Month: April 2017

Chaturanga, Burpees and Paddling

I have written before about becoming a stronger surfer and becoming a stronger yogi. All my workouts in general are about becoming a stronger athlete, but I noticed a decline in my surfing ability lately. I would get out in the waves and be tired. My arms would be on fire, and my body would just be exhausted. I thought, “How could this be?”. Between all of the burpees, weights, supermans, and Chaturangas; I shouldn’t be this exhausted from paddling. Or am I doing the wrong workout?

Recently, there was a blog article on Craftysurf.com titled, ” Surf Training: The Secret“, so naturally I was drawn to this topic. In the blog post, she states the secret is more paddling. Not all the gym workouts I have been doing, not all the Chaturangas that I have been practicing, even though I’m pretty good at it now, it’s paddling.

I sat with this post for a while. I was the strongest in the Summer and Fall when I could surf 3-4 times a week. Recently, due to work and bad weather in California, surfing 3-4 times a week is rare. Maybe my paddling isn’t as strong as it used to be?

Luckily, she offers easy advice: go out an paddle. While I think it’s important to keep going with the Chaturangas, burpees and my other workouts, she makes the point of no other workout is equivalent to paddling. So, I did, last Friday afternoon. I just got on my longboard and paddled, and then paddled some more. Liking this idea of just “paddle sessions”, I will start to incorporate this type of workouts into my life.

Surfers and Yogis, what other types of workouts to do you incorporate into your life?

~Namaste

Scrappy Yogi

Paragon Surfboards: The Mini-Log and Retro Noserider

Followers on my Instagram have asked many questions on my surfboards, so I thought this would be the perfect time to review the two Paragon Surfboards I own: The Mini-Log and the Retro Noserider.

Let’s start with The Mini-Log, and as I fondly call my first surfboard love. Since this was the first surfboard I bought, it is always going to have a special place in my heart.  The board is 7’8″, blue, and has a 2 + 1 fin set up. The surfboard is set up for waves varying in size, and is super light due to the Paralite epoxy. I usually surf with this board in 3ft-6ft waves, and it handles great!

Now, my next board is my newest surfboard the 9″ Retro Noserider. Being that it is a retro board, it is single fin, wider than the Mini-Log, and super fun in those lazy wave days. I love just sitting out in the ocean waiting for waves on this board. Since this board is also Paralite epoxy it is not as heavy as other longboards I have surfed on in the past. The longboard also maneuvers extremely well! I was even able to surf through a crowd this past weekend 😊

I love owning these two surfboards! It allows me to chose what type of surfing day I want! 

Readerd, do you own multiple surfboards? What about multiple yoga mats?

And remember, you can follow me on Instagram and Twitter @ScrappyYoga

~Namaste

Scrappy Yogi

Sun Salutation B, Wetsuits, and Surfing

*I am not a certified yoga instructor. These yoga poses are just my opinion always consult a physician before starting any new workout routine

It’s a no-brainer that a surfer should stretch before a surf session, and what I have learned from my surf buddies is that everyone has their own routine. Some surfers stretch at the beach, others stretch at home, and some surfers don’t stretch at all. I often receive questions about my routine, so I thought I would share what I do before a surf session.

What is unique about my stretching routine is it’s all yoga. I find that the yoga sequences prepare me mentally and physically for a great surf session. I usually start my yoga before I hit the beach and put on that heavy wetsuit. I start with Sun Salutation B, and here is a step by step guide from Yoga Outlet:

1. Standing Mountain Pose — Tadasana

2. Chair Pose — Utkatasana

3. Standing Forward Fold — Uttanasana

4. Half Standing Forward Fold — Ardha Uttanasana

5. Four-Limbed Staff Pose — Chaturanga Dandasana

6. Upward-Facing Dog Pose — Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

7. Downward-Facing Dog Pose — Adho Mukha Svanasana

8. Warrior I, Right Foot — Virabhadrasana I

9. Four-Limbed Staff Pose — Chaturanga Dandasana

10. Upward-Facing Dog Pose — Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

11. Downward-Facing Dog Pose — Adho Mukha Svanasana

12. Warrior I, Left Foot — Virabhadrasana I

13. Four-Limbed Staff Pose — Chaturanga Dandasana

14. Upward-Facing Dog Pose — Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

15. Downward-Facing Dog Pose — Adho Mukha Svanasana

16. Half Standing Forward Fold — Ardha Uttanasana

17. Standing Forward Fold — Uttanasana

18. Chair Pose — Utkatasana

19. Mountain Pose — Tadasana

I repeat this sequence 3-5 times. Now, I’m ready to hit the beach, but the yoga doesn’t stop. If you are a surfer who requires a wetsuit, you know how heavy they can be. I have a 4/3 Ripcurl Flashbomb wetsuit (which I love), but it does require me to stretch before surfing.

After I get onto the beach, wetsuit on, Paragon surfboard next to me, it’s time to start my yoga poses for my shoulders. Now, if you have been following my blog, you know that my shoulders are extremely tight so I need a little extra stretching in the shoulder and back. I always practice Dolphin, Thread the Needle, and 8-Point before surfing. Shape.com has excellent video clips of the shoulder openers I practice on the beach, so click here to see these poses.

Readers, what stretches or yoga poses do you love before a workout? I would love to know!

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @Scrappyyoga!

~Namaste

Scrappy Yogi

Happy One Year Anniversary: The Scrappy Yogi is also a Scrappy Surfer

It’s been officially one year since I have launched this blog! It’s been quite a year of self discovery: yoga experiences, yoga festivals, marriage, surfing, Maui trips, and much more to come. Anyone who has been following me for the last year has noticed that I talk about surfing just as much as I talk about yoga, but I never really claim the title as “surfer”. The reason for this simple. A legacy surfer told me to try it for a year before earning the title of “surfer”. Well, it’s been a year, and surfing is here to stay. It’s a passion to say the least.

The last year of surfing has been an excited one. I bought my first Paragon Surfboard the “Mini-Log”, I have surfed in Maui, I have made “surf buddies”, and now I have integrated surfing into my life. I try to surf a couple of times a week if the tides and my work schedule permit it, and I am constantly looking at Surfline.

But what about yoga? Yoga is never going away.  I have even been told from my surf buddies that I incorporate yoga teachings and practices into my surfing life. And, on occasion, I can even been seen practicing yoga in my wetsuit on the beach before and after a surf session (it’s good for your body, but more posts to come on that).

So, from now on, I am also a Scrappy Surfer. I will write blog posts on how I weave yoga into my surfing life and vice versa. I will still write on my latest yoga influences, classes and experiences as well. Life is all about expanding your horizons, right?

Readers, have any of your workout programs lead you to other passions? Or other workouts you love just as much? I would love to hear your thoughts!

You can now follow me on Instagram @ScrappyYoga for fun tips, beach pics, and much much more!

~Namaste

Scrappy Yogi