Aerial Yoga is a practice that combines elements of traditional yoga , aerial acrobatics , and suspension therapy . This innovative style allows you to explore yoga postures while partially or fully levitating through the use of a fabric hammock suspended from the ceiling. Suspending the body in the air not only deepens stretches and postures, but also develops greater body awareness and more precise alignment , while reducing stress on the joints and spine.

One of the major features of the practice of Aerial Yoga is the ability to perform inverted postures with ease and safety . Unlike floor yoga, where inversions (such as Sirsasana , the headstand) require a certain level of strength and balance, the use of the hammock allows the practitioner to adopt these postures without excessive stress on the upper body. The hammock supports the pelvis and back, allowing the body to stretch naturally under the pull of gravity, facilitating prolonged inversions and deep stretches . These inverted postures promote spinal decompression , improve blood circulation and stimulate nervous system functions.

Alignment is another central element of Aerial Yoga. By suspending the body in the air, practitioners can experience more precise alignment and adjust postures with the help of the hammock. Gravity plays a crucial role in improving postural alignment, as it allows adjustments to be made naturally by working against or with the force of gravity. Postures can be held longer and adjusted more precisely, promoting deeper muscle stretching and improved overall body flexibility .

An aerial yoga session typically involves several phases: warm-up , standing postures supported by the hammock, inverted postures , and final relaxation . The hammock is used in various ways, depending on the goal of the practice: it can be placed under the hips, legs, or chest to support the body in different postures. Aerial yoga is distinguished by a feeling of lightness , where the body appears to float, which facilitates increased awareness of internal movements and sensations.

Basic poses include aerial variations of traditional asanas, such as Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana) or Pigeon Pose (Kapotasana), as well as inversions such as Reverse Butterfly Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana). These poses help improve hip and leg flexibility while opening the chest and decompressing the spine.

In addition to postures, pranayama (breathing techniques) plays an important role in Aerial Yoga. The practice of conscious breathing is integrated into each posture to synchronize breath and movement , promoting a state of inner calm and concentration . Deep breathing also helps release accumulated tension and oxygenate the muscles during stretching. The hammock helps you enter a state of letting go more quickly by creating a feeling of weightlessness, where the body gradually relaxes.

The practice of Aerial Yoga also includes a dimension of play and creativity , where practitioners are encouraged to explore and experiment with movements. Sequences can be slow and meditative, or dynamic and acrobatic, depending on the objectives of the class and the level of the participants. This playful dimension often attracts practitioners seeking a more interactive and less conventional approach to yoga, while offering an additional physical challenge.

In terms of safety , although Aerial Yoga involves inversions and acrobatic poses, it is generally considered a practice accessible to all levels, including beginners. The hammock provides support, which reduces the risk of injury from falls or imbalances. The poses are often performed with progressive and individual guidance, and teachers are careful to adjust the poses to ensure the safety of each practitioner.

One of the final phases of the Aerial Yoga session is deep relaxation , where the practitioner rests in the hammock as if in a cocoon. This phase, often performed in Aerial Shavasana , allows for total relaxation of the body and mind. The sensation of being suspended in the air, cradled by the hammock, creates a unique sense of relaxation and helps integrate the benefits of the practice throughout the body.

In summary, Aerial Yoga is distinguished by its ability to combine strength , flexibility , and deep relaxation , while allowing practitioners to push their physical limits in a safe and fun setting. It offers a new dimension to traditional yoga, allowing freedom of movement and postural alignment that cannot be achieved in the same way on the ground. Aerial practice allows you to explore new postures while releasing physical and emotional tension, thus providing complete well-being .