Nick Harding | Sportscene - At Twickenham Alive River Festival last weekend, Sportscene interviews Jason Bergin, Co-Founder of SUP-YOGA GB. He reveals why the sport is becoming so popular.

Paddleboards are sturdy enough to support someone who stands, therefore why not use it to practise yoga! The paddleboard is a perfect floating, buoyant gym mat that brings yoga to an exciting and new, watery environment.

SUP-YOGA GB is an exciting new fitness company who deliver yoga classes on paddleboards in the south of England.

The idea took off whilst Jason was living and teaching stand up paddleboarding amongst other watersports in Bournemouth, a city blessed with a stunning coastline and one of Europe’s biggest and most beautiful natural harbours. 

Jason likes to practise 'ashtanga' and 'bikram' yoga; he came to notice that some clever and imaginative people in the US who had combined SUP and yoga had created something really amazing!

He contacted Zoe Lee who is an experienced ashtanga yoga instructor (Yoga Alliance 500) and fitness professional based in Bournemouth, together they wrote a SUP-YOGA teaching programme.

After trialling the activity with friends and colleagues as well as making some final improvements, the activity was ready to go. In the summer of 2011 the first class was delivered to the public and received a very warm response.  Since then the group sizes have grown steadily and now the company is looking to expand into other cities.  

“SUP-YOGA is suitable for all ages and abilities as there are variations for all the poses based on your fitness level. It really improves your balance and enhances your mental focus. We had people joining us who had never on been on the ocean before or who hadn't been out for years - they felt very comfortable. People really practising yoga outside the traditional studio environment. Being on the water adds a special quality to the activity.”

SUP yoga is primarily popular with women because of the core strengthening work involved and it's traditional association with yoga, which is still seen largely as a women's activity. However, Jason is championing a rapidly growing male-interest as they slowly catch on to the fact the yoga is incredible for muscle toning and general health.

Jason has recently re-located to London to explore what the big smoke has to offer. He has teamed up with Active 360 who offer SUP on the Thames and on many of the canal networks which dissect the city.

London might not be an obvious choice for SUP-YOGA but despite being very urban it has some great waterways and locations which are very suitable for SUP-YOGA practise. The Thames actually has the cleanest water of any river that runs through a major city, a fact that a lot of people may find surprising.

“Our aim is to eventually franchise the operation and also deliver SUP-YOGA training courses for other yoga instructors throughout the UK. I have found two suitable locations already in London for this purpose and I'm also in discussions with another SUP operation in Brighton. We plan to launch our new London classes in July so watch this space!”

Jason also has his eye on an international arm to this franchise, in 2014 he will host a SUP-SURF-YOGA-WELLNESS retreat in Costa Rica. He has many other beauty-spots in mind too as he has travelled extensively: Bonaire, St.Lucia, Morocco, South Africa, Norway, Greece, Zanzibar and Brazil for example – the potential for yoga photography is enormous.

Originally a kite-surfing obsessive, Jason is using his extensive watersports experience and networks to assist his new SUP business ventures, just look at his credentials:

• 1999 BA (Hons) Recreation and Leisure Management
• 2005 British Kite Sports Association (BKSA)/International Kiteboard Organisation (IKO) Level 1 instructor
• 2007 British Surfing Association Level 1 coaching award
• 2008 BKSA Senior Instructor
• 2009 IKO Snowkite instructor Level 1
• 2010 British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUPA) Level 1
• 2011 BKSA National Trainer

Watch Jason's full interview on: Youtube

Links

• SUP-Yoga Bournemouth: Facebook
• www.yogawithzoe.com
• www.active360.com
• www.easyriderskiteboarding.com