What You Need to Know About Hammock Yoga
Whether you have only begun exploring the realm of yoga and other mindful and spiritual bodywork or you are someone who has been doing yoga for a while, the realm of aerial yoga, which is also called hammock yoga, is an fascinating area for you to explore.
This type of yoga is newer compared to the more established schools out there, and if you are curious about getting started, there are quite a few things for you to consider.
What Is Aerial Yoga?
Like any other school of yoga, aerial yoga has poses and positions that are designed to heighten your awareness of your body and to bring into mindful contemplation of where you stand in the universe.
Unlike other forms of yoga, however, these positions are achieved with the assistance of a very strong loop of fabric that is hung from the ceiling. This fabric is wide but very sheer, meaning that it can compress to a thick rope or be pulled out until it envelopes your body as you lie down in it.
It is this later configuration that gives aerial yoga the nickname of “hammock yoga.” Though many people call it a hammock, it is properly referred to as a sling.
What Is a Beginner’s Aerial Yoga Session Like?
Though having some experience with yoga is ideal when you are thinking about getting into aerial yoga, you can go into session with no knowledge at all. You should ideally wear a tanktop and close fitting pants that allow you to move freely. You will need to leave your shoes at the door.
The instructor will guide you through the first basic positions, allowing you to get more familiar with the sling. Many first timers to an aerial yoga class have doubts about the sling because they are unsure if it will hold their weight. The fabric looks very frail, and some of the positions that this type of yoga includes involve dangling in a completely inverted position.
However, through these beginner exercises, yoga students will learn that the fabric and the supports are strong enough to support their weight.
As they become more confident, the students are taught how to swing their weight on the sling, balancing themselves in its loop and trusting their weight to the seemingly fragile fabric.
Why Aerial Yoga?
Aerial yoga has many benefits. In the first place, the loop of fabric offers a resistance for anyone who is doing a stretch. They can pull against the sling without hurting themselves or breaking anything.
Another reason to get involved in aerial yoga is that it allows gravity to do all of the work. Gravity is a powerful force, but when used in the right way and with the right instructors, it can do a lot of good for you as you stretch. The most simple stretch in aerial yoga is to position the loop at your middle section and then to allow your head and arms and your legs to drape down to either side.
Aerial yoga is something that is also very freeing. For people who feel tired and heavy, aerial yoga allows you to feel weightless. It gets you off the ground, and it allows you to feel as if you are flying! This is something that is amazingly revelatory for many people. Being unchained from the earth is something that can change the way that you look at the world, so at the very least give aerial yoga a try.
Many people claim that being able to experience this is something that is very good for them emotionally. Yoga has always been something that’s wonderful for emotional health, and aerial yoga especially evokes images of flight, of weightlessness and of leaving negative things like anger, fear and grief behind.
Stop and consider what aerial yoga can do for you. There is something that can be amazing for your physical health and your emotional well being, so see where the sling can take you!
Conclusion
aerial yoga offers a unique and innovative approach to traditional yoga practices, providing a plethora of benefits for both physical and emotional health. With its emphasis on weightlessness and the sensation of flying, aerial yoga can be a transformative experience for many individuals. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner, consider giving aerial yoga a try for a fresh perspective on wellness and personal growth. And if you’re interested in deepening your understanding of yoga, consider pursuing Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh for a comprehensive and transformative learning experience.
