Balancing Act

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO HAVE FUN IN THE WATER AND THE SUN. HERE’S A CHALLENGE FOR FANS OF BOTH YOGA AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS.

Diving, surfing, het-skiing, snorkeling, banana boats… the list goes on and on when it comes to water activities offered in Bali. A recent addition to the list is Stand up Paddling Yoga, also known as S.U.P Yoga. There are a number of places you can go to do this combination of sea paddling and yoga, but for an unparalleled view, get up early and head south to Nammos Beach at Karma Kandara.
Stand Up Paddling Yoga at Nammos Kandara is something you definitely do not want to miss. Visiting Nammos Beach itself is already quite a breathtaking experience-as you descend down from the Karma Kandara property in their open-air gondola, you’ll be overcome by the sight of turquoise waters stretching as far as the eye can see and the white sand beach below. When you add onto that the fun challenge of doing yoga exercise a top a paddleboard in those pristine waters, you have a morning activity unlike any other.
The class starts with a briefing on the sand with your fit and friendly S.U.P Yoga instructor. She’ll teach you how to correctly grasp the paddle and how to use it to maneuver the bulky board in the right direction. Then you’ll get into the water, climb a top your boards and paddle out to a quiet spot at sea. If you get the hang of it right away you can stand up and paddle but if you’re still feeling hesitant you can paddle on your knees, which is equally as fun and exciting.
Once you begin entering into yoga poses a top your board, you’ll need to do your best to find your balance. It is an amazingly humbling experience, as you can’t fight your surroundings. You have to work with the conditions in order to have a successful yoga workout. S.U.P Yoga is not only a great core workout but also good for improving patience, balance and mental focus.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate on the day of your visit, you might find yourself paddling back in with your visit, you might find yourself paddling back in with your group to do yoga poses on the beach. Since your experience is very tide and weather dependent, it is recommended to call ahead to find out what the conditions will be like. Booking ahead is absolutely essential.
S.U.P Yoga classes at Nammos Kandara are 45 to 60 minutes long, cost USD 30 per person and include complimentary entry to Nammos Beach Club, bottled water, use of a Nammos beach towel and a tall glass of fresh juice at the end of your workout. If you have family who would like to come along but not take part in the class, entry to Nammos Beach is USD 25 per person, where they can then lay out play or cheer you on from a shady spot on the white sand beach.