In recent years, aerial yoga has gained popularity as a form of exercise, and perhaps those bright hammocks have even caught your interest. As you are suspended in midair by a safe aerial silk hammock, this yoga trend creatively integrates the philosophy of the practice with a number of positions (asanas) and aerial-dance motions that encourage a mind-body connection.
Gymnast-turned-Broadway choreographer Christopher Harrison saw gymnasts doing aerial techniques in 1991 that included elements of yoga, ballet, acrobatics, pilates, and more. Harrison invented what is now known as anti-gravity fitness as a result of what he saw.
According to Michelle Dortignac, the creator of Unnata Aerial Yoga, “At its foundation, an aerial yoga class takes you through the same sorts of yoga poses you encounter in a regular yoga session.” “The hammock gives support at crucial locations, allowing you to stay in a posture longer and correct your alignment,”
Aerial Yoga
Benefits of Aerial Yoga
Yoga has long been praised for its benefits to one’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. In fact, a research on aerial yoga conducted by the American Council Exercise indicated that participants experience similar health advantages to those of low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
In addition to this, Dortignac lists a lot of additional advantages of practicing aerial yoga. Making progress with your inversions, which improves the flow of blood to the brain, as well as strengthening and extending your core are other advantages. Here are some other advantages.
Boost Circulatory System
In general, practicing yoga can help decrease your heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. In actuality, yoga was connected to a reduction in blood pressure, according to a research looking at how it affected those with prehypertension or hypertension.
Reduce Chronic Stress
According to Dortignac, good alignment is essential for the health of the spine and joints. Therefore, engaging in prolonged yoga poses while concentrating on deep, calm breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system.
The portion of your autonomic nervous system known as the parasympathetic nervous system is in charge of relieving stress and bringing us out of the fight-flight-freeze reaction. One of the key benefits of yoga practice is the reduction of ongoing stress.
Improve Gut Health
A 12-week remedial yoga model was found to have a favorable effect on symptoms in the first two groups of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who were divided into groups receiving yoga and restricted conventional treatment, yoga and conventional treatment, and a wait-list control group.
These results imply that yoga, either as a stand-alone therapy or in conjunction with conventional treatment, may be an effective way to reduce the severity of IBS. Additionally, evidence suggests that postures that focus on the lower belly might improve energy flow throughout the intestines, which could account for the improvement in symptoms.
Promote Optimal Mental Health
According to studies on the impacts of aerial practice, both skill-based classes and skill-based and performative aerial classes were successful at enhancing participants’ mental health.
Along with physical improvements like increased strength, particularly in the upper body, groups showed good psychological changes and social experiences.
How to Start Aerial Yoga?
Aerial yoga is appropriate for all fitness levels and educational backgrounds, much like regular yoga. However, you should get ready before climbing into the hammock.
What to Wear
Choose clothes that fits reasonably closely to the body, yet that can still move with you. Due to certain stances requiring you to be upside down, consider covering.
As these regions might regularly brush against the hammock, Dortignac advises wearing clothes that covers the armpits, lower back, and legs from the buttocks to the backs of the knees to avoid chafing.
What to Eat
Dortiganc advises avoiding eating or drinking anything for at least two hours prior to class. Choose “sattvic” (lighter, plant-based), energizing foods and beverages to maintain your body in balance and to give you a burst of energy.
Start at a Suitable Level
Finally, ease into aerial yoga with a lesson that is suitable for beginners and teaches you the principles of the discipline. Before attempting more difficult postures, it is ideal to progress your abilities and establish your flow.
