The benefits of water exercise and yoga cannot be understated. Aquatic fitness not only protects your joints from the impact of traditional exercise, but the resistance of the water can also increase your calorie burn. Yoga is another amazing way to improve your fitness, helping you to tone and strengthen your body while improving flexibility.

When water and yoga are combined, the benefits are almost too numerous to list. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of water yoga and why you should consider adding it to your exercise regimen.

The Benefits

1. Increased Mobility

When done regularly, aquatic yoga can noticeably increase your flexibility. The regular stretching of your muscles increases the range of motion over time, improving your overall mobility.

2. Increased Strength

It takes strength to hold your body in the balanced poses of yoga. And, as you improve and the poses become more difficult, more muscles are called into play. Aquatic yoga is known to strengthen the entire body, particularly your legs, arms, back, and core.

3. Improved Muscle Tone

Yoga is a weight-bearing exercise meaning that, over time, it can tone and build muscle. When done in the water, the added resistance gives that toning a little boost.

4. Improved Balance

Yoga can help you improve your balance and coordination. In the case of water yoga, these traits improve over time as you master the different movements and transitions.

5. Pain and Stress Relief

Research has found that chronic pain produces changes in brain structure that are tied to depression and anxiety, while yoga has the opposite effect. In fact, it is considered a highly effective way to offer relief from pain.

Getting Started

Wearing something comfortable is key to getting the most out of your experience. Whether you choose a swimsuit or shorts and a tank top, the goal is to be comfortable and confident.

Start slowly with some basic poses and add new, more advanced moves as you become more familiar with movements and transitions. Doing yoga in the water gives you extra protection against injury, so don’t be afraid to give more advanced moves a try once you’re comfortable.

Head to Knee Forward Bend 

Before entering your spa, sit down and extend one leg out in front of you. Place the bottom of your opposite foot against your thigh, making sure your hips are aligned. As you inhale, reach up with your arms as far as you can. Exhale and bend forward, face toward your knee. Lock your fingers around the bottom of your foot. This is a great move for getting you loosened up and ready for your aqua poses.

Half Moon Pose

Stand in the center of your spa. Place your hands on the small of your back and arch backward, creating a C shape. Focus on pushing out your chest. When you are arched comfortably, touch your elbows together.

Clock Pose

Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, hold your arms straight out in front of you. Twist left and then right using only your torso. Your hips should remain facing forward. Once you’ve twisted as far as you can in one direction, go back to the middle and then twist to the other side.

Garland Pose

Bend your knees and lower your hips while keeping your head up and your back straight. Bring your palms together and press your inner thighs back to line up with your triceps.

Tree Pose

Raise your hands over your head, touching your palms together. Reach as high as you can and then lift one leg and place the bottom of your foot on the inside of your other thigh. Point your toes toward the ground and hold. Then switch and repeat with the other leg.

Sundance Spas of Jackson Hole

For more tips on incorporating yoga into your hot tub routine, get in touch with us at Sundance Spas of Jackson Hole. We have been providing our customers with the best hot tubs and hot tub accessories for more than 35 years. Visit our showroom or send us a message to get started today. Our experts are always on hand to answer any questions you have about the benefits of hydrotherapy and hot tub yoga.