Q&A with yogi and stand up paddleboarder Chelsea Hall

If you look at the pictures of her yoga poses on her Instagram feed (@chelsea_emily13) you’ll be forgiven for thinking Chelsea Hall a yoga pro.

In fact, we were so intrigued by her moves – especially her yoga poses on her stand up paddleboard (sup) – that we just had to make contact with Chelsea to quiz her about yoga, supping and her love of outdoor adventures.

By day, Chelsea works for Bird on a Wire, a Cape Town based creative/production company. But after hours she lives her passion for health, fitness and pushing her body to new limits, something that is perfectly encapsulated by her fitness philosophy “listen to your body, protect it, but also challenge it”.

DA: How long have you been doing yoga and how did you first get into it?

CH: I’ve been doing yoga for about three years now and, funny enough, I got into it through Instagram. I started following an account that I liked and eventually just got inspired to start myself!

DA: Have you had any formal yoga training?

CH: No, I just kind of picked it up and attended a few classes here and here. I try my best to get onto my mat at least four times a week, sometimes five.

DA: What are your favourite spots to do yoga?

CH: I love the beach – always have, always will! If I can’t make it to the beach then I just do it in my own backyard. Occasionally I like to take a class at Yogalicious in Milnerton.

DA: What do you love most about yoga?

CH: It creates a place where you can explore your mind and your body. It’s opened my eyes to all these amazing things I’ve achieved and how powerful the mind is. Yoga challenges me daily.

DA: How did you get into supping?

CH: I first tried supping about two years ago when I decided to be a tourist in my own city. It was amazing! Supping involves a lot of balance. I wouldn’t say you need crazy strength, just good control. It also helps if you can put the fact that you might fall out of your mind.

DA: What we’re especially impressed by is the yoga poses you can do on your sup! Can you tell us more about that?

CH: I’m not a pro but, again, you definitely need balance and some sense of spatial awareness. The boards are big but it’s still easy to forget what ends where, which could result in you no longer being on your board but rather soaking wet! Plus, you’re moving around most of the time as the water moves beneath you. Best is to take it slowly; don’t rush in and out of poses. Doing it slowly allows you to experience sup yoga at its best. It’s a great workout too, it will leave you feeling satisfied and wishing you could fall in, but it’s also really peaceful!

DA: Do you think supping is gaining popularity in Cape Town?

CH: Yes definitely. Since I first tried it two years ago there’s been a massive increase in supping workshops, classes and activity operators.

DA: Who should try supping?

CH: Water babies, like myself, and anybody who loves being active, outdoors and adventurous.