The Class: Paddleboard Aqua Yoga at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas
The Appeal: I can hear the pool calling my name as summer quickly approaches. The idea of taking my yoga practice to sea sounded like an experience I couldn’t turn down.
The Instructor(s): Debbi Levy Rothschild and Dr. Rebecca Harvey team led the class.
Rothschild grew up a member of the Jewish Community Center, so it’s only natural that she bring her certifications in yoga and crystal alchemy to the center’s members.
Harvey is a clinical psychologist and owner of Total Wellness Consultants. In addition to paddleboard yoga, she leads a meditation series in the community center as well as her private practice.
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The Space: If you’ve never been to the Jewish Community Center, I highly recommend a trip. The spacious facility is a bit dated, but it houses basketball courts, basic gym equipment, full locker rooms, an indoor pool … anything you’d want from a community center.
Who’s There: This was a group of middle-aged male and female members of the community center. Several were clearly regular yogis eager to work on their floating headstands, while others were a bit wary of the challenging class.
How It Went: After a brief warmup on land, we lined up, slid our boards into the water, and tied off one end along the float line that separates the swim lanes so we were less likely to bump our boards into one other. Rothschild floated next to me (an obvious newbie) throughout class to ensure I was following along safely, and Harvey led the class from the center of the line.
The class was a typical flow made much more difficult by the swaying of the SUPs (stand up paddleboard). We started off with a series of sun salutations before advancing to more challenging poses like side plank. Rothschild and Harvey took turns instructing and gave positive feedback through the hour, leaving time at the end of the class to allow us to work on anything in our own practice.
The Aftermath: I wasn’t particularly sore or tired the following day, but I feel like the added challenge of the paddleboard makes the workout worthwhile.
Loved: The friendly instruction and the slower pace allowed me to focus on keeping my head above water (literally).
Hated: To me, the class’ name implied that EVERYONE would be wearing swimwear, so the morning of class, I didn’t hesitate to throw on my bikini and a dress before heading to the JCC. As other students began to arrive, I realized I had made a huge, hilarious mistake. I was the only woman in actual swimwear. The other ladies opted for yoga shorts/pants and sports bras/tank tops. I tried not to panic as I realized I would be the only nearly-nude woman in class and briefly considered attempting class in my dress. Once I accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to manifest more clothes, I took a deep breath, tossed my insecurities on a nearby bench, and strolled over to the SUP racks to grab my board. Bottom line: Don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see you in.
Difficulty Level: Anyone with a yoga practice will have a leg up, but this class is for all levels. The flow was straightforward and manageable for anyone who can stay on the board (which turned out to be much easier than I anticipated).
Bottom Line: Jump in. This class is fun and great for all fitness/experience levels. Dress to your comfort level, but know that most of the class will be in shorts and tanks.
