Boat Yoga Essentials: Best Practices and Gear Tips from Liveaboard Yogis
Community
Jul 8, 2025
Yoga: Best Practices While on a Boat
Practicing yoga at sea can be a transformative experience—combining movement, mindfulness, and the natural rhythm of the water. But balancing on a shifting deck brings unique challenges (and rewards). At SeaPeople, we’ve gathered insights from our community on how to make the most of your floating yoga sessions.
Should You Bring Your “Nice” Yoga Mat Onboard?
When Heather asked the SeaPeople Boat Yoga group whether to bring her Manduka mat or a budget travel version, she sparked a helpful discussion. The consensus: if space allows, it’s useful to bring both types of mats for different use cases.
"Hi everyone, I'm Heather, we're on the process of buying a boat. I'm wondering if you all have brought your "nice" yoga mats on board, and how they have held up. Just trying to determine if I should bring the extra padded and wonderful manduka mat, or the travel mat from TJ maxx:)! Cheers, sailing yogis!"
A Dual-Mat Setup Is Highly Practical
Several SeaPeople users recommended bringing at least two mats: a higher-quality one for dedicated practice—especially on deck—and an older one that can double as padding for boat work. This setup helps preserve your good mat, and your knees, while giving you flexibility depending on your space and situation.
"I brought all my yoga mats! My old one has been sacrificed to boat jobs and my good one is nice to have when practicing on deck. I also have a yoga towel, the kind with the grippy bottom, which is nice if I'm down below because there's a narrow carpet runner there already. Cheers on the new boat! — Ann."
Bring Props for Versatility and Comfort
Props are especially useful for onboard yoga, where space and balance are limited. Here's what SeaPeople users recommend bringing and how each item helps:
Yoga blocks: Great for providing lift and stability in standing or seated poses.
Straps: Useful for increasing flexibility and safely accessing deeper stretches.
Bolsters or large cushions: Provide support for restorative poses or serve as backrests in tight spaces.
Yoga towel (with grip): Ideal for below-deck sessions on carpet or slick surfaces, offering both hygiene and grip.
"Same as Ann, I brought my two yoga mats: one nice one (cork) and one old one that still gets used for yoga and is available for boat projects! Other yoga stuff I brought: two blocks, a strap, a big cushion-type pillow. I love restorative yoga, so props are necessary. The big cushion has proven useful as a bolster in our forward berth."
Compact Options for Smaller Boats
For those cruising on smaller vessels, space is at a premium. Lightweight, foldable travel mats are easy to store and carry in a duffel bag. They’re perfect for shore-based sessions or minimal onboard setups. Just be aware they often sacrifice cushioning and grip.
"I have a fold-up travel yoga mat because of limited space on my boat and easy to pack in a duffel bag when I travel. Downside is it is very thin, but I still love it."
Practice Locations: On Deck vs. Below
Deck yoga offers open skies and ocean views—but only when conditions allow. Below deck is a better option when it's too windy or the sea is rough. Many yogis use yoga towels or narrow spaces like carpet runners to adapt below-deck areas for shorter sessions.
Match Your Practice to the Sea Conditions
Your boat’s motion can dictate the best type of yoga to practice. Here's a breakdown of common styles and when to use them:
Restorative Yoga: Uses props to support the body in passive poses for long holds. Great for rough seas or deep relaxation.
Examples: Supported bridge pose, legs-up-the-wall.
Yin Yoga: Targets deep connective tissues with slow, floor-based poses held for several minutes. Ideal for calm introspective practice.
Examples: Dragon pose, sleeping swan.
Gentle Flow: Low-impact sequences that improve mobility and breath connection without much strain. Perfect for light movement.
Examples: Cat-cow, seated side stretch, low lunges.
Power Yoga: A dynamic, strength-focused practice suited for calm, stable conditions. Best done when at anchor in flat water.
Examples: Warrior II, chair pose, plank, crow pose.
Durability vs. Portability: Choosing the Right Mat
Understanding the difference between high- and low-quality mats can help you decide what to bring aboard:
High-Quality Mats: Typically 4–6mm thick, made from durable materials like natural rubber or cork. They offer superior grip, cushioning, and longevity. Brands like Manduka and Liforme are often favored by serious practitioners.
Lower-Quality or Travel Mats: Often thinner (1–3mm), made from PVC or TPE. Lightweight and packable, but may wear quickly and offer less support on hard or uneven boat surfaces. Good for occasional use or as backups.
The choice depends on how often you practice and whether you plan to use the mat for dual purposes, like padding during boat maintenance.
Join Boat Yoga ⛵️🧘 on SeaPeople
Looking to connect with others who share your love for yoga and life afloat? Join our Boat Yoga group on SeaPeople!
For people who do yoga on boats! In addition to contorting ourselves in the name of boat projects, we also practice actual yoga on boats. This group is for anyone interested in getting started as well as those long-time practitioners. Share how you're doing yoga on your boat as well as onshore!
