I’ve talked a lot about my hopes and intentions for the year ahead, and yoga has played a huge role in getting to where I want to be. Something fun that I’ve started this year is trying to find one yoga workshop to participate in each month. I’m not looking to do a workshop just to say that I did, but I’ve found some great opportunities and I’m usually able to convince my mom or a friend to join. This is how the year has looked so far…
January–Demystifying Sun Salutations
February–Chakra’s Mudras & Bandhas
March-Meridian’s Workshop
I accidently discovered my April workshop walking out of the studio after my training session on Monday. I had previously seen the white board labeled Aerial Yoga-SOLD OUT but then forgot all about it. This past Monday, the board showed that they added a second workshop with just a few spots left. I immediately checked my schedule and signed myself up before I had time to think twice. Aeriel yoga?! Doesn’t that just sound like fun!
I’ve never done anything like this, but had read an article or two about aerial yoga in a yoga magazine. I thought it sounded like fun, but had no idea what to expect. I have to say…the anticipation and surprise made the entire experience more exciting! We started with some brief introductions and then got right into our ‘silk’. In my mind, I saw us using the silk to support our hands or feet, but never imagined that we would climb in. But climb right in we did. And…I LOVED it! We started inside our silk in a cross legged position hands at heart center. There was a beautiful beginning meditation and then we did some stretching in this space.
Afterwards, we moved through a vinyasa with the assistance of the silk. It was there to support us, challenge us, assist in flexibility, and provide a totally different sensory experience. It was a great core workout without feeling like a workout, but I was sweating!
Then we moved on to inversions. As an ex-gymnast, this had to be my favorite part. Through the poses, we worked on loosening some of my tightest hip and back muscles. It was when I was floating upside down, smiling at myself in the mirror, that I realized that I could probably reach my phone. I don’t typically bring it into the studio with me, but wanted to capture this adventure on film if I could.
Can you guess which one is me?
I grabbed my phone and snapped a picture in the mirror. One of the instructors was also walking around and taking our pictures, so I’m hoping to get my hands on those too. I should pause and tell you that the two instructors are multi skilled yogi’s who were kind, approachable, and made everything seem achievable and fun. The toughest part of taking upside down photos was trying not to spin. I did end up with a few photos of the ceiling in the process.
And a few blurry ones…
Lucky, these turned out SO much better…
In the end, we cozied back into our silks for shavasana, which was absolutely incredible. I can tell you that it was tougher to calm and focus after all of my floating and flying, but the cocoon was so peaceful. I found myself wondering how to create an aerial yoga set up in my house (or at least trying to figure out when I could attend another class). I think it would be amazing to do this more consistently, strengthening your body and working through some more challenging poses. It was an awesome way to spend my Saturday night! Having only 11 people allowed each of us to get hands on experience, but I will tell you that we needed a lot less support than I would have thought. I think this is a huge reflection on the talented instructors. I’m sad that the photos were dark, but so fun that they turned out enough for me to share my experience. I will have to post the professional ones if I can find them on Facebook.
*Note…thank you to Ananda Kamala for the amazing pics!
Each of these yoga experiences has deepened my yoga practice and allowed me to explore more of my emotional and physical space. I don’t have anything on the calendar yet for May so if you know of a local workshop or have suggestions, let me know. And just wait until you see what I am doing in June!
Have you ever tried aerial yoga? Do you want to?
I would love to try this it sounds amazing and although I love yoga I am lazy about reading up on it. I have never heard of this and from your article I would be willing to replace my couch for this setup!!!
Me too! What a fabulous idea!
It is so interesting to learn about all of the different styles of yoga and fun new things to try!
SO much fun!!! And I love that the inversions helped your tight back and hip muscles!
I would love to try aerial yoga.
And I love that you’ve made yoga such a big part of your life this year 🙂
Me too! You should totally give it a try. It’s awesome and really fun! The relaxation in the silk is unreal!
I’ve never tried it, but it looks like fun! Especially the inversions 🙂
They are the BEST! I hope you get a chance to try it!
[…] on with excitement and I hit the trail for a 5 mile run. I was slow today (more sore from last night’s yoga than I expected), but loved getting in my first medium distance run of the year. When I got […]
[…] locker room because I’m always embarrassed to get caught taking photos of myself. Unless I’m upside down in an aerial yoga class that is…there I did just […]
If I ever have the chance to try it… I will definitely take the opportunity!
Looks very interesting!!! I think it is so neat that you are trying all these different types of yogas! So crazy to hear about them!!
Thanks Leslie! This one is really cool and I loved the sensory experience! I’m so happy that you guys like hearing about them!
[…] added some of the professional pictures from my Aerial Yoga class to my blog post. They are super cool, so check them […]
This looks AMAZING! Totally gonna see if I can find some aerial yoga in MSP! I’m with ya… yoga has helped me so much 🙂 Excited to see what your next workshop is!
YES! Let me know what you think of it!
That looks like so much fun! I don’t think we any of those classes around here. I could definitely use more yoga in my life.
I think we all can! I know that I miss it when I don’t get there during the week!
[…] -This aerial yoga class was a BLAST! […]
[…] ??? (I’m going to aerial yoga with my mom…will figure out dinner […]
[…] I mentioned last month that I was trying to do a unique yoga workshop every month this year. I did well January through April, but didn’t find anything that fit into my busy schedule in May. Although my mom and I did do an Intro to Aerial Class last week… […]
[…] Here are a few more photos of high flying fun from my first aerial yoga workshop! […]
[…] savasanas I have ever experienced all with the assistance of the silks. I began by taking a 2 hour aerial yoga workshop and brought my mom back to give the silks a try in […]
[…] to base me on a few moves, but so far it isn’t happening : ) Now that I’ve tried acro and aerial yoga, I am eager to add some more into my practice! It’s always fun to shake things […]