Words + Photos By: Sandy Joy Edward
If you are a young at heart thrill-seeker and an adventurous daredevil, then you may just have found the right yoga practice for you. Take the mindfulness of yoga, add the thrill of acrobatics, blend with the therapeutic powers of Thai yoga massage and you get AcroYoga – a practice that is fun, explorative and just a little bit crazy.
It works like this: you have a base (person on the ground), a flyer (the person in the air) and a spotter (the safety officer, who doesn’t usually make it into the photos). The base lies on the floor and the flyer is lifted up onto their feet or hands to experience the exhilaration of “flying” (and sometimes a healthy dose of fear). As you progress in the practice, the transitions between one posture to another become faster and soon you are spinning through the air, communicating with your partner only through touch and breath.
This practice is centered around trust, communication, clear role definition and fun. It requires teamwork and commitment to succeed, and teaches you to stay calm in situations that are rather usual. This last point comes in handy a lot in regular life too. It is a very reflective experience. You will soon learn whether you like to lead or follow; if you find it easy to trust or are afraid of falling; and how much are you prepared to let go of limiting beliefs. It’s designed to bring you out of your comfort zone and face your fears with the support of your partners. And, of course, it’s oh so fun.
While it looks very impressive and it feels like you’re defying gravity, it’s actually very easy. AcroYoga works with the principals of bone stacking. Once the bones are aligned at a perpendicular angle to the ground, they become like strong steel structures and it’s very easy to hold the entire body weight of another person on them. In these so-called “power lines” the muscles can release and the bones can do the work. It is also incredibly healthy and nourishing for the bones to bear this weight.
I started practicing AcroYoga two years ago when a guest teacher was visiting Dubai. I attended her workshop, she flew me and that was it – I was hooked. Since then I have practiced a few times a week, attended countless trainings and started to teach the practice in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and South Africa along with my teaching partners at our company, Phoenix Rising. We now host regular AcroYoga trainings, Thai massage trainings and weekly workshops and classes. There is a growing demand and we feel this is because more and more people are looking for ways to forget about stress, do something out of the ordinary and come back to what we knew so inherently as children – it is fun to play!
What I find so beautiful about this practice is that it puts the principles of yoga into a real life scenario. It is extremely meditative to base or fly, and you really have to be in the present moment. If you are not 100 per cent focused, then it’s likely you will fall or drop somebody (hence, the spotter). While it requires concentration and attentiveness, it also requires equal amounts of tenderness and understanding. It teaches me constantly that in softness there is a lot of strength; in allowing yourself to be afraid, there is so much bravery; and in trusting, there is always freedom.
There are many physical benefits too, such as improved bone strength, improved flexibility and longer, leaner muscles. We do a lot of partner stretching before our sessions and in the practice itself. Basing lengthens the hamstring muscles in the back of the thighs, strengthens the quads, belly and arms. For the flyer, it’s a full-body workout. And anybody can do it. It’s not just for the super fit yogis. By using the right technique, this practice is accessible to everyone. But don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. If you walk away feeling less than empowered, I will be surprised.
When people hear about this unusual practice they often simply ask me “Why?” Well, I say, for the same reason that you would climb a mountain, ride out into the desert for hours or row off towards the horizon. It’s about the journey, the camaraderie, the teamwork and a strong determination to succeed. It’s not about the destination, it’s for the glory of the ride.
Sandy Joy Edwards
