In Varkala, the rhythm that works is yoga at sunrise, surf in the early morning, and rest or Ayurveda in the afternoon. Yoga before a session loosens the shoulders and hips that paddling and the pop-up depend on; a gentle practice in the evening undoes the day's effort. And if you want to go deeper, Kerala has one of the oldest living traditions of Ayurveda in the world, with the monsoon as its season of rejuvenation.
Varkala was a yoga and wellness town long before it was a surf town, and the two fit together naturally. Here is how to combine them on a surf trip without either one crowding out the other.
Why yoga and surfing go together
Surfing is hard on a short list of body parts. Paddling works the shoulders and upper back for most of a session. Arching up off the board loads the lower back. And the pop-up, from lying flat to standing in one movement, asks for open hips and a steady, low stance, fast.
Yoga is the slow version of the same work: the same shapes, with no wave coming. It helps in three ways:
- Mobility. Open shoulders make paddling easier; loose hips make the pop-up smoother.
- Balance. Standing poses train the same small stabilising muscles you use on a moving board.
- Breath and calm. Most beginners' falls start in the head: rushing the pop-up, looking down, bracing for the wave. A few minutes of steady breathing before a session is practice for the calm you want on the board.
When to practise on a surf trip
Sunrise, before the surf. This is the classic slot in Varkala. The air is cool, the beach is quiet, and a short, gentle practice wakes the body up without tiring it. At Kuma, beach sessions run on the same stretch of Edava sand as the surf lessons, just after sunrise and before the first session, so you can do both. Lessons themselves start between 06:30 and 09:30, depending on the tide.
Late afternoon. A slower practice as the heat goes out of the day: long holds, hip openers, the upper back. It is the best time to undo the morning's paddling.
Not at midday. Kerala's coast is hot for most of the year, with typical temperatures of 25 to 36 degrees (Kerala Tourism). Save the middle of the day for shade, lunch and a nap.
A short routine for surfers
If you only have fifteen minutes before a session, these cover the essentials. Move slowly, and skip anything that hurts.
- Cat and cow (1 minute): mobilises the spine and lower back.
- Thread the needle (1 minute each side): opens the upper back and shoulders.
- Low lunge (1 minute each side): stretches the hip flexors that tighten during paddling.
- Cobra or sphinx (1 minute): the gentle version of arching up off the board.
- Downward dog (1 minute): shoulders, hamstrings and calves together.
- Warrior II (1 minute each side): the wide, low stance you want when you stand up on a board.
- Seated breathing (3 minutes): slow, even breaths through the nose.
On a lesson day, you will also get a warm-up on the sand from your surf instructor. The two complement each other: the warm-up is specific to the session; yoga works on the body you bring to it.
Meditation, and why it helps in the water
Meditation earns its place on a surf trip for a simple reason: fear and hurry are what make beginners fall. A mind that is racing reads the wave late, pops up early and looks down at the board. A calmer one waits.
You do not need a formal practice. Five minutes of sitting on the sand, eyes closed, listening to the sets come in, is enough. Many people find it easiest at sunset, when the whole beach seems to slow down.
Ayurveda in Kerala
Ayurveda is India's traditional system of medicine, and Kerala is where it is most deeply woven into daily life. Kerala Tourism, which has a dedicated Ayurveda section, treats it as one of the state's defining experiences.
The monsoon: the season of rejuvenation
This surprises many visitors. According to Kerala Tourism, Ayurveda considers the monsoon the best season for rejuvenation therapies, when the cool, dust-free air is thought to leave the body most receptive to herbal oils and treatments (Kerala Tourism). The Malayalam month of Karkidakam, which falls in July or August, is traditionally considered the most ideal time of all (Kerala Tourism).
That makes the monsoon, the one season that is wrong for beginner surfing, the right season for a proper Ayurvedic programme. If you are coming to Varkala between June and September, this is the thing to plan around.
Massage, or treatment?
There is a real difference between an Ayurvedic massage and an Ayurvedic treatment:
- A massage (often abhyanga, with warm herbal oil) is a single session: relaxing, and good for tired surf muscles.
- A treatment programme involves a consultation with a qualified practitioner, a prescribed course over days or weeks, dietary guidance, and often a centre where you stay.
Both are worthwhile. Just be clear which one you are buying.
How to choose a centre
- Look for accreditation. Kerala Tourism accredits Ayurveda healthcare providers, and lists them on its site.
- Ask who you will see. A treatment should start with a consultation, not a menu.
- Be wary of packages sold like a spa. Proper treatment is tailored; a laminated price list with "detox" on it usually is not.
- Ask us. Varkala has good places and places with good signage. We will tell you honestly which is which.
Where to practise in Varkala
- On the beach. At Edava, sessions run on the sand at sunrise, open to guests and non-guests, with mats provided. The yoga page has the details.
- On a rooftop. Our rooftop hosts yoga when the beach is too windy or the sun is already up.
- On the cliff. Varkala's cliff has many yoga schools and drop-in classes, from gentle hatha to longer teacher trainings.
- On a retreat. Yoga is built into our retreats for groups, alongside surf and recovery; see surf retreats.
A sample day
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| Sunrise | Twenty minutes of yoga on the sand |
| Early morning | Surf lesson, timed to the tide |
| Mid-morning | Kerala breakfast, then rest |
| Midday | Shade, lunch, a nap |
| Late afternoon | A slow yoga practice or an Ayurvedic massage |
| Sunset | Five quiet minutes on the beach |
Before you go
Our guide to the best time to visit Varkala explains the seasons, including the monsoon months when Ayurveda comes into its own. If you are new to surfing, your first surf lesson, minute by minute shows what the morning session asks of your body, which is exactly what the yoga is preparing for. And if you want a calm afternoon on the water instead, kayaking near Varkala covers the backwater at Kappil.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need yoga experience to join a beach session?
No. Beach sessions are open to beginners and regular practitioners alike, and teachers offer easier and harder versions of each pose. Tell the teacher about any injury before you start.
Should I do yoga before or after a surf lesson?
A short, gentle practice before, to wake up the shoulders and hips; a slower, longer one in the late afternoon, to undo the paddling. Avoid a hard, sweaty class right before a lesson.
Is Ayurvedic treatment suitable for a short trip?
A massage is, and it is a good way to ease tired surf muscles. A proper treatment programme usually runs for days or weeks and starts with a consultation, so it suits a longer stay, ideally in the monsoon months.