Fitness review: aerial yoga
Are you a yoga enthusiast and wondering if aerial yoga is worth the hype? I tried it, and I must say, it didn’t disappoint.
I’ve been taking yoga classes regularly now for the past six years. What I love about the practice is the strength that’s built in the body from the asanas (poses) we hold, and the breathing exercises we do that connects movement to breath. For me, yoga is restorative, deeply nurturing and meditative.
I prefer Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin yoga, but I won’t judge a book by its cover until I’ve tried it. Aerial yoga has been on the list for a while, so when it was suggested as a review to do on a competition I ran on the blog’s Facebook page, I knew it was time to head into a studio to try it out.
The details:
Duration: 45 minutes
Style: Introductory/beginner class
Cost: $30 casual drop-in
Who’s there: Mainly women, but all ages 20s through to 60s
What to wear: ¾ tights or leggings over gym shorts, t-shirt/short sleeved top (no singlets), socks, no jewellery, no clothing with zips
What to expect:
Aerial yoga – or anti-gravity yoga – is done with the support of fabric suspended from ceiling beams, which drop down as slings/hammocks. You don’t need to have done yoga before (though it does help), as the intro class focuses on building familiarity with the sling, so that you can manoeuvre yourself safely without causing strain or tension.
Before class starts, the instructor will help you adjust the sling so that it’s the right height for you (the fabric’s lowest point, when pulled taut, should line up with your hip bones). From there, class starts with everyone shown how to safely pull themselves up and into the sling. Once you’re settled, you can stretch the fabric out around you so you’re engulfed in a cocoon, which will be the starting point for several simple yoga sequences.
The classes are capped which means you can easily see and hear the instructor at all times. They’ll also be able to see you and help if you need extra one-on-one assistance. In the class I went to, we did the following asanas:
Side bend – from your cocoon position, stretch your arms up and overhead and gently bend to one side, also edging your feet over to the same direction while keeping your back and hips flat in the fabric.
Downward dog – you’ll be shown how to safely exit out of the sling and from there, you’ll drape your body over the fabric so that it’s nestled snugly under your hip bone as you fold forward into downward dog.
Bat (inversion) – for those feeling confident, you’ll get to try this upside down move. You’ll be shown how to grip the fabric so that your back and shoulders are supported. From this seated position, you can then rock backwards so your head faces the floor, and you’ll pull your knees to your chest. Keep your neck long and ensure your shoulders are stacked directly over your hips.
Would I recommend this fitness workout to a friend?
Yes, I would recommend anti-gravity yoga. In the beginner class, it’s not so much a workout because you’re learning how to use the sling and get comfortable. But I imagine the next level up, which you can go to once you’ve gotten a few intro classes under your belt, would get the heart rate going and be a lot more physical.
What I liked: being suspended off the ground, using the fabric to push and pull against, shavasana in a cocoon is pretty special, beautiful yoga studio and supportive instructor
What I didn’t like: costs more than a regular yoga class; a 5 or 10 class pass would be the way to go
What do I rate this fitness workout out of five?
Fitness: 2/5 Strength and toning: 3/5
Weight loss: 2/5 Wellness (mind, body, soul connection): 5/5
Want some inspiration? Here’s an Instagram video from the Bend and Fly yoga studio I went to at West End, which gives a sneak peek of what you can work your way up to.
Has my review inspired you to give it a go? Let me know in the comments box below!
Don’t forget to get in touch if there’s a workout you’d like me to review. Just post it on my Facebook page or email hello@askthatfitgirl.com
Until next time,
Maryanne K
