Aerial Yoga combines traditional yoga asanas and yoga philosophies with aerial arts. Silk fabrics and rigging are hung from above to help practitioners form shapes.
You can feel totally supported by the silks even lying down fully, such as in a hammock, or wrap the silks around specific parts of the body, leaving other parts on the floor.
Hanging fully or hanging a single body part is believed to raise your balance and create your body less tense. The silks and cords can also be good for balance.
Many aerial yoga classes embrace an acrobatic part, however, an increasing number of restrictions teachers and aerial silks are turning to the aerial cord more and more therapeutically.
Jo Stewart, co-owner and director of Garden of Yoga, a huge Melbourne-based studio with a variety of aerial yoga classes, is a huge advocate of using this silk in more peaceful ways.
Can you do aerial yoga at home?
Yes, you can do it at home. Doing aerial yoga at home gives you a lot of control over the most suitable exercise program for your home space. To ensure that it’s secure, you’ll want a strong ceiling, a beam, a tree, or portable aerial yoga frames.
History
The practice of yoga with props is largely credited to B.K.S. Iyengar (1918-2014), who developed the Iyengar yoga form. In addition to using the props, straps, blocks, ropes, and blankets you may see in studios, Iyengar hung his students from the ceiling in yoga swings.
The very first swings are nothing like the present ones, which are made of ropes and covered with yoga mats or blankets. The anti-gravity style of yoga was originally called antigravity. The very first yoga swing, a set of silk harnesses attached to a handle and foot ledge, is believed to have originated in the early 2000s in a certain state.
The style name of aerial yoga refers to one long piece of fabric used for yoga hammocks. This started in 2011. You can find today aerial yoga studios and instructors trained to provide aerial yoga in the globe.
Benefits
Improved flexibility, stability, and balance: An 2019 study found that aerial athletes have remarkable power, balance, and flexibility.
Traction and joint decompression: Hanging upside down and inverting are said to relieve sore or compressed parts of the body, which can gradually deteriorate due to gravity and age.
Reduced risk factors for heart disease: While research on this yoga style is limited, the most significant study, completed in 2016 by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), found that it reduces cardiovascular risk factors.
Low to moderate intensity: An ACE-commissioned study revealed that 50 minutes of aerial yoga can burn in excess of 300 calories, making it a form of light to moderate exercise.
Improved mental health: Small research has noted significant improvements in symptoms of depression and stress levels when individuals practiced aerial arts just for the love of moving. This can bode well for aerial yoga, which applies yogic concepts and may be less commercialized and more accessible than a circus or formal acrobatic class.
Equipment needed for aerial yoga
If you are Attending a class in a studio that is aerial-focused then requires only your body.
Appropriately fitting exercise clothes with adequate coverage are recommended since ropes and silks can rub against your skin. The less obstruction and direct contact, the better. Some classes provide towels to assist with cushioning, but you can also always bring your own.
If you are doing it at home then little equipment is needed.
The Aerial Yoga Hammock
- 4 Carabiners (‘Biners, in the biz)
- 2 Choke Loops
- 2 Daisy Chains (or, a better alternative, REI’s Metolius Anchor Chain)
- 1 Ceiling hook
- Instructions for assembly and maintenance
Summary
Aerial yoga is a great workout that can be enjoyed by everyone. Its simple movements can be adapted to any level, and it is a great way to get some exercise while spending time in nature. Aerial yoga can help improve your flexibility, balance, and strength. If you’re looking for a new way to get fit, aerial yoga is definitely worth checking out!
