Some of you might have heard about aerial yoga. But what exactly is it? AERIAL YOGA is a hybrid type of yoga combining traditional yoga poses, pilates and dance with the use of a fabric also called silk, sling or hammock. Instead of performing yoga poses on a mat, aerial yoga utilises the silk that is suspended from the ceiling to perform yoga movements. The purpose of the silk is to provide support through your yoga flow, while also improving flexibility and range of motion. The silk also takes pressure off certain areas of the body like the head and shoulders, allowing you to reach those more challenging poses like headstands with greater ease.

Aerial yoga enables you to comfortably maintain every pose. Over time, you can expect to increase your range of motion, consistently working on your flexibility but also balance. Aerial yoga class will definitely help you to safely stretch and tone your muscles. Although most aerial yoga photos you'll find seem to showcase a yogi dramatically suspended in the air, many aerial yoga poses only require you to take one body part at the time, such as your foot or leg off the ground.

Increase Full-body Flexibility + Strength

Aerial yoga is a full-body type of practice, so it strengthens all muscle group through specific movements. The support of the silk allows you to go deeper into the stretches and poses, further enhancing full-body flexibility.

Alleviate Back, Lower Back, + Neck Pressure

Sitting or standing all day long allows gravity to weigh down the spine, so being upside down thanks to aerial yoga moves surely help lengthen and decompress the spine, only using gravity and your own body weight.

Promote Circulation

Given the nature of the poses and breathing through the movements, aerial yoga is great for promoting circulation throughout the body as well as digestion.

Improve Core Strength

In order to maintain stability throughout the different poses, it's important to keep the abdominal muscles engaged throughout the practice.

Boost confidence + Mood

In addition to the opportunity to learn something new, aerial yoga makes more advanced yoga poses accessible to beginner yogis by the support of the sling which can boost confidence in the practice and provide a sense of accomplishment. This practice of self confidence is good skill to transfer to your daily life

Low-impact Exercise

Because of its low or zero-impact nature, aerial yoga is an excellent option for those who want to move their bodies, but experience joint issues. "Using gravity and suspension, aerial yoga allows you to create space in the body without compressing the joints. There are even joint-relief-focused aerial yoga classes that specifically target joint pressure and pain".

Florie is a French SPORT.LES Ambassador living in Zurich that offers aerial yoga classes, kite surf yoga camps, and SUP paddle yoga. She loves spending her time by the sea, staying active and inspiring others through her content.

How did you start aerial yoga?

She started her training in Berlin in 2016 with 40hrs but only after 200 required hours of yoga training and experinece teaching to compliment the practice  

What are the benefits to aerial yoga?

Using the the silk as a prop to assist with inversion and therefore Detoxing. Inversions help revert blood flow and circulation, giving your organs a good cleanse. Deep stretching assist your flexiblity , and being playful in the practice

Have you noticed any improvements to your overall wellbeing after practicising aerial yoga?

OF COURSE! It's uplifting, challenging, being acrobactic and flexible are soft skill you need in your daily life

What is the easiest part of aerial yoga?

It's not necessarly an easy practice but it's bringing a different twist and challenge into your yoga practice.

It's always good to be try something new.

What is the hardest partest of aerial yoga?

Trusting the process and letting go

What is your favourite pose/position?

Flying pigeon - it's the dramatic pose. It looks a a bit terrifying but is s agreat stretch for the lower back. And what I call "playing monkey in the house" - see examples below

What advise would you give to someone that is thinking about starting aerial yoga?

Come with an open mind and get ready to work! Trust your flight attendant, except some turbulences, but make sure then in the end you will land safe with a big smile on your face

Where can we take your classes?

At ATHA YOGA - Mondays + Wednesdays 6:30-7:30

One pop-up class once a month

Check schedule and book HERE