Are you looking for a new exercise routine?
There are so many options when it comes to health and fitness that it can be hard to choose the one that’s right for you.
If you’re looking for something more unique than the average treadmill session or Pilates class, but you’re not quite ready to go towards pole fitness or kickboxing, why not try something fun?
We think aerial yoga is one of the most fun ways to improve your fitness. Have you tried it out?
Most people are familiar with the sight of aerial yoga, but many people only recognize it through people who are experienced. It can be intimidating.
Don’t stress! Aerial yoga is for everything who wants to try it. It has plenty of health benefits, even when you’re only doing aerial yoga for beginners. Let’s talk about it!
Increase Your Flexibility
It’s well-known that all forms of yoga can help with your flexibility, and aerial yoga is no exception.
When you get started, some of these poses might be uncomfortable. The average person doesn’t stretch or move enough, so our muscles get stiff. Many people have tight hips, hamstrings, and even backs.
While it will be a slow start, the fluid and supported movements in aerial yoga will give you a gentle stretch.
When you’re flexible, you’re setting yourself up for a better and healthier life. You are less subject to injury, more agile, and you’ll have the ability to be more athletic overall.
Ease Certain Kinds of Pain
Many people turn to yoga because other forms of exercise are hard on the body. If you have achy joints, aerial yoga is the way to go.
Aerial yoga can also help with this pain. Different yoga poses provide a “release” that allows the body to relax. This is tied in with flexibility.
If you’re a person that has sore muscles, stretching them out is a great way to ease that muscle pain. If you have a back that’s always sore, there are aerial yoga poses to improve back pain.
If you experience pain, talk to your instructor before getting started so they can make any necessary modifications to your routine.
Mental Health Benefits
All forms of yoga are great for mental health, but how does this work?
Yoga focuses on the idea of the yogic breath. It’s not dissimilar to meditation (and these things are often used together). You’re meant to focus on your breath and shut out intrusive thoughts as you go through the routine. If you get distracted, you have the sound of your breath to guide you.
Aerial yoga uses this same concept, but with a harder routine. When you have to focus on your entire body to do poses correctly while in the air, you won’t have time to focus on the distractions of your everyday life. This practice carries through even when you’re no longer in the class.
Increase Your Core Strength
How much attention do you pay to your core?
Having a strong core isn’t only about having a six-pack. While that could be a benefit depending on your other health practices and goals, a strong core is important to your overall health.
Core strength is what allows us to maintain good balance when we’re doing other physical activities. You’ll be more coordinated and you’ll keep this balance and coordination for longer.
Many people think that having a bad back and poor mobility is “part of getting older” but this isn’t true. If you’re otherwise able-bodied, taking care of your core strength while you’re younger can prevent problems in the future.
You don’t have to spend hours in the gym doing crunches to have a strong core. Aerial yoga lets you get there in a fun way.
Lose or Maintain Weight In a Fun Way
You don’t have to spend hours at the gym doing things you hate to burn calories. While this isn’t a traditional exercise, aerial yoga is a great workout.
You’re using your entire body to keep yourself balanced and aloft. It doesn’t feel like strength-training, but it is. And when you use your entire body, you start to burn a ton of calories.
Whether you’re looking to lose weight or stay at your current weight, a moderate aerial yoga class can burn hundreds of calories per session.
Maintaining a healthy weight is great for your cardiovascular health, your joints, and more.
Increase Blood Flow
While your early aerial yoga classes may not have inversions, as you develop the skill and learn more and more, you’ll start moving your body in ways that help your blood flow and circulation. Remember, you’ll be hanging upside-down!
But why does any of this matter? Why do you need good circulation?
Good circulation is good for your cardiovascular health. It helps to fight (and lowers the risks of) heart disease.
Good circulation is also great for your mental health. You’re going to have a lot of blood flowing to your head when you’re inverted on the aerial yoga swing. This will help with your mood, energy, and focus.
Are You Ready to Try Aerial Yoga?
Aerial yoga is fun, accessible, and healthy. Not everyone wants to lift heavy weights, run for hours, or try to learn how to use complicated fitness machines. That doesn’t mean that they can’t get an awesome and fun workout.
If you’re ready to take some pressure off of your joints, improve your mental health, and get stronger and more flexible, it’s time to sign up for an aerial yoga class as soon as possible.
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