Aerial yoga, or asanas, which are performed in a sling suspended from the ceiling, is increasingly popular. What is worth knowing about this physical activity?
Yoga has a growing number of followers (as well as supporters) around the world. Currently, aerial yoga, which consists of performing exercises in a sling that is attached to the ceiling, is quite popular. Such exercises have many benefits that are worth knowing about.
Aerial yoga is also called yoga in the air, fly yoga and air yoga. It was developed by Michelle Dortignac, a dancer and acrobat. Michelle opened the Unnata Aerial Yoga center in the US in 2006, and has since begun practicing the discipline she created. It consisted of performing various exercises in soft slings – hammocks that were attached to the ceiling. Aerial yoga is a combination of yoga and acrobatics, but you can also see inspiration from dance and Pilates.
The upside of having the body above the surface is that it is easier to relax your muscles. Some asanas are less difficult.
Interestingly, many of the exercises performed during aerial yoga overlap with those performed during traditional yoga on the ground. The advantage of asanas performed in a sling is that later most of them can be successfully performed on a mat.
Aerial yoga can have different facets. One can focus on meditation, in which case calm strengthening asanas will be used, which will change slightly over time with the form of advancement.
In the sling, one can easily perform asanas in handstand positions and forward bends. There can be no shortage of inverted Sirsana-type postures, or transitions to sitting in a stretch from the inverted frog position.
At the end of the exercises, you can lay in a hammock like a cocoon, which guarantees incredible relaxation of the whole body and spirit.
In 2016. The American Council on Exercise conducted a study on the benefits of aerial yoga. They are similar to those achieved through aerobic exercise, such as recreational cycling or brisk walking. In addition to this, sling yoga strengthens muscles, which promotes good posture, relaxes and lengthens the spine, strengthens muscles and makes them more flexible, improves balance, increases the range of motion in joints, firms the skin due to better blood circulation, lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, helps shed excess weight and lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Fly yoga also reduces chronic stress levels and irritability, aids digestion, and improves mood.
Those who would like to try yoga in a sling should apply to a certified studio, where they will learn the various exercises and movements. The instructor will show and explain everything thoroughly, so it will be easy to determine whether this yoga will be suitable for us.
It is a good idea before going to aerial yoga to take a few classes of classical yoga or try to perform the easiest asanas on your own at home, for example, watching videos on the Internet.
main photo: unsplash.com/Conscious Design
