Acro Yoga is a fun style of partner yoga that we've been practicing for over 8 years. We started off by researching online and practicing basic poses. Once we felt more comfortable we started attending acro yoga classes, workshops and our favorite ACRO JAMS. Acro Jams are fun gathering with other acro yogis where you can learn/practice with others. We've done these at studios in Vegas and California as well as Venice Beach in CA.
Some thoughts if you are new to acro yoga...
Remember to be patient with yourself, it takes practice and PATIENCE.
Try every pose or transition a few times and if you're just not feeling it that day... move on. Once you become good at a pose or transition, keep doing it! It will give you confidence and your body will feel that muscle memory of when the balance and pose feels right.
Take pictures and video so you can look back and see if you need to make adjustments.
Maybe you have a partner or you're practicing with different partners... there is so much to learn from practicing with different partners as well as having a consistent partner.
Maintain an attitude of curiosity, work together and have fun. Keep it light and high-spirited and remember, if you're having fun, you're doing it right!
When you are first starting out its a good idea to work in an open space, move anything that you could hurt yourself on and have someone to spot you.
This pose we are doing is called a flying bow pose, starting with ‘front bird’ or ‘superman’:
Base: Place feet parallel on flyer's hip bones. Hands connected in reverse hand to hand and arms extended. Inhale in unison and on the exhale flyer leans forward with an engaged core and straight, as base acquires their weight with bent knees and elbows. Engage core and extend arms to straight and legs to 90, stacking ankles over knees, over hips. When balanced and stable, release hands.
Flyer: From front bird, keep core engaged. Lift chest and slowly reach back for one foot/ankle at a time. Reach for the outside ankles or for more stretch and opening across the front shoulders reach for the inside ankles. Push feet back into hands, look up, chin up and smile.
Base can extend or relax ankles and toes to adjust the forward/backward tilt of flyer.
