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Aerial yoga is a form of yoga that combines yoga postures, pilates and poses that defy gravity. But unlike traditional yoga, aerial yoga is performed mid-air with the help of a sling or a silk hammock that is suspended from the ceiling.
The hammock’s purpose is to support the body while performing the poses, thereby enhancing flexibility and taking away our body’s pressure.
Unlike traditional yoga, aerial fitness yoga tries to incorporate all dance elements, yoga, gymnastics, and acrobatics all while performing mid-air defying gravity.
1. Origin of Aerial Yoga
Over the years, Traditional yoga evolved into many different styles, and one among them is aerial fitness yoga.
This form of yoga originally started in 1991 when Broadway Choreographer and gymnast Christopher Harrison pioneered aerial fitness moves. He incorporated all the yoga elements into his workout regime, which later went to be known as Team Anti-Gravity.
Soon, Aerial yoga became a huge hit among all entertainers and became a common sight in all places, right from award shows to renaissance fairs, to art galleries, and even at the Olympic games opening ceremony.
The popularity of aerial yoga or anti-gravity yoga has increased drastically over the years and is now practiced worldwide. With celebrities’ addition also following this trend, it has become a huge hit among the masses.
2. Types of Aerial Fitness Yoga
Aerial fitness yoga has been categorized into many types and can be practiced regularly even at home with the help of many properties such as:
2.1. Aerial Silks
Aerial silks are originally more of a circus act that incorporates more dance and tricks. Both Aerial yoga and aerial fitness use the same type of fabric to perform mid-air. They are usually rigged down so that the one using them has two poles of fabric hanging down.
Aerial silks lay more emphasis on using muscle power which essentially develops our core strength, endurance power, and fitness.
2.2. Aerial Hoops
Aerial hoops are also another form of art form derived from the circus. This art form is more of a combination of aerial arts and pole fitness consisting of many tricks to transport from one thing to another.
Aerial hoops can be a great way to boost our flexibility and build strength. However, on the downside, due to the use of metal hoops in aerial hoops, they can be more painful compared to aerial hammocks or aerial silks.
2.3. Bungee Fitness
Bungee fitness is a different type of workout altogether. In this case, the hip harness is worn around the waist, and the bungee clips are suspended from the ceiling.
Unlike the above-mentioned types, which focus on flexibility, bungee fitness is all about cardio. There is more running, chasing, jumping around, and dancing here. Bungee fitness is a lot more fun and a great method of the low-impact workout.
Bungee fitness equipment is available in three different sizes to suit every user’s weight.
3. 10 Amazing Benefits of Aerial Yoga:
Aerial yoga guarantees many benefits to the body as well as the mind; some of them include:
3.1. Helps with Back Pain
Aerial yoga works like magic for people suffering from pain. When we hang ourselves upside down for yoga poses, it puts less stress on the back, thereby lengthening and decompressing the spine.
Aerial yoga is also used for physical rehabilitation.
3.2. Increases the Flexibility
When aerial yoga is practiced regularly, it stretches our muscles and tendons. Being suspended from the air releases tension from the body and enhances its flexibility of the body.
Practicing yoga mid-air boosts flexibility, toughens our muscles, and enhances the spine and shoulder’s flexibility.
3.3. Aids in the Digestion Process
Aerial yoga has been effectively used for digestion-related issues like indigestion and constipation. The postures and movements that are part of aerial yoga improve the functioning of the digestive system.
The stretching in this form of yoga helps to relax your abdomen, thereby providing relief from irritable bowel syndrome.
3.4. Stress Relief
In today’s world, there is hardly anyone free from anxiety and stress, and with changing times and experiences, things are only worse for anyone.
Aerial Yoga proves to be a great stress reliever as well. While hanging down mid-air, provides us with a chance to meditate and focus on only positive, happy thoughts. It puts our minds at ease and helps greatly with anxiety and panic attacks.
Doing this yoga form even for a few minutes every day keeps anxiety attacks, stress, and panic attacks at bay.
3.5. Improves Blood Circulation
The blood in our body becomes stagnant and trapped from being upright after a long day at work. Even though our blood flows throughout our body from our heart’s continuous pumping, our lymphatic fluid remains trapped.
Our lymphatic requires motion to circulate, which can be in the form of physical activity or massage.
By practicing aerial yoga, it is possible to move our lymphatic fluid throughout our whole body to our muscles and organs, thus leading to more effective functioning.
The increased blood circulation through aerial fitness yoga also slows down the aging process of our body. Therefore, practicing this form of yoga continuously helps prevent wrinkles and helps us achieve a young, radiant, and energetic look.
