Why Getting Upside Down Is The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Body

Before I found aerial yoga, I was a pretty ardent adapter of traditional yoga, as many ashtangis are (and I still am)—I thought aerial yoga was just a fashionable trend. But in my experience as a teacher and practitioner, aerial yoga can do wonders for your physical and mental health. Here's why I love it, and why you should try it.

That's why I experience (and encourage my students to experience) while doing aerial yoga. It frees us from being hard on ourselves and relieves the stress we've built up in our lives. I love the feeling it gives you—a sensation of lightness, flying, and fun. I walk away from every class and practice feeling relieved, open, and with a beautiful sense of calm.

Suspension in the hammock allows you to engage in postures without compressing the spine or putting pressure on your joints. The poses strengthen your shoulders, arms, and abs, without placing undue stress on your body. Many people I've worked with have expressed remarkable results when they added aerial yoga to their routine to heal their back pain.

There are so many reasons I love aerial yoga. It allows you to reap the benefits of yoga and exercise, with the added bonus of being upside down and feeling weightless. Aerial yoga literally makes us see our lives and actions from a different perspective—it challenges us and brings out our strength. If you haven't tried aerial yoga yet, I hope this encourages you to give it a shot. It has changed my life and my health, and it's sure to improve yours too.