2 min
Attending your first aerial yoga class can be an exciting and unique experience. Aerial yoga combines traditional yoga poses with the use of a fabric hammock or silk sling, which allows you to perform poses in mid-air. Here's what you can generally expect from your first aerial yoga class:
1. Warm-Up: Like a regular yoga class, your session will typically begin with a warm-up to prepare your body for the more challenging poses ahead. This may include stretching and breathing exercises to increase flexibility and focus.
2. Safety and Equipment Orientation: Your instructor will provide an introduction to the equipment, including how to properly adjust and secure the aerial sling. Safety is a top priority, so you'll learn how to use the equipment safely and effectively.
3. Basic Poses: You'll start with basic poses that involve sitting or lying in the hammock to get comfortable with the sensation of being suspended. These poses are often relaxing and help you become familiar with the support provided by the hammock.
4. Progression to More Advanced Poses: As the class progresses, you'll move on to more advanced aerial yoga poses. These poses may involve inversions, flips, and using the hammock to support your body weight as you explore new movements. Your instructor will guide you through each step and provide modifications for different skill levels.
5. Core and Upper Body Strength: Aerial yoga is an excellent way to build core strength and increase upper body strength, as many poses require you to engage your core muscles and use your arms to support your body weight.
6. Balance and Flexibility: Aerial yoga challenges your balance and flexibility in unique ways, as you'll be suspended in the air. Over time, you'll likely see improvements in these areas.
7. Relaxation and Decompression: Toward the end of the class, you may have some relaxation and decompression time where you can gently sway in the hammock, meditate, or perform restorative poses. This can be a very calming and therapeutic part of the practice.
8. Cool Down and Savasana: Just like a traditional yoga class, your aerial yoga session will end with a cool-down and Savasana (final relaxation). You'll have a chance to unwind and absorb the benefits of your practice.
9. Post-Class Care: After the class, make sure to hydrate and take care of any muscle soreness. Aerial yoga can be physically demanding, so listen to your body and rest as needed.
Before attending your first class, it's a good idea to check with the studio or instructor about any specific requirements or recommendations, such as clothing (wear comfortable, form-fitting attire), whether you need prior yoga experience (none needed for our studio), and any contraindications if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, most notably glaucoma, extreme vertigo, and pregnancy are contraindications to aerial yoga. Overall, aerial yoga can be a fun and challenging way to improve your fitness and flexibility while enjoying a unique and creative form of movement.