PORTAGE, Michigan (WOOD) — A yoga studio in Kalamazoo is merging outdoor classes with a widely enjoyed fitness trend in lakeside West Michigan: paddle boarding.
Any exercise you can perform on a yoga mat on the floor, you can also do on a paddleboard,” stated Kaitlyn VanderMeer, the founder of KP Fitness in Kalamazoo. “It’s simply about how much you activate your core muscles.
VanderMeer, who started offering stand up paddle board yoga classes more than three years ago, conducts sessions at Woods Lake in Kalamazoo and Ramona Park Beach on Long Lake in Portage.
In Portage, the boards offered are rigid boards,” VanderMeer stated. “In contrast, the boards that KP Fitness provides are inflatable. I’ve had some individuals visit both just to experience the difference.
The session starts with a 10-minute land-based warm-up before moving into a 45- or 50-minute yoga practice on the water.
I’ve had people fall off,” VanderMeer remarked. “Occasionally, it’s simply part of the process.
Some of the postures that VanderMeer guides students through on the water, such as the child’s pose, downward-facing dog, tree pose, and tabletop position, may be familiar to participants.
A lot of yoga teachers teach headstands and handstands,” VanderMeer stated. “I haven’t really felt the need to do that very often yet, simply because sometimes I have students who have never tried paddleboarding and have never practiced yoga before.
To accommodate those new to yoga or paddle boarding, VanderMeer ensures the experience is accessible for beginners, while also providing additional poses for those seeking a greater challenge.
We recognize small victories,” VanderMeer stated. “Getting to their feet on the board — for some, that can be their main objective.
Individuals attending VanderMeer’s class at Woods Lake are encouraged to bring their own paddleboard or rent an inflatable from KP Fitness. The $30 admission charge for visitors to Ramona Park Beach provides access to a paddleboard, oar, life vest, and anchor.
VanderMeer’s class on July 23 has reached capacity, but there are still spots available for the session on July 30 at Ramona Park Beach.
Give it a try,” VanderMeer said. “The worst that could happen is you tumble down.
For additional details about stand up paddle board yoga,go to the KP Fitness website.
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