Introducing Kate Holly - ASI SUP Yoga Teacher

We chat to Kate Holly and discover what inspired her journey to become an ASI SUP Yoga Teacher.

What is your background?

I live in South Wales, UK. Up until 2023, I have always worked in Tourism and Hospitality, very much on the customer service/customer facing end and mainly in restaurants, pubs and a wonderful community farm. Around 2014 I started teaching Yoga part time.

What got you involved in the sport?

In 2018 people were tagging me in a Facebook post about SUP Yoga, someone was looking for somebody to teach it locally. I had zero experience in paddling but the idea of SUP Yoga appealed to me so I made contact and it was too good an opportunity to miss.

My beautiful local reservoir which is run and managed by Welsh Water was expanding their watersports offer. Confident as a Yoga teacher but completely lacking in paddling experience. I googled trainings and found ASI Instructor, Leanne Bird was offering an ASI course in West Wales. I signed up and loved every second of the training. It really pushed me outside of my comfort zone and opened up a whole new world.

Since then, I have had the honour of teaching SUP Yoga at Llandegfedd Reservoir every season so we are now (unbelievably) in my 8th year.

Why did you become an ASI instructor?

I wanted to have a thorough understanding of the paddling side and also safety which is on another level to regular yoga classes. It was a combination of the offer, timing and location that made me choose ASI. Leanne was great and also Olly who did the rescue element was very professional and thorough.

What are you doing now?

I teach SUP Yoga throughout the season at Llandegfedd Reservoir and guide Introduction to Paddleboard sessions on the canal from around April - September. I was amazed when as someone who has never been a confident swimmer, buoyed up by being close to water, I levelled up my swimming in order to attain a Lifeguard qualification which is a great training to have when working in this field.

I now thoroughly enjoy swimming and am finding it compliments my yoga practice and teaching very well.

It has also given me more confidence in teaching sessions and helping people feel safe.

What do you like about being an instructor?

I feel incredibly blessed to be an instructor and it reminds me of that well known saying, 'Find a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life.'

I am fortunate that being a Yoga Teacher and a Yoga Therapist, paddling fits in around that and compliments it too. By the time the end of the season comes around I feel so fuelled by having had plenty of time outside, in nature, on the water and helping people have a good time, feel better and sometimes even face and overcome their fears.

I enjoy the rest over winter and have discovered that I really love paddling on rivers and would like to explore white water a little more.

Tell us about an inspiring story about your students

There are so many stories and here is some recent feedback:

"Really loving the SUP yoga classes, being in a beautiful environment, while yoga on the paddle board really focuses the mind making you more aware of each movement and balance. The relaxation/ meditation session at the end, lying on the board feeling the water movement under you is otherworldly, while being in a natural environment every session brings different sensations. I highly recommend it to anyone to give it a go, even if you haven't done yoga or paddle boarding before, a very relaxed but controlled and safe experience. Thanks Kate for the wonderful classes.”

“As someone with ADHD, I often find it hard to properly switch off and be truly present in a regular yoga class, but SUP Yoga with Kate is completely different for me. I love how it engages all of my senses in such a beautiful outdoor setting. Balancing on the board means I have to be more present and mindful of how I move; being surrounded by nature, with the gentle movement of the water beneath me, feels incredibly grounding and peaceful – and all of this helps me to relax and means my mind doesn’t wander as much.”

“I have always enjoyed yoga, but as I’ve got older I’ve developed more joint issues. One of the things I love about SUP Yoga is how much kinder it feels on my joints compared with a studio class. The gentle cushioning of the board and the way it moves with the water seem to take the pressure off my joints, so poses that can feel quite uncomfortable become much more manageable and enjoyable on the water. It’s also reassuring to know that if I lose my balance trying a more challenging position, such as crow pose, it’s a softer – and more refreshing – landing!”

About ASI
ASI is a global leader in training and accrediting instructors, coaches, and schools for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and bodyboarding. Established in 2003, with our head office in Bondi Beach, Sydney Australia, ASI instructors and schools ensure world-class training, safety and operational standards. Whether you're learning for personal enjoyment or to establish a career in the industry, ASI opens the door to new skills, international career opportunities and adventure.