Photo courtesy of Leisha Knight.
Students participate in a paddleboard yoga class at Oak Mountain State Park’s marina.
In Leisha Knight’s paddleboard yoga classes, some participants struggle to keep their balance on the boards, while others are doing handstands. But Knight’s goal is that everyone walks away with a good experience.
“It’s a great opportunity to work on balance, strength and stability in a whole other way,” said Knight, who has been practicing yoga for 15 years and teaching it for 10.
The paddleboard yoga classes are held at Oak Mountain State Park twice a month throughout the summer, and 2019 marks their fourth year. Knight, who primarily teaches vinyasa yoga, said getting out of a studio and onto the water changes the “energy” of the class.
“You’re outside, which really gives you a chance to feel the connectedness to nature,” she said.
The classes are about an hour long and include poses with modifications for beginners and advanced students, Knight said, and they try to keep classes “chill” rather than intense.
“We want everybody to get a chance to try something, get some play time in and also feel like they get that yoga experience in,” Knight said.
In addition to paddleboard classes, Knight will lead yoga hikes at Oak Mountain on a couple summer dates.
For the paddleboard class, Knight recommends participants wear sunscreen and a swimsuit or clothes they’re comfortable with getting wet, as well as a water bottle to leave at the marina. Students must be able to swim.
The classes can rent up to 12 boards from the OMSP marina, on Terrace Drive, or participants can bring their own. The cost of the class is $25 if you rent a board and $15 if you bring your own.
Paddleboard yoga will be held 9-10 a.m. on June 22 and 29, July 13 and 27, Aug. 10 and 24 and Sept. 7 and 22. There will also be a meditation hike June 15 and a sunrise yoga and meditation class June 16, as well as other workshops in June and teacher training in September.
For more information on upcoming programs or to register for a class, visit yogatrekkinginternational.com.
