Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga is Making Waves in Vancouver

Vancouver’s outdoor fitness scene has long embraced the elements, whether it’s running the Seawall, scaling the Grouse Grind, or taking an ice plunge in the Pacific.

For those looking for a workout that blends movement with mindfulness, stand-up paddleboard yoga (SUP yoga) offers a careful balance of the two.

"You can’t cheat the water," said Kristy Wright Schell, a pioneer of SUP yoga in Vancouver. "Your alignment has to be precise, your movement intentional, and your mind completely present."

Schell first brought the practice to Vancouver in 2011 through Stand-Up Paddleboard Vancouver, making her one of the first in the city to merge yoga with the sport. Her classes, offered at the Westin Bayshore, have since drawn everyone from fitness junkies to first-timers hoping to find their footing, often, quite literally, as Schell said about half the class, on average, takes a plunge into the water.

The Flow of the Water, The Flow of the Mind

Unlike a studio practice, where a steady floor supports each pose, SUP yoga introduces the unpredictable element of waves. Even a slight ripple demands full-body engagement, creating a core-intensive, balance-driven experience that challenges both strength and stillness.

"You can see people arriving tense; their energy ripples out onto the water," said Schell. But by the time they ease into the flow, that tension dissipates as they find their inner calm. "It forces you to focus, to surrender to the movement of the water."

The session begins with grounding postures, such as seated stretches and breathwork, to establish stability. From there, it moves into standing sequences, including downward dog, warrior poses, and the occasional balancing act, where even the most experienced yogis can find themselves unexpectedly submerged.

Floating Meditation

For many, SUP yoga is as much about mental resilience as it is about physical agility. The practice demands focus, adaptability, and an ability to release control.

"The water always wins," Schell said she reminds her students, urging them to let go of their expectations and simply be present.

In an era of high-stress levels, as many try to incorporate more mindfulness into their lives, SUP yoga offers a refreshing and freeing alternative to meditation cushions and studio walls. As awareness around mental health and stress reduction continues to grow, floating on the water might be the perfect way to unplug from both technology and daily anxieties.

A Workout for Every Season

While summer classes take place on the open water, SUP yoga in Vancouver isn’t just a fair-weather sport. Throughout the colder months, sessions move indoors to heated pools, keeping the experience accessible year-round.

And for those wary of the inevitable dunk? "You’ll fall in at least once," Schell laughed. "But that’s part of the fun. The best way to do SUP yoga is to embrace the fall because that’s where the learning happens."

So whether you're looking for a unique fitness challenge, a mindful escape, or a new way to test your balance, SUP yoga offers a unique experience where, sometimes, the best way to stay grounded is to let yourself float.