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It is no coincidence that most of the surf camps nowadays offer surfing and yoga as a package deal. There are plenty of things that pair well with surfing, such as strong waves, good food and chill vibes, but yoga has a special place in this mix. On the surface, both yoga and surfing are physical activities (if we take the view of yoga as practice of asanas*). Both require attention and time to master, but there are actually much deeper and not so obvious connections and parallels between the two.
Awareness is key
Firstly, both the practice of yoga and the skill of surfing require awareness. Yoga connects us with our bodies – we move with the awareness of our breath and the awareness of our body. We slow down our breath and our mind and therefore find inner stillness and balance. Similarly, while surfing, we become hyper aware of our relationship with nature, connecting the movements of our body with the rhythm of the waves. Riding a wave almost demands us to be fully present and aware by finding the inner balance in the environment that is constantly and quickly changing. In order to surf we have to be mindful and melt into the present moment. As soon as our minds wander to the past or future worries we get distracted and fall.
Breath as an anchor
Moving with the breath is one of the key principles of asana practice. Only when connected to our breath can we truly quiet the mind, deepen our awareness, and let the body move with ease and intention. When surfing, breath control helps during wipeouts, paddling and keeping calm in the big swells. Therefore there are multiple benefits for surfers training in yogic pranayama** techniques, which greatly enhance one’s ability to hold the breath for extended periods of time without the stress and tension on the lungs.
Lessons in humility and patience
Additionally, both practices humble us. Practice of yoga is demanding for a reason – the increasing difficulty of yoga asanas challenges our body and our mind. For example, when I saw kurmasana for the first time, I thought that it is simply impossible to bend my body in this way. However, I soon learned that with consistent practice our bodies can achieve great things that initially seemed impossible. In contrast, some easy-looking poses take years and years to master, humbling us as practitioners, reminding us that our ego should not get in the way with the expectation of fast results. My personal journey with surfing was very similar – I watched people surf and it seemed pretty easy. However, as soon as I tried to catch a wave myself, I was quickly humbled. I learned the technique, but some days were just not my days and it was a big challenge for my ego. Luckily, the lessons from yoga can help. Just like some days you can practice the same yoga sequence and find it simple and enjoyable, on other days the same movements might feel frustrating and almost impossible. You can’t force flexibility or mental stillness, but you can learn to trust that it will unfold with practice. In the same way, when surfing you quickly learn that you can’t control the ocean – you are the one who has to adapt to its moods and timings. Both yoga and surfing teach us patience and to trust the process. The only thing we need to do is to show up consistently and we will get better at it.
Balance is everything
In yoga, the balancing poses and inversions train body awareness and stability. Similarly, when surfing, adjusting to a moving wave requires mental and physical balance. Getting back up on the board after a wipeout and trying again, finding the stillness before embracing another wave is just part of the process. Just like in yoga – we fall down and we find our balance again. Both disciplines teach us dynamic balance – the art of staying centered while in motion.
Connection with nature
Finally, both practices are deeply rooted in the connection between the person and nature. In its essence, yoga teaches that we are not separate from nature but a living part of it, woven into the same cycles of growth, rest and renewal. The practices centered around sunrise and sunset, giving gratitude to the Sun and the Moon deepen our awareness of the natural rhythms around us. Yoga teaches us that the balance on the water begins with the balance within ourselves. When surfing we are fully immersed in the ocean’s power and rhythm and if we wish to catch the wave we have to become a part of the ocean, to find the dynamic balance within. Both practices also build a sense of respect and humility towards the forces of nature and our place in this ever changing world.
Together, yoga and surfing invite us into a deeper awareness of ourselves, our bodies, and our connection with nature and the world around us. The practice of these disciplines together enriches our understanding of the body, sharpens the connection between mind and the body, and reminds us that the same natural flow exists both on the mat and in the waves.
By Reda.travels
* Asanas in the yogic practice refers to physical postures or positions designed to promote stability, flexibility, and ease in both body and mind. Traditionally, asanas are practiced not just for physical fitness, but as a preparation for meditation by helping the practitioner cultivate stillness, focus, and awareness.
** Pranayama is the practice of controlled, conscious breathing in yoga, designed to regulate the flow of life energy (prana) in the body.