If you are new to Aerial Yoga, you probably have hundreds of questions. But that’s OK.
We bring you a handy guide to frequently asked questions from newcomers. The blog will guide you to the fundamental questions on Aerial yoga.
We hope the blog indeed brings confidence in you to join Aerial Yoga. So let us begin
Here is all you need to know before swinging into Aerial Yoga Class.
1. What is Aerial Yoga?
Aerial yoga takes you from a regular yoga mat to a hammock or a swing. Here you perform the same yoga poses on a mat, but in Aerial yoga, you do it on a hammock. A hammock is suspended from a ceiling as a prop to support you through the various flows.
The purpose of a hammock is to improve flexibility and build strength. It aids in performing challenging poses without adding pressure on your shoulders, spine, or head. Also, allowing you to do more demanding stuff will help you embrace yourself.
Aerial Yoga was created in New York by Christopher Harrison, a former dancer experienced with acrobatics. As yoga started 5,000 years ago, Aerial yoga is a modern adaption of ancient practices.
In different parts of the world, Aerial yoga is termed with other names like:
- Anti-gravity yoga
- Zero-gravity yoga
- Circus Yoga
- Flying yoga
- Inversion Therapy
- Air Yoga
- Upside-down Yoga
2. Why should one practice Aerial Yoga?
Here are the five excellent reasons to push you to take flight with Aerial Yoga and soar to new heights in your practice.
Advance Your Asana Practice
One of the most compelling reasons to practice Aerial Yoga is that it helps to advance your Asana practice. Within a short period, you can level up your asana practice.
Aerial yoga is the best choice, even if you feel like taking a break from the monotonous yoga routine. It will help you to regain your strength and flexibility. Postures such as Hanumanasana (the splits), aka pada Rajakapotasana (one-legged king pigeon pose), and Adho Mukha Vrksasana (handstand) help relax and regain strength.
See the world upside-down
One of the exciting aspects of Aerial yoga is the Inversion. Inversions are an essential part of physical practice and sequencing. Some people fear doing inversions, while some are incredibly excited about them.
The most crucial Aerial Yoga inversion is that they decompress the spine. It gives a path to work through fear and allows the hammock to hold you just to surrender.
Discover new capabilities
In practicing Aerial Yoga, one encounters the capabilities of incredibly strengthening. Aerial Yoga gives a platform to practice fun variations on pull-ups, allowing you to lift yourself and perform flips in a way close to the ground.
Improve your Alignment
Practicing with a Hammock will help you to put some of your body weight on the hammock and help you to balance the asana effectively.
One example is Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana, the standing hand-to-big toe pose. Instead of holding the extended leg up with your own hands. This allows you to find the alignment of your hips properly while breathing deeper and slower.
Embrace Your Inner Monkey
As we grow older, stress builds up, and we are so engrossed in our lives and anxious that we often forget that life can be fun too.
Practicing Aerial yoga infuses playfulness back into our lives. It helps you embrace and cherish the kid factor and allows you to start living life to the fullest.
3. Is Aerial yoga difficult?
Though hanging in the air seems difficult, it is not as complicated as it looks. It is pretty on the relaxing and calming side. One may see it as problematic because it takes time to adjust to being upside down.
You may also feel that Aerial yoga may require much skill and practice. While using a hammock or swing makes it simpler. Many first-timers at the Aerial yoga class are surprised to see how simple it is. Practicing Aerial Yoga will give you a mixed feeling of a head rush, a sense of thrill, and achievement.
It is suitable for everybody, doesn’t matter what your body type is and which level of fitness you are. You will take a short time to enhance your yoga practice, but once you learn, you will practice them with ease and grace.
4. Is Aerial Yoga safe?
Everything comes with a risk, but Aerial yoga is incredibly safe. When you learn a proper technique under professional guidance, you will feel how safe and relaxed it is.
It is always essential to take precautions while learning and practicing Aerial yoga. Sometimes one must not give up on trying Aerial yoga once in one life due to fear because Aerial yoga gives you wings. It helps you to fly safely and feel complete about it.
5. What are the health benefits of Aerial yoga?
Aerial Yoga makes you better at all kinds of yoga. You will build serious body strength without disturbing your joints. Enjoy your Aerial Yoga journey.
6. Can I learn Aerial Yoga at home?
Initially, learning and practicing Aerial yoga need professional guidance and help. Thus it may become difficult while you know Aerial yoga at home. Also, arranging all the gears and equipment required in Aerial yoga becomes tricky and hassles.
But at the same time, practicing Aerial yoga at home gives you the ultimate freedom to create a perfect workout regime for yourself and your comfort zone.
7. What do I wear for Aerial Yoga?
You need to wear form-fitted clothes for Aerial yoga. You can’t carry yourself in loose clothes or pajamas because they can easily get tangled, so you are at them.
So, wearing form-fitted clothes like leggings or meggings is always great; a long-sleeve top is ideal for handling the pressure of a hammock on your body.
8. What to expect during your first Aerial Yoga Class?
Aerial yoga is not discriminative, and it is beginner-friendly. It does not matter if you are a beginner or a high-level yogi; everything taught in an Aerial class can be modified to different levels. If you are used to regular yoga, then you won’t find much difference in Aerial yoga classes.
Performing traditional yoga poses with a silk cloth will help to go deeper in yoga practice. You can expect the flips quite a few times in a class. Each yoga class ends with a Shavasana(yes, Aerial yoga has a Shavasana too). Gain a euphoric experience of hanging on a hammock and simply swinging and relaxing.
End Note
Aerial Yoga is an emotion of love and happiness. The energy of Aerial yoga will equip you with lots of satisfaction and calmness and will take you to a level you never thought of. If you want to try Aerial Yoga, you must do it. It is truly worth your time and energy.
Look for Aerial yoga classes around you or join Aerial Yoga school and experience the feeling of hanging in the air. Do not forget to consider the tips and tricks shared in the blog. Stay determined and confident, and you will embrace the beautiful journey of Aerial Yoga.
Have a happy yoga learning!