Kitesurfing has gained popularity over the years as have kitesurfers and yogis. Many people who do one will surely do the other as they make a great combo. Traveling around the world, you will likely find kite spots with yoga shalas in the same vicinity. Let’s look at 6 yoga poses you can do after a kitesurfing session.

Kitesurfing requires a high level of concentration and co-ordination in every move. You engage many muscles in the body during your time out on the water. The main muscles groups are your abdominals, hip flexors, upper back, triceps, hands, shoulders, quadriceps and hamstrings. Balance and strong lungs are also needed to achieve results.

Whether you are just learning to get up on that board or are heavy into jumps and tricks, you will benefit from these yoga poses. Here are 6 yoga poses to do after kitesurfing:

1. Bridge / Setu Bandhasana

This posture is a great way to stretch many areas of your body. Whether using a block to support your lower back or engaging in the posture as is. This pose opens up your chest and hip flexors and increases flexibility in the hips and spine.

2. Cobra or Sphinx / Bhujangasana or Niravalasana

One of the main muscles that are used in kitesurfing is you abdominals. This yoga pose is essential in stretching out the muscles and creating more flexibility in that region.

3. Melting Heart / Anahatasana

This posture is not only relaxing but is a great way to stretch out the spine, hips and shoulders. It also expands the chest and lungs that you have worked so well during your kitesurf. By lifting up your hands, placing them in Anjali mudra/prayer position, and keeping your elbows in front of you, you are also stretching your triceps.

4. Lizard / Utthan Pristhasana to Low Crescent Lunge / Anjaneyasana

Lizard and low crescent lunge helps stretch the hipflexors and quadriceps. By transitioning from one held pose to another, you are improving balance, concentration and core awareness.

5. Head-To-Knee-Forward Bend / Janu Sirsasana

This posture is strong stretch for your hamstrings. By taking your stretch one leg at a time, you can really focus on each hamstring and going deeper into the stretch.

6. Lotus Pose with Reverse Prayer Hands / Padmasana with Anjali Mudra

This posture might be tough for some to do, but with practice you can benefit from this posture as it helps with flexibility of the hips, knees and ankles. When placing your hands in reverse prayer position, you are also stretching your shoulders and wrists. If your hands do not rotate in such position yet, you may grab your elbows as a variation.

As with any water sport, lung health is important. Yoga is a great way to practice breathing techniques to expand your lungs and let go of the mind, so you can fully engage in the present moment. Stretching your muscles after taking part in a long afternoon of kitesurfing will help you reduce muscle soreness and increase flexibility, balance and mobility to better your sessions.

Hopefully these 6 yoga poses will help you after your exciting kitesurfing session. May you be one with the breath and the waves.

Namaste!