The Art of Finding Your Center
On my recent trip to Granada, Nicaragua, it was suggested to me to try a sunset stand up paddle boarding experience (SUP) and being the curious and adventurous traveler that I am, I decided to go for it.
The experience takes place in The Islets of Granada which are 365 little lush islands that were formed from the Mombacho volcano explosion over 20,000 ago.
Now as you pass through the islands you will find many species of birds and monkeys. (no sharks as is common in other bodies of water in Nicaragua, I confirmed🙂)
Some indigenous families still occupy the islands and some are now used for vacation homes. You have a full view of Mombacho volcano and other volcanoes on Ometepe island in the distance. It’s beautiful.
Now to paddle boarding…as a dancer I thought I had balance, body awareness, and control down. But the water tested that. It truly was so hard for me in the beginning. I was so uncomfortable and scared I was going to fall in.
It took about 30 minutes for me to even feel like I knew what I was doing. Even then it was still hard. And when the waves from passing boats came by? Oh my goodness.
BUT I learned with SUP there’s no forcing it. It reminds me of yoga in that it’s a full body immersive experience and you HAVE to be present.
Every time I got too deep in my head, I’d wobble and just know I was about to fall in.
But eventually I learned when the waves came, the trick was to just stand firm on your board, plant your paddle, find your center and let the board and waves do the work.
You had to just trust the water to carry you and the board to support you. I went at my own pace, which was probably slower than most. But it worked for me.
And guess what. I never fell!
I was actually impressed with myself after we finished because I really did not realize the task I was about to do.
ALSO! Shoutout to the Yoga and Pilates I’ve been doing the last few months because that held me DOWN for this activity. Your core has to be tight.
Thankful for this sweet little reminder this gave me to always find my center when things get shaky. I’m always supported.
And thank you Diana from SUP who was an amazing guide and so patient with me as I actively worked through my mental fears. She even led us through a guided meditation as part of the experience on the water.
Even as I struggled lol watching the sunset behind the volcano was absolutely gorgeous. Definitely a unique and challenging experience to have while in Nicaragua.
