Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Cramer.
Emma, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started doing yoga in high school to help me with anxiety. Over time I started practicing daily and completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2014. It was around that time that I first used a paddle board at a friend’s lake house. The first thing I tried was downward dog and a few other yoga poses! I loved the challenge of balancing in the poses on the water. It totally changed the way that I felt about my yoga practice. It felt like I was activating the core of every muscle. My focus needed to be so much sharper and it brought me more peace being in nature.
I researched stand up paddle board yoga teacher trainings and found one in Chicago! I completed this training and it included a World Paddle Association Level 1 instructor training in 2015. I started teaching SUP yoga on the Huron River right after my first training in 2015. I taught with a board company for two years in Ann Arbor and in 2017, started Root SUP with a friend. We started hosting classes in Pinckney as well as Ann Arbor.
In 2019, I completed my Level 1 and 2 SUP American Canoe Association instructor training. In 2020, my friend and business partner and I parted ways and I have been running Root SUP with a few dedicated instructors (and Root SUP YTT graduates) ever since.
We hold weekly SUP yoga classes, SUP Basics classes, as well as private group classes and events, and a bi-annual stand up paddle board yoga teacher training that will return in spring of 2026.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are always waves and bumps when teaching on the water. It is an unpredictable environment that can change quickly, especially in the summer. Over the years we have had to change locations and learn new landscapes and relationships, which can be challenging.
The hardest part about teaching on the water is probably the unpredictability of summer weather! Our first priority is keeping students safe, but it can be so frustrating to have to cancel classes and disappoint students. When students sign up for class with us they can guarantee that we’ve checked the conditions many time to make sure that they’ll have the best experience possible with us!
Last summer we had a lot of flooding which can make conditions hazardous in the water so we had to be really careful and mindful about when it was appropriate to take students out. We’re always double checking the wind and making sure we can anchor our class somewhere safe.
We’ve been impressed with Root SUP, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Root SUP teaches weekly SUP classes at NautiMI on the River in Pinckney. We specialize in making Stand Up Paddleboarding accessible to a variety of different skill levels. Our SUP Basics classes are perfect for beginners and veterans. We provide basic skills while also offering challenging activities for those with more experience who would like to sharpen their skills. For our SUP Yoga classes, we recommend that you have some paddle experience because we paddle upstream to our class location. However, standing is never required! You can take an amazing SUP yoga class from a kneeling or seated position.
We also hold really fun private events on the water that can be in a location of your choosing and customized for your group!
We hold a biannual SUP Yoga Teacher Training and have trained many amazing yoga teachers to safely teach on the water. This training will return in Spring of 2026 and we are currently accepting applications if you’d like to apply.
We are unique in our emphasis on a rooted, and grounded, safe experience while enjoying the magic of being on the water!
What were you like growing up?
I have always been a very tenacious and grounded person that followed my passions. As a child I was interested in being outside and being active. I’ve always loved spending time on the water swimming, wakeboarding, and kayaking. I took many sea kayak classes on Beaver Island when I was a teenager and loved getting to explore the different techniques! It has impacted my paddle boarding and my teaching in a positive way.
Pricing:
- $45 if you use one of our boards
- $35 if you bring your own board
Contact Info:
- Website: https://root-sup.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/root_sup
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/rootsupyoga
Image Credit
Lauren Loria
