STAND UP PADDLE: THE YOGATERRAE TREND FOR SUMMER 2025
Between sky, sea and breath, yoga on the water (SUP Yoga) reveals a sensory, demanding and profoundly liberating practice. Much more than a summer activity, it's an invitation to inner alignment, movement awareness and full presence.
A trend for summer 2025, you'll be amazed at how SUP Yoga can give you sensations like nowhere else!
Written by TINA - May 2025
Inklapbare content
Reading time
Approx. 10 minutes
WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO DISCOVER
- SUP Yoga or when the sea becomes a yoga mat, and the breath becomes an anchor
- The origins in Hawaii that have made this discipline a perfect blend of yoga, gliding and mindfulness
- The unsuspected benefits on body and mind, such as balance, sheathing, concentration and calming
- The peaceful places, secret coves or the most inspiring spots in 2025
- The reasons why, whether you're a curious yogi or a total novice, there'll be no stress for a session on the water
- Much more than a summer trend, SUP-Yoga reveals an art of living totally connected to nature
"Let's take a look!
SUP-YOGA: WHEN THE SEA BECOMES A YOGA MAT AND THE BREATH BECOMES AN ANCHOR
SUP-Yoga, a contraction of Stand-Up Paddle and Yoga, embodies one of the most inspiring and connected forms of contemporary practice. On a large floating board, similar to a touring paddle, the body settles, balances and then takes root on the water. Yoga on a paddle invites a whole new level of body awareness: here, every posture, even the most elementary, engages the deep anchorage of the stabilizing muscles, while opening up to absolute concentration on the present moment. The slightest variation in wind or ripple becomes a signal to be listened to. You can't improvise an II warrior on the water without being fully present.
Unlike studio yoga, which is often framed and predictable, SUP Yoga proposes a form of benevolent impermanence, where the environment becomes a co-participant. The sky, the light, the lapping become meditation supports in their own right. This practice appeals as much to lovers of outdoor yoga as it does to ocean, lake or lagoon enthusiasts. It appeals to those in search of fluidity, of letting go, but also to those who wish to strengthen their center, in both the physical and energetic sense.
At Yogaterrae, we've designed a selection of stable, yoga-friendly SUPs that are light, wide and soft-touch enough to accommodate postures even in studio activewear. Because a good paddle can make all the difference in the experience, especially in terms of comfort, safety and fluidity.
Adopting SUP-Yoga means choosing a different kind of summer. A summer with your feet in the water, your heart wide open, and your head in the sky.
SUP-YOGA, ITS ORIGINS: WHEN PADDLE MEETS YOGA ON AN ARCHIPELAGO OF ISLANDS CALLED HAWAII
SUP Yoga, or Stand-Up Paddle Yoga, was born at the crossroads of two major trends: the development of outdoor yoga and the rise of the paddle board as an accessible water sports activity.
The practice emerged in the early 2010s on the coasts of Hawaii and California, when some practitioners began adapting their yoga postures to their paddle boards, first out of curiosity, then for the challenge and connection with nature.
This new format, which involves practicing asanas directly on the water, has quickly won over fans of well-being, mindfulness and gentle gliding.
Far from confined spaces, SUP Yoga offers an immersive experience, where every movement of the body resonates with water, wind and breath.
Today, the practice has been widely democratized and attracts a varied public: experienced yogis, sports enthusiasts looking for variety, and beginners curious about a more playful and sensory form of yoga. SUP Yoga courses are offered in many parts of France, from the Atlantic coast to the shores of Alpine lakes, or in more confidential spots in the South.
Equipment has also evolved: boards have become wider and more stable, and some brands, such as Yogaterraenow offer SUPs designed specifically for yoga on water, combining stability, comfort and lightness.
At the height of the summer season, Stand-Up Paddle Yoga becomes a key outdoor wellness discipline, perfect for reconnecting with nature while cultivating balance, grounding and serenity.
THE BENEFITS OF SUP YOGA: SHEATHED BODY, SHEATHED MIND
SUP Yoga combines the benefits of traditional yoga with those of a gentle practice on the water.
On a physical level, performing postures on a floating board intensely trains deep muscles, including stabilizing abdominals, glutes and postural muscles.
Even simple postures such as head-down dog or plank become full-fledged dynamic sheathing exercises. The body must constantly adjust its balance to compensate for the natural movement of the water.
The result: improved coordination, overall strengthening and enhanced body awareness.
But it's perhaps on a mental and emotional level that SUP Yoga reveals its true richness.
The instability of the support forces us to slow down, to breathe with precision, to be totally present. Every posture becomes an act of full awareness. You can't cheat with water: it immediately reflects tensions, imbalances or inner turmoil. SUP Yoga invites you to listen deeply to your body and breath, while cultivating patience, anchoring and adaptability.
A form of meditation in motion, cradled by the elements.
By practicing outdoors, in a soothing natural setting - lake, calm sea, gentle river - the effects of yoga on stress are amplified. Your eyes open to the horizon, your breathing synchronizes with the rhythm of the waves, and your mind lets go.
This alchemy of movement, nature and water makes SUP yoga a complete wellness discipline, ideal for refocusing and toning up.
