Aerial Yoga: Benefits and Contraindications

Aerial yoga is a type of yoga known as antigravity yoga. It’s a mixture of yoga with dance and pilates exercises, which are performed with acrobatic movements, having the body suspended from the ceiling in something similar to a swing called yoga swing. In fact, this kind of yoga has become very popular and more and more people are adding it to their workout routine.

Aerial yoga benefits

If you want to know what the benefits of common yoga are, we will explain them to you, but we’d also like to talk about aerial yoga. This type of yoga has multiple benefits as stated by Healthline. Some of the most important are the ones below:

• Anyone can practice it. Although it seems complicated, you do not need to be an expert to practice it. In addition, specialized centers adapt to each student.
• The muscles are worked out without forcing the posture. When performing acrobatics and balance, all the muscles are strengthened, but the abdominals are also worked on. The great thing about this workout is that the posture is not forced, nor is the spine damaged.
• It has a lymphatic drainage effect. The fact of having the legs elevated in the swing improves circulation problems while at the same time reducing cellulite.
• It favors concentration and reduces stress. This also happens with classical yoga. Anxiety and stress decrease and a balance between body and mind is achieved. The practice of mindfulness, conscious meditation, can also help you reduce stress.
• Tones the silhouette.
• Back pain is reduced. This is because it improves posture and mobility of the spine.
• The respiratory system reactivates.
• Increases mental clarity as well as creative ability.
• The joints are strengthened.
• It makes you feel younger.
• You maintain total control of your body. This helps you get to know yourself better and know what your limitations are.
• It serves as rehabilitation for some injuries. Helps return muscles to their normal state.
• Helps lose weight. Even if you think that when you are suspended you are not burning calories, with a 50-minute suspension you will burn about 320 calories.

Aerial yoga contraindications

Although aerial yoga has many benefits, it also has some contraindications. In the event that you suffer from any illness, or have an injury, you should consult both your doctor and the aeroyoga instructor. You may not be able to practice it for a while, but you will start practicing at the right time.

You should not practice aerial yoga in the following cases: Pregnancy, retinal detachment, glaucoma, recent surgeries, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, arthritis, herniated disc, hiatal hernia, hypertension or hypotension.

Aerial yoga classes

In case you want to start with aerial yoga classes, you should know that the first classes will serve to nourish the joints, drain and relax the body. In these classes, the body will not lose contact with the ground, performing much simpler postures than in more advanced classes.

If you already have a certain level, you may be able to access the intermediate level. In these classes, you’ll get greater flexibility in the joints, well-defined muscles and higher body relaxation. The postures at this level are close to the ground, although you no longer have contact with it.

Finally, at the advanced level you’ll get way more flexibility, body toning and relaxation. Here the postures are creative and acrobatic and are performed entirely in the air.