Have you wanted to get in shape? Well, you might have seen various methods to get into that dream body, and one of these might be aerial yoga.
Aerial yoga is an easy and fun way to get in shape. By doing aerial yoga, you get to challenge every muscle in your body to maintain yoga poses.
As a matter of fact, upside-down poses in aerial yoga have equal benefits as 20 sit-ups! While these may sound promising, there are pros and cons in doing aerial yoga if your goal is to have a toned body.
In this blog, we will dive deeper into the benefits and drawbacks of yoga in terms of using it as a way to get in shape. We want to help you weigh these factors so that you will be knowledgeable before finally trying it out. So, read on!
Aerial Yoga: The Pros
1. Aerial yoga is low impact.
Low impact means that there will only be less stress on your cardiovascular system and little to no strain induced on your joints. Moreover, since aerial yoga is done off the ground, your body is unloaded, and your spine is compressed.
Aerial yoga may be challenging if seen in the third person. Still, yoga instructors claim that it is ideal for beginners. Th
2. Aerial yoga is fun!
E suspended hammock used in aerial yoga actually makes advanced yoga inversions and poses doable even by beginners.
Aerial yoga is also easily performed by the elderly and people with physical injuries. Aerial yoga will be a no-brainer even for those without yoga experience. In addition, individuals having difficulty moving would also be viable candidates to try yoga.
Whenever yoga instructors teach aerial yoga classes, they most often describe aerial yoga as an activity that embodies bliss and excitement. Remember that loving your workout is one of the ways to motivate yourself to continue pursuing your goals. So, having fun during your exercise is a must.
Besides, what could be more fun than doing poses in mid-air? Wouldn’t it give you a sense of strength, power, and pride?
3. Aerial yoga helps you connect with your own body.
Because you are doing poses in mid-air, you tend to be more aware of your body and its surroundings. You tend to be careful and conscious; thus, you are learning to empower further your mind-body connection.
Other than the benefit of yoga in terms of body awareness, it also has the following benefits:
- Increased core strength
- Increased mobility
- Increased flexibility
- Relieved stress
- Improved sleeping patterns
- Improved posture
- Improved body balance
- Decreased blood sugar
Moreover, aerial yoga helps soothe your joints, making them relaxed rather than stressed. And as you master more challenging poses in this realm of yoga, you are also increasing your mind’s connection and awareness to your body.
4. Aerial yoga is good for the core and upper body workout.
Getting on the suspended hammocks alone will take you a lot of strength. Let alone stay there steadily and, on top of that, do challenging yoga poses. It may be surprising for some, but this activity works on your core and arms far more intensely than other yoga classes.
You might be surprised if you develop toned arms, excellent grip strength, and a solid midsection, months after doing aerial yoga. While it does not seem to target these areas at first glance, it definitely trains and tones these muscles as you do the yoga poses.
While it may not burn you some calories that much, it would definitely aid in making your muscles, especially those in the upper body, fit and toned.
Aerial Yoga: The Cons
1. It may be a little too intense for some people.
While yoga instructors stated that aerial yoga is low impact, it is still high intensity. This means it would be great to warm up your muscles to avoid injuries while doing the poses.
If you are looking for a workout that would not require lots of physical strength, aerial yoga may not be the best workout option for you. Moreover, if you have shoulder injuries, you might want to look for other workouts as this injury can affect your climbing and hoisting yourself in the suspended hammock.
Aerial yoga is gentle on the lower body because it focuses on the upper body.
2. Aerial yoga will need your deep concentration.
Since aerial yoga is still yoga, you must concentrate intensely during sessions. There are activities where you can just shut your brain off and just follow the instructor; then you’re good to go. Unfortunately, aerial yoga isn’t one of these activities.
Aerial yoga requires you to do unusual poses. Thus, you need to concentrate deeply on your safety, form, and how much more your body can handle. Aerial yoga is a must-try if you are into workouts that allow a mind-body connection. But if you want to just be carefree during activities, you may consider looking for something else.
3. Aerial yoga prompts have poses that are upside down.
Inversion, or upside-down poses, is not a good feeling, especially if you are not used to doing it. Blood goes to your head during these poses, and you may feel like it will explode. Although at some point, you will get used to it. But, it may take some time.
Moreover, learning how to hold inversions might be difficult for some. It may also be the reason for giving up on this workout. If you think that you cannot go through these difficulties and discomfort, aerial yoga may not be for you.
4. Aerial yoga is not for everyone.
Suppose you are afraid of being upside down or are scared of heights. In that case, you might reconsider doing aerial yoga as an option for exercise. Moreover, suppose you are thinking of conquering your fears through aerial yoga. In that case, it may not be a good reason or motivation to do so.
Doing aerial yoga while pregnant, having heart problems, or suffering from high blood pressure is also not advisable. Regular yoga may be fine for these types of conditions. Still, it would be best to ask your doctor first before engaging in any activity. This will ensure that you are safe from further complications that the activity can possibly bring.
Learn aerial yoga with us!
Aerial yoga is a great way to get in shape. However, there will always be contraindications to every activity that you want to try. Should you want to try aerial yoga and other types of yoga, you can register for a class or schedule an appointment with an In Balance Wellness yoga instructor. In Balance Wellness helps individuals find their true selves through yoga holistically and authentically.
