Unnata® Aerial Yoga (unnata means “elevated” in Sanskrit) is the practice of traditional Hatha yoga with a soft fabric hammock, supporting up to 2000 lbs, suspended a few feet off the ground. The hammock is a prop like a strap or block, intended to assist alignment, deepen awareness and provide immediate benefits of spinal decompression. With the weight of the body partially or fully supported along with the help of gravity and the fabric, we can explore and create space in our bodies as intended in traditional Yoga practice. Without the compression of the joints and spine we can achieve proper posture and alignment through relaxation rather than effort, therefore finding a more balanced and unencumbered expression of each pose.
Many Aerial Yoga postures are designed to help the student better understand the purpose of traditional Yoga postures and some are meant to help students achieve advanced traditional Yoga postures which can take years to learn. Through Unnata® Aerial Yoga the fascia unwinds, the mind quiets, core-strength is built, and participants leave the class feeling whole.
What Happens In a Typical Class?
While practicing Unnata® Yoga, students alternate between hammocks and mats to facilitate awareness of the body in all planes. Classes slowly progress from using the hammocks to hold a little bit of body weight to using the hammocks to hold 100% of the body’s weight. The slow progression emboldens new students, and carefully introduces what can be very intense new sensations to the student.
Unnata® Aerial Yoga supports your traditional Yoga practice in numerous ways:
Challenging Yoga postures such as inversions and deep backbends can be achieved with less effort and strain.
Deep muscle releases achieved in the air allow students to explore much deeper stretches in their traditional Yoga postures on the floor.
Common yoga-related injuries caused by overstretching and compressing the lower back are addressed through Asanas that strengthen shoulders without compromising flexibility, and strengthen core abdominal muscles without compression of the spine.
How Do I Prepare for an Aerial Yoga Class?
Bring a yoga mat to class. Wear a shirt that covers your underarms completely. Bring a large towel or thick sweatshirt for padding until you are used to the feeling of the fabric. Do not use hand lotion before class, wear jewelry, belts, or clothing with grommets, gems, or anything that could potentially snag the fabric. Avoid shorts or very baggy clothing. Please trim your finger and toenails and avoid eating or drinking acidic liquids an hour prior to class. Please observe good personal hygiene and wear deodorant in consideration for the next person using the hammock.
Physical Restrictions
Please talk to the instructor before attending class if you have any medical issues that prevent you from inverting (glaucoma, heart condition, etc.) or putting pressure on your skin. If you have a spinal injury or medical condition, check with your doctor first.
We currently have three Aerial Yoga Classes. Privates & semi-privates may also be booked.
Aerial Yoga Class Description:
This is an ongoing class being held three times throughout the week; Tuesday evening 7:45pm, Thursday 10:30am and Saturday 12:30pm. The classes are 75 minutes in length. This fun class will help you establish a solid foundation in this unique system. It is designed to give you a secure and detailed understanding of Aerial Yoga fundamentals while enjoying a new perspective on the world! Aerial Yoga uses a soft fabric hammock that supports up to a 1000 pounds to suspend practitioners while doing Yoga poses. The Yoga hammock is hung close to the floor so that students can use the prop to either partially or fully support the weight of the body. Many Aerial postures are designed to help the student better understand the purpose of traditional Yoga postures, or to help students achieve advanced traditional Yoga postures. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You may sign up online or call to register. NOTE: Students should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before class.
