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.

sunburnt & salty

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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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3 Ways My Yoga Practice Supports My Cross-Training

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3 Ways My Yoga Practice Supports My Cross-Training

We all come to yoga for many different reasons, yet there is also no denying that our yoga practice has a way of influencing and enhancing every aspect of our lives. Here are a few ways that my yoga practice supports my cross-training, beyond flexibility & range of motion.

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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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Making A Wave: 3 Takeaways from Attempting to Surf for 30 Days in a Row

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Making A Wave: 3 Takeaways from Attempting to Surf for 30 Days in a Row

While the “Make a Wave” challenge was more about raising awareness and donations for the SurfAid Programs, I also ended up learning a few things about myself, and life, from attempting to surf for 30 days straight.

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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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A Hint of Salt: Reflections on Travel & Coming Home

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A Hint of Salt: Reflections on Travel & Coming Home

Traveling, for me, always tends to bring with it bursts of inspiration and creativity and a heightened sense of connection to myself & the world around me. The challenge tends to be carrying this inspiration and connectivity with me as I begin treading down those familiar roads of routine that make up the map of regular, everyday living. 

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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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A Hint of Salt: Slowing Down + Paying Attention

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A Hint of Salt: Slowing Down + Paying Attention

To be honest, I'm kind of over hearing about how “time is just flying by,” I'm sick of saying it, too. Because really, all that means is that life is flying by, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to rush that sh*t. I mean, don’t we all know what's waiting for us at the finish line?

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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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A Hint of Salt: Embodying Effortless Effort (Flow State)

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A Hint of Salt: Embodying Effortless Effort (Flow State)

In positive psychology, “flow state,” sometimes referred to as “being in the zone,” is defined as “the mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.” 

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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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A Hint of Salt: The Strength to Keep Showing Up

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A Hint of Salt: The Strength to Keep Showing Up

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” The showing up is the pathway, and just like in yoga, it doesn't really matter how we show up, it just matters that we do. Because each & every time we show up we learn something new.

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Breathing for Confidence: Bhramari Pranayama

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Breathing for Confidence: Bhramari Pranayama

Turn down the noise between your ears and turn up your capacity to self-regulate, re-align, and speak your truth through Bhramari pranayama, also known as humming bee breathing. This is one of my favorites because it’s simple, accessible, and very effective.

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Practice Notes: Tips + Techniques for Healthy, Happy Knees

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Practice Notes: Tips + Techniques for Healthy, Happy Knees

Healthy knees are crucial for our mobility as they help carry the weight of our body & also absorb shock from walking, running, jumping, and surfing. Check out my top tips for maintaining healthy, happy knees!

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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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Human Connection: Like Islands in the Sea...

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Human Connection: Like Islands in the Sea...

The practice of yoga not only holds this capacity to reconnect us with our selves, but it also carries this potential to reconnect us with our humanity — the common thread that binds us all. Relearning, over and over again, what it means to be human...