing Performance
When the surf is flat, the weather is too cold, or you’re recovering from an injury, it can be hard to stay inspired. But here are 3 ways yoga will improve your surfing, helping you stay in shape and mentally prepared for when you’re back in the water.
The principles of both yoga and surfing overlap in many ways. Yoga requires flexibility of both mind and body, while surfing demands adaptability to Mother Nature and the ocean’s rhythms. Both are practices rooted in being present and attuned to what our bodies and the natural world are telling us.
Yoga, like surfing, can be uncomfortable, humbling, and requires patience. But the more you practice, the more addictive and pleasurable the experience becomes. It’s a way to honor the natural world in both heart and mind, much like gliding on the water with a surfboard.
Why Yoga is Essential for Surfers
Yoga helps surfers address muscular imbalances and tension caused by repetitive movements like paddling or always having the same foot forward. Practicing yoga regularly targets specific muscles, helping to relieve tension while maintaining flexibility and strength in the long run.
Much like MF SEA's activewear range, which transitions seamlessly from one activity to another, yoga is a natural extension of surfing. Here’s how yoga will improve your surfing performance:
1. Focus & Presence
Both yoga and surfing teach us to let go of perfection and control. The focus and calmness you develop in a challenging yoga pose can help you stay calm when being tossed underwater. In the unpredictable environment of the ocean, understanding the importance of surrendering to the greater power of the waves can prevent panic and help you patiently resurface.
Try this: Incorporate a Tree Pose or Warrior Pose into your routine to develop your focus and balance. These poses teach you to stay centered in the midst of external challenges, similar to how you need to stay calm when the ocean gets rough.
2. Breath Control
In yoga, we practice Ujjayi breath, a technique of pranayama (breath control) often compared to the sound of the ocean. This practice helps regulate your nervous system, keeping you calm in stressful situations—like being caught in a strong wave. Learning how to control your breath through yoga will help you manage nerves and anxiety while surfing, ensuring you remain composed during challenging moments.
Yoga Tip: Practice Ujjayi breath both on and off the mat. By mastering breath control, you'll be able to remain calm under water, handle tough surf situations, and stay relaxed when you need it most.
3. Strength & Flexibility
Surfing requires strong engagement of the upper body, core, and triceps—similar to movements like duck diving and chaturangas in yoga. These body-weight exercises naturally strengthen muscles while improving balance and alignment. A strong, toned physique with enhanced flexibility is key for surfing, and yoga offers the perfect cross-training to build these skills on land.
Action Step: Incorporate poses like Downward Dog, Plank, and Boat Pose to strengthen your core and upper body, mimicking the same muscles used in surfing. This will help you maintain balance and stability in the water, while also reducing the risk of injury.
MF SEA Activewear for Yoga & Surfing
Much like yoga, our activewear is designed for versatility and performance. You can wear MF SEA’s active range for your yoga practice and take it straight into the water for your next surf session. Our pieces are crafted from sustainable materials, just like our swimwear, offering both flexibility and durability.
Shop Now: Check out our activewear collection to find the perfect gear that transitions effortlessly from the mat to the waves. Designed with comfort and sustainability in mind, our yoga leggings and sports tops are ideal for any ocean-loving yogi.
Find Balance On and Off the Water
Yoga is more than a way to pass the time when the waves are flat. It’s a powerful tool for improving your surfing performance, helping you stay in shape, prevent injuries, and enhance your connection with the ocean. With regular practice, you'll find yourself more focused, calm, and physically prepared for whatever the sea throws at you.
Ready to take your surf skills to the next level? Incorporate yoga into your routine and explore MF SEA’s activewear collection, designed for both your yoga practice and surfing adventures.
Inspire Others & Take Action
Join our movement! Share your yoga and surfing journey with us on social media using the hashtag #SurfAndYoga and let’s inspire more ocean lovers to stay fit, balanced, and connected to the sea. We’d love to hear your stories and tips on how yoga has improved your surfing!
Want More Tips?
