Understanding Aerial Yoga: Key Benefits for Mind and Body

Aerial yoga is a combination of the traditional asanas and philosophies of yoga with aerial art. Generally, air practitioners use ropes or silk fabrics to carry out different postures. You can wrap the silk around specific body parts to practice the asanas or you can use it as a hammock and do the asanas. Whether you hand or are suspended midair, these postures are believed to open up your body and create traction. While most of these classes have an acrobatic element to it but many yoga retreats are using this form of yoga to heal individuals in a therapeutic manner.

Major benefits of aerial yoga

Aerial yoga offers several physical and psychological benefits that are hard to overlook. Some of the major ones are discussed below:

• • When you start practicing this form of yoga, you will notice that your flexibility, stability and overall balance has improved a lot. You will be fitter and more confident about yourself. Your lower back pain will be reduced and you can bend down easily to carry out different household tasks.
  • When you hand upside down and are in an inverting position, your joints tend to decompress. With the passage of time, our joints tend to compress due to age and gravity. To fight back and to improve your body movements, aerial yoga is really beneficial.
  • Although research on this form of yoga is limited, but as per the findings of the American Council on Exercise (ACE) in 2016, aerial yoga helps to reduce the risk factors that can lead to heart disease. If you practice this yoga on a regular basis, your overall cardiovascular condition will improve.
  • The same study also found that 50 minutes of this form of yoga can help burn 300 calories and more. If you are looking for a low to moderate form of intense exercise, you can try this out.
  • And finally, you will notice improved mental well-being. Since your depression and stress levels go down, you are able to concentrate better. Your focus remains unwavered. As a result, your overall performance in office and home improves a lot. You will be at peace and will be satisfied. Small things will not irk you anymore as you have found the balance from within.

Tips for beginners

To all those who are planning to get enrolled in aerial yoga classes, we have got some interesting tips that you should implement to enjoy the classes more:

• • Always listen to your body. If you don’t feel comfortable while doing the asanas, then take a break. You can also ask for assistance. The certified yoga trainers are there to help you out. Do not feel shy or hesitate to ask for assistance.
  • You need to communicate clearly. If the rope is too tight or if you feel that the rope will not be able to take your body weight, you should let the trainer know about the same. Since the rope or the silk is the main equipment used in this form of yoga, it is essential that you are comfortable using it. If things don’t feel right then voice out. Otherwise, you will end up hurting yourself.
  • Go easy on yourself. Remember that you are a beginner. It is your introduction to this form of yoga. You will take time to master it. Don’t rush through the asanas or expect them to become an expert after the first few classes.
  • Trust is an important factor in this form of yoga. You need to trust the teacher, trust the contraption and most importantly you need to trust yourself. Believe that you can do it and you will be.
  • And finally, don’t forget to have fun. Start with some stretches to let the blood flowing through the veins before you try out the asanas.

Summing it up:

Why don’t you get enrolled in the 50 Hour Aerial Yoga YTTC in Goa, India at Trimurti Yoga? It is a Yoga Alliance program. It aims to build a foundation for your future Aerial Yoga practice and teaching. It is the perfect culmination of traditional poses and contemporary techniques. On completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate. As long as you are willing to learn and have some basic knowledge about yoga, you are good to go.