It’s a new year and I needed something new in my workout routine. I’ve done yoga for a few years but my practice has dwindled since having kids. I want 2012 to be the year yoga returns to my life. While looking for a new yoga studio, I came across an offering for Aerial Yoga. I’ve never taken a dance or gymnastics class before and I’m not the most graceful person. Was this something I could do? After reading the class description, I was hooked.

Ever dream of flying like Peter Pan? Now you can! Take your yoga practice off the ground and into the air. Aerial yoga focuses on the beautiful art form of yoga on circus silks. Every emotion (rasa) we could possibly experience from fear to wonder comes up in the aerial arts, and Rasamaya Theory provides the perfect platform for dealing with these emotions. Every class works with a particular intention based in Rasamaya Theory.

Fly like Peter Pan and do yoga? Sounds like just what I needed to mix it up a bit.

Introduction to Aerial Yoga is for anyone except pregnant women and people with heart problems. All levels of yoga are welcome. The two circus silks are attached to the ceiling by similar equipment used for rock climbing. At the beginning of class we did traditional yoga postures on the mat and used the silks to extend the stretch. The instructor, Deah, demonstrated how to make a knot that would be used for most postures. Tying the knot is actually pretty easy. I was skeptical that it would hold me! Deah then moved us off the floor. We stood on the knot at first and gently swung back and forth through the air. Visions of being a kid again at the playground immediately popped into my head.

The knots and silks are meant to support your whole body weight. The most important thing to learn is to trust that the silks will hold your weight. At first, I had trouble with that. But after my first attempt I realized it was safe (and so was my nose from being broken). I could really feel my core muscles engaging with every move. My arm and shoulder muscles were also firing. My favorite posture was an inverted variation of King Pigeon (see picture below). It’s one of my favorite for tight hip flexors. It felt so wonderful, I let out an audible, “aahhh.”

One thing that I was not expecting was motion sickness. It wasn’t too bad during the class until Savasana. We used the silks to form a cocoon. As I laid in my cocoon, gently swaying from the ceiling, I started to feel really hot and a little dizzy. Thankfully, I was able to hold everything together and was back on the ground before I knew it.

I really enjoyed the Aerial Yoga class. It was just as effective if not more so as traditional yoga in stretching and strength. The classes are small (only 4 at a time) so the instructor was able to give personal attention. Deah gave great audible cues, as well as physically helping you into postures. I did not love the price ($25 per session). It’s a little more expensive than mat yoga, but most studios give a discount for a multiple visit pass. I do have a birthday coming up, so I might have to treat myself to an early present!

Aerial Yoga gave me a renewed love of yoga and I can’t wait to get back on the mat or in the silks again.

Angela Bekkala is an Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac Rehabilitation. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, twin toddlers and a crazy Lab. Visit her blog at Happy Fit Mama.