PRACTICE, BREATH WORK, SURFING
Cait Lawson
Pre-Surf Practice to Expand Lung Capacity

A 10-minute, seated practice that combines MFR with gentle stretches and breath work to help you wake up and expand your lung capacity before paddling out for a surf.

Pre-Surf Practice to Expand Lung Capacity
Cait Lawson
September SurfAid #MakeAWave Recap

Another September has come and gone, and for the 2nd year, I participated in the SurfAid September #MakeAWave Challenge of surfing 30 days to raise funding and awareness for the SurfAid Programs.

September SurfAid #MakeAWave Recap
YOGA, SURFING, PRACTICE
Cait Lawson
Under 10-minute Pre-Surf Stretch Routine

My current, go-to, Pre-Surf Stretch for when my body is feeling stiff and a bit surfed-out. This sequence could also be nice for a brief Active Recovery practice post-training or post-surf/sport

Under 10-minute Pre-Surf Stretch Routine
YOGA, SURFING, WRITING
Cait Lawson
Featured on the Manduka Blog!

It was an honor to have the opportunity to write a piece for the Manduka Blog as a part of the Manduka x Gerry Lopez collection launch. In this article, I share my personal experiences with surfing and yoga and how I view the two as similar spiritual paths that reconnect us to life.

Featured on the Manduka Blog!
YOGA, LIFESTYLE, INSPIRATION
Cait Lawson
Simple. But not always easy.

Now don't get me wrong, sometimes simple can be easy. And that's great. And sometimes there is a place for complexity as well. But the simple, the simple is available. Accessible. And when noticed and practiced regularly, the simple can support us in coming back to center. Back to what's true.

Simple. But not always easy.

PRACTICE

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Pre-Surf Practice to Expand Lung Capacity

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Pre-Surf Practice to Expand Lung Capacity

A 10-minute, seated practice that combines MFR with gentle stretches and breath work to help you wake up and expand your lung capacity before paddling out for a surf.

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Under 10-minute Pre-Surf Stretch Routine

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Under 10-minute Pre-Surf Stretch Routine

My current, go-to, Pre-Surf Stretch for when my body is feeling stiff and a bit surfed-out. This sequence could also be nice for a brief Active Recovery practice post-training or post-surf/sport

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10min. Guided Practice for Self-Care & Loving-Kindness

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10min. Guided Practice for Self-Care & Loving-Kindness

Space for you to check in & recalibrate along with a practice of loving-kindness to carry with you into your day. This is a 10-minute, guided, and seated practice that includes some really gentle movement, a few rounds of breath work, and closes with a metta meditation.

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Breathing for Beginner's Mind: Ujjayi Pranayama

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Breathing for Beginner's Mind: Ujjayi Pranayama

Anchor your attention into the ebb & flow of the eternal now and open your mind to the vastness of sensations encompassed in the breath by using this foundational pranayama practice. Cultivate curiosity and embrace an attitude of open awareness.

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Cross Training: Full-Body Strength using Long-Loop Resistance Band

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Cross Training: Full-Body Strength using Long-Loop Resistance Band

This is a quick and effective full-body workout using a long-loop resistance band – a great one if you're short on time (you could also repeat the sequence for a longer workout) or if you're traveling and have minimal equipment or space.

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Breathing for Balance: Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril)

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Breathing for Balance: Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril)

Get grounded, clear out the clutter, and cultivate a sense of connection, balance, and harmony through this month's featured breathing technique: Nadi shodhana pranayama, also known as alternate nostril breathing.

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30min. MFR + Gentle Movement for When You're Surfed Out and Sore (Online!)

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30min. MFR + Gentle Movement for When You're Surfed Out and Sore (Online!)

Exactly like the title says, indulge in this 30-minute class that combines myofascial release (MFR) techniques with gentle movement & some mindful mobility work.

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30min. Morning Mobility + Breath Work Flow (YouTube)

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30min. Morning Mobility + Breath Work Flow (YouTube)

Kickstart your morning with some feel-good mobility work paired with an invigorating-yet-grounding breathing practice, and notice how it carries you through the rest of your day. Wake up your body, warm up your joints, and get everything online and ready to support you!

