Stay fit: Getting started with floating yoga

Flo-Yo

The ancient art of yoga has lived on strongly from centuries. The term ‘Yoga’ is derived from the root word, which means ‘to be in union with one’s self’. Yoga thus has evolved into multifarious branches – from exercising to spiritual ‘sadhana’! And today, there is renewed interest in yoga and it is taking up many forms. The latest trend has been what is known as floating yoga. Floating yoga involves yoga postures done on a paddle board in the middle of a placid body of water. It seeks to blend a person in harmony with the natural settings.

Flo-Yo

What’s so hot about this new trend?

When you have ‘A’ which is popular and ‘B’ which is popular, if you manage a ‘C’ which combines the joys of both ‘A’ and ‘B’, it is bound to be popular! That has been the success story of floating yoga. Both paddle-boarding and yoga have been increasingly popular and floating yoga (or Flo-Yo as it has been called) combines the joys and challenges of both!

Flo-Yo strengthens your core and vastly improves your ability to focus and concentrate. The reason is quite obvious. While doing the yoga exercises on the floor, a slip means nothing much. Here, it could translate into a splash! This challenge seems to add incentive to the newer generation which otherwise feels that yoga is a bit slow and meant only for the elders who cannot do brisk exercising!

Apart from that, since yoga is meant to still and calm the mind, doing it on serene waters acts synergistic to this effect. One is literally in the lap of nature while doing this. This has had an alluring effect on naturalists and nature lovers.

How is this a perfect health tool

The yoga exercises have not changed much. They have only been slightly modified to suit the new settings where it is being done. Thus, all the health benefits accrued from doing yoga exercises are also accrued from Flo-Yo. However, there are some characteristic benefits of this program.

The exercises vastly strengthen the lower abdominal muscles and thus add vitality to the whole body when it comes to bending and stretching. Since they are done on a floating paddleboard, they help to develop balance and stability skills. All the stabilizer muscles are greatly enhanced and strengthened. As the popular saying goes, a sound body houses a sound mind. By the same standards, a balanced body results in a balanced mind.

The experience draws one’s consciousness inward and helps to achieve harmony between the body, mind and spirit. This union of physical and metaphysical has tremendous positive impact on life, in general. Practicing yoga amid nature itself seems like a Zen experience. This surely confers peace of mind.

The steadiness of mind also helps in decision making. The newly-found serenity has also been found helpful in reducing hypertension, heart attacks, asthmatic attacks and depression.

What to wear

When it comes to dressing, the same rules that apply for any yoga, apply here too. Wear comfortable clothing that do not restrict or bind you in any way. The clothes should also not be too loose and hanging. Yoga is about relaxing the mind and hence the clothes you wear must be the ones in which you are completely relaxed.

Track pants, shorts, T-shirts, sweatshirts – anything that sits comfortable is fine. Do not use any footwear. Since Flo-Yo carries the realistic possibility of a person getting drenched, it would be advisable to wear clothing that dries easily and does not become see-through when wet!

Who can do this

In one word, the answer would be ‘Everyone’. Apart from a change in location, there is no difference between Flo-Yo and yoga. However, if you are advised by your physician or doctor to keep away from certain stretches or exercises based on your individual needs, you better tell your instructor beforehand. As a rule of thumb, while doing yoga, you should never feel any pain. Stop if you feel any sort of pain. Of course, it is not advisable either for the infants or the aged to experiment with exercises on water. Apart from these special cases, more or less everyone can attempt Flo-Yo.

How to get started

The best way to get started would be to contact a certified instructor to guide you. The instructor will join you as you paddle away with other students to a peaceful spot in a lake or a pond where the water is still. A cove would be the best place to start since it shelters from winds. Start with easy exercises first and get used to balancing on the board. As you gain confidence, you can get into more difficult postures and soon, you will be a master of Flo-Yo.

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