{"id":11607,"date":"2017-01-08T01:00:17","date_gmt":"2017-01-08T09:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=11607"},"modified":"2017-05-12T10:31:07","modified_gmt":"2017-05-12T17:31:07","slug":"offseason-sutra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2017\/01\/08\/offseason-sutra\/","title":{"rendered":"Off-Season Sutra"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is that indescribable feeling. Sometimes, we get it from navigating a challenging rapid, from finding ourselves surrounded by stunning landscape. Other times, it\u2019s the warmth of good friends playing guitar by a campfire under the endless stars. If we really get down to it, that feeling is being completely present.<\/p>\n

Kayaking can be a sort of addiction. There\u2019s a time when we chase the highs day after day. We experience literal withdrawals and consequential off-the-water crankiness, much to the merited non-sympathy of family and friends. We know that nothing makes us feel as much like ourselves as being in the river. It\u2019s in its crashing waves that we\u2019re flooded with the awe-inspiring feeling that we\u2019re so small, and simultaneously an integral part of something so much bigger. Simply put, the river inspires a state of complete presence.<\/p>\n

Photo: Carla Astorga<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a kayaker, I’m most present in these extreme moments. Moments when my environment demands my complete attention, and to accomplish that my body and mind are forced to focus and flow with their surroundings. But when the water is low, the snow is deep, or a trip isn\u2019t on the horizon, I\u2019ve grown accustomed to grounding myself and realizing presence through yoga.<\/p>\n

There are over 100 different types of yoga that are interconnected physical and mental practices. The roots of yoga are primarily credited to the text, The Yoga Sutra<\/em>, written approximately 2000 years ago\u00a0by the ancient Indian sage Patanjali. Journalist Mara Carrico describes The Yoga Sutra<\/em> as, \u201ca kind of philosophical guidebook for dealing with the challenges of being human.\u201d<\/p>\n

The discipline of physical yoga is called Hatha Yoga and was first developed to literally exhaust the body and the nervous system so that it could sit for meditation, which could be described as \u201cmental yoga.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Hatha Yoga is the yoga we are most familiar with in Western culture: it makes us feel like we\u2019re doing something. Holding a Chaturanga, or a low plank push-up position, makes us sweat and brings us into the present moment with its challenge. Our core muscles grow strong, our arms toned, but something else happens, too. We begin to notice our reactions to a situation that is uncomfortable\u2014the negative grumbles, the irrational distaste for the instructor, and the hope for karmic retaliation.<\/p>\n

But with time, we learn to notice our thoughts as simply\u00a0thoughts, and in that recognition, we are able to shift our perception of the present moment to something more joyful, even if it\u2019s hard. The situation becomes sensational instead of emotional, and as it is impermanent\u2014we aren\u2019t going to be in Chaturanga forever\u2014we realize that we have the option to either get lost in the spin of a negative mind or fully engage and grow within our sufferfest.<\/p>\n

On the river, we learn to find peace in chaos. If we don\u2019t, we either get lucky or we get worked.<\/p>\n

Similar to kayaking, in yoga you have to put in your work. Eventually, we realize the work is the reward, and the journey is the destination. Practicing eddy turns or sun salutations is fun, but sometimes it may seem monotonous. In the end, it\u2019s all about showing up. Once we force ourselves off the couch, and into that dry top or through the doors of that class, we improve. Whether it\u2019s recognized immediately or much later, we gain valuable knowledge about our bodies, our capabilities and ourselves. We are building muscle memory and training the mind to be fully present in comfort and discomfort, in stillness and movement, in transition and balance for a better reality on and off the yoga mat, and on and off the river.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For paddling, in addition to a growing feeling of focus and presence in and out of a boat, yoga can be a key tool to build strength, prevent injury and maintain flexibility and flow. According to the American Osteopathic Association, the benefits of yoga go beyond that to include improved respiration, energy and vitality, maintaining a balanced metabolism, weight reduction, cardio and circulatory health, an overall improved athletic performance, as well as reduced stress, anxiety and insomnia. So, why not, right?<\/p>\n

Here are four yoga poses that help maintain strength and flexibility specific to kayaking and rowing muscles. They can be done on any riverbank, campsite, hotel floor or truck stop. To begin, breathe. Float the eyes closed for a moment and draw attention to your breath. Simply by noticing it, it will grow to fill its potential.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Plank<\/strong>: In a standard push-up position, align the hands under the shoulders and root through the palms. Feel energy in the entire back\u00a0and, as toes are tucked, push heels down\u00a0while simultaneously extending through the crown of the head, creating a sensation of growing in two directions. Plank is a key pose for building shoulder and core strength for boaters. If the integrity of the pose is being compromised, drop the knees. If you feel like a challenge, inhale the right hand off the ground extending forward and the left foot off the ground extending back while keeping the hips even and square to the ground. Switch sides.<\/p>\n