A WORCESTER stand up paddleboard yoga expert was named one of Eventbrite’s most innovative yogis for driving diversity.
International yoga day was on June, 21 and Eventbrite revealed that the number of yoga events has grown by 33 per cent over the last year and attendance increased by 55 per cent.
Alex Wittering from Worcester teaches the sport to people in the region – she is one of only a handful of people in the UK who has all three qualifications in yoga, SUP instructing and ASI SUP yoga instructing.
Alex teaches people on the River Avon, at Lidos in Cheltenham, Chipping Norton and on a private lake in Malvern Hills.
Classes take place between May and September and she runs two full day retreats with mindfulness workshops led by her husband James.
Alex says: “SUP yoga was very niche when I started but it’s most definitely on the up.
“The added challenge of balancing on our boards leaves us little room for busy thoughts, it’s a fun way to improve your strength, flexibility and balance.
“It’s about getting outdoors, embracing a new perspective and restoring even the most frazzled minds.
“I think it’s becoming more popular because anyone who has ever laid by the sea listening to the waves, or meandered along a riverbank will know the calming effect of the water.
“It adds another special dimension to your yoga practice.”
Eventbrite’s Sebastian Boppert said:
“Yoga provides many body and mind benefits through poses, breathing techniques and meditation, but there’s no rule book to say you can’t have a little fun when doing so.
“Some yogis may prefer to do things the traditional way but alternative classes on Eventbrite can be equally effective even when they’re a little different – Alex’s SUP yoga classes are a great example of this.”