3.6. Helps with Breathing
Breathing induces calmness in us. Breathing at regular intervals is a crucial aspect of all types of yoga.
Aerial yoga also emphasizes controlled breathing while hanging in mid-air. It helps us to relax and even enhance our lung capacity when practiced regularly.
3.7. Boosts Mood and Confidence
Low self-esteem and confidence can drag down any individual and affect all the other areas of their life, including family, friends, relationships, and work.
Trying something new can be challenging, but successfully overcoming the challenge can give a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of empowerment.
According to yoga practitioners, practicing aerial yoga regularly helps boost our confidence by providing a sense of accomplishment.
Like many workouts, this form of yoga psychologically benefits us just like any other workout that helps rebuild our emotional system.
3.8. Dense Core Strength
No one does not want a toned, fit body. Practicing aerial yoga helps to keep the muscles conditioned around the spine and vertebral column. It helps to release the knots and tension in that area and prevents any form of ache.
Aerial fitness offers many forms of poses that strengthen the core as well as improve the overall health and well-being of our body.
3.9. Cardio Workout with Low Impact
Aerial yoga consists of exercises that combine strength, stretching, and endurance. These exercises prevent osteoporosis, which occurs when we fail to maintain bone density.
Aerial fitness helps to effectively maintain our bone strength as well as more endurance against cardiovascular diseases.
3.10. Burns Calories
Aerial yoga is not just about peace and relaxation; it is more of an effective workout. According to a research study by the American Council on Exercise, aerial fitness yoga is more effective than its rival aerobic exercises.
A minute of an aerial fitness yoga session is said to burn about 320 calories, effectively preventing many cardiovascular diseases in the future.
To read more about the benefits of aerial yoga, click here.
4. Aerial Yoga at Home
The most basic aerial yoga moves, such as hanging upside down and swinging, can be practiced at home. However, a few things are to be kept in mind while practicing this form of yoga at home, some of them include:
4.1. Checking and Double Checking Equipment
It is highly recommended to get professional help before installing equipment on ceilings and beams. Also, in the apparatus, only high-quality and tested hammocks appropriate for aerial fitness are to be used.
4.2. Make Sure You Know the Moves
The equipment is designed in such a way to hold our whole body, and therefore it is essential to be accustomed to appropriate grips, wraps, mounts, and dismounts.
4.3. Some Helpful Points
- In case, you don’t have access to silk hammocks, a yoga strap can also be used as a substitute to attain deeper poses like a reclined pigeon, dancer’s pose, and floor. bow
- It is also important to note that Aerial fitness yoga, when done improperly, can be dangerous and result in undesirable consequences. Hence, it is essential to seek professional help while doing so.
- The benefits associated with this form of yoga are so many that it is worth flipping upside down for our body and mind’s well-being once in a while.
Read more about morning yoga benefits at home.
4.4. Dos and Don’ts of Aerial Yoga
Some of the do’s and don’ts of practicing aerial fitness yoga include
- It is highly recommended that people with epilepsy, hypertension, and heart-related ailments should consult a doctor before practicing this form of yoga.
- It is essential to warm up with exercises like stretching or walking before doing yoga.
- Hydrating the body before and after the fitness session is also very essential.
- Heavy food before the session is to be avoided.
- It is essential to go along with the flow of the body rather than forcing it.
- Wear comfortable and loose clothes before doing aerial yoga.
WATCH THE VIDEO: AERIAL YOGA FOR BEGINNERS – 30-MINUTE FULL BODY WARM UP
5. Frequently Asked Questions
5.1. Is aerial yoga good for Beginners
Yes! Everyone can do aerial yoga for a new experience. However, it can be difficult at the start; therefore, begin with this under professional supervision, at first.
5.2. Can aerial yoga tone your body
Yes! Aerial yoga helps burn fat. Moreover, aerial yoga works on your whole body’s strength and helps in building muscles. Hence, yoga will tone your body.
5.3. Do you wear shoes during aerial yoga?
No. Footwear is not required during aerial yoga as your body is constantly in the air through a hanging silk cloth.
5.4. What should you eat before aerial yoga?
Take a good amount of carbohydrate snack, an hour before starting the aerial yoga. Carbohydrates are necessary for energy.
5.5. Is aerial yoga good for anxiety?
Yes, absolutely. Aerial yoga helps to keep the mind calm and stress-free. It gives a different experience for comfort than other yoga as you are completely in the air and feeling each of your breaths, to sustain your body.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
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