Aerial Yoga: Everything you need to know
What is Aerial Yoga?
Aerial Yoga is a form of exercise that combines the common positions (asanas) of Yoga, with the body strengthening that Aerial sports offer, meaning the off-the-ground exercise, since the individual is on a hammock. The schools of Aerial Yoga are: Classic (yoga and acrobatics combination), Antigravity (mainly focuses on acrobatic exercises) and Unnata Aerial Yoga (we use a hammock but we focus on the elements of Yoga).
Which are the benefits of Aerial Yoga?
Aerial, as a form of exercise, has many benefits for the human organism, both in physical and mental level. Some of these are: To name a few:
Muscle strengthening
Core strengthening
Body Conditioning
Decompression of the vertebra and full stretch of the spinal cord
Muscle pain relief
Better brain oxygenation
Improved heart function
Hormonal system control
Activation of proprioception, the ability of our central neural network to bring our various body parts in alignment, in collocation with the space and our movement in it
Wellness and Confidence, thanks to the sense of freedom that aerial exercise and its challenges offer
Is this workout suitable for me?
This particular form of workout is for everyone, without the need of previous experience with Yoga or Aerial workout. However, Aerial Yoga is contraindicated for individuals with high blood pressure or glaucoma, pregnant women and for those who recently had a surgery.
A few words from the Expert…
Combining the ancient and well-established Yoga techniques with the fun and physical strengthening from Aerial Acrobatic techniques, the result is … Aerial Yoga! Aerial Yoga is a new type of exercise using a special fabric in the form of a hammock, designed to help the practitioner, physically and spiritually, using the lack of gravity as an ally in strengthening and fun!
Truth is, that the sense of swinging was tested several years ago by the Great Master of Yoga, B.K.S Iyengar, who supported the benefits of decompression of the spine, posture improvement, treating body areas that are difficult to extend on the ground or at a standing position.
In an Aerial Yoga class, exercises are performed on a special fabric – hammock, which is made to support heavy weights and follow trends. The qualified Aerial Yoga instructor, guides a lesson, which includes strengthening exercises, standing poses, inversions, rotations, acrobatics and finally stretching and deep relaxation inside the hammocks, which allows the mind to relax… in a bouncy universe!