What is Aerial Yoga?
Re-Align your body and spirit using our soft hammocks supended in the air. Aerial Yoga allows practitioners to sink into their practice quicker, to deepen stretches , find proper alignment and the benefits of inversions without strain on the joints of the body. Gain flexibility, muscle tone and cardiovascular health. Its helps elongate the spine , joint mobility as well as helps with relaxation, flexibility and strength. People who finish feel calm, yet rejuvenated.
Instructors Glenda Smith , above, demonstrate some of the positions they use during AntiGravity yoga.
“It’s liberating,” new and different,It’s exciting…
What Happens In a Typical Class?
While practicing Aerial Yoga, students will move through the same basic elements of a floor practice (pranayama, asanas, savasana), expect that they will be elevated in the fabric or using the fabric for alignment for the entire class. Some postures will involve only partial support from the hammock, while others will require complete trust in the fabric as it supports 100% of the body weight. Begin with an Intro class which will cover all of the basic wraps of Aerial Yoga, & expand into more advanced classes that explore variations & flows that will deepen your practice & keep your inner child wanting more.
Benefits of Aerial Yoga:
Move more fluidly Attain proper alignment naturally
Decompress the neck & spine
Less pressure on hands, neck, shoulders & joints
Achieve more advanced postures while being supported
Allows gravity to deepen stretches
Experience the benefits of inversions without risk of injury to neck or spine
Enhance, deepen, & advance your floor practice
Have fun while you Strengthen & Lengthen
How Do I Prepare for an Aerial Yoga Class?
Bring a yoga mat to class. Wear a shirt that covers your underarms completely. Bring a large towel or thick sweatshirt for padding until you are used to the feeling of the fabric. Do not use hand lotion or sunscreen before class. Do not wear jewelry, belts, or clothing with grommets, gems, or anything that could potentially snag the fabric. Avoid lose shorts or very baggy clothing. Please trim your finger and toenails. Eating or drinking is never recommended before yoga, but it is particularly important with Aerial. Avoid eating or drinking acidic liquids an hour prior to class. Please observe good personal hygiene and wear deodorant in consideration for the next person using the hammock.
Tips and Observations
It is usually advised that you practice yoga on a empty stomach, and that is especially true of AntiGravity Yoga, what with the inverting, spinning, and pressure of the hammock on your abdomen.
Long pants and a shirt with sleeves are must-haves, since the hammock can dig into your arms and legs under the weight of your body.
I felt some pain from the hammock when it was under my hips in forward folds, though my teacher assured us that this abates with continued practice.
I also suffer from mild arthritis in my finger joints and I found that some of the poses where you have to grip the hammock strongly were hard on my hands.
Those with certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma and high blood pressure, are advised not to undertake this practice, so be sure to check your medical history against this list.
As with any yoga practice, coming prepared with a sense of humor and a willingness to try new things goes a long way toward making an AntiGravity Yoga class a fun and relaxed experience.
If you have any of the conditions below, please consult your physician before participating in an aerial class: