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While yoga and surfing have ancient and spiritual origins in their own right, the fusion of the two is quite a modern phenomenon. Yogic practices emphasize mindfulness, focus on the breath and the union of the body, the mind and the spirit. Similarly, surfing has been described as a spiritual or meditative experience by many, often called “moving meditation”. Therefore, once the two worlds met, it seemed only natural that they would remain forever intertwined.
The roots of yoga and surfing
But let’s start at the beginning. Yoga is an ancient spiritual philosophy, originating from India. The earliest references to yogic practices appear in Vedas several thousand years ago. The modern practitioners of yoga more often look for wisdom in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, composed around 200 BC which outline the eight limbs of yoga: ethical guidelines, postures, breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and ultimately, samadhi (liberation or absorption into universal consciousness). Patanjali’s work laid out a set of practices that had been evolving for centuries and gave rise to the many different branches of yoga.
Long before surfing became a global sport, it was also a sacred tradition dating thousands of years. The earliest evidence of surfing (riding on the waves using some sort of board) can be found in the cave paintings in Polynesia. Surfing was an integral part of Polynesian life – the chief of the community was traditionally the most skilled wave rider with the best board made from the best wood. In Tahiti and Samoa, surfing was a popular pastime as well as a part of warriors’ training. In Hawaii wave riding also held deep cultural and spiritual significance with the act of surfing tied to ritual, skill, and emphasizing the respect to the ocean.
However, after colonization by the Europeans many local traditions, including surfing were suppressed and only around the start of 20th century were they slowly revived. Duke Kahanamoku – an Olympic swimmer and Hawaiian surfing ambassador was one of the key figures who helped revive the sport in the early 1900s, introducing it to mainland America, Australia and beyond. By the middle of the 20th century surfing had become a cultural phenomenon all around the world with California, Hawaii and Australia becoming the hot spots for the sport. Today surfing encompasses both elite sport with professional athletes chasing massive waves as well as occasional recreational surfers just enjoying the chill and connection with the ocean. At its core the activity still carries some of that ancient spirituality, timeless connection between the human and the sea.
Surfing meets yoga
The integration of yoga and surfing practices started slowly in the 1970s – as yoga was gaining popularity in the global west, the surfers picked up the practice with the aim of enhancing their flexibility, balance and strength. Soon they realised that practicing yoga also helped to prevent injuries and sharpen mental focus. One of the most active early pioneers of the connection between the two practices was a legendary Hawaiian surfer Gerry Lopez. As he had said to the Surfer Magazine:
“I started surfing when I was 10 years old, but I discovered yoga in 1968. That was really about the same time that I was thinking about maybe starting to get serious about my surfing. Looking back, the reason was that, aside from the fact that it was a good time, it was my time to embrace yoga – I thought it would make me a better surfer. That was the thing that made me grab it with a bear hug right from the very beginning. It really gave me a lot of answers.”
Gerry Lopez, meditating before heading into the waves. Source: Gabriel Rovick/Manduka
If you want to read more about his surfing legend, look into his book – Surf Is Where You Find It: The Wisdom of the Waves: Any Time, Anywhere, Any Way.
Rochelle Ballard is another famous surfer, who promoted yoga for surfers in the early 2000s and helped to bridge the two worlds. She pioneered women’s surfing on many levels as a professional athlete, an advocate for women’s surfing and hosted surf camps for inspiring young women. In an interview for “Surfscience” Ballard explained:
“One of the best things about yoga is the awareness it brings and focus. That helped my surfing a lot. Going into competition it’s so easy to melt into your jersey with nerves or get over stimulated. Once the adrenalin kicks in the nervous system is pumping. Yoga was the best way I found through my whole career to balance that. Before I go out there, I make sure I do yoga because it allows me to be aware of all things going on around me. No matter what happens we can stay calm and clear and keep your balance. It’s a choice of whether you give in to the energy around you or keep your focus and enjoy yourself. Wherever you direct your focus that is where it will go.”
Surf and Yoga goes mainstream
By the early 2000s surfing and yoga retreats began popping up in the coastal surf paradise spots, such as Costa Rica, Bali, Nicaragua and Byron Bay, drawing travelers looking for both adrenaline and serenity. Yoga’s booming popularity in the West made it appealing to a broader range of surfers, including beginners who found that the stretches of yoga helped to recover faster after surfing. Over time, what began as a cross-training tool for surfers turned into a popular industry with most surf camps and wellness brands today offering dedicated surf and yoga packages. No exception is The Surf and Yoga package in Tziri camp – you can reap the benefits of both surfing and yoga classes here in Tamraght as well.
Today, the connection between surfing and yoga feels almost inevitable. Both remind us that the body is at its best when it moves with awareness, anchored in the breath. Both remind us that the greatest joy comes not from catching the best wave or mastering the most difficult pose but from connecting with our body, nature and being present in the moment.
By Reda.travels