Lake Tahoe is a land of outdoor magic. You can enjoy it, connect with it and get to know your Self through the practices of yoga.

I began teaching yoga asana on paddle boards in 2010. As a poineer of the practice on Lake Tahoe I had to learn how to manage and guide the experience without any formal training or coaching. I had to rely on my knowledge of teaching yoga, understanding of water safety and that which was shared with me by partners offering similar experiences.  I was lucky to have partners to collaborate with and made new friends who shared their knowledge of the water and use of paddle boards. We created a community of paddling people who shared in the joy and passion of being on the water.

I brought friends and loyal practitioners out on the water, taught them to use paddle boards properly, to pose, breathe and focus while balancing on the water and, ultimately, created a teacher training program focused upon guiding practices on Lake Tahoe.  Why so specific? Because Tahoe has 5 different wind patterns, multiple forms of motorized water traffic and is regulated by 4 counties, 2 states and the Coast Guard.  Offering anything on the water requires knowledge of the wind, water, climate, activities on the lake and the requirements for the various vessels that share the water.

You are more than a moving being.  Like all living things you are a small piece of the much bigger system.  When we practice yoga everywhere we become more aware of how everything is interconnected.  

Practicing yoga asana, breathwork and mindfulness while floating on water adds aspects of adventure, focus and connection to nature.  Throughout our practice and while guiding others we've tested hundreds of boards and have learned how each effects our ability to float, glide, adjust, balance, feel the water and connect with ourselves.

Recently, Thurso Surf offered the opportunity to test their newest series and we were very impressed.

Our experience of paddle yoga begins with unboxing. As the popularity of inflatable boards has grown we've found value in testing them so we know how to better guide our practitioners.  Inflatable boards aren't our favorite for paddle yoga sessions because they typically aren't as sturdy as a foam core. The solidiity of a solid board is preffered for practicing because it feels more stable as you move.  However, so many people have them that they now travel with them*.  Upon opening the new Thurso Tranquility we noticed it is different from other boards. 

Thurso's packaging has always been as low waste as possible. We appreciate that this company packs in paper and doesn't double box.   We don't need to be disposing of two boxes (one with a whole lot of ink on it) and a bunch of plastic.  The board arrived wrapped in a thin styrofoam which protected it from damages during travel. The rest of the supplies were in paper or cardboard.

The board, pump, paddles, bag and kit as well as a paddle board carrying strap were included.  The repair kit is one of our favorite supplies that Thurso provides.  The fins, attachment tools, repair supplies and more fit inside an easy to close envelope.  It's the most convenient way to keep these materials accessible and safe. How many times have you losta small part you need for your board?

*all boards brought into the basin should be washed and dried prior to prevent pollutants and invasive species transmission

We curated a new experience right before Thurso sent us their new boards to try. The timing couldn't have been more perfect.

"Beach to Board" and "Boat to Board" are our Adventure Yoga offerings.  Each experience includes a guided yoga practice on paddle boards. Beach to Board begins on the sand with movement to prepare for paddling, a paddle out onto the lake, a mindfulness practice and then a paddle back. Boat to Board is a collaboration with Tahoe Tastings during which we load boards on the boat, travel to a quiet cove and practice on the boards.  Mimosas and brunch can be added on.

We inflated the boards, loaded them onto Legend and set a course to a quiet cove for a private paddle session and shoot to get images and promotional materials.  The boards performed well from inflation to deflation; we travel out with them inflated, then deflate them for the return trip so they are easier to store and the boat can travel faster.

We practiced on the Thurso Surf Tranquility. Waterwalker 132 and Waterwalker 126 as well as the 2024 Waterwalker 132 as well as the Bote Breeze Aero and the Funwater Cruise 11'. 

We found that each board has its merits. The Funwater is super light weight and easy to transport, but isn't our favorite when it comes to stabilty and width.  Prior to using Thurso boards, our preferred paddle yoga board was the Bote. The Breeze Aero is wide, glides well and provides a long deck pad that makes accessing downward dogs easier.  It's also a good looking board with a similar color scheme to Thurso.  We like those beach vibes!

What we like about the Thurso is that you can detach all the fins for travel and when your transport is an antique motor yacht you don't want to be apologizing for scratches.  As I mentioned before, the ability to attach the paddle to the side is one of our favorite aspects. Whether carrying the board or practicing postures, it keeps the paddle safe and out of the way.  We used the D-rings to attach the boards to the back of the boat while we were placing them on the water. It was convenient to tie them to eachother and to keep the bungees free to tucking our belongings beneath.

