Yoga is an ancient practice that helps individuals to find inner peace, physical strength, and mental clarity. Practiced for centuries, yoga has become a popular way to stay healthy and maintain balance in our lives. There is one variation, however, that is becoming increasingly popular: AcroYoga. AcroYoga is a combination of acrobatics, yoga, and healing arts, and is a fun and creative way to spice up your yoga practice.
What is AcroYoga?
AcroYoga is a fun and challenging form of partner-based yoga that combines elements of partner acrobatics, yoga, and Thai massage. It is usually performed in “base and flyer” pairs, with one partner supporting the other as the “base” and the other partner, performing skills and moves in the air as the “flyer”. AcroYoga is also sometimes called partner yoga, as it relies upon trust and strong communication between partners. The practice was created in 2004 by Jason Nemer and Jenny Sauer-Klein.
Benefits of AcroYoga
AcroYoga provides a number of physical and mental benefits. On the physical side, it strengthens, lengthens, and tones the entire body, while also improving coordination, balance, and flexibility. On the mental side, it increases focus and concentration, and helps to cultivate communication and trust with a partner. It’s also incredibly fun and rewarding, as it encourages playfulness and creativity.
How to Get Started in AcroYoga
The key to success in AcroYoga is to start with basic poses and practice them with a solid base and good alignment. Start out with poses that are low to the ground, such as the Bird of Paradise or the Lotus Straddle. It’s important to focus on the poses, alignment, and communication with your partner. As you gain strength, coordination, and flexibility, you can move onto more challenging poses.
Safety Tips for Doing AcroYoga
It’s important to keep safety in mind when doing AcroYoga. Make sure to warm up and stretch before practicing. Be aware of both your own and your partner’s capabilities. Pay attention to your body and listen to your body when it’s telling you to rest. Make sure you have a solid base and use proper alignment. Finally, never attempt a pose that you’re not comfortable with.
AcroYoga Poses
There are a variety of AcroYoga poses that can provide different levels of challenge and reward. Two beginner friendly poses include Fish on a rock and plank on plank.
Fish On A Rock
The fish on a rock is a simple beginner pose that builds trust and understanding between the partners. The base lies on the ground in extended child’s pose. The flyer then leans back and places their back on the back of the base, with their arms reaching for the hands of the base.
Plank On Plank
The base will start in plank pose. The flyer will place their hands to the base’s ankles, calves or heels. When the base is stable, the flyer will place one foot at a time, onto the shoulder of the flyer.
In conclusion, AcroYoga is a fun and creative way to spice up your yoga practice. It involves elements of acrobatics and yoga, and provides numerous physical and mental benefits. When beginning with AcroYoga, it’s important to warm up and stretch first, maintain safety, and start with basic poses before attempting more challenging poses.
