Style, Comfort, And Flow: What Clothing To Wear For SUP Yoga And More

What Clothing To Wear For SUP Yoga

Are you looking to take your yoga practice off the mat and onto the paddle board? You are going to need to dress the right way for the occasion! Lucky for you, you can learn from our experience about what to wear while paddle boarding and make your SUP yoga flow seamlessly.

Challenge your balance and improve your core. Develop your focus and find peace in nature. Paddle board yoga is so much more than just looking cool in downward dog on the water. But you are going to need the right gear in order to get the most out of your yoga session on the water.

In this guide, we are going to talk about the ins and outs of SUP yoga, the best clothing you can wear depending on the climate you are in, and how to feel comfortable throughout the practice. We have also included a bonus basic SUP yoga class routine for you to help you get started!

What Is SUP Yoga?

First of all, what is SUP yoga? SUP yoga is a fantastic blend of two highly rewarding activities. And you have guessed it – paddle boarding and yoga. Both are proven beneficial for your health and are great for mind, body, and soul. What is not to love about getting outdoors, settling into a rhythm, and stretching out your body? 

Taking your yoga practice onto a paddle board tests your core strength and balance skills. It is also a fun way to keep your SUP life interesting and varied. 

To get the most out of a SUP yoga session, you need to be wearing non-restrictive clothing that is also comfortable. Don’t worry, we are going to talk you through the best outfit possible. 

Recommended Outfits For SUP Yoga

There is no set standard for what to wear when doing SUP yoga. All you need is to be comfortable and able to move as freely as possible. Ideally, you need to wear dry-wicking clothing to keep sweat and water from giving you a chill.

Yoga Clothes

Traditional yoga clothes are an obvious option for SUP yoga. Regular yoga pants, a sports bra/top, and a tight-fitting shirt is a great go-to choices for most people. Yoga clothes tend to be made out of sweat-wicking material, designed for being active, and are also non-restrictive. This also means, that if you fall in accidentally, you will quickly dry off (as long as it is not freezing cold!)

You do not want to wear a baggy and loose shirt, or if you do, make sure it is tucked into your pants. If left untucked, then you are likely to lose it over your head doing your forward folds and downward dog poses.

Swimwear

Some of you may be lucky enough to be enjoying your SUP yoga in the heat of the summer sun and wonderful hot weather. Why not wear swimwear for the session? At least this way, you can jump off the paddle board for a swim or a cool down at any point!

Boardshorts, bikinis, one piece – the choice is yours as long as you are comfortable and secure. Before heading out in your favorite bikini bottoms and triangle top, you need to ask yourself, “can I complete a sun salutation while wearing this without any slippages or issues?”

Rash Guards

Rash guards are a great addition to a bathing suit and swimwear, almost acting as a waterproof athletic shirt and offering upper body sun protection at the same time. Many people choose to wear rash guards for comfort and protection for their SUP yoga practice.

Shoes

Barefoot or shoes? This is a personal preference when it comes to SUP yoga. Traditional yoga is best done with bare feet, so you can connect with the earth and feel your weight across your entire foot. 

However, taking your practice to a paddle board is different. If you don’t have a full deck pad then you may want to wear some sleek water shoes to give you extra grip. Wearing water sandals or shoes can also give you added warmth if you are paddling in colder climates. Flip-flops are not recommended, you need something more supportive while you practice yoga.

Sun Protection

Taking a paddle board yoga class on a summer's day is pure bliss. But you do not want to get caught out by the sun. Make sure you wear appropriate sun protection for your session. This can be anything from sun lotion to a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. 

Being out on the water works wonders for your tan, but that means you can also easily burn. The UV rays are reflected off the water surface so you get a double hit of exposure. We recommend wearing a strong zinc sunblock on your face and a high SPF factor, waterproof sun lotion on any exposed skin. If you burn easily, then you may benefit from wearing long sleeve rash guards and leggings.

