Paddleboard yoga takes next logical step: onto land

This is one of those yoga marketing items that drive me crazy, but at the same time I know enough to know that … there’s something to it.

For about 15 years, a company called Indo Board has been making balance aids designed very specifically for surfers, first, and then for snowboarders, wakeboarders, etc.

I had one, way back when. (I think my nephew ended up with it.)

Essentially, you have a fairly short — longer and wider than a typical skateboard, but not by a lot — board and a roller; put them together and you have a balance challenge. Or surfing and snowboarding in your living room.

See where this is going, right? (OK, the headline gives it away.)

The Indo Board folks have now come out with a much longer version designed to bring paddleboard yoga to dry land.

Hmmm… here’s what they say about it:

“The Indo Yoga Board simulates unstable yoga on a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board. The Natural deck features an all wood board with our new Indo Board Yoga logo on a smooth surface. (Includes Indo Board Yoga Deck and 3x IndoFLO Cushions)”

It ain’t cheap: $375. So you have to really love your paddleboard yoga. I don’t. But I did like my Indo Board back in the day.

After lulling you in with that piece, I have a far more serious story to link you to: An Australian Ashtanga teacher — although not one authorized or certified as far as I can tell — is on the wrong end of a lawsuit, filed by a student who says an adjustment injured her severely.

It’s got to be among the biggest nightmares for yoga teachers, right? I don’t know any of the details beyond this piece from The Australian, and so can’t comment beyond saying I pass it on because it’s a rare mainstream news piece that mentions Ashtanga specifically and as a reminder of the at times perilous path yoga instructors walk. Here’s a few bits (WordPress is acting up, so no “blockquote” — apologies. The paper’s account ends after it quotes the website):

“A former yoga student is suing her instructor after sustaining serious injuries while in a posture, known as the supta kurmasana.

“The 42-year-old mother was in the contortionist pose in a class in Cottesloe three years ago when instructor Marc Potter “performed an adjustment”, which allegedly caused significant spinal damage requiring surgery.

“The woman, who asked not to be named, this week launched a civil lawsuit against Mr Potter, of Trigg, claiming damages, costs and interest.

“The District Court writ claims personal injuries and loss suffered by the woman were “caused or materially contributed to by the negligence and/or breach of contract of the defendant and/or trespass to the person by the defendant in the provision of instruction and adjustment while the plaintiff was attempting the yoga pose”.

“Mr Potter, the founder of Claremont business Sun Salute Yoga, declined to comment on advice from his lawyer.

“”All I can say is this is in the hands of insurers,” he said.

“His website says he is well-known throughout Australia by fellow “yogis” and surfers for his genuine and authentic approach to teaching yoga. “Fondly known by his students and friends as Potts, he has helpe thousands of people through the healing journey of Ashtanga Yoga,” it said.”

I think I’ve seen him in videos when I’ve been searching for our Friday asana aids… but other than that, I don’t know anything about Potter.

Posted by Steve