A substantial part of my blog, Between the Alleys, is experiencing novel things and sharing them with you guys!
I recently wrote an article about powerful life lessons I learned while traveling solo and one of them was about stepping out of your comfort zone and taking the plunge to do something crazy despite the fear.
Well you don’t always have to be abroad to challenge your fears. You can start right now!
I looked into aerial yoga quite a while back when I saw Troian Bellisario posting her stunning photos and videos of hanging on ribbons. Aerial yoga became something on my list I had to give a try, despite my fear of being above the ground and especially upside down.
I’d been looking into Urban Vybe Studios for months and months now. Something about the vibe (pun intended) of their studio pulled me in. I’m so glad I chose to go with them because their ambience, small sized classes, and personal help was so comforting!
Usually before engaging in a new activity, I research the heck out of it. In this case, surprisingly, my Google search history did not contain “first aerial yoga experience.” I just went in with an open mind, unsure of what to expect.
If you’re looking into it, I decided to share the thoughts that went through my mind as the class progressed. Maybe some of these are things you guys may be wondering! If you’re interested in what actually goes through your head (or mine in this case) while venturing into aerial yoga, read along. 😉
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1. Are these ribbons stable enough to hold me?
Yes, yes, yes. When I first got on the ribbons, I could feel my weight so heavily on it thinking that SOMEHOW these ribbons won’t hold me up. It’s all in your head! They are affixed to the ceiling, so you absolutely don’t need to worry about them coming out.
2. I’m so glad I have experience with beginner’s yoga!
You don’t necessarily have experience with regular yoga classes before diving – or should I say flying – into aerial yoga, but I think it would be beneficial. I took a semester of it in college to complete my fitness credits. Although I wasn’t sure how I felt about yoga in the beginning, I started looking forward to it more and more through the semester.
Aerial yoga is basically regular yoga postures except you’re doing them in the air. Having even a little bit of yoga background was intriguing because I could tell what all the basic postures were and how they were modified when you did them with the ribbons.
3. I’m going to go at my own pace – even if this pose looks really freaking awesome!
Aerial arts is pretty amazing no doubt. Just feeling of doing super crazy postures in the air is such an unconventional feeling. But it’s important to push yourself while knowing your limits, did that make sense!?
For example, the first time my instructor showed me how to get upside down, it required flipping from the front. I tried to do it, but I was too nervous and couldn’t let myself go.
But the second upside pose she showed us was getting into it by flipping back, I did an easier version of the pose where more of the hammock was holding me for stability. Regardless, yippee! I went upside down – one thing I was determined to tackle! I needed help getting out of the pose though because I was still a bit nervous to let my intertwined legs go.
By my second class, I was getting in and out of the original upside-down pose within seconds, which consisted of a much skinnier and scrunched up ribbon holding my back and legs! I’m still scared to get into the pose by flipping from the front (for some odd reason), but hopefully I will get there.
4. I’m so much stronger than I thought I was!
I don’t work out… rarely ever. Apart from when I’m traveling, when my energy magically rises 200% and I gain the strength to walk 8 miles a day. Therefore, given that I don’t run or lift on a daily basis, I was pretty proud of myself for having the physical strength to get through my first class.
Pulling yourself up to and from these positions require a bit of arm and core strength. Just from the first class, I knew that aerial yoga was going to make me stronger, I felt it immediately. And yes, your entire body will be sore for 2-3 days. Strangely, it was a good feeling.
5. I want my future home to have an aerial hammock in it!
But really ha! How cool would it be to just practice remotely (when you become more experienced of course) like you can with regular yoga? This thought also has to do with the fact that when I become obsessed with something, I invest in it. Though right now that’s not a possibility, my creative vibes are flowing with thoughts of building a dance studio inside my future home ft. an aerial hammock. 😛
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I hope you guys enjoyed taking a peek inside my brain for this crazy experience. If you’re thinking about giving it a try, just go for it! You have nothing to worry about when there are kind and experienced instructors right near you!
