What is Aerial Yoga?

Floating Hanumanasana

Aerial Yoga is a fairly new modality, made possible by the popularity of of the aerial arts in the past decade. It incorporates the suspension of an aerial hammock, with the flow, philosophy and integrity of a yoga class or sequence.

Calling something "yoga," means that it has roots in the ancient art of yoga asana.  So, to call something Aerial Yoga, for me, it must have both elements, one no greater than the other. This of course pertains to one of the aspects of yoga, which is Hatha Yoga, the Asanas, or what is most commonly understood as a western yoga class found even at your local recreational center.

I've been saying a lot lately that aerial yoga is like having the ultimate yoga prop. It is there to guide you, to help you, to assist you, to support you and yes, to suspend you in the air and engulf you in the fabric. It is flow, it is a moving mediation, and it is FUN!

One of the biggest benefits that I've experienced myself, having had many injuries over the years, is that after doing aerial yoga, I've noticed a change, a strength to my "regular" class. I'm able to get into poses more easily, especially ones such as Baddha Konasana and Warrior 3.

Being suspended while doing some of the traditional asanas has allowed for more space in my joints and decompression in my spine. This decompression happens by inverting in the hammock, with total support, and no pressure on the spine, head or shoulders. Inversions can be scary for some, or difficult for others, but the benefits are so great!

On another note, I'm so excited to have a name for what I have been doing for over a decade. I started training as an aerialist 12+ years ago, and teaching around a decade ago. Before that I had already been dancing my whole life, around yoga my whole life, and had become a Certified Gyrotonic® teacher in New York City while getting my BFA in Dance. Needless to say, movement, and specifically healthy movement has always been a part of my life. As I grew into a professional aerial training coach, most of what I was teaching in the air came from the principles of yoga and Gyrotonic®. So, though it wasn't called anything yet, I truly have been doing Aerial Yoga for many, many years.

With that, I am so thrilled to be offering classes, workshops and teacher trainings all over the world, and most especially excited for my local classes being held at Tease Studio in Denver. Schedule coming soon!

Don't forget to visit my website, www.mothaerialyoga.com to learn how you can fly with me.

In light and flight!