Simply Soulful
SUP Yoga FAQ
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SUP stands for Stand-Up Paddle boarding/surfing.
SUP entails standing on a surfboard and paddling yourself around. SUP boards are much longer, wider and more buoyant than 'normal' surfboards, enabling you to comfortably balance on them and propel yourself through the water with the paddle. Aside from being another way of catching waves, SUP is also an increasingly popular way of keeping fit and improving core-stability. Flat water SUP sessions are both a great work out, and a good way to get on the water when the surf is flat.
The benefits you may receive from your SUP Yoga session include:
- Increased relaxation, flexibility, strengthen muscles, weight loss, energy levels
- Enhanced balance, posture, coordination, endurance, body strength, confidence and self-esteem
- Improved blood circulation, lung capacity, immune system, digestive system, sleep patterns, toxin elimination
- Reduced stress, anxiety, blood pressure, emotional frustration
- Enhanced healthy habits, positive thinking, involvement in own healing, confidence, self-esteem
- A sense of tranquillity, calmness and positive well-being
- Greater creativity, clarity of thought and concentration
- Balance of mind, body and soul
- Enjoy the great outdoors – Connect with nature, physically, emotionally and spiritually
I offer SUP Yoga and SUP Retreats in Kingsbridge, Salcombe and further afield through my practise Simply Soulful Yoga. General SUP sessions are available through Waterborn SUP, please contact Waterborn SUP direct
All sessions are open to all levels of ability (both beginners and more experienced yogis and SUP'ers alike) with both less and more challenging options being offered throughout the sessions. If you have any concerns about your health or ability before attending a session, please do not hesitate to contact me before booking.
You can book and pay for SUP Yoga classes, events and retreats on my website via a secure online booking system. Your booking is secured with full payment which can be made by either credit/ debit card/ gift voucher.
After you have checked out, you will receive an email confirming your booking. You will be asked to complete a HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE the first time you attend. Please ensure you complete this before your first class. All SUP Yoga sessions must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
If the class you would like to attend is fully booked, please join the WAITING LIST displayed within the event page. You will be contacted as soon as a place becomes available.
It is a good idea to wear a 3mm wetsuit, swim suit, old trainers or shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Depending on the weather you may need sunglasses, sun cream or warm clothes. Beginners, expectant mothers, children and nervous participants are invited to wear a personal floatation device (PFD). Wetsuits and PFD’s are included in your SUP Yoga class cost.
You should bring a re-usable water bottle and your own refreshments. You might want a waterproof camera and some money. If you have a dry bag this is a great item to bring along to pop your belongings in. It is a good idea to leave your valuables at home where practical. Please bring details of current prescribed medication with you.
A SUP Yoga session, includes:
- Hire of a SUP board, paddle, wetsuit, leash, buoyancy aid.
- Safety instruction regarding water and equipment.
- Positive encouragement.
- Lots of fun.
Typically, the overall SUP Yoga experience is approx. 1.5hrs
We will begin our session with a meet and greet on land. We will get kitted up into our wetsuits and buoyancy aids for those that wish to wear them, whilst chatting about previous experience and health issues. There will be a land safety briefing before we go on the water. We will launch onto the water from a pontoon and moor ourselves to a line laid out on the water. The SUP Yoga class will last approx. 60 mins and then we will head back in, exhilarated by our time on the water, and change back into warm, dry clothes.
Any age from 12 years up is acceptable (essentially, we may struggle with anyone under 12 years due to the size of boards, paddles and buoyance aids). In addition, anyone under 16 years old, must be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian and a parental consent form must be completed before the start of class. If in any doubt, contact me and we can talk through your requirements.
Water Skills Academy (WSA) has a suggested ratio of 1:8. The ratio is reduced to 1:6 or 1:4 if local conditions determine necessary. If the ratio is higher than 1:10 two instructors will be present to maintain safety.
You will need some level of water confidence and ideally should be able to swim 25m unaided (i.e. the length of a swimming pool). Please contact me if you have any concerns in this area.
Please avoid eating a heavy meal or drinking caffeine 1-hour before your session. If you need a pick-me-up before, have something light like a banana or a small handful of nuts 20-minutes before the start. Strictly no alcohol or recreational drugs to be consumed before or during the activity. If you have taken prescription medication prior to the session, please let me know.
Sessions can be tailored to support most health conditions, pregnant and post-natal yoginis. If you have any health conditions you think may affect your SUP Yoga practise, please indicate this at the time of your bookings and on your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE. If your health changes after you have submitted your questionnaire, please let me know as soon as possible. Please also ensure that you complete your details in your profile (and update them if/when they change) - especially about your health and injuries, so that I can make sure classes are safe and appropriate for you. We can then have a chat about your health and how it might affect your SUP Yoga practise. It might be necessary to modify some of the yoga practises to ensure your safety and comfort during class.
Sessions can be tailored to support pregnant and post-natal yoginis. Relax, stretch and breath with confidence, comfort, and support. If you have recently given birth, please wait for a minimum of 6 weeks, before returning to your practise. Please indicate relevant details at the time of your booking and on your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE. If your health changes after you have submitted your questionnaire please let me know as soon as possible. Please also ensure that you complete your details in your profile (and update them if/when they change) - especially about your health and injuries, so that I can make sure classes are safe and appropriate for you. Please see my blog post called - Supporting pregnancy; before, during and after - and contact me to discuss how to maintain a safe practise.
Essentially, I run the sessions in calm sheltered creeks such as Tackett’s Wood in Kingsbridge and Batson Creek in Salcombe. Our location is dependent on weather, wind and tide so we need to be flexible with our plans.
Classes are held at various locations. Some venues have their own parking. Others have parking a short walk away. Details about parking will be included in your event booking confirmation email.
If you think you might be running late for your session, please email or text me in advance. It is important that the whole group go out onto the water together. If I know you are running late, we might be able to wait for you. If you are running very late, unfortunately, it might not be possible to wait. It will depend entirely on the group, weather and tide.
If a class is not going ahead I will endeavour to let you know with as much notice as possible. If a class needs to be cancelled at last minute I will contact you using the details you provide at the time of booking and/or on your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE. Therefore, please ensure that you update your questionnaire and all details in your profile so that I have the correct contact details for you at all times. You are also welcome to call or text me on 07941 508 004 to check if a class is going ahead.
SUP Yoga may be cancelled due to weather, wind or water quality issues. I will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible and reschedule the date of the session. If no suitable date is available, you will be offered a refund, or credit on your account. If a class needs to be cancelled at last minute I will contact you using the details you provide at the time of booking and/or on your HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE. Therefore, please ensure that you update your health questionnaire and all details in your profile so that I have the correct contact details for you at all times.
If you have booked a SUP Yoga class and can no longer attend, please see my Refund Policy.
Absolutely! You can purchase Gift Vouchers for friends and family by either choosing:
Absolutely! I offer both private SUP Yoga classes and bespoke packages. Individually tailored yoga, meditation, laughter yoga, forest bathing, holistic treatments, and Stand Up Paddle boarding activities suitable for both business and personal clients. Whether your focus is on relaxation and rejuvenation, or motivation and inspiration; the perfect package can be tailor made to suit you. Design your own personalised event with friends, family or work buddies. Ideal for informal gatherings and team-building events seeking positive impact.
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