SUP on the St. Croix

Floating down the St. Croix in the warm sunshine during late fall.  Who knew mother nature would even make this possible?  No rightful Minnesotan would let a day like this pass by.  This was a bonus day of summer.

All my boys, close friends and new friends meandered down the river and made new ways through the reeds and tributaries, even finding a spot to Yoga SUP where just earlier duck hunters cleared a path.  It was so still.  Felt as if we were able to renew nature and bring calm to a hunters fortress.  We didn’t get out of the water without waves. Portaging over logs and shallow spots, with the goal of staying afloat while  the youngest of the crew had a running bet to fall off as many times as possible.

“There were graceful curves, reflected images, woody heights, soft distances; and over the whole scene, far and near, the dissolving lights drifted steadily, enriching it, every passing moment, with new marvels of coloring” – Two Ways of Seeing a River; Mark Twain.

Oh Mark Twain, I get it.

DAZED and not so confused…

Taco DAZE, Scandia MN’s annual community fest, is right around the corner – 9/5-9/7.  For over 30 years, the community has been coming together to celebrate summer’s end with music, dance and the ultimate Scandinavian dish… Tacos?!?

Taco Daze Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga
Taco Daze Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga

For the first time, we will be offering a little pre-taco stretch:  Stand-up Paddleboard Yoga on Sand Lake.   Starting at 8 am – 10 am.  Tacos served at 11 am.

Join in on the fun! Register here

SUPer Sunset Yoga

Another great SUP yoga session on Forest Lake, MN!  Just amazes me every time, Randy Johnson (Stand-up paddle and sail) leads us through a 15 mediation session it instantly calms the water.  The quiet of the mind unfolds the calm of the lake.  A perfect place for your focus and breath to be when you start your vinyasa on water.  These floating yogis were amazing.  Sure, they all had a few Sun-A series on their mat but none of them had experience on the unbalanced surface of the water.  They let go and stayed with the flow. Check ’em out below.  Intrigued yet? We have another one in the line-up on August 17, 6 pm – 8 pm.  Please register at yogahus.com

 

modifiedcrescent intentions beach_yoga_kidwanter meditation SunASunset halfpigeon boat boat_me extended-cat-cow intentions1 Randy

SUP Sunday in the sun – ahhhh ommm

Threatened by all sorts of rainy forecasts and wind gusts, we moved our 2nd SUP Yoga series to sunrise versus sunset.    Blissed out by meditation conducted by Randy Johnson, we perched our boards in the south wind.  This week, the group experiences a few more waves but no matter, after a few sun salutations both on knees and standing, these posers rode the waves and found their balance on the clear blue water.

Warrior 2 Surfer Pose

Rockin in down dog

Easy Twist

Prep for Camel

A few of the poses we set our intentions on this week were – Crescent Lunge | Twist | Warrior 2 | Camel | Bridge & Wheel

Namaste to all the yogi’s who joined in – so proud of their courage and strength.

More picture, click here!

 

 

 

First SUP session

First class of Yoga on water @Forest LakeWhat’s better then starting your Sunday in the sunrise, floating on water and enjoying the simple pleasures of breathing?  Not much!

Our first series of yoga on water set sail on the beautiful clear water just off of Forest Lake.  Randy Johnson, of Minnesota Stand-Up Paddle and Sail provided boards and leashes, along with the majestic SUP starboards.  Randy led us through an amazing meditation session, just before we set SUP, paddeling out to the edge of the beach line and tethering off the beach line rope.

The class was just over an hour in length, with students of ranging capabilities and experience in yoga.  Not a one had yoga on water experience, and not one fell in.. on purpose.

To get a flavor of the yoga experience, here are some of the balance poses our SUP posers experienced:

Table top | Rock board side to side to test stability | Cat/Cow, with extension | Tiger Pose |Puppy dog

Floor bow turned to board bow!
Floor bow turned to board bow!
Getting our warrior on water
Getting our warrior on water