The Ultimate Guide to Aerial Yoga
My chiropractor misses me, and my worries appear to be disappearing in the air. Aerial yoga is the power.
I tremulously held on to the thin silk hammock that was suspended on the ceiling. My head was screaming that this weak material could never bear me but the teacher told me that it could support the weight of a small car.
Something wonderful occurred as I drew and released a large breath and reclined and allowed my feet to withdraw. I was not exercising, I was flying.
Aerial yoga not only transformed my exercise practice, but also changed my posture, made me more confident, and opened up a new community to me. This is my account of how aerial yoga charmed me, and why it may be the kind of practice that is transformative to you.
What Is Aerial Yoga, Anyway?
And until my first class, I had a poor understanding of what aerial yoga is. I envisioned circus acts and elaborate acrobatics, something that I was well out of my ability. Soon I discovered that aerial yoga, or anti-gravity yoga or flying yoga, is a contemporary version of conventional yoga where a soft piece of fabric, a hammock, is suspended to a ceiling.
The hammock can be used to prop your body when you go through different yoga poses. It partially can hold you up in a balance or completely hold you in a cradle to deeper stretches and inversions than would be possible upon the floor.
Aerial yoga was developed by a former dancer and acrobat as a method to enable practitioners obtain some traditional yoga asana (pose) with the bonus of gravity support. The practice gives you the opportunity to experiment with shapes and movements that bring about a decompression along the spine and an opening up of the body in a natural, instinctful manner. In that first lesson, I got to learn that it was not about becoming a circus star, but also getting to experience a new freedom in my movement practice.
The reason I fell in love with aerial yoga.
My typical workouts were monotonous, and I never gave my full attention to traditional yoga even though it was relaxing. Aerial yoga was not like the very first. Here’s what hooked me:
The Physical Benefits that are to be remembered.
The physical changes that I went through made me go back. Within several weeks of daily training, I was able to feel the following changes:
Spinal Decomposition: Being suspended in an inverted position produces traction that has the effect of slowly stretching and decompressing the spine. I swear I’ve grown taller! It is unbelievable the way my vertebrae relieve the pressure and my chiropractor certainly has become aware of my absenteeism.
Better Flexibility and Strength: You can safely extend deeper with the hammock accessing muscles which are difficult to reach on a mat in mat-based yoga. I was also able to develop core, arm, and back strength seriously in the process of maintaining myself in the silk.
A Real Workout: You should never underestimate the grace moves that people do during aerial yoga; this form of workout is an honest moderate-intensity exercise. According to a study funded by the American Council on Exercise, 50-minute session of aerial yoga will burn a mean of 320 calories. According to the same study the cardiovascular fitness and the body composition was greatly improved after a six week program .
The Unbelievable Psychological and emotional Pros.
The physical gains are impressive, yet, the psychological changes were what changed my attitude towards exercise:
A Confidence Boost: Overcoming my fear of inverting and learning to do it taught me that I could never imagine myself to be that confident. I transferred this confidence into other aspects of my life whether at work or in personal relationships.
Stress Removal and Happiness: Swinging through the air is something that is, strictly speaking, happy. The practice makes you sit down and there is no room in your head to think about the concerns of the day. This practice of wrapping myself into a cocoon to have the last Savasana is the most relaxation I have ever felt. Even a small 2019 study has reported major advancements in depression and stress levels in aerial arts practitioners.
A Carefree Attitude: Aerial yoga brought back the element of playfulness to my workouts routine. It brought back the innocent pleasure of playing on swings in the playground as a kid, more of the I have to work out mindset and more of the I can go play mindset.
Finding My Tribe
I had come to the studio with the hopes of a lonely experience. Instead, I found a community. The camaraderie of seeing people doing what they are scared to do, what their bodies can and cannot do, is awesome. We also congratulate one another when we do well, we form our own cheerleading team and we all jump around when one of us does a thing we believed we could never do. These individuals have been my fitness family.
What to Expect in your First Class of Aerial Yoga.
Curious and intimidated? I was, too. A no-nonsense overview of your first class and how to prepare This is what your first year class will probably entail.
You’ll Start Simple: It does not start with classes and backflips. My first session was about the basics- the ability to sit in the hammock, simple leans and simple standing poses. You will take some time to familiarize yourself with the equipment until you can make some inversions.
Motion sickness may occur: It is not unusual to feel a bit sick during the first lesson particularly in returning upright after being upside down. It normally disappears fast because your body gets used to it.
It is an Entire Body Workout: You will be engaged with the muscles that you have not realized that you had, especially in the abdomen, arms and back. And you will likely be pleasantly sore the next day.
It Ends with Bliss: The course finishes with an aerial Savasana. You wrap yourself in the hammock, and rock like a baby in its womb. It is a floating weightless meditation and pure heaven.
My More important Advice to Newcomers.
Wear the Right Clothes: Choose tight leggings and a tight-fitting long-sleeved top. Tight clothes may be caught on and the material of the hammock may cause strain on your skin which can be alleviated by using sleeves.
Have Faith in the Hammock: This is the most difficult and the most necessary. The silk hammocks have been designed to carry much more than 1,000 pounds. Say it to yourself,– the hammock is stronger than I am.
Listen to Your Body: Talk to your instructor. When any pose is uncomfortable or painful, please say so! They will be able to make adjustments to the fabric or locate an adjustment.
Take It Easy on Yourself: You will be enmeshed. You might feel clumsy. Everyone does at first. Stop being too perfect and take the learning process lightly.
Eat Light: It is best to avoid having a big meal at least an hour or two before a class. It is not pleasant to fall backwards with a full stomach.
How to respond to your biggest questions in aerial yoga (FAQs).
Q: I’m not flexible or strong. Can I really do aerial yoga?
A: Absolutely! This is the most widespread misunderstanding. You do not have to be a flexible and powerful one to begin, the practice will provide you the opportunity to develop them. The hammock is there to help you, and to render poses more easily available, not less.
Q: Is aerial yoga safe?
A: Aerial yoga is unbelievably safe when it is practiced under the supervision of a certified teacher. It is however, not advised when one has specific conditions such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, glaucoma, recent surgery, severe osteoporosis or pregnancy without the approval of the doctor. Never forget to inform your instructor about the health concerns.
Q: What if I’m afraid of heights?
A: The hammock is not more than two or three feet off the ground. Your hands are usually close to the floor even when you are inverted. Most of those who are afraid of heights can deal with the low height and getting over the little fear can be a massive confidence-booster.
Q: What makes aerial yoga different than regular yoga?
A: The hammock is three dimensional although it also shares the same philosophies and poses. It allows more profound spinal decompression, offers stability on difficult balances and creates an additional component of fun and liberation that is difficult to tap on a mat.
Q: Is it possible to do aerial yoga at home?
A: It is strongly suggested that you start with expert advice in a studio. The installation of a safe rigging system needs professional skills since incorrect installation could be very risky. First learn the fundamentals in a classroom setting.
My Final Conclusion: Does Aerial Yoga Live up to the Hype?
Since my initial clumsy bend backwards down into the silk, all the way up until now, with smooth movement through poses in the air, aerial yoga has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. It is not only a trend but a whole practice that not only tests your body but also relaxes your mind and uplifts your spirit literally.
It allowed me to abandon my desire to be in control and be perfect and instead trusting and being playful. It cured my back aching tension and it demonstrated strength that I had been unaware of. Above all, it has made me a part of a great community of nice, helpful people.
And, by the way, you should taste it, in case you are interested, a bit. Get a beginner-friendly course with a certified teacher, have a deep breath and get into the hammock. You may very well fly in ways other than one.