A Transformative Journey Through Aerial Yoga: My Experience
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Chapter 1: The Beginning of My Yoga Journey
My introduction to yoga began in the fall of 1997 in Seattle, Washington, where I attended a basic flow class designed for beginners, likely a Hatha Yoga session. I immediately fell for the practice and struck up a friendship with the instructor, who shared my East Coast roots. Over time, I found myself gravitating more towards home practice than attending classes.
In the early 2000s, before YouTube existed, I relied on VHS tapes from notable yoga figures like Rodney Yee, who became one of my favorites. With a solid grasp of poses and a wealth of yoga literature under my belt, I developed a personal style of practice tailored to my mood on any given day. However, my move to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands led me to abandon my yoga routine altogether.
After a year in the Caribbean, I returned to Philadelphia and resumed my yoga classes, including the occasional Bikram session—those intense classes held in heated rooms. While I wasn’t particularly fond of them, I enjoyed the challenge of sweating profusely during yoga.
One day in 2013, a colleague invited me to join her for an Aerial Yoga class in downtown Philadelphia. Although she had never tried it, her curiosity piqued mine. I lived nearby and thought, “How bad could it be?”
My First Aerial Yoga Class: A Rollercoaster Experience
The class turned out to be a mix of good, bad, embarrassing, and exhilarating moments. It felt like one of the longest 75 minutes of my life—though I typically prefer longer sessions. Rest assured, I didn’t embarrass myself with flatulence, but I did slip and fall several times. I could have sworn the fabric (and perhaps a few classmates) were laughing at me!
Eventually, I grew to appreciate the long, silky fabric that initially felt like my enemy. It simply took time to adjust to everything, including the numerous inversions that often left my loose shirt revealing more than I intended.
In the first half of the class, I was overwhelmed by the novelty of it all and my own clumsiness. Although I typically possess good balance and flexibility, maneuvering with the fabric and attempting new poses proved challenging. Yoga had always been a comforting space for me, but this class felt anything but.
Then came the moment of transformation. As I began to adapt and relax into some of the most bizarre poses I had ever attempted, I found a rhythm. Instructors usually reserve the more difficult poses for the end of the session, and I found myself enveloped by the large, beautiful silk that I had initially detested. It was a moment of pure bliss.
As the class concluded, just when I felt I was finally catching on, I left with a sense of euphoria. I considered purchasing my own Aerial Yoga fabric for home practice, but the price—around $300—was a bit steep for me. Although I intended to return to class, I never did, and I regret that decision. It truly pushed my limits and improved my practice in numerous ways.
Here's a glimpse of Aerial Yoga for you to witness its beauty in action:
Chapter 2: The Joy of Inversion
Aerial Yoga not only challenged me physically but also brought a sense of joy and playfulness to my practice.
NAMASTE