Bucket hat, trucker hat, or a camouflage snapback – whatever your style, a hat is a valuable piece of kit to wear while enjoying SUP yoga. A hat keeps the sun off your head and back of the neck, which is great prevention of heatstroke.

And finally, wearing sunglasses protects your eyes from over-exposure. They do not have to be anything fancy. And did you know that you can buy floating sunglasses? Perfect for a day out on the water!

SUP Yoga Clothes In Colder Weather

Not all of us are fortunate enough to have endless sunshine on our doorstep. But you do not let that stop you from getting out on the water. There can be something quite special about paddling out on a crisp cold day, so adding paddle board yoga on calm waters seems like a no-brainer. 

If you are going to do SUP yoga in cold weather, you will need to slightly adjust what you wear. Here are a few things that we suggest for SUP yoga clothing in colder climates:

• Warm hat - swap out sun protection for warmth 
• Aqua socks or water shoes - keeping your feet warm will mean you can go for longer
• Wetsuit - if the water temperature is cold enough, you are going to want a wetsuit on just in case you take a tumble into the freezing water
• Hot water bottle - wrap your towel around it for an added bonus when you finish your SUP yoga class

Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve for SUP yoga practices in the cold? We would love to hear from you!

How To Feel Comfortable Through Your SUP Yoga Practice

As we have established, the main thing you need to achieve while enjoying SUP yoga is comfort. As long as you are comfortable then you will be well on your way to finding inner peace. Here are some tips on how to feel comfortable throughout your SUP yoga practice:

1. Wear comfortable and non-restrictive clothing. Moisture-wicking clothing is best for hot weather conditions. Warm layers are what you need for cold weather.
2. Carry a lightweight buoyancy aid like a Restube if you are nervous in deep water. This will not restrict your movements like traditional life jackets, yet will give you peace of mind in case of an emergency.
3. Join a local SUP yoga class with a group for direction and to be led. The instructor will be able to give you advice and show you the best ways to achieve yoga poses on the SUP board. 
4. Do not worry if you fall in. We all fall in from time to time, and SUP yoga is the ultimate test of your balance.  
5. Add SUP anchor and paddle holder to your yoga accessories. This will keep your board in one place, so you can just focus on the yoga practice, and ensure your paddle stays put ready to get back to dry land.
6. Use a suitable paddle board. The best paddle boards for yoga are wide, stable, and long. When buying a SUP yoga board, we recommend looking at inflatable paddle boards; they sit higher out of the water and tend to have great stability, perfect for paddle board yoga.

Basic SUP Yoga Class Sequence

Once you have mastered the paddle board yoga basics then you will be on your way to fulfilling your dream yogi life. Practice the yoga poses individually first, and then you can link them together to make a simple sequence.

1. Tadasana - start in mountain pose, stand tall, roll your shoulders back, and maintain awareness of your breath.
2. Pranamasana - move into a prayer pose, and bring your hands together at your heart.
3. Hasta Uttanasana - raise your arms overhead, lifting your arms overhead, with your palms facing each other.
4. Uttanasana - swan dive to forward fold, fold your upper body over your legs (bending your legs if necessary), and feel the stretch in the hamstrings and lower back, inhale into a halfway lift.
5. Chaturanga - step back to a low plank pose, bending your elbows and keeping them close to your ribcage.
6. Bhujangasana - push up into cobra pose, hands flat on the SUP deck and chest open.
7. Adho Mukha Svanasana - push up into the downward facing dog, bring your hips up and back and allow your head to hang heavy between the hands.
8. Uttanasana - step up to forward fold, fold your upper body over your legs (bending your legs if necessary), and feel the stretch in the hamstrings and lower back, inhale into a halfway lift.
9. Hasta Uttanasana - raise your arms overhead, lifting your arms overhead, with your palms facing each other.
10. Pranamasana - move into a prayer pose, and bring your hands together at your heart.
11. Tadasana - return to mountain pose, stand tall, roll your shoulders back, and maintain awareness of your breath.

You can repeat this sun salutation sequence as it is, or add in a low lunge or warrior pose to make it more challenging.

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