Soaring to Wellness: The Top 10 Benefits of Aerial Yoga

Aviana Aerial Yoga Teacher Training Students Practicing in Batavia, Illinois ©Aviana

Aerial yoga has taken the fitness and wellness world by storm, offering a unique and exhilarating approach to traditional yoga practice. Suspended in hammocks, practitioners can experience a blend of yoga, acrobatics, and aerial arts. This dynamic form of exercise not only challenges the body, but also provides a myriad of physical, mental, and emotional benefits. In this article, we'll explore the top 10 advantages of embracing the aerial yoga trend.

1. Enhanced Flexibility: Aerial yoga encourages a wide range of motion as practitioners move through poses both on and off the ground. The support of the hammock allows for deeper stretches, helping to improve flexibility and increase joint mobility over time.
2. Strengthened Core Muscles: Suspension in the hammock engages the core muscles throughout the entire practice. This constant activation not only tones the abdominal muscles but also strengthens the back, helping to improve posture and reduce the risk of lower back pain.
3. Improved Balance and Coordination: Balancing in the air challenges the body in ways that traditional yoga cannot. Aerial yoga requires heightened concentration, leading to improved balance and coordination as practitioners learn to navigate and control their movements in the hammock.
4. Spinal Decompression: Hanging upside down or elongating the spine in certain aerial yoga poses can facilitate spinal decompression. This can alleviate pressure on the vertebrae, promote better spinal alignment, and relieve tension in the back and neck.
5. Myofascial Release: With the support of the aerial yoga hammock, traditional yoga poses are available to be held for a longer duration of time than what would readily be available on the mat without the support of the fabric.  The application of a prolonged stretch, deepening with each breath, allows for the fascial plane of soft tissue to be accessed for release and elongation. 
6. Stress Reduction and Relaxation: The gentle swaying and rocking motion of the hammock, combined with focused breathing techniques, create a soothing and meditative experience. Aerial yoga provides a unique opportunity for stress reduction, helping practitioners relax and release tension.  Especially when wrapped up inside like a cocoon during the final relaxation, like a baby being swaddled. 
7. Boosted Circulation and Detoxification: Inversions and hanging poses in aerial yoga encourage blood flow to different parts of the body. This increased circulation coupled with the pressure and release experience with the hammock can stimulate the lymphatic system, aiding in the removal of toxins and promoting overall detoxification.
8. Heightened Mind-Body Awareness: Aerial yoga requires a heightened awareness of body positioning and movement in three-dimensional space, also referred to as proprioception. This mindfulness cultivates a deeper connection between the mind and body, promoting a sense of presence and self-awareness.
9. Accessible for All Fitness Levels: Aerial yoga can be adapted to suit various fitness levels and abilities. The hammock provides support and assistance, making it an inclusive practice for beginners and seasoned yogis alike. With proper guidance, individuals of all ages and body types can enjoy the benefits of aerial yoga.
10. Fun and Creative Expression: Beyond its physical benefits, aerial yoga allows for a sense of playfulness and creativity. Practitioners can explore unique movements and transitions, fostering a joyful and expressive approach to fitness and well-being.

Aerial yoga offers a holistic approach to health, combining physical fitness with mental and emotional well-being. With its unique blend of flexibility, strength training, and mindfulness, this innovative practice is soaring to new heights, providing practitioners with a fun and transformative experience. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a newcomer to fitness, consider taking your practice off the mat and into the air for a truly uplifting journey to wellness.

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Holly Johnson, an international yoga instructor and author, blossoms from an extensive background of research, study, and direct experience of therapeutic avenues to balance and mend the relationships between the mind, body, and Spirit.  Presently rooted in the state of Illinois serving the growth and expansion of the aerial yoga industry in the Chicagoland area, she frequently travels to new studios in other states and countries to support the global movement of the gifts of aerial yoga as well as stand up paddle board yoga.  
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She is certified as a nutritional therapist, personal trainer, equine massage therapist, aromatherapist, Reiki master, Thai bodyworker, and 200-hour yoga instructor.  Her extensive comprehension of optimal alignment, spiritual understanding, and energetic sensitivity lends to her authentic presence as a heartfelt, humbled leader in the aerial and SUP yoga industries. 

Holly is committed to her path as an educator, healer, and facilitator of empowering experiences. Her vision for possibility and passion for a life of purpose placed her on the pursuit of a niche for the dynamic and abundant benefits offered through aerial and SUP yoga.  Aviana appeared in Holly’s life at just the right timing while traveling through Ecuador, to serve as the vessel for Holly’s pursuit.  ​

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