Before telling you the benefits of SUP Yoga, let’s first take a look at what it is.

SUP is a practice that’s been around for hundreds of years. It was recently re-popularized by a group of Waikiki beach boys in Hawaii and continues to be enjoyed by many to this day.

As the name suggests, SUP Yoga is essentially the practice of doing yoga poses while on a stand-up paddle board. It’s ideally done on tranquil waters such as lakes, harbors, or bays. Practitioners claim that it can help improve balance, focus, and strength. Benefits of SUP Yoga for Pregnant Women

Besides being an incredible form of exercise, Pregnancy SUP Yoga has a myriad of benefits that should interest expecting mothers.

• Relieve Stress Stress is a normal part of everyday life. And while there’s often a purpose for why you feel stressed, excessive or chronic stress can lead to a spike in your blood pressure—which isn’t good for you or your baby. SUP yoga is an effective way to relieve chronic or excessive stress, helping you feel more relaxed and focused. When you’re standing on a paddle board, you need to keep your attention on the here and now. Otherwise, you might fall off and get soaked in the water. SUP yoga forces you to focus on the present moment instead of living in the future or past. This also reduces the stress and pressure that you feel as an expecting mother.
• Strengthens the Core Muscles

  Having strong and healthy core muscles during pregnancy can save you from painful back issues. It may even help make pushing during childbirth easier and hasten your recovery process after birth. SUP yoga targets abdominal muscles, as well as other areas of the body. This results in improved strength, balance, and even flexibility.

• Improves Balance Falls during pregnancy is not unheard of. Many pregnant women experience falls due to hormonal imbalances and other conditions that typically come with pregnancy. Therefore, improving your balance and strength is key to avoiding falls while you’re carrying a baby in your belly. SUP Yoga strengthens your core, legs, and hips, making it easier for you to support your baby’s increasing weight. Not just that, it also improves your coordination, helping you maintain neuromuscular control and reducing your risk of falling.
• Refines Yoga Skills If you’ve been an avid yoga practitioner, there comes a point where even the most challenging yoga poses can feel a little boring. A great way to mix things up is to combine your yoga practice with something new, like SUP. SUP Yoga challenges you in ways that are different from the usual yoga techniques. You need to be more focused, more balanced, and stronger if you want to stay atop your paddle board. As a result, you’ll have more refined yoga skills that you can use the next time you do normal yoga on land.
• Reconnect with Nature SUP Yoga gives you an excuse to be outside and in nature. You can breathe in fresh air which can help you feel more relaxed and rejuvenated. It can also help you get your daily dose of vitamin D, an essential nutrient for your baby’s healthy development. If you have sensitive skin, it’s important to remember to practice sun protection while doing SUP Yoga. If possible, wear something that covers your arms and legs from the harmful rays of the sun. Additionally, remember to put on sunscreen before going out with your paddle board. Proper hydration is also important when you’re doing SUP Yoga, especially if you’re pregnant. Make sure to bring a bottle of clean drinking water with you while you’re at practice.

Just like all workouts, Pregnancy SUP Yoga has several risks that you should be aware of before starting the practice. These risks include the following:

• Chronic fatigue
• Fetal hyperthermia
• Reduced oxygen availability
• Maternal acute hypoglycemia
• Musculoskeletal injury

To be safe, consult your physician prior to your first SUP Yoga session. Your physician can advise you on how to avoid possible risks and dangers of exercising while pregnant. Final Thoughts

If your goal is to stay fit and active during pregnancy, Pregnancy SUP Yoga is a great option to consider. Besides strengthening the body for childbirth, it also helps clear the mind of stress and worries that normally come with being pregnant. SUP YogaPilates offers a fun and interactive way for you to start practicing SUP Yoga.

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Article author: Katie Pierce