WHERE TO PRACTICE SUP-YOGA IN FRANCE THIS SUMMER?
From the calm of an Alpine lake to the warmth of a Mediterranean cove, France is full of perfect spots to practice SUP yoga in summer. One of the first criteria to consider is water stability: the flatter the water, the more fluid and accessible the experience, especially for beginners.
That's why many paddle yoga classes are developing on mountain lakes, such as Lac d'Annecy, Serre-Ponçon or Sainte-Croix, where the clarity of the water and the tranquility of the landscape increase the meditative effect of the practice tenfold.
On the Atlantic coast, more and more morning sessions are taking place in protected bays, notably around Arcachon, Noirmoutier or Ile de Ré, where the tides dictate the perfect time for a SUP Yoga session in the heart of nature. On the Mediterranean coast, the creeks of Cassis, the turquoise waters of Porquerolles or the ponds around Montpellier are ideal places to float, breathe and align yourself with the sunrise.
And for those who want a guided experience, many yoga studios and schools now offer supervised SUP Yoga classes at watersports resorts, beach resorts or even wellness festivals. All you need is an hour of calm, a stable board like those offered by Yogaterraeand a little daring to turn your summer into a floating retreat.
So, lake, sea or secret lagoon? France offers an infinite playground for exploring yoga in nature, carried by the breath of the wind and the silence of the water.
SUP-YOGA FOR BEGINNERS, NO STRESS AND HOW TO GET STARTED WITH CONFIDENCE
Contrary to popular belief, SUP Yoga is accessible to all, even those with no prior paddle or yoga experience.
All you need is the ability to swim and the desire to let yourself be carried along, literally and figuratively.
What counts is not perfect mastery of postures, but the ability to listen to your body, to welcome instability as an invitation to be present, and to laugh (often) at falls.
For a first session, the ideal is to choose a calm, shallow body of water, and opt for a stable, wide SUP board designed specifically for yoga.
At Yogaterrae, our models are designed to offer a good balance between lightness, a comfortable landing surface and soft grip under wet feet, see Yogaterrae SUP Yoga boards. You don't need a traditional yoga mat, just the surface of the board, sometimes with a light anti-slip pad.
In terms of clothing, we recommend a comfortable bra, short leggings or a sheathing one-piece swimsuit. An ankle cord (leash) and a light anchor are also recommended if you wish to remain motionless. The most important thing is to stay hydrated, protect yourself from the sun and take it easy, without trying to perform.
For the more hesitant, supervised SUP Yoga classes allow you to take your first steps in a safe and friendly environment.
And often, within the first few minutes, apprehension gives way to a unique feeling of freedom and joy.
SUP Yoga is all about daring to take the plunge and letting yourself float.
SUP-YOGA: MUCH MORE THAN A SPORT, IT'S AN ART OF LIVING IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH NATURE'S ELEMENTS.
Beyond its physical benefits or its summery originality, SUP Yoga embodies a true philosophy of life. Practised at sunrise, in the middle of a sleepy lake or in the silence of an isolated bay, it becomes a ritual, a return to oneself, a moment suspended between sky and sea. Away from noise and screens, the body rediscovers its natural rhythm, the breath becomes attuned to the lapping of the water, and the mind opens up to a form of calm that only slow movement can offer. In this practice, the liquid element becomes a partner, a moving surface that invites inner fluidity and adaptation.
Yoga on the water reminds us all of our deep connection with nature: the instability of the board teaches resilience, the immensity of the sky inspires humility, and the open horizon awakens the desire to explore. It's a living yoga, practiced not to "hold the posture" but to fully inhabit the moment. There's no performance, no expectations: just breath, balance and movement. This is also the DNA of Yogaterrae: to offer experiences that connect body, heart and environment, through conscious practices and equipment designed to last.
When you choose SUP Yoga, you're not just choosing a summer activity. You choose an art of living in harmony with the elements, a return to the essential, to slowness, to the pleasure of being here and now. It's a way of honoring summer in a different way, with wet feet, a light soul and eyes turned towards the horizon.
Thank you TINA for this post
May this summer offer you the opportunity to float, breathe and reconnect, where the water meets the sky.
And if you feel like it... leave your mat on the shore and come discover the beauty of weightless yoga.
TINA's bio
-
TINA
1994, Reunion Island & Mauritius, a Life inspired by the Indian Ocean and Yoga
Since childhood, this intrepid traveler has criss-crossed the globe, leaving her footprints on beaches the world over.Passionate about surfing, scuba diving and sailing, she has made the ocean her playground and source of inspiration.
The freedom of the waves, the serenity of the ocean depths and the wind in his sails have punctuated his journey, always guided by a quest for connection with nature.
Through her explorations, yoga has become more than a practice for her - it's a way of life.
Between morning surf sessions and meditative sunsets, she has found in yoga a perfect balance of strength, fluidity and self-awareness.
Today, she combines her passion for water sports with teaching yoga and is part of the Yogaterrae team, here in France, in the South-West and often remotely :)
This adventuress is a true source of inspiration for anyone who aspires to live in harmony with their body and nature.
Through her stories of incredible experiences, she invites everyone to open up to a world where every wave, every breath and every posture is a celebration of life.
