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.
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.
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
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.
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.
I grew up reading surf magazines - they were almost like a Bible to me - with pages tagged and tear-out posters plastered on every wall. As a grom, my dream was to be featured in the pages of those magazines. When I realized that pro surfing was not in the cards for me, my dream shifted to seeing my writing featured on those pages.
A big part of surfing is learning to navigate the ever-changing and often unpredictable lineup. Similar to life, the ocean and her waves are influenced by many different factors, most of them being totally out of our control. And as surfers, we learn that the key to navigating these often tricky lineups is to stay present and remain calm.
A curated playlist of a few of my favorite myofascial release (MFR) techniques for overworked shoulders -- perfect for surfers, swimmers, athletes, and weekend warriors!! You’ll need: two therapy balls (or tennis balls), a yoga block or foam roller, and maybe some pillows & blankets. These techniques are great to do at the end of a long day, or after a long surf or training session. Enjoy!
Crowded lineups are relatively unavoidable these days. And we all get it, yea!? Surfing is awesome!! But, much like the ‘rules of the road,’ the unwritten but very much accepted ‘rules of surf etiquette’ are there to ensure everyone’s safety, as well as to help create some order to make sure that everyone gets their fair share of rides. So here are 6 tips that I think are most important to know.
Our ability to notice 'on the mat' fine tunes our ability to notice 'off the mat.' If our practice stays limited to the confines of our yoga mat, then it is not really yoga. As our practice reminds us, we can learn so much when we give ourselves permission to get quiet and to notice... So why wouldn't we want to apply this to the external world??
On the topic of diversity in surfing, here are some perspectives to listen to and some organizations to support. Let’s make sure our new normal is one that’s rooted in equity, equality, and celebrating the beauty of diversity. PC: Javier Gil
The saying “only a surfer knows the feeling” has never held more weight than right now. From an outside perspective, surfing can appear as an obsession, or just another form of physical exercise, or a way to spend time in nature. And while surfing is those things, for many of us, surfing is also so much more… For many, it’s a cure.
As surfers, we have a whole lotta faith. Really, we do. No matter where you live in the world, as a surfer, we all go through the inevitable flat spells. And, unless you’re a pro with a travel budget, for us who frequent our local breaks and surf around our daily life responsibilities, we have learned to always have faith that more waves will come. And what a beautiful perspective to have…
I was first introduced to breath-work through yoga. In recent years, my interest in breath-work has expanded to other techniques and applications. And aside from all of the different breathing practices and theories and techniques, I think we can collectively agree that there lies a little bit of magic in taking a slow, deep breath. It just feels good. But why is that??
Taking full advantage of jet-lag and rainy days, and recommitting to regularly posting authentic content to this Journal page! Plus, I kinda wish I had done this on our previous trips while the memories and sensations were still fresh in the brain… Click through to take a look into our recent trip to Indonesia!
For many surfers, surfing is a lifelong sport. One in which there is no final destination, no finish line to cross. Even as average, working class surfers (as I like to refer to myself) we get locked into this obsession of always wanting to take our surfing one step further. So, if you’re a bit like me, and looking for a few ways to help improve your surfing and up your fun factor out in the water, I’ve put together an easy-to-follow list here!
Like everywhere in the world, Bali has its fair share of issues, downfalls, and straight up ugly sides. But, for me at least, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives, and I credit this little slice of paradise to teaching me some extremely valuable life lessons, lessons that seem to be deeply rooted in the people, the culture, and the sacred lands and waters found on, in, and around the Island of the Gods…
