Fitness seekers of all backgrounds can take their training to the mat and the pool all at once by using a GlideFit for their workouts, balance training, rehabilitation and more. But for yogis especially, this sleek and sturdy floating yoga mat raises the stakes of any flow. When holding a normally ground-bound pose on a GlideFit, new muscle fibers engage to increase strength and stability on land and water alike.
Here are some moves and sequences to try as you get to know your GlideFit:
- Hatha Sun Salutations:
Since hatha yoga is the basis for all other yoga styles, it’s usually a bit simpler and gentler on the body. Sun salutations are commonly used to begin the practice; they’re also a great place to start on your floating yoga mat! I got this sequence from True Ayurveda.
When you first stand to plant your feet, take a moment to note where your weight should be to stabilize your standing position. Once you feel (relatively) steady, continue the sequence. Take another moment in downward dog to get a sense of the change in weight distribution. This sequence should help familiarize you with your GlideFit and how it carries your particular body.
- Asana Twist Sequence:
In Sanskrit, “asana” translates to “comfortable seat.” So if you’re not quite ready to spend much time upright, this sequence from the Yoga Journal may be more your speed. But don’t be fooled: this flow includes a series of twists that might upset your balance and send you splashing if you don’t keep that core tight!
Use this sequence to get comfortable shifting your center of gravity in different directions while staying rooted on your floating yoga mat.
- Standing Pose Sequence:
Bikram yoga offers a number of standing poses that are useful to finding one’s balance on a floating yoga mat. But unless you, like me, live somewhere where outdoor temperatures meet the 105 degrees required for traditional Bikram, you’ll be spared the heat as you try them. In any case, a refreshing dip awaits should you stumble.
I recommend the first seven steps of Bikram’s 26-pose program. Photos of each pose can be found on the official Bikram Yoga website, and the following video demostrates them in action.
The first pose, “standing with breathing,” requires you zip your legs tightly together and press your shoulders back and down as hands clasp beneath your chin. Maintain this alignment and spinal elongation as you move through “half moon pose”—shifting that center of gravity sideways—and “awkward pose,” shifting it downward.
Poses four through seven will take you to one leg, first in the tightly bound “eagle pose,” and then in a series of horizontal extensions. Focus on elongating in this postures to keep your core stable. It may also be helpful to include a classic “tree pose” somewhere in this routine to hone your upright posture.