What-Sup-Fitness

 On Saturday I did SUP Yoga. It was at the What - Sup - Fitness Studio in Hout Bay.

I loved it! It was so much fun. I didn't get bored once. You are so focused on staying on the board, each yoga pose works your core strength each and every second. The studio is owned by Kim Krapf, and the lesson was given by Carey-Anne, who is a wonderful yoga teacher. It's almost like hot yoga, because the pool is heated, and the room is warm. The music Carey plays is wonderful, creating an atmospheric environment.

Do it if you want to: get a better workout

Since the platform is unstable, you have to engage your core more for better balance.. "Your whole midsection will have to work to keep you balanced and afloat. You have to work harder and focus more on the water."

It will refine your technique. You'll be more in tune with your poses, according to Namaste Yoga. 'For example, during downward dog, if you have more weight on one side, your board will let you know.' 

It's more calming.The sensation of floating helps to alleviate the heaviness that life sometimes throws on our shoulders.

It's fun. It's well-known that novelty is important in exercise regimens in order to stay motivated and happy. According to the National Institute of Health, 'Mixing it up' also helps to reduce boredom and cut your risk of injury.' There are many types of yoga but it's still easy to fall into a rut. Trying paddleboard yoga will keep you on your toes.

Winter Solstice

This weekend it was our winter solstice in Cape Town. Rain has come to visit, we are receiving lashings of it! I spent the weekend doing Yoga, unplanned, it just landed up that way.  

Friday was a sound journey with Maya Haripal and Chris Tokalon. It was beautiful. It was done at the studio Yoga Within in Noordhoek. I sat next to a woman who sang such good harmonies I nearly cried.

It's amazing how you can be transported into spirit, feeling with music. This is the direction I would like to take my music, to sound journey'ing, and healing with sound. Let's see what the next advenure holds..

Yoga

I went to my first yoga class at Yoga Spirit last week.
I wanted to die.
I did my second class yesterday, unbeknownst to me, it was heated.
I nearly fainted.
I am going back today to Vinyasa and it occured to me, what is the difference between these different styles? (this is how I felt)

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga has been prevalent since the 15th century in India and is also known as Hatha Vidya or the science of Hatha. It is believed that through Hatha yoga, one can purify the body and make it fit for meditation. Hatha comes from two words – Ha stands for sun and Tha is the moon. So it’s two forces – the active and masculine force of the sun and the feminine and receptive energy of the moon – that join together to purify the body.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa, which is also known as Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, has its roots in the Yoga Korunta, an ancient manuscript compiled by a sage. Vinyasa means a dynamic concentrating posture. This type of yoga flows between the traditional static yoga asanas. Vinyasa is about linking the movement of the postures to the breath. Vinyasa yoga gives a lot of importance to the journey between the postures; while Hatha yoga is about the postures only. Vinyasa yoga has a series of six postures, each flowing into the other. Ujjayi breathing is part of Vinyasa yoga.

Difference Between Hatha And Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa is derived from Hatha yoga, though the postures and practice is different. Both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga make the body more supple and strong; improve breath work; calm the mind; and, prevent diseases. Both these forms of yoga are work towards the same goal – fitness of the body and the mind, though the way they achieve this is different.

• Vinyasa is fast paced, while Hatha yoga is slower.
• Vinyasa yoga is about a series of movements, each linked to another. This is similar to the Sun Salutation or the Surya Namaskar. Postures with a series of movements have greater effect on the cardiovascular system, unlike the effects of hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is about individual postures, rather than flowing movements.
• Hatha yoga is good for beginners, who are new to yoga and are learning yoga postures. Since the pace of hatha yoga is gentle and slow, it is easier for beginners to learn the postures, the breathing techniques and the principles of yoga. Vinyasa yoga, on the other hand, should be attempted by people who already know yoga.

Vinyasa is a more advanced form of yoga. Every asana is linked together and requires a rhythm of inhaling and exhaling of breath. This yoga with its flowing movement and fast pace, builds heat in the body and stretches the muscles of the body more than the postures of Hatha yoga.

This, today

Today we are doing this

Yoga Shoot

This weekend I did a photo shoot of my darling friend Carey. I love these pics of her, they are so strong. I wish I was this dedicated to Yoga ; ) I took these pictures at my friend's swim school in Hout Bay, you can go and visit her here Oasis Wellness & Swimming Academy.