Yoga Inflatable Paddle Boards

Yes! Paddle boards like the Weekender Yogi are specially designed for practicing yoga on the water. Wide, stable, and grippy, these boards are perfect for your yoga routine. Paddle board yoga is extremely rewarding, and combines the balance challenge of paddle boarding with the mind-body benefits of yoga. You'll need a calm body of water, but it's a fun way to connect with nature and enhance your yoga practice!

Yes, inflatable paddle boards are a great choice for yoga. Both inflatable and hard SUPs can work for practicing yoga, but inflatable boards are usually more comfortable, thanks to the softer, more forgiving decking. Inflatables are also easier to transport and store than hard paddle boards, and are less susceptible to dings, scrapes, and other damage, making them an excellent choice for beginner paddle board yogis.

Doing yoga on a stand-up paddle board (SUP) is definitely harder than doing yoga on flat ground, but it’s still not as hard as you might think. Expect to use more muscle groups than you would on land to keep your body and the board stable, but if you move slowly and deliberately—and start with basic, beginner poses—you shouldn’t have any trouble!

Just remember to practice on a calm, flat body of water, and to purchase a wide, stable board like the Weekender Yogi, which is specifically designed for yoga practice. (It’s much harder to do yoga on a narrow paddle board.)

Most experienced SUP yogis recommend that yoga paddle boards be at least 32 inches wide, 5 inches thick, and 10 to 12 feet long. Our 10’8” Weekender Yogi is a bit wider (33”) and thicker (6”) than this, giving you increased stability and balance.

To start SUP yoga, you'll need a wide, stable, paddle board and a calm body of water, sheltered from wind and waves. Consider taking a beginner paddle board yoga class to learn basic techniques, but you can also start on your own. Move through your poses slowly, and keep a wide stance, with at least two points of contact with the board. When learning, avoid poses with your body parallel to the board (like warriors). Poses where your body is perpendicular to the board will be more stable.

Remember, paddle board yoga is naturally less controlled than normal yoga. Your board may drift, a sudden wave may ruin your balance, and you may fall into the water a few times. That’s okay. Stay relaxed, and recognize that it’s all part of the SUP yoga experience!

Paddle board yoga combines the core and balance challenge of paddle boarding with the mental and physical benefits of yoga, offering a unique workout and connection to nature. Yoga paddle boarding engages many new muscle groups that may not be activated during on-land practice, and the unsteady nature of a floating board—instead of a firm mat—will also force you to be more mindful of your body as you flow through your poses.

Another unique benefit of SUP yoga is that it can serve as a “reset” for experienced yogis. If you've been practicing yoga for a long time, you may take basic poses like down dog or low lunge for granted. When you practice on a paddle board, however, even the most “standard” yoga poses are livened by the challenge of practicing on the water.

It’s not necessary to anchor your paddle board for yoga, but it can help, especially if you’re a beginner. The 3.5-pound Mainstay Anchor is a great choice, with durable, rust-resistant carbon steel construction and a 4-fluke grapnel-style head that folds up for easy storage and transport. This anchor kit also comes with 26 feet of 7mm marine-grade polypropylene rope, a high-vis buoy, and a water-resistant travel bag.

Life jacket laws vary from state to state, but in most U.S. states, one Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) is required per person on all watercraft, even kayaks and paddle boards. Adults aren’t legally required to wear this PFD, but children under 13 years of age must wear one at all times. (In some states, such as Alabama, this limit is lower, at age 8.)

Remember, PFDs only work when you wear them, so in our opinion, all yoga paddle boarders—kids and adults—should wear properly fitted PFDs at all times. Research your state’s rules and guidelines, and find a life jacket that fits comfortably and does not inhibit your movements.

You can wear whatever you’d like when performing yoga on a paddle board. Comfortable swimwear or athletic wear is recommended. Dress for both the air and water temperature (you will fall in at some point!), and don’t forget sun protection like a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Wear quick-drying clothes that you don’t mind getting wet!

The calories an individual burns during a given activity vary based on weight, activity intensity, and individual metabolism. But on average, you’ll burn around 300 to 450 calories per hour while paddle boarding. When performing yoga on a paddle board, that range increases to around 400 to 550 calories per hour.

Every paddle board has a different weight limit, but our yoga-specific paddle board, the Weekender Yogi, has a recommended capacity of 300 pounds. We do, however, offer paddle boards with a much higher weight limit. Our largest party paddle boards, designed for multiple people, can hold up to 1,050 pounds!

Sure! Like any physical activity, stand up paddle boarding (SUP) can play a role in maintaining a healthy weight. Paddle boarding combines cardiovascular exercise and strength training, and works almost every major muscle group in the body, including the legs, core, back, arms, and chest. The average person will burn 300 to 450 calories per hour while paddle boarding. When you perform yoga on a paddle board you burn even more calories, up to 550 per hour.

Single and tri-fin configurations offer different advantages and drawbacks. Single-fin paddle boards are faster, so they’re good for racing and maximizing performance during long-distance flatwater paddling.

Three fin boards, however, are overwhelmingly more stable and controlled. So three fins are the best choice when wind, waves, and choppy conditions are on the forecast. For the same reason, they’re also the best choice for paddle board yoga!

You don’t need any paddle board accessories to practice yoga on a paddle board, but a leash and a storage solution are helpful. Luckily, our Weekender Yogi board comes with a leash, and has an integrated front bungee compartment to keep your valuables secure.

Some paddlers also purchase an electric pump to inflate their board faster. If you often find your board drifting during your yoga practice, an anchor kit can help, too. Other things you might consider bringing are a dry bag, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Paddle board yoga combines traditional yoga poses with adjustments for the water's instability. Common poses include sun salutations, arm circles, side stretches, cat and cow, forward folds, bridges, and lunges, often modified for better balance. Poses that keep your body perpendicular to the board are always easier than those that have your body parallel to the board (such as warrior I and II).

Yes, paddle board yoga is suitable for all fitness levels. There is no reason to be afraid to try yoga on your paddle board. Yoga beginners can start with basic poses, even something as simple as arm circles, and progress as they gain confidence and strength! However, it’s smart to have a basic level of comfort both with paddle boarding and yoga before you combine the two activities.