Hi everyone!

As part of The Birthday List I wrote back in August, one of the things I wanted to get back on track with and incorporate into my life more frequently  this year is Yoga. I joined an Anti-Gravity Yoga class last year and absolutely loved it but as the weeks went on other things came up and I put off going back.

I started back a few weeks ago and I love it even more, its such a good work out and really fun so I wanted to share a bit about it and my progress over the few weeks.

So what’s anti-gravity yoga then?

Anti-gravity or aerial yoga is a type of yoga that incorporates traditional yoga practice with aerial acrobatics, ballet barre, pilates and strength and suspension training. In class you will use a yoga hammock to assist and support you through your yoga poses, and even turn upside down 😀

The hammocks are great, and nothing to be afraid of. They can hold up to 2000lbs, so no fear of it snapping under any of us! I think the hardest part of anti-gravity is in that first class learning to trust the hammock but once you conquer that part you can really move at your own pace.

Classes can vary depending on the teacher but in our class we do lots of yoga stretching sequences, combined with some strength and conditioning to build strength in your arms or legs and then we get to go upside down! Don’t ask me to name the poses though, I’m desperate at remembering them. The only ones I generally remember are Pegasus and the Monkey. All the names seem random enough but they do usually bare a reference to whatever shape you are in at the time!

 

There’s a few things that I really like about AntiGravity Yoga.

Its something different

Its the first exercise class that actually made me want to go back straight away. My first class was difficult and I found some of the positions challenging, but there was also loads of things I could manage and I even go to go upside down in my first class!

It promotes focus and connects the mind and body

Holding the poses and stretches takes more focus than you might realise. Balance and strength are key, its amazing how much longer you can hold a pose when you let go of your thoughts and focus on being in the moment, focusing on a particular muscle or steadying your breathing. I find taking my mind off everyday stresses or worries for an hour to focus solely on the movements of my body really can have such a calming effect.

Every week I come away having done something I never knew I was capable of

This is such a good feeling! Sometimes its a small thing, like stretching a bit further and sometimes its a big thing, like completing an aerial move that I couldn’t do in a previous class, or completing one of the more advanced moves on my first go!

You get to nap at the end!!

There’s always some sort of relaxation or meditation at the end of a yoga class, but in antigravity yoga, you get to hang out and relax in the hammock. I almost always drift off to sleep during the relaxation part. Exercise where you can take a nap at the end… thats my type of exercise 🙂

If you are interested in trying it out, I definitely suggest Yoga4All run by Suzanne Kenny based in Airside retail park, swords. Suzanne has over 10 years experience teaching Yoga and 5 years as an Antigravity instructor having trained with the founder Christopher Calvin Harrison.

Suzanne is a fantastic teacher, she explains every aspect of the yoga movements and poses step by step, and always strikes a perfect balance for all the students in her class may they be beginners or experienced yogis… there’s something for everyone! 

In her studio, Suzanne also runs Vinyasa Flow Yoga and BarreConcept. I tried one of her Barre classes before, and they are not for the faint hearted… such an amazing work out!

If you want to learn more about Suzanne’s classes click here

Her website is http://www.yoga4all.ie/

And Facebook is Yoga4allie

I hope you have enjoyed this post, if you decide to give Anti-gravity a shot please let me know and comment below 😊 I’d really appreciate an aul like and share too if you are feeling generous!

Until next time,

Pinkladyxo