Introduction To Antigravity Aerial Yoga:
Antigravity aerial yoga, a discipline created by Christopher Harrison, helps to defy gravity and to regain well-being and agility.
Antigravity means “against gravity”. Aerial yoga is a particular style of yoga, to be the latest craze. Aerial yoga incorporates the help of a specialized “hammock”. In fact, allowing the practitioner to “defy gravity” while performing their yoga routine.
Origins & Philosophy:
Antigravity aerial yoga is a fitness regimen designed to increase the general level of health and agility in the people who part-take. It is a discipline created by Christopher Harrison – an acrobatic dancer from Broadway – who wanted to combine acrobatic practices with the original philosophy of yoga.
His desire is to allow everyone to experience the pleasant sensation of being suspended in the air, and to reap the physical benefits that of classic yoga positions (asanas). Carrying out aerial yoga requires specialized equipment that can be utilized in a studio or at home.
Techniques have been taken from dance, Pilates and the American discipline called Calisthenics. All incorporated with typical asanas. Thus, to create a complete work that aides in realignment, strength & flexibility improvement, even lessoning trauma to major joints like the wrists and knees. The concept of using tools to facilitate the achievement of the position/alignment recalls the style of Iyengar yoga. However is different in many ways.
Aerial yoga, although can have a relaxation element, typically is fitness driven with a broad range of asanas. Where Iyengar yoga, although “alignment driven” uses slower movements with an emphasis on quality. It incorporates, breath, poses, even meditation. It’s strict in the approach of a connection between mind and body, and that a balanced body leads to a balanced mind.
Practice of Antigravity Aerial Yoga:
Antigravity aerial yoga sessions last about 45 minutes. As beforementioned, is practiced with the aid of a specialized hammock hanging from the ceiling that allows the body to perform movements without the constraints of gravity.
Asana’s borrowed from yoga, movements of the Pilates method, and exercises typical of competitive artistic gymnasts accompany the lesson. Contrary to some belief, this practice is considered very safe with the correct instructor, equipment and know-how.
Oftentimes, this style is accompanied by “New Age” music to help ignite and promote relaxation. In fact, the end of a session, you may utilize the hammock simply to sit, suspended in the air, followed by breathing exercises.
Benefits of Antigravity Aerial Yoga:
Aerial fitness programs, like classic yoga, can offer a number of health benefits. Yoga has even shown to help improve blood pressure, cholesterol and shed unwanted calories. One of the most notable benefits of “antigravity” yoga includes increased flexibility. In fact, in general “aerial athletes have excellent flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness and strength.”
Secondly, hanging upside-down or the use of suspension also takes pressure and strain off joints like the knees, wrists and ankles. Potentially, leading to injury avoidance, and longer durations of sessions.
According to Personal Training giant ACE it’s also great for a calorie burn. In fact, one study found that just one 50-minute aerial yoga session could burn 300+ calories. In addition, yielded cardiovascular affects in the range of low-moderate.
A 6-week program facilitated findings thereof improvements in body weight, body fat %, and blood pressure.
The shear maneuver of inverting oneself can also lend way to joint decompression, specifically with consistent practice.
Aerial yoga is fun! Can’t that be a benefit? Not only can it be challenging, but a different way for emotional and mental release from everyday life. We also know exercise releases those “feel-good” hormones (endorphins). Furthermore, “decreases the body’s stress hormones“, such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Above all, imagine hanging from silk hammocks for a specified duration. It’s easy to experience an increase in general strength (specifically the core). In many cases involving those smaller secondary muscles to help balance and execute poses.
Contraindications:
Antigravity aerial yoga, in general, is a discipline that can be practiced safely. It is not for one demographic or age group. Risks and contraindications associated with it tend to be minimal. However, having a talk with a medical professional is always recommended before trying anything new.
Contraindications include;
- those pregnant,
- those with circulatory ailments,
- high blood pressure,
- recent trauma or surgery/injuries.
Final Thoughts!
Antigravity or aerial yoga is most importantly, meant to be fun and engaging. The benefits are two-fold if you experience both physical and mental improvements.
The only way to understand if it can really be right for you is to try it, and potentially indulge in the feeling of freedom that it can arouse. Therefore, we encourage you to abandon all reticence and fear and approach yoga from another, original perspective, upside-down.
References:
- https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/4/3/49
- https://www.acefitness.org/about-ace/press-room/press-releases/5833/ace-study-evaluates-health-benefits-of-aerial-yoga/#:~:text=The%20study%20revealed%20that%20a,exercise%20for%20promoting%20good%20health.
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax