Aerial yoga is a combination of traditional yoga poses done on the floor, and postures practiced using a soft fabric “trapeze” (called a “sling”) suspended at waist height. This is the same fabric that aerialists use in the circus, but in aerial yoga our body weight is distributed between the fabric and the floor, allowing us to access traditional yoga postures in new ways.
Decompression
Many newcomers enjoy working with the sling because with the help of gravity there is very little pressure or stress on the joints, especially the spine. Inversions are accessed easily with no strain on the neck, back, or shoulders.
Alignment
Gravity eases us into optimal alignment with very little effort, and deep postures can be accessed through relaxation and deep breathing. Our relaxation response is heightened by the unique sensations accessed in aerial yoga.
Strength
Hanging in the sling makes our core muscles fire. It is so much fun you don’t even realize what a great workout you’re getting. Transitioning in and out of the aerial yoga postures builds upper body strength, and resting in the postures heightens relaxation for a balanced effort overall.
