Informative What Is Acroyoga?: A Guide To Acroyoga For Beginners

In this blog, we will tell you:

• What acroyoga is
• The basics of the practice
• Tips for beginners
• The benefits of the practice

What Is Acroyoga?

Coming in at 72nd place on YouGov’s ranking of popular physical activities, acroyoga is a practice that is actually a combination of two other practices: yoga and acrobatics. Yoga is a practice that is grounded in breathing, mindfulness and being present in the current moment to create unity between the mind, body and spirit. On the other hand, acrobatics is grounded in agility, balance, strength and performance, often being a display of creativity and athleticism. Combined, these two practices create a fun and challenging activity that requires 2 or more participants. Acroyoga provides the perfect balance of the two practices, requiring that participants be present during the practice and mindful of their partner(s) as they perform impressive and often challenging acrobatic feats.

Acroyoga For Beginners: The Basics

In acroyoga, trust, communication and cooperation are non-negotiable. When practising acroyoga, you and your partner(s) will be trying out poses that include lifting and balancing each other. As this includes the risk of serious injury, it will be important that there is open and honest communication, cooperation when doing poses and trust that you are secure. When getting into acroyoga, it is important that you know the 3 roles that require you to trust, communicate and cooperate with each other.

1. The Base

   This is the person who is closest to or on the ground. They can either be lying down or standing. They are responsible for lifting, carrying and balancing the flyer, providing a strong and reliable foundation.

2. The Flyer

   The flyer is the person who is lifted, held, spun and balanced by the base. The flyer has to be strong and aware to be able to get into and hold various positions while the base provides support.

3. The Spotter

   The spotter is there to ensure the safety of the base and flyer. They usually stand close by in case they need to provide additional support for the flyer and to prevent accidents that could harm the partners.

Main Types of Acroyoga

There are two main types of acroyoga that you can practice; lunar (therapeutic) acroyoga and solar (acrobatic) acroyoga. In lunar acroyoga, elements of Thai massage are included and the flyer remains mostly passive while the base provides support and the massage element. Solar acroyoga has the flyer be more active than the base, who will be more passive.

Tips For Beginners

If you are starting out in acroyoga, here are some tips to get you going:

• Take safety precautions. Safety is a key aspect of acroyoga and must be prioritised at all times.
• Find a partner that you feel comfortable working with.
• Practice on landing surfaces such as foam mats, yoga mats, grass or soft surfaces. lululemon has comfortable yoga mats and non-slip towels that you can save on with a lululemon discount code. You can find more deals on the necessary equipment with our Sportswear & Equipment discount codes.
• Keep your area free of any obstacles or debris to ensure you have a safe falling area.
• Make sure to stretch and warm up beforehand.
• Communicate openly and honestly with your partner(s) throughout.
• Listen to your body. While acroyoga is great for exploring your capabilities, do not push yourself too hard.
• Wear comfortable clothing that will not get in the way and avoid wearing accessories that can get snagged on clothing or hurt you or your partner(s). The best clothing would be a pair of yoga pants and a simple top. Use a Bamboo Clothing discount code or Sweaty Betty discount code to save on both these brands’ offerings of comfy yoga pants, tank tops, sports bras and more. You can also browse our Fashion discount codes for more clothing deals.
• Learn how to be both the base and the flyer. Understanding how both of these aspects work can improve your practice.
• As you are starting out, make sure to have a spotter. “Choose someone you trust and know will remain aware throughout the practice”, says yoga enthusiast, Marylyn Ncube.
• Start off with key foundational poses and work your way up to more advanced poses over time.
• Take care of yourself. Exercising more or adding more nutrients to your diet can help. Whether you are going to the gym or taking supplements, use our Gym & Supplements discount codes for some savings.

The Benefits of Acroyoga

Like any form of physical activity, acroyoga comes with many benefits. Here are just a few them:

• As it requires open and honest communication to ensure every person involved has fun and remains safe, acroyoga improves communication skills. This is also beneficial for couples.
• Acroyoga is not an individual practice, therefore it helps in building new relationships and community.
• It improves strength, balance, flexibility and focus.
• It helps you get out of your comfort zone and confront your fears.
• It teaches you how to trust others.
• It reduces stress and promotes mindfulness.

Don’t Forget To Stretch!

Hopefully your question “What is acroyoga?” has been answered. Although aspects of acroyoga for beginners can seem intense, it is worth trying out. If you are feeling nervous as a beginner and would like more guidance, you can check out our Education & Learning discount codes for online classes. For deals on appropriate workout wear suitable for acroyoga enthusiasts of all ages, be sure to check out our Women's Fashion discount codes, Men’s fashion discount codes and Children's Fashion discount codes.