Surfing and yoga are a match made in heaven — and it is no accident.
Pre-surf stretching has been part of surfing since forever — you will never see a surfer enter the water without warming up first.
Using your limbs in ways alien to most other daily activities takes its toll, even on bodies whose owners consider themselves quite fit. Yoga is how we prepare for the water, and how we recover from it — three unhurried afternoons a week, at your own pace.
Balance is the
whole game.
Unless you are a seasoned swimmer, your arms are not used to paddling, so shoulders can react unpleasantly to catching lots of waves. Good balance is an essential part of surfing — and yoga brings together many of the skills you need to surf well.
- Stretch and lengthen aching, overworked limbs.
- Relax the mind and slow the breath.
- Repair and tone for the next day on the water.
Slow afternoons,
in the garden.
Yoga really concentrates on the individual. Ella is wonderful at pin-pointing your sore spots and gently encouraging your body to give and relax.
Classes are held in our tropical garden, three afternoons a week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday — once the day on the water is done.
You do not have to be a regular practitioner to take and enjoy a class. The style is Ashtanga: a dynamic, flowing practice that builds the strength, flexibility and balance that carry straight over to surfing.
You must pre-book to guarantee your spot. We have our own mats at Swell that you are welcome to use any time, and other venues nearby if you would like more practice.
Stretch, relax,
repair, tone.
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Stretch
Open the shoulders and hips that paddling and pop-ups tighten up all day.
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Relax
Slow the breath and settle the mind — the calm that carries out to the line-up.
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Repair
Ease and lengthen aching limbs so you wake up ready for the next session.
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Tone
Build the deep control and stability that holds a clean line on the wave.
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Balance
The single skill surfing leans on most — trained on the mat, felt on the board.
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Align
Proper alignment to maximise performance and keep niggles from becoming injuries.
Warm, supportive,
and a surfer too.
Originally from Norway, Ella encourages students to explore beyond their perceived limitations — emphasising proper alignment to maximise performance and prevent injury. Yoga first served as a complement to her active lifestyle; soon it became an integral part of it.
- A dedicated Ashtanga practitioner.
- Surfer and yogi for years — she knows the strains surfing brings.
- Friendly, relaxed teaching that meets you where you are.
Three afternoons
a week.
Held in the garden at Swell, after the day on the water. You must pre-book to guarantee your place.
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Mon · Wed · Fri
Three afternoon sessions across your week-long stay, after the water.
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Ashtanga
A dynamic, flowing style — taught by Ella, our experienced resident yogi.
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$25 per class
Per person, per class. Pre-book to guarantee your place on the mat.
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All levels
No experience needed. Mats are provided and yours to use any time.
The afternoon, framed.
Before you
step on the mat.
The things first-timers and seasoned practitioners ask us most. Anything we've missed — write to us, a real person replies within a day.
Our surf & yoga weeks suit people who have never surfed and want to learn, while enjoying three yoga classes on a Caribbean retreat. The yoga is Ashtanga, taught by an experienced yogi, and pairs perfectly with our learn-to-surf programme.
Ella, our yogi, specialises in Ashtanga — a dynamic, flowing style that builds the strength, flexibility and balance that carry straight over to surfing.
Absolutely. Ella’s teaching is warm and supportive; she encourages students to explore beyond their perceived limitations while emphasising proper alignment to prevent injury. You do not have to be a regular practitioner to take and enjoy a class. We run three classes per week-long stay, and mats are provided.
No — we have our own yoga mats at Swell that you are welcome to use any time, in class or on your own. Other venues are available nearby if you would like more practice than the three weekly sessions.
Limited spaces available
Tell us your dates, which watersport you’d like to learn (or improve) and we’ll send you a custom price and availability quote; almost instantly. Hasta pronto.