Acroyoga is a physical practice which combines yoga and acrobatics. Acroyoga includes many types of partner and group acrobatics in which at least someone is lifted. As such it also draws on traditions of circus arts, cheer-leading, and dance acro. Acroyoga is more vigorous than many traditional forms of yoga as exercise, and may lead to more injuries.
Roles
There are three primary roles in an Acroyoga practice: base, flyer, and spotter.
Base - this is the individual who has the most points of contact with the ground. Often this person is lying on the ground with the entire back torso in full contact. This enables both the arms and legs to be "bone-stacked" for maximum stability and support of the Flyer. Main points of contact with the flyer are the feet and the hands.
Flyer - this is the individual who is elevated off the ground by the Base. The Flyer can move into a series of dynamic positions, and generally lets gravity do the work for them. A Flyer needs balance, confidence, and core strength.
Spotter - this is the individual who has an objective view of the partners, and whose entire focus is on making sure that the Flyer lands safely in case of any slips. The spotter can also make recommendations to the Base and Flyer to improve their form.
Elements
Acrobatics
is the physical part of Acroyoga that uses gymnastics techniques to build strength, flexibility, trust and teamwork between partners. In the Acrobatic element we have:
Static poses
Initially basic poses such as bird, throne and whale. When the partners hold the position using equilibrium which is a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.
Acrobatic flying
Focus on movement - first, the flyer and base learn a static pose, later, how to move from one pose to another, creating a movement that is called "transition" in between the two poses. In the acrobatic flying, there is a sequence of movements that start and end in the same position, which is called washing machine. There are many different washing machines. These basics washing machines that are taught are: and .
Pops
Small jumps where the partners keep physical contact with each other, usually keeping their hands connected.
Icarian Pops
Movements in which the flyer is thrown off of the base leaving no points of contact and then is typically caught once more.
Yoga
Reflects the physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines of yoga, in particular modern yoga as exercise.
Therapeutics
At AcroYoga Inc this includes Thai massage, therapeutic flying and partner yoga. A basic therapeutic pose is Folded Leaf in which one partner is inverted and supported on the vertical legs of the other partner whose hands are then free for back massage.
Therapeutic flying
The flyer relaxes the body and is guided by the base through some stretches and massage. To help the flyer to relax, it is crucial to develop trust first, which can be done by practicing the acrobatic flying. Also, it is important that the base has a strong sense of responsibility, care and trust in all the movements that will execute, before start to heal flyers using therapeutic flying techniques. It can use techniques from different types of massage, having as a result, a deep level of relaxation.
Learning AcroYoga
Learning Acroyoga requires strength training, flexibility training and technique training. Strength training is accomplished through repetition of exercises like push-ups, hand walking and handstands. Flexibility training is best done at the end of a session with a partner. Learning good Acroyoga technique takes time and effort and is best learned with an expert teacher. One important Acroyoga technique is called bone stacking. This involves the base partner keeping arms and legs straight to maximize the weight load on bones rather than muscles to support the flyer. A typical Acro Yoga session may include:
Circle ceremony promotes communication and openness
Warm-up to gradually get your muscles ready for more strenuous exercise
Partner flow - continue warming up with asanas and stretching with a partner
Inversions help build trust between the partners
Flying and acrobatics
Some communities have regular Acro Yoga meetings to provide a place for interested people to come together and practice for free, called jams. There are also larger Acro Yoga events such as the Dutch Acrobatics Convention, Acro SF, Vancouver Acro Festival, to name a few, that draw a global audience of practitioners. All over the world, there are instructors teaching Acro Yoga in regular classes and workshops. You can learn Acroyoga by yourself, but it takes time, discipline and responsibility, as you may not know all the techniques that will make the practice safe, for yourself and others.
AcroYoga Montreal was founded by Eugene Poku and Jessie Goldberg in 2003; they had informally used the term AcroYoga since 1999. Also in 2003, AcroYoga International was founded by Jason Nemer and Jenny Sauer-Klein.
