Alright friends, I’m back! Each month, I try a new, fun physical activity to see if it counts as a workout, so you can exercise without having to go run (unless you love running, then you do you). I’ve already tried yoga, kickboxing and pole dancing. And they were all fun!
This week, I tried aerial yoga to see how much of a sweat I would break and whether or not I would enjoy it. (Spoiler: there was sweat and fun.)
What Is Aerial Yoga?
First off, it’s not quite yoga. So if you’re not finding classes near you, try looking up “aerial fitness” or “aerial hammock.” How it works is you use a silk hammock suspended from the ceiling to stretch, do poses and tricks, etc., with your body weight supported by the hammock. This should improve your flexibility and strength in different ways than if you were on the floor.
Your experience will differ depending on your studio and the class type you choose. The studio I went to, Lisa Spring Studio in Chicago, offered classes like Sky Stretching, Aerial Fitness, Fly Yoga and Aerial Tricks. Some of the classes focused on slower, gentler moves to help you stretch and recover. Others were more focused on breaking a sweat. The Aerial Tricks class was all about doing cool things in the air. If you’re a beginner, I’d suggest not jumping straight into a tricks class, but most classes are going to have levels and options for everyone.
Is Aerial Yoga a Workout?
I was so tired and so sore after my class. So, yes, it absolutely is a workout. I must caveat that I took the Aerial Fitness class, so the first 30 minutes were lunges and high knees and butt kicks and jumps with your arms wrapped in the silk. Then there were push ups and crunches with our legs supported by the silk. By the time the class actually got to tricks, I was exhausted.
Then we did the tricks, which is arguably the fun part and the whole point. The instructor walked us through how to position the hammock (low back, above your butt) and lean back, lifting your legs and wrapping them up in the silks before hauling yourself up the silks.
This was probably the least pleasant part of the class for me. Was it super cool being in the air? Yes. Was my body weight resting into the silk harness that I created for myself a bit more painful than I expected? Also yes. Did I keep doing it because it was fun and I like challenging myself? Most definitely. She showed us how to reposition our arms to unwrap ourselves and hang upside down in the air, which was SO COOL. I was a cirque ballerina, only way less graceful.
Can I Do Aerial Yoga?
You can definitely do it. Aerial yoga is set up to be super friendly for many. This will be different depending on your instructor, but there is something for all fitness levels. If you just want to take your yoga further, or don’t love yoga classes on the ground, check out a slower-paced stretching class. If you’re a yoga pro and also like doing other alternative fitness classes like pole dancing, throw yourself in and see what happens. Be warned that while there are some similarities to pole dancing, you use different muscles and you will be tired.
What Should I Bring?
Water. Please bring water. I was chugging mine 15 minutes into the hour-long class. You should wear long, tight leggings to prevent the silk rubbing your skin as you’re wrapping yourself up in it. I wore a tank top, but if you’re going to a more tricks-heavy class, consider a tight long-sleeve shirt to save your armpits. I would also bring a yoga mat (though the class that I was at offered loaners). And most importantly, bring your A-game. Be ready to throw yourself into a super fun new activity . . . and leave ready for a nap.
Wanna try it yourself? Check out aerial yoga deals near you.
Hannah is a Chicago based writer that spends a lot of time trying to find her next “thing”, whether it’s a new hobby, a new routine or workout, or a new cat. She lives with her two orange tabbies and partner who, despite his laid back demeanor, has shut down the idea of a third cat.
