Yoga BLOG

Aerial Yoga Like many exciting yoga trends, aerial yoga also comes from the USA. It was developed by the creative acrobat and founder of the group AntiGravity , Christopher Calvin Harrison. So if you've always wanted to fulfill your dream of flying, want to do something for your fitness at the same time, and are looking for a variation on the otherwise perhaps somewhat overly serious yoga workout, then this is the right place for you. Because aerial yoga is primarily about fun and not so much about spiritual moments. Perhaps this relaxed form of yoga also leads to more introspection, as nothing is tense or forced here. Rather, it's about letting go, and you'll do that easily and automatically when you're dangling in one of the giant trapeze fabrics and are reminded a little of your toddler years. While in other forms of meditation and yoga, the mind still represents an obstacle, and a negative attitude can inevitably lead to a blockage that you first have to resolve in a lengthy process, in aerial yoga you have no time and certainly no interest in encouraging any skepticism that might arise. Rather, from start to finish, it's all about fully enjoying the exhilarating moments of suspended animation. The special features of Aerial Yoga at a glance Although aerial yoga exercises may seem daring at first glance, they are a yoga technique that can be practiced by both young and old. The appearance of a more demanding yoga style is deceptive. In fact, many stretching exercises are much easier in the air because the body weight is significantly reduced. The asanas performed in the inverted position are particularly suitable for those who suffer from back problems. This position relieves pressure on the back and neck, thus achieving a state of maximum relaxation. Furthermore, all muscle groups are strengthened and the internal organs are massaged. In addition to these aspects, aerial yoga also proves beneficial when it comes to building confidence in a world characterized by constant change, instability, and uncertainty. Of course, the inversion movements in particular have a corresponding effect, as they ensure that you reach a state of letting go. This encompasses all the essential elements in life, be they everyday problems, worries or desires, during your yoga exercises in the air you gain a new, healthier perspective on the things that really matter. It is certainly not surprising that the swinging motion alone provides a wonderful counterbalance to the often one-sided physical strain of work and dissolves potential stress within minutes. Experts consider a combination of aerial yoga and classic exercises on the ground to be ideal. Whenever traditional yoga causes you too many problems and you are too tense and cramped for some particularly difficult asanas , an hour in the air proves to be extremely relaxing. Of course, aerial yoga, which in short is a harmonious blend of Pilates , aerial acrobatics and the familiar yoga positions on the ground, also has other positive factors to offer as a standalone workout in addition to the advantages already mentioned. These include the development of natural balance, the feeling of protection and security and, last but not least, the not to be underestimated fun factor, which has a positive effect on body, soul and mind equally. Of course, this can only be a limited, theoretical description of this increasingly popular form of aerial yoga. You'll experience the full extent of its positive effects once you sit in the soft acrobatic cloth yourself and finally have the opportunity to relax not only your limbs but also your soul. Image © dmytr / 123rf.com

Anti-Gravity Yoga Are you always up for new, unusual ideas when it comes to exercise? Then you might already be familiar with the current yoga trend " Anti-Gravity Yoga ." While this style isn't yet very popular in Germany, it's experiencing a sustained boom in the US. So, anyone who has always assumed that yoga is a relatively solid and therefore sometimes somewhat rigid form of exercise should prepare for a few surprises. Because, as we all know, everything looks different from the air, and this is precisely where the majority of yoga exercises take place. Born out of necessity – the creation and development of an extraordinary yoga training As we all know, every great invention begins with an idea. In the case of the yoga style under discussion here, this idea came to the American Christopher Harrison, who was looking for new ways to keep his acrobatic group, AntiGravity, in shape between performances. The result was a creative combination of his own work life and his personal interest in yoga. In concrete terms, this means that the yoga poses originally performed on the floor are now practiced in a suspended state. The most important piece of equipment is the acrobatic cloth, in which all the exercises take place. It's an invention that promises a great deal of variety and fun simply because of its chosen location. The large trapeze cloth acts as a kind of swing, which you can sit on or hang from. Asanas that are particularly difficult for beginners become child's play in the air. At least, that's how it seems, since even a longer and more intense workout flies by thanks to the comparatively high fun factor of anti-gravity yoga. Apart from that, there are, of course, a wealth of other benefits that the training brings on various levels. Physically, practicing anti-gravity yoga strengthens the back and core muscles, which in turn contributes to optimizing balance. Exercises performed while hanging also help prevent tension and relieve pressure on the neck and back. Special features of Anti-Gravity Yoga If you compare this aerial yoga variation with its classic counterpart, you'll notice other differences besides the 'venue' of the action. You have to imagine the fun, light, and playful world of the acrobats for whom this workout was created to get a rough idea of the flair of an anti-gravity yoga class. Here, too, the focus is on the joy of doing, rather than the dull repetition of the same yoga poses . Furthermore, the spiritual factor seems to take a back seat in this 'aerial variation' to make room for the positive physical effects. But once you embark on this adventure yourself, you'll quickly realize that a certain mindset is being trained here, too, and that yoga classes in free 'flight' require a fair amount of trust and confidence. And if you don't yet have these skills, you'll surely develop them quickly after overcoming your fear and maneuvering yourself headfirst into pleasure or into a specific asana posture a few times. Another advantage of this style of yoga is an increase in your self-confidence. This, too, is closely linked to the constructive management of your fears. Swinging in the trapeze fabric also triggers childhood memories and thus conveys feelings of security, safety, and comfort. Because the legs and feet don't hold the body, but rather hang in the air in an inverted position without any weight pressure, the spine can stretch again, effectively preventing back injuries. In summary, Anti-Gravity Yoga promises not only physical fitness but also a lot of enjoyment while practicing and is therefore recommended to all those who want a more relaxed approach to the traditional Indian physical exercise form of yoga. Image © seenad