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Breathing for Trust: Viloma Pranayama (Interrupted Breathing)

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Breathing for Trust: Viloma Pranayama (Interrupted Breathing)

Viloma pranayama is an interrupted breathing technique that teaches patience and encourages trust through the intentional interruption or pausing of the breath. This technique can also be helpful in expanding lung capacity.

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Here, Now: 3 Practices to Stop Overthinking (That You Can Do Almost Anywhere)

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Here, Now: 3 Practices to Stop Overthinking (That You Can Do Almost Anywhere)

I spend a lot of time in my head. Like, a lot of time. But thank goodness for this practice of yoga that has given me so many tools that help pull me out of the whirlpool of overthinking and anchor me into the magic of the now. Here are 3 practices that I use regularly!

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15min. Mindful Movement Break: MFR + Yoga using the Wall

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15min. Mindful Movement Break: MFR + Yoga using the Wall

A 15-minute, mindful movement break that incorporates myofascial release (MFR) with an accessible, standing ‘Sun Salutation’ flow using the support of a wall. This practice is great to use anytime, especially to help break up your work day. Enjoy!

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Breathing for Nourishment: 10min. Coherent Breathing

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Breathing for Nourishment: 10min. Coherent Breathing

This slow, deliberate, and rhythmic breathing is incredibly efficient at balancing and calming the nervous system, raising heart rate variability, decreasing blood pressure, and boosting mood all while nourishing our bodies, brains, organs, muscles, and cells.

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30min. Yoga for Athletes: Active Recovery Flow

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30min. Yoga for Athletes: Active Recovery Flow

A 30-minute Active Recovery Yoga class designed to support the downshift into recovery mode. This class is nice to move through right after a workout, training session, or long surf. It could also be helpful post-run and for cyclists, mountain bikers, or anyone at the end of a long day.

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Recovery Yoga: 3 Poses to Unravel Your Spine + Reset Your Posture

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Recovery Yoga: 3 Poses to Unravel Your Spine + Reset Your Posture

Long day? Say no more. Check out this Restorative Yoga sequence that uses just a blanket or towel, along with the support of your breath and the floor, to help unravel tension around the spine and reset your posture. Repeat this one regularly!

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Deeply Involved, Less Attached: Root Down to Rise

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Deeply Involved, Less Attached: Root Down to Rise

Just like we can't stop the world from spinning, we also can't stop the passing of time. This moment now will soon be the past and the future will soon become this moment now, so maybe the only way to really sense a slowing down of time is to slow down ourselves.

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Breathing to Ground: Extended Exhale (1:2 Ratio)

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Breathing to Ground: Extended Exhale (1:2 Ratio)

While the inhale tends to be a bit more uplifting and invigorating, the breath out carries with it a capacity to slow us down, supporting our ability to surrender and rest. This is an easy and customizable breathing pattern that you can do anywhere to help you get out of your head and grounded in the now.

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Nourish Your Roots: MFR for the Feet

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Nourish Your Roots: MFR for the Feet

How often do you think about your feet?? Maybe some more than others, but let’s take a moment to focus on ‘em. After all, our feet help to ground us and carry us through the world. Check out my go-to sequence of grounding acupressure + MFR that helps to nourish those roots!

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Recovery Yoga: 5 Hip-Openers Using the Wall

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Recovery Yoga: 5 Hip-Openers Using the Wall

Too much working, surfing, sitting, training, running, or anything & everything in between?? Well here’s one of my FAVORITE “recovery yoga” sequences — using a wall — to give the legs, hips, and low back some tender, loving care.

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Breathing for Courage: Kapalabhati

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Breathing for Courage: Kapalabhati

Technically a kriya, or an internal cleansing technique, kapalabhati can help to cultivate a clear & invigorated focus while also supporting the clearing out of both stagnant energy as well as any unhelpful & unnecessary thoughts.

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Self-Love: Foam Roller Routine for Chest, Shoulders & Upper Back

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Self-Love: Foam Roller Routine for Chest, Shoulders & Upper Back

A quick (5 min.) MFR sequence using a foam roller to keep your shoulders, chest, and upper back feeling good. This one is so versatile and nice to use as pre-surf prep, for post-surf recovery, or just as a movement break during your work day.