Paddleboard yoga classes coming to the Black Isle
Tania Mackie says teaching the sessions and yoga generally are helping her after being diagnosed with Lyme Disease
Last updated 18th Apr 2022
Dedicated yoga classes with a difference are being run in the Highlands.
Paddleboard yoga sessions will start tonight and be held across the Black Isle over the next few weeks.
More formally known as Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) yoga, the activity is normally held in areas with a warmer climate.
Trained paddle sports and yoga instructor Tania Mackie says the activity has numerous health and well-being benefits and is also helping with her recovery from Lyme Disease.
Hawaii sport coming to the Black Isle
Originating from Hawaii in the 1940s, SUP yoga was initially introduced by a surfer who due to getting older, decided to start using his canoe paddle while surfing.
The sport then evolved from there.
Tania previously held taster sessions as part of a collection of yoga activities in Inverness, but this is the first time she's holding dedicated classes in the Black Isle.
She said: "We're using sheltered locations local to the Black Isle and we're anchoring the board.
"We're really quite near to the shore or using a harbour with permission.
"We then get on the board, anchor and away we go.
"I run yoga classes in the evenings, I've been supporting online yoga all the way through the last couple of years.
"It's kept me going as well as our yoga community.
"There's a huge benefit of being outdoors for well-being.
"You have to concentrate, because let's face it, if you're alignment goes slightly wrong in paddle board yoga, it can lead to a wee dip.
"It does hone your skills for coming back onto the mat, and it's also fun."
Yoga sessions helping with personal Lyme Disease battle
Tania was recently diagnosed with the bacterial infection, Lyme Disease.
She says her recovery has been extremely stressful, as like many others had difficulty with getting diagnosed.
Tania says teaching yoga and oraganising these new classes has aided her recovery.
She added: "Yoga's helped me through this and in particular being outdoors and breathing lots of oxygen and getting Vitamin D when the sun shines is really good for you.
"I'm starting these classes partly as part of my recovery, but also to share that it has a host of benefits for lots and lots of different people."