Five practitioners tested all of the boards and agreed that the construction of the 2025 Thurso Surf boards is significantly better than other boards.  Quoting one of them: "This feels as close to a solid board as I've ever experienced."  Of course, as it is with any inflatable board, the lack of inner support is still noticeable.  We're okay sacrificing that for ease of transport and storage.  

We found postures including warior II and headstand to be easily accessible.  Our photographer, a complete beginner, felt confident paddling from a standing position after a brief lesson on the Thurso Waterwalker.  On that note, we noticed that the Tranquility was sluggish compared to the Waterwalker and all of the boards slower than the Funwater, which has a shorter side cut and pointier nose.  For a cruise around the bay or a brief paddle to a quiet spot, the Thurso is up for the task.

No board is perfect, but some are better than others.  Knowing what you need and prefer is valuable.  Having tested dozens of boards we know that a racing or touring board is not what we need for paddle yoga.  We want a board that inflates quickly, is easy to carry, has a long deck pad, stays stable while moving and looks pretty for the pictures (everyone wants pictures).

The Thurso fulfills most of our desires. There are a few things we would improve upon.  The first is the pump that came with the boards. It's big and can get hot. It also sometimes smells like electicity.  Inflating the board to 15 psi, yes 15, makes a huge difference for this board.  We recommend checking for full inflation each time you use it, but have found that it can hold air for quite a long time.  We stored ours in a shady, protected location and didn't need to refill it for at least a month.  The deflation setting on the pump is inconsistent.  It will run for a bit and deflate, then the sound changes and it stops expressing air.  There doesn't seem to be a way to address this.  It also doesn't seem to hold a charge and we wish it could plug into a regular outlet for times when we inflate at home.

The fins are great!  It's so nice to be able to remove them for packing and they're sized perfectly.  It's also good to have a center fin that can be adjusted for your paddling style.  The thing we don't like is that the smaller ones have a tiny screw adjustment that requires a tiny tool.  Tiny things are not good when you're on the sand or water.  They dissappear.  We prefer the fins that lock in using a clip.  The Funwater uses fins like this as do a few other brands. The clip attaches to the fin, so it doesn't get lost.  Even though Thurso's site says, "No tools needed," if you don't tighten the screw, you might come back missing a fin.

The new bungee style is also not our favorite.  We like the thickness but have found, on other boards, this version dries and stretches out quickly in Lake Tahoe rendering them useless.  The commonly used round bungees are easy to re-knot and replace when this happens.  We do like that the new, wider bungees are adjustable and can be criss-crossed or removed.  

One of our favorite things is to introduce people to new experiences.  We've found that it's worth it to spend a little more on unique and singular things.  If paddling on Lake Tahoe is on your bucket list, why not do so in the most fun way?  

You can book our Paddle Yoga and Boat to Board sessions on our site.  We recommend doing so at least 30 days in advance.  As small business owners, we practice high-touch customer service. You'll hear from a real person who'll make sure your reservation is accurate.  Once you do, we'll prepare the boards and boat. You might want to add in mimosas and a bagel breakfast because you're going to need to refuel after this experience.

Sessions are limited to groups of 6. Yes, we'll honor your celebratory theme and are happy to add on other options to curate a special experience that aligns with your needs and requests.

Sessions are typically available June - October. While the start time is flexible, we recommend departing at 7am to enjoy the calm of the lake before the other boaters are out.  Trips are typically 3 hours and include a 60 minutes paddle yoga session.  Yes, photos are included (everyone wants photos).

​Why do I practice Yoga? Because it prepares me for everything else I do. Sure, the poses are challenging and moving my body in ways that compliment my habitual posturing helps to relieve pain and discomfort, but ultimately, the benefits of Yoga are most noticeable when I am playing.

There are many reasons to visit Lake Tahoe. The views are incredible, the mountains are amazing, the lake will steal your heart. And, there is a whole lot of outdoor fun to be had. Many people come to Tahoe to play. Mountain bikers can’t wait to get out on the dirt and improve their skills. Skiers wait for the perfect powder or bluebird day to make turns. We can golf, hike, paddle, trail run, cross country ski, I could go on and on.

​When was the last time you stretched before you started skiing? How often do you warm up before a mountain bike ride? Did you take fifteen minutes to properly prepare your body for a hike? Most of us don’t and that’s where Yoga comes in. Even if you only join a couple of classes a week, it can help you to retain mobility and feel limber when you go out to bike, hike, run or play. Engaging in practices before and after your other activities help your body to prepare and recover. The movements we do during a Yoga asana practice are designed to keep your joints mobile and your muscles long.

