Fishermen & Yoga - a perfect pair?

When someone says yoga, you may not imagine a deckhand doing downward dog. Yet, when you think about yoga’s core elements- mindfulness, connection to nature, and consistency over time -  it aligns well with a life on the water. Fishing is a lifestyle that requires focus, attention to surroundings, and patience. It’s hard not to stop and think, could fishermen make the perfect yogis? 

The need for stretching, strength and recovery is not lost on the fishing community. Fishing is one of the most labor intensive jobs, with physical, mental and economic stressors. Fishermen work long and irregular hours and are prone to poor sleep. 

The fishing industry's injury rate is 81.7% higher than the national average and the range of injuries span from lower back  and rotator cuff pain to chronic health issues. That’s where yoga comes in, a useful tool to support health in a demanding industry.

To explore this connection more, I spoke with Toni Small, owner of Oryx Worx yoga studio and Ice House Oysters, an oyster farm based in Port Clyde, Maine.  Toni has a uniquely informed perspective on the subject, being a yoga instructor and oyster farmer. Her approach consists of using yoga and strength training to improve recovery time, productivity and overall health. and she encourages being mindful of these patterns. 

Toni explained that one of the biggest tolls our bodies take is from repetitive movement, By incorporating different motions, she says, fishermen can relieve pressure on tissues and balance joint development in the opposite direction. Toni suggests weaving functional stretches throughout the day, “Plank poses at the rail. A counter strain for wrists and shoulders and core activator. These don't have to be long, 30 seconds to a minute, but woven into an 8, 10, 12 hour day, done between sets, or during a break, could go a long way.”

Toni encourages fishermen to begin with small movements and not to overthink the process. She often tells clients to stay curious about what feels good and what doesn’t - reminding them that progress starts with awareness. One client, a 60-year-old captain building his last boat, discovered he felt better the more he moved. Toni points out that contrary to popular belief, avoiding movement when something hurts isn’t always helpful. Movement is sometimes the best medicine. 

Yoga doesn't need to be anything fancy - it is for everyone, including fishermen. Intentional movement and functional training could be the key to feel better, move better and power through long days on the water. 

In a slow-to-embrace crowd, accessibility is important. These organizations have gone above and beyond in researching and supporting fisherman's health:

Maine AgrAbility: https://extension.umaine.edu/agrability/fishing-resources/yoga-stretches-for-fisherman/

Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC): https://necenter.org/fishing/

National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH): https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fishing/about/index.html

Fishing Partnership Support Services (FPPS): https://fishingpartnership.org/health-wellness/#open