Aerial yoga
This is how the airy, light trend sport works
In aerial yoga, you (partly) hang in the air.
© Nataliya Derkach / Shutterstock.com
At first glance, Aerial Yoga looks like something only for acrobats. Although the yoga style is intimidating, it is suitable for newbies.
Aerial yoga, also known as air yoga or antigravity yoga, is a very special type of yoga. In aerial yoga, it is not a yoga mat, but a hanging, six square meter cloth that plays the important role. All exercises are performed hanging in the air. The purpose of the towel is to support the flow of movement while improving flexibility and strength.
The aerial yoga towel also relieves stress on certain areas of the body, so that more demanding poses such as headstands can be performed with greater ease. Most aerial yoga photos show a yogi completely suspended in the air. However, many aerial yoga poses only require one part of the body, such as the foot or leg, to be removed from the floor.
How aerial yoga differs from classical yoga
Aerial yoga is a complement to traditional yoga. Both styles of yoga have their advantages, but for people with joint or spine pain, aerial yoga might be a better choice. The cloth itself allows you to go deeper into the stretches and poses, which further improves the flexibility of the entire body. Due to the nature of the postures and breathing, aerial yoga promotes blood circulation and digestion. In order to maintain stability in the various poses, it is important to keep the abdominal muscles tense throughout the exercise. With regular practice, core strength improves.
No wonder that aerial yoga is also popular with stars like Kourtney Kardashian (42), Pink (42) and Gisele Bündchen (41). Actress Sarah Hyland (31) has been a fan of cloth yoga for years and posted a picture of her session directly on Instagram. “I’m going to the circus now,” she explains with a wink. Demi Moore’s daughter Rumer Willis (33) regularly tries new exercises while floating. In addition to a tight body, this also ensures spectacular photos.
Why should one try aerial yoga?
In addition to the opportunity to learn something new, Aerial Yoga makes advanced yoga asanas accessible to beginners. The support of the noose increases confidence in the practice and gives a sense of fulfillment. Hanging upside down is a great way to decompress your spine and release tension in your neck.
With the help of gravity, Aerial Yoga creates space in the body without putting any strain on the joints. In addition, fresh blood flows into the head during reversal of postures and the circulation is stimulated. This sport is also a great practice for learning how to deepen your breath and expand your lung capacity. So the benefits of aerial yoga are worth standing upside down every now and then.