​Whether you are heading out for a leisurely hike or training for your next marathon it is important to consider more than your physical health when  you are preparing to play. Sure, your body needs to be strong and mobile, but a clear and calm mind can be the difference between failing gracefully or becoming a disgrace. Have you ever noticed how you breathe while you’re skiing or rock climbing? It may be particularly evident when you’re visiting Lake Tahoe. At the lake you are standing at 6200 feet above sea level, that’s over a mile up. Climb a hill or ride the ski lift and the quantity of oxygen available decreases. Breathing slowly, deeply and calmly will help you to maintain focus.

​Did you know that there are specific breathing techniques you can do to prepare your body for physical effort? Over time, many Yogic breathing techniques have been modified and renamed to help people feel more comfortable trying them. They have continued to be utilized for thousands of years because they work. Before you begin an activity or if you feel stressed or fearful while in it, your breath can help you to return to a state of calm. A simple two-part breath that allows you to completely fill and empty, slowly, will calm your nervous system, help you focus your thoughts, reduce anxiety and help you to return to a more calm state of being.

​Mindset is everything. The thoughts you have about and during an activity can effect the experience you have. Practices that help us to focus upon the positive, when done regularly, can shift your perspective over time. If your day includes something that is going to challenge you in some way, perhaps because you will be engaging with crowds of people, trying something new or leveling up your skills, a positive mindset is incredibly important. A tool that can help you to establish a positive mindset is a journal. Making daily notes about the good stuff and re-reading what you’ve written will help you to keep these thoughts fresh in your mind.  With these thoughts on the top of your mind, you’ll become better at seeing the “silver lining” when you feel challenged.

If you’d like to learn more about the practice of Yoga, breathwork, mindfulness and how these tools can help you to prepare for and recover from your play visit Bliss Experiences. Beyond traditional Yoga practices, sessions include healing sound, reiki and forest bathing and more. Beginning while you’re on vacation could help you to establish new practices that will prepare you for your next trip to Lake Tahoe.

I've been practicing living a lifestyle of Yoga since 2000.  When I first began practicing it was because my friends were going, it was free and I liked the physical workout.  The first practice I tried was in the style of Svarupa; a  gentle practice which uses blankets and blocks and requires a lot of stretching.  At the time, I was living in Boston and, once my wallet got a bit fuller, I was able to experience a variety of other styles simply by wandering the city and looking at posted schedules.

When I moved to Tahoe I couldn’t find a studio that aligned with my lifestyle.  Living here afforded me many opportunities to explore, adventure and play, but I didn’t feel at home at the only studio in town.  

I was the local school counselor and had been hired to teach a few Private Practices.  As people got to know me, they asked me to begin offering classes locally.  Soon, I had a following and I begun developing a small business.  Now, I share my lifestyle with people in my studio, at various homes, on the beach, paddle board and am happy to practice with anyone, anywhere.  

When I’m not working, I play outside at any chance I get.  During the Summer I ride my bike every day.  I ski and hike, swim, paddle, and am always looking for a new experience to try.

I practice Yoga everyday and everywhere.  This doesn’t mean I  do Yoga poses every day.   Nope.  I've learned that Yoga is much more than poses.  It's a way of living.  Yoga is everywhere, all the time.  

Every one of us can benefit from a little stretching, balance and strengthening.  We can all benefit from peace of mind,  and quiet time.  Yoga is movement, breathing, mindfulness, wellbeing and contentment.  You know that feeling you get when you're floating on three feet of powder?  It's Yoga.  How about when you’re cruising down the most perfect section of single track without a soul around?  It's Yoga.   When you’re the only one floating on the crystal clear lake.  It’s Yoga.  It's always there, even if you don’t consider yourself a Yogi(ni).

Today take a moment to look at your own life and find those moments of Yoga; moments when you've reached out to others, enjoyed some time to yourself, found balance, strength and calm.  

To learn more about finding those moments of peace in your life, join the practice at Lake Tahoe Yoga or book a Private Session with Jenay.

Park entrance fees aside, hiking is an activity you can enjoy with friends and family for free. And even more than simply getting in shape, hiking will help you get in touch with nature, which studies have shown can have a positive impact on your mood. The Healthy Living section of Huff Post reports that hikers are among the fittest people out there and enjoy lower blood pressure and longer attention spans than the rest of us. Hiking on dirt trails is also easier on the joints than pounding the pavement.

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Blog by : 
​Constance Ray
Recoverywell.org
​[email protected]

When I first moved to Tahoe my sister would call me up and say, "You live in a postcard, I bet you forget that it's beautiful out there."  

Not for a moment.  ​

Never have I forgotten to enjoy the beauty of our lake, the mountains and the freshness of each breath I take in.  What I have done is the same thing that I did in Boston.  I have forgotten to take the time to see my home in the way that the thousands of visitors do; as an outsider.