Thinking about joining us for our Mighty AcroYoga weekend? Space is filling up fast, so register soon! Remember all levels are welcome; no partner is necessary.
In the meantime, wonder how yoga, acrobatics, and therapeutic Thai massage came together? It turns out amazing things happen when people unite… and share a love for pyramid building with their bodies! Nearly seven years after the founders had their first impromptu contact yoga session, AcroYoga is increasingly distinguished for its celebration of interdependence and play (For a fuller history, check out