Let’s go paddleboarding!

The first time I ever saw someone on a paddle board was years ago in one of those Celebrity gossip magazines. It was either Jennifer Aniston or Cameron Diaz in the ocean, balancing on what looked like a surf board with a paddle in hand. The article said something about what a great exercise paddle boarding was and how great it is for the core muscles. Both actresses have amazing athletic bodies. I really wanted to try it! Didn’t ever think I would be anywhere that I could paddle board. It seemed like a West Coast sport, not an East Coast thing. (Sometimes I think in a previous life I lived in California.)

Well guess what? I finally tried it! Last year actually. I had a few hours without the kids last Summer and went out on a lake for an hour. It was very easy actually. I enjoyed the sun as it kissed my skin. The sky was very blue that day and the clouds were fluffy cotton balls. I paddled out to the middle of the lake and sat on the paddle board. Breathed in the Summer air. Then….a black fly started biting my leg. Ouch! What the heck are you supposed to do in the middle of a lake when a black fly starts to attack you? Not cool. Not cool at all little black fly. Ruining my zen moment. Time to paddle back.

As peaceful as the paddle board experience was, I wish I had a friend out there with me to enjoy the scenery. Not the fly.

Fast forward to this Summer. My husband and I had a few hours without the kids so I suggested we go to Marsh Creek State Park for a few hours and go paddle boarding and kayaking! He agreed! Woot!

He didn’t think he could balance on a board so it was is idea to get the kayak.

Marsh Creek Boat Rental

We decided to go out on the lake for an hour. I love Summer time!!!! Just a few instructions from the rental people and we are off. The board looks brand new and it looks a bit wider then last years. I notice the name on the board is Naish. Cool. First, you start off kneeling, then you get yourself up to a standing position and balance yourself. I can already feel my shoulders getting a workout from the paddling. My feet hurt a little unfortunately because we were standing all night long at a Dave Matthews Band concert. (good times)

It really is a nice view of the lake as you are standing on the board. This time no flies to bother me and I have company. Paddle Boarding is a very social sport. We talk to a man who goes by on his kayak. And we met a few others along the way. Then I convince my husband that he should try it too. We make our way over to the other side of the lake to switch. Paddle Boarding a a fun sport to do, but it is also a great workout. I am definitely feeling it in my arms, shoulders and abs. And if you can find something that doesn’t feel like a chore to do and it helps you stay in shape then its a two thumbs up from me! On the other side of the lake we found the hiking trails and people horse back riding. I feel another challenge in the near future. (Horse Back riding)

My husband did a good job for his first time on a paddle board. But guess what found him!?  A horse fly! They are worse then black flies. He nearly lost his balance and almost ended up in the lake. LOL. If only I had a video camera.

I enjoyed the kayaking too. Definitely relaxing. It is a great for toning and strengthening the upper body. It is pretty easy to do too. If you have bad knees and are looking for some cardio, kayaking could benefit you. I preferred the paddle board. It had better views of the lake and I felt it was more relaxing and more of an overall toning.

The kayak that we rented that day was a good size for my husband but too wide for me. My fingers kept getting smashed into the sides of the kayak when I paddled. Now I know that kayaks come in different shapes and sizes. He liked the paddle board better too.

Next time we go out on the lake, I might try the Yoga class on the paddle board or the kayak or paddle board racing. Fun right? I took a photo of all the kayaks so you can see the differences of shapes, colors and sizes.

If you would like more information on all the different kinds of water sports that Marsh Creek State Park has to offer click here.

I also checked out the website where the paddle board came from. They are called Naish and are from Hawaii. We might be purchasing one for next Summer. Awesome board and awesome site! Naishsurfing.com

Hopefully this weekend I will be able to try Marsh Creeks Yoga on a Paddle Board. The class is free. I just need a paddle board. Can’t wait to try it!

Big yellow kayak

Kayak lake view

Different types of kayaks

Paddle Boarding

Paddle Boarding

Related articles

3 plan to paddle board across Lake Michigan (jsonline.com)

Paddle Boarding Growing In Popularity Across Minnesota (minnesota.cbslocal.com)

You want me to do a hand stand?

This is me after class

“Now that you are warmed up, I want you to find wall space and do a hand stand.” Shannon the Yoga Instructor says. The last time I ever tried to do a hand stand was when I was twelve years old. I was probably trying to be a Gymnast or something in my backyard.

It’s a small sized class. I stand back and watch the others attempt the hand stand with their feet against the wall. My Best friend Abbey does it like it’s her day job. First try and I actually did it! I, Andy, in my 35 year old body did a full hand stand! Now I can cross that off of my bucket list. 😉

The hand stand pose was one of the easier poses of the night. We also did a wheel pose while doing push ups. Wish I had a photo of that one!

This is my third class that I have taken of Shannon’s. I have to say, that it may be time to join Cirque Du Soleil! I can now brush my hair with a comb in between my toes. Just kidding. Maybe I can? Oh, never mind.

I can tell that I am becoming more flexible. After three yoga classes, I can now do The Bird of Paradise pose. I took a photograph of my best friend doing it, but can not post the photo because I know she would disapprove. So here is one I found on the internet.

Bird of Paradise

What I love about the Yoga class is that it is Vinyasa Flow or some know it as Power Yoga. And Shannon has several portable heaters in the room to make you sweat. The heat is to help you stretch further into the pose. Or to make you feel like a pretzel.

But seriously, Abbey goes to the class to help with her Hip Displesia and I go for strength and core.

Funny moment in class. The Instructor is teaching us to be light on our feet. She tells us to float forward from plank to feet in between hands without making a sound. Guess who sounded like an elephant? Me! All of five feet two inches. Probably the tiniest one in the room. Everyone got a good laugh out of it though.

Ok, so here are a few pics we took after class that day.

Learning Crow Pose

Successful Crow Pose

Side Crow

What I have learned with some of Yoga’s advanced moves is that you have to learn to trust yourself and your body.

Shannon said that eventually I will be able to do this!

Side Crow Variation

Here is one more of my friend Abbey doing The Scorpion Pose. She used to be a dancer. Can you tell?

Abbey doing Scorpion Pose

Let me sum up my experience in Shannon’s class.

I thought the class was Intermediate to Advanced. You will sweat so bring a towel. Great for stamina, strength, flexibility, improved blood circulation, better digestion, core strength. No mirrors, but I loved that Shannon is hands on and she will go around the room and correct you. It is not meditation yoga. It is more of a fast flow and breathing to get from one pose to the next. She does turn the lights off at the end of the session which is nice. She did mention that she made the last class harder because she knew she had all advanced yogis that night. She does do more beginner moves if there are beginners in her class. I am looking forward to taking her class outside of the room and outside at a local park.

To find out more information or to sign up for a free class go to

http://www.dragongym.com/index.php?page=ourprograms/yoga.htm

My Mission

Namaste

Hi everyone!

My name is Andy!

Who is addicted to fitness? (me raising both hands)

I just wanted to mention a little bit of what you will find on my blog.

I will be going to different places to try new workout routines and writing about the experience. I will also document my exercise routines or classes with my camera and photos. 🙂

I am also really into healing your body the natural way with what the earth has provided us and will post as many tips I can on being healthier from the inside out.

Pretty much anything that is health and wellness related you will see on here. I will post a few recipes, my favorite natural products, healthy snacks, supplements to take, inspiration, quotes, natural home remedies, etc. (I made an awesome natural bug spray I will post about later), places to shop.

Tonight my friend and I are heading to a local Hot Yoga class. I am bringing a towel, a mat and my good camera. Will write a post about our experience afterwards.

Enjoy your day!

Namaste