Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and nonjudgmentally.
Mindfulness and Surfing, The Perfect Match
By purposefully directing our awareness away from our thoughts towards our present moment experience we create a space of freedom where calmness and contentment can grow.
So if we want to practice mindfulness we need to be 100% aware of every action we are experiencing. Surf mindfulness has the power to do so in an easy way.
I started surfing four years ago when I moved from Argentina to France. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy at all. Surfing it’s a complex sport that requires lots of effort, commitment, and perseverance in order to progress. A surfer can spend a lifetime improving their skills.
How To Succeed At Surfing
In order to catch a wave and stand up on the surfboard, there are specific steps to follow that require full attention.
The way we position our body and the eye gaze direction will determine if we actually stand up or if we fall. The mind has to be calm, focused, and align with our bodies. Just like in everyday life, a balance between these two will help us overcome our fears and remain centered in challenging situations.
In surfing, there are external factors that we cannot control like the waves and the wind. To understand nature our senses have to be totally awakened. There’s no place for the thoughts coming and going from the past to the future, our mind is in the present moment.
A Happy Rush Of Neurochemicals
Happy at Koh Tao, Thailand
When catching the wave a powerful “rush” of neurochemicals, including oxytocin, endorphins, and dopamine flows to the brain making us feel happy and alive.
After the surf session, there’s a feeling of well-being and calmness that allows us to kick off the day full of confidence and energy.
Surfing is a sport that offers a number of health, mind, and fitness benefits.
If you are still hesitating about giving it a try I will give you 5 more reasons to take a surf lesson today!
Top Health, Mind And Fitness Benefits Of Surfing
Yoga at the dunes of Pinar del Pilar, La Palma
1. The Adrenaline Effect
Researchers have found that adventure sports (such as surfing, skiing, rock climbing) which create the adrenaline rush effect have a positive effect on your stress levels…not by reducing stress, but rather by helping your body produce more positive stress, which then conditions your body and mind to better handle stress in everyday life.
2. Vitamin D
The vitamin D you get from being out in the sun is essential for strong bones, as it regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Vitamin D also helps regulate the growth of skin cells.
3. Workout
Surfing strengthens the core and legs, and it develops your body through the constantly changing movement and height of the waves. Surfing for 30 to 60 minutes can burn as many as 130 to 260 calories.
4. Improved balance
One of the best exercise benefits associated with surfing is the improvement that it creates in your balance. In order to stay on the surfboard, you must have a strong ability to maintain your balance. This skill carries over into everyday life.
5. Self-gratification and surf mindfulness
It takes time, commitment, and perseverance in order to progress. But once you commit and overcome this barrier, the rewards are huge. You will not only enjoy all the physical and mental benefits that surfing has to offer, but you’ll also have proven to yourself that you can achieve goals that at some point seem unattainable.
This surf mindfulness article was brought to you by Julia, author of Bikinis Everywhere.
I love beach. I want to start surfing, but I’m a little scared. But with these images in mind it seems that fear passes, lol. Thanks for sharing.