I have been practising yoga for many years, some more intensively than others, from hatha, yin yoga, Vinyasa or any mixed form given. Usually it's the teacher who keeps me 'with the class', but I know that it really helps me to keep my body and head in better shape.  

So from the first years I lived in Canillas de Aceituno I went to Torre del Mar twice a week for my yoga classes by Bogusia. And when she unfortunately moved back to Poland, I then went to Viñuela to take Danielle's fine classes online during the Covid period. 

Unfortunately, she too went back to her home country and I had to look for something new and found it, and just around the corner in my own village. María José, an inspiring Spanish globetrotter, has been teaching various forms of yoga there since the beginning of this year, including Hatha but also Aerial yoga. And since I have ´tasted´ the latter, I am completely hooked.

What it is?
Aerial yoga is a fairly new and now popular form of yoga all around the world that combines traditional hatha yoga with aerial acrobatics capabilities and techniques. I always jokingly call it a form of circus yoga... namely, you use a hammock made of very fine thin fabric, also called a yoga swing. And even though it looks very easy and relaxed, it's not as easy as it looks at first sight and you spend most of your time hanging in the air.  

What you need besides the hammock is your body, gravity and, of course, a good teacher. This form of yoga combines physical yoga postures (asanas) that you will already know if you practice or have practised yoga in the past, with controlled constructive' movements, leaning, hanging or standing in the canvas. It is dynamic, challenging, relieves your muscles and joints and gives you peace and space in your mind. It is all about focus, concentration and a bit of daring.  

What does it bring?   
Aerial yoga not only demands something of you physically, but all that floating, rocking and flying also demands something mental of you. Balance exercises don't always work right away, hanging upside down can be exciting. By paying attention to your breathing, you learn to stay relaxed and try again, which is also progress in everyday life! Almost every Aerial Yoga class includes an exercise where we hang upside down in the canvas. We always do this under the inspiring guidance of María José, step by step, because safety first. Because the hammock fully supports you, you can let go of everything while hanging. This lengthens the spine and creates space for relaxation of your neck and shoulders.  

Hanging out upside down on your back or stomach and especially the effect of this gives an insane boost to your whole system, you use many muscles at once, without realising it. When you come out of the pose and are back on the ground, you immediately feel the changing energy flow that makes you kind of ecstatic. A 100% natural drug actually!

How does a lesson go?   
A class with us consists of a maximum of 6 participants. This allows María José to personally guide everyone through their practice where necessary. We start with some breathing exercises to bring your attention to yourself and set an intention for yourself. Then we move on to the hammock. Each class has a specific theme in which we do different flows involving your whole body. As already mentioned, you work on strengthening your muscles as well as your flexibility and concentration.  The teacher joins in all the time so you can follow her. The class ends with Śavāsana, a relaxation with guided meditation where you stretch out in the hammock. Delightful....  

Results
I hardly have any stiff muscles after a session, it gently works on my body.  What I notice is that I already have more balance, feel less tension in my back, am more supple and flexible and can concentrate better. I always come back with a smile, imagine I'm in the Cirque du Soleil and this is partly thanks to Maria José and my lovely Spanish flying yogi colleagues.  

If you are in the area, there are several sessions a week, in Spanish as well as in English. And if you come across it somewhere else, give it a try. It really is a special experience.  Namaste! 

Marita

Photo credits: María José Macias Sànchez


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