Trying aerial yoga is an amazing way to find out how capable your body is. Combining gymnastics with yoga, it’s tough, but brilliant, as I found out when I gave it a go as one of my 52 new things in a year.
What Is Aerial Yoga?
In a nutshell, aerial yoga involves individuals completing traditional yoga poses with the addition of a hammock.
Hammocks often instil ideas of leisurely lazing away an afternoon somewhere warm, but this is no ordinary hammock. This hammock involves muscles and hard work and creates a different kind of heat.
The hammocks, often referred to as ‘silks’, hang from the ceiling at a height defined by the user. Sometimes they are only 1 metre away from the ground, and this supporting swing of material provides assistance for the body during a variety of moves.
History Of Aerial Yoga
It’s a relatively new fitness activity, having been developed in 2006 by Michelle Dortignac. She had been practicing yoga since 1991, and in 1998 became a qualified yoga teacher.
Always curious to help people develop, and move them through their perceived limitations, she pioneered the concept of Aerial yoga.
Often referred to as Unnata Aerial Yoga, there is now a teacher training program for people to learn how to safely share the practice so that others can benefit.
My First Time Trying Aerial Yoga
If you’ve ever seen gymnastic, flexible performers climbing and swinging from a long piece of fabric suspended from the ceiling, then that is the basic idea of an aerial hammock class.
I am not acrobatic or gymnastic and my coordination is definitely lacking. I was under no illusion that this would not look graceful.
The Class
Our instructor at Cloud Nine in York was really friendly, patient and encouraging. She demonstrated some moves and made it look effortless. Which of course it wasn’t.
There were only 3 of us in the class. The two others in the session had been practicing for a while and it was brilliant being able to watch them too.
We each had a hammock which was adjusted to our individual heights, and thankfully it wasn’t too far off the ground.
What It Was Like Trying Aerial Yoga
Most of the session was like a really good yoga class with the hammock to help with some of the deep stretches. Our instructor took us through the moves as we flowed through different poses.
I could feel muscles I had long forgotten about, and I could feel my body thanking me for contorting it into some much needed, blissful stretches.
There weren’t too many upside down moves but I was so pleased I was able to do them, albeit with a bit of help, and not looking particularly graceful!
Bend, stretch and relax
The finale of the class involved us climbing into the hammock, stretching the material wide and creating a cocoon around ourselves. Our instructor then switched off the lights. After all the hard work we’d put our body’s through it was a really nice moment to relax and wind down before driving home.
I doubt Cirque du soleil will be knocking on my door anytime soon, but that had been a great challenge, an incredible experience, and I felt really proud of myself.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- The class I joined was at Studio Cloud 9 in York. Take a look at their website for details of all of their classes, timings and prices.
- There are lots of places across the country for trying Aerial Yoga classes. Have a search on line to see if there are any sessions near you.
Cost Of Experience
- The particular class I joined cost £13 for one hour in 2019. The price for 2025 is £18 for the hour session.
- Prices will vary depending on where you book a session, and the duration of the class, but should be around the £20 price point.
Recommendations
- Check the joining instructions. To protect the silks, we were given some guidance on what to wear. We needed to make sure our clothing didn’t have any zips which could rip the material, to wear a top with sleeves rather than a vest, which would help to reduce any marks on the silks, and to wear grippy socks.
- Don’t be afraid. If you’re nervous about heights, don’t worry, you’ll only be a short distance off the ground, and most of the time you’ll still be able to touch it.
- Listen to your body. If anything feels off, don’t feel as though you have to push through, instead take a break if you need to.
- Don’t forget to breathe. I found myself involuntarily holding my breath on multiple occassions!
- Follow the instructor. Listen to their directions, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. The instructor wants to help you get the most out of the session so will be happy to help you.
- Have a great time! Enjoy the supported sensations, and a amazing stretch,