AppId is over the quota
I'm a huge fan of Stand Up Paddling. It is my favorite form of exercise and play. You can find me out on the water several days a week all year 'round. Lucky me! There are many good reasons why this popular sport is my favorite and is always increasing in popularity:
1) First and foremost Stand Up Paddling (SUP) is fun and easy. I believe that nearly any able-bodied person at any age can participate in this sport. I recently took my 73-year-old mom out. She did great and had a blast. Did she get a little wet the first time out? Well yes, BUT she had fun, got some good exercise and only fell in once...
2) SUP is great exercise. What makes it great? It involves most major muscle groups in your body and many minor ones. You can paddle harder for a good cardio workout or you can take it easy and it will still be a nice muscular workout. Either way, the exercise is resistance-based and very low impact.
3) Stand up paddling works your core as well as your arms, legs and back. As mentioned previously it is a resistance-based form of movement. As you paddle, your core and your legs resist the movement of your board to keep you from toppling over. Gentle, yet effective.
4) SUP improves your balance. If you already have great balance this sport will be that much easier for you. If you don't have good balance, you can still do this sport and with time your balance will improve. Most stand up paddle boards are large and stable. My board is 12 feet long and 31 inches wide. No problem! The act of standing on the board, paddling and having your body use many tiny and large muscular movements to keep you centered and upright through flat water, as well as small waves and large ones, will help improve your balance over time.
5) Paddling can be meditative. Gliding along on tranquil water can take you into a meditative space where you are completely in the moment. Or it can be a quiet time for reflective thought.
6) Or it can be social! Paddling with a group of friends (or strangers) is a fun social activity. It is easy to paddle and chat.
7) Enjoy nature. Last but not least on my list is something that drew me out on to the water the most and a large part of what keeps me there. There are so many opportunities to enjoy nature from your stand up paddle board. Whether you are on a lake, river, ocean or bay, nature abounds. From the beautiful natural scenery around you to the variety of aquatic birds and animals you see.
On the water there is always a large variety of aquatic birds. From the osprey (sea hawk) or the eagle to the common seagull. I love to watch flocks of pelicans glide and dive and watch the migratory birds that pass through our area in the winter. Of these, my favorite are the puffins who overwinter in my area from Canada and Alaska.
Many creatures are also swimming under my board. There are always schools of fish, but I also often encounter rays, sea lions, seals and dolphins. Just last week I paddled with a pod of dolphins for at least 15 minutes who were perfectly accepting of my presence. They traveled next to me and upside down under my board, looking up at me. It was wonderful!
The height you have looking down from a stand up paddle board (as opposed to a kayak, canoe or prone paddle board for instance) allows much greater viewing of the creatures in and on the water.
There are many more reasons to stand up paddle but let this small list entice you to begin to find your own reasons. Enjoy!
Click on the links below to learn more about fitness and natural, holistic health, including Aura Exploration Patches and a free "how to" guide for EFT.
http://wellspringsandiego.com/ or http://naturalhealththerapies.org/
Kristine Clemenger, a Holistic Health Practitioner in San Diego, California since 1999, is the author of many articles on holistic health, fitness and nutrition. She is also a Stand Up Paddle and nature enthusiast!
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