By Nelson Pahl
According to Yoga Journal, aerial yoga is a type of yoga that uses a hammock or yoga swing to allow students to perform postures that they may not ordinarily be able to attempt on the yoga mat. It combines traditional yoga with moves inspired by Pilates, dance, and acrobatics.
Using a special type of silk hammock, which is designed to support up to 650 pounds (300 kilograms) of weight, aerial hammocks can be especially beneficial for those that often spend much of their day sitting. Hanging out in a hammock is great for helping with balance, supported joint range of motion, and spinal decompression.
Waldo's Yoga Patch features one of the most diverse aerial hammock programs in the Kansas City metro area.
Led by Rose Hinsz, the Yoga Patch program features a variety of aerial classes for all activity levels and body types.
Aerial Movement (Tuesdays, 5:30 PM, 60 Minutes)
This movement therapy class helps students unwind and expand with the help of an aerial hammock. With the help of gravity and resistance, students unlock tension and pain patterns through mindful motion and breath. Transitioning from seated to standing, on the floor and in the hammock, this class is great for balance, flexibility, stability, and confidence.
Aerial Flow (Wednesdays, 4:00 PM, 60 minutes)
YP's Aerial Flow class allows students to lengthen and unwind in the aerial hammock by way of only breath and body weight. A full spinal warm up is followed by breath-based therapeutic movements that balance body and mind. Transitioning from seated to standing, on the floor and in the hammock, this class is great for balance, flexibility, stability, and stress relief.
Easy Air (Wednesdays, 10:30 AM, 60 Minutes)
Bring your body to the hammock in a laid back and easy breath-based flow.
A full spinal warm up is followed by breath-based therapeutic movements to balance and de-stress the body and mind. Transitioning from seated to standing, in a chair, on the floor and in the hammock, this class is great for balance, flexibility, stability, and stress relief. This class is great for all activity and flexibility levels, requiring no previous aerial experience.
"I love the freedom and fluidity of the aerial hammock classes," says Dr. Derek Garcia, owner of Limitless Chiropractic. "In fact, I recently traded in my yin and vinyasa classes for aerial. It just does more for me with less risk and much less impact."
Yoga Patch even offers a new hybrid class called "Chair & Air."
(Tuesdays, 10:30 AM, 60 Minutes)
Also led by Hinsz, this 60-minute class combines the low-impact strategies of both chair yoga and aerial hammock, for a non-threatening practice ideal for seniors and those with joint issues.
NEWLY ADDED CLASSES AT THE YOGA PATCH
KIDS AERIAL PLAY (Wednesdays, 4PM)
RESTORATIVE AERIAL WITH AMBER (Mondays, 6PM)
AERIAL YOGA WITH AMBER (Thursday, 12PM)
If you're interested in yoga but a bit intimidated by the "on your mat" aspect of it all, aerial hammock might be a great alternative for you.