The Joy of Antigravity Yoga

Antigravity yoga class in session (source)

 Have you ever heard of “antigravity yoga”? What do you imagine it to be? Something that involves levitation, yoga performed from high distances off the ground, or spellbinding acrobatics? Well, not really. Antigravity yoga, also known as aerial yoga, is much more simplistic and grounded than that. It is a unique type of exercise that fuses two traditional art forms - yoga and aerial dance. Think of graceful dance movements that require core strength as well as flexibility intertwined with yoga poses that call for full mind and body focus. It’s a match made in heaven! 

So how does antigravity yoga work exactly? All classes utilize something called a “yoga hammock” which is made from a soft fabric strong enough to support your body weight. This yoga hammock serves as the critical tool in teaching students how to align their bodies within a variety of yoga postures.

I was a little hesitant before my first antigravity yoga class, but I soon got over my preconceived notions once I stepped inside the class. First of all, the yoga hammock is not that far off the ground (just a couple feet) so there is no need to be fearful of heights! Secondly, you have to learn to trust the hammock. It’s your friend. Stick to it and you’ll never fall. The class was an eye-opening experience. It allowed me to do yoga poses with the hammock that I normally cannot do in normal yoga classes. I was even able to do inversions (like headstands) with the help of the hammock without adding any pressure on my spine. Indeed, among the benefits of antigravity yoga is the ability to perform inversions more easily, which stimulates blood flow to your brain and releases any spinal compression. I felt utterly refreshed and rejuvenated after that first class, as if all the kinks in my body had been released. Since then, I've become an antigravity yoga addict!

So what is holding you back from trying this class for yourself? Remember, one does not need any experience in yoga, acrobatics, or aerial dance to reap the benefits of antigravity yoga. All you need is an open mind! 

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