Explore our related post: How to Stay Active When the Surf is Flat, where we share additional workouts and practices to keep you in peak condition for when the waves return.
The principles of both yoga and surfing overlap in many ways. Yoga requires flexibility of both mind and body, while surfing demands adaptability to Mother Nature and the ocean’s rhythms. Both are practices rooted in being present and attuned to what our bodies and the natural world are telling us.
Yoga, like surfing, can be uncomfortable, humbling, and requires patience. But the more you practice, the more addictive and pleasurable the experience becomes. It’s a way to honor the natural world in both heart and mind, much like gliding on the water with a surfboard.
Why Yoga is Essential for Surfers
Yoga helps surfers address muscular imbalances and tension caused by repetitive movements like paddling or always having the same foot forward. Practicing yoga regularly targets specific muscles, helping to relieve tension while maintaining flexibility and strength in the long run.
Much like MF SEA's activewear range, which transitions seamlessly from one activity to another, yoga is a natural extension of surfing. Here’s how yoga will improve your surfing performance:
1. Focus & Presence
Both yoga and surfing teach us to let go of perfection and control. The focus and calmness you develop in a challenging yoga pose can help you stay calm when being tossed underwater. In the unpredictable environment of the ocean, understanding the importance of surrendering to the greater power of the waves can prevent panic and help you patiently resurface.
Try this: Incorporate a Tree Pose or Warrior Pose into your routine to develop your focus and balance. These poses teach you to stay centered in the midst of external challenges, similar to how you need to stay calm when the ocean gets rough.
2. Breath Control
In yoga, we practice Ujjayi breath, a technique of pranayama (breath control) often compared to the sound of the ocean. This practice helps regulate your nervous system, keeping you calm in stressful situations—like being caught in a strong wave. Learning how to control your breath through yoga will help you manage nerves and anxiety while surfing, ensuring you remain composed during challenging moments.
Yoga Tip: Practice Ujjayi breath both on and off the mat. By mastering breath control, you'll be able to remain calm under water, handle tough surf situations, and stay relaxed when you need it most.
3. Strength & Flexibility
Surfing requires strong engagement of the upper body, core, and triceps—similar to movements like duck diving and chaturangas in yoga. These body-weight exercises naturally strengthen muscles while improving balance and alignment. A strong, toned physique with enhanced flexibility is key for surfing, and yoga offers the perfect cross-training to build these skills on land.
Action Step: Incorporate poses like Downward Dog, Plank, and Boat Pose to strengthen your core and upper body, mimicking the same muscles used in surfing. This will help you maintain balance and stability in the water, while also reducing the risk of injury.
MF SEA Activewear for Yoga & Surfing
Much like yoga, our activewear is designed for versatility and performance. You can wear MF SEA’s active range for your yoga practice and take it straight into the water for your next surf session. Our pieces are crafted from sustainable materials, just like our swimwear, offering both flexibility and durability.
Shop Now: Check out our activewear collection to find the perfect gear that transitions effortlessly from the mat to the waves. Designed with comfort and sustainability in mind, our yoga leggings and sports tops are ideal for any ocean-loving yogi.
Find Balance On and Off the Water
Yoga is more than a way to pass the time when the waves are flat. It’s a powerful tool for improving your surfing performance, helping you stay in shape, prevent injuries, and enhance your connection with the ocean. With regular practice, you'll find yourself more focused, calm, and physically prepared for whatever the sea throws at you.
Ready to take your surf skills to the next level? Incorporate yoga into your routine and explore MF SEA’s activewear collection, designed for both your yoga practice and surfing adventures.
Inspire Others & Take Action
Join our movement! Share your yoga and surfing journey with us on social media using the hashtag #SurfAndYoga and let’s inspire more ocean lovers to stay fit, balanced, and connected to the sea. We’d love to hear your stories and tips on how yoga has improved your surfing!
Want More Tips?
Explore our related post: How to Stay Active When the Surf is Flat, where we share additional workouts and practices to keep you in peak condition for when the waves return.
