Often, when we look through social media, we come across the most bizarre types of exercise. Many of these are combinations of two or more different types of physical activities. One of the most common combinations you will find is that of yoga with other exercise forms or even dance styles. One such example which has become quite popular in recent times is – “AcroYoga”.
What Is AcroYoga
From the name itself, you can infer that AcroYoga is a combination of yoga and acrobatics. In any case, there is a third and significant part of AcroYoga – Thai back rub massage. It requires at least two people to perform Acro Yoga, meaning it is essentially a duo exercise. However, besides partner Acro Yoga, there are also various poses incorporating three or more people. Basically, AcroYoga is a practice that combines athleticism, fun, and therapeutics to create a holistic form of yoga.
History Of – “ Acro Yoga ”
Despite the fact that the term AcroYoga is new, the training isn’t. The first recorded instance of the use of the basic principle of AcroYoga is attributed to T Krishnamacharya. He was the Father of Modern Yoga. A 1938 video of his shows him instructing and assisting a student with deep backbends in the manner of AcroYoga. Later, in the 1980s, Benjamin Marantz combined therapeutic massages and inversions to create AcroSage. His aim was to help himself recover from his back injury.
The first time that the name AcroYoga came into being was in 1999. AcroYoga Montreal is established by Jessie Goldberg & Eugene Poku. The integrated yoga and acrobatics into dance to form AcroYoga Fusion. However, the formal codification of AcroYoga happened only in 2003. Jenny Sauer-Klein & Jason Nemer established AcroYoga International and normalized the training just as terms and components of AcroYoga. Moreover, they created Acro Yoga courses and training programs to perpetrate AcroYoga among students worldwide.
Common Terms In Acro Yoga
Base – The AcroYoga base is the partner at the bottom that stays in firm contact with the ground. They form the foundation for the poses and provides full support to the flyer through their hands and legs.
Flyer – The flyer is the accomplice whom the base lifts off the ground and supports in all the stances. Naturally, the flyer is the more dynamic of the two positions.
Spotter – A spotter is a person who stands and observes the base and flyer do the poses. They ensure the safety of and provide support to the base and flyer in moments of instability. They may also make suggestions and adjustments to the base and flyer to improve their asana.
Circle Ceremony – The circle ceremony is a group ritual that the entire class participates in before starting Acro Yoga classes. It includes simple group exercises, breathing practices, and conversation to help promote honesty and communication.
Partner Flow – Partner flow refers to simple warm-up and stretching exercises between the two people who will partner in an Acro Yoga practice. It helps build better trust, compassion, and communication between them.
Static Poses – It refers to basic Acro Yoga poses that the partners perform without any transitions from one pose to another. It helps build up balance and trust and accustom the practicers to AcroYoga techniques.
Acrobatic Flying – Acrobatic flying is the transition from one static pose to another without the flyer dismounting from the base. It represents the next stage in Acro Yoga practice.
Pops – Pops are transitioned involving a mini jump. The flyer’s body disconnects from that of the base and the only support or contact that remains between them is through their hands. In Icarian pops, the flyer jumps completely free from the base with no connection or support between the two, before landing back on the base.
Therapeutic Flying – This involves AcroYoga poses which provide stretches and massages to the flyer by taking advantage of gravity.
Types Of AcroYoga
There are two basic ways to practise AcroYoga. These are:
Lunar AcroYoga – This is the more therapeutic approach combining Acro Yoga, Thai massage, and other healing elements. The flyer remains mostly passive as the base supports and moves them to provide stretches, twists, inversions, and massages.
Solar AcroYoga – In this form, both partners are equally active and perform powerful acrobatic movements combined with yoga. It is more about physical activity, movement, and fun rather than therapy.
Benefits Of AcroYoga
The benefits of AcroYoga include:
- Acro Yoga really helps build strength, resilience, and flexibility in the core body and limbs of both partners.
- It makes many bends and inversions easier while introducing novel types that would be impossible in conventional mat yoga.
- It is far more athletic than traditional yoga and helps lose weight easily.
- There are immense therapeutic benefits due to the stretches and massaging techniques used.
- It improves balance and quick reflexes in the practicers.
- It is perfect for yogis looking for a challenge or bored by conventional yoga.
Tips For A Safe AcroYoga Practice
If you are practicing Acro Yoga, definitely ensure the following:
- Make sure that you have a basic level of flexibility and athleticism before you start.
- There should be complete faith and honesty between the base, flyer, and the spotter.
- At no point should there be any gap or lack of communication?
- Make sure you have heated up and extended enough prior to beginning.
- Do not endeavour in the event that you don’t feel sure.
- Do not attempt advanced poses without mastering the basics.
Conclusion
AcroYoga is a great way to take your yoga practice forward. It is fun, healing, and active. On the off chance that you don’t know about whether you can do it, there is no compelling reason to worry. You can always join a beginner Acro Yoga class to see if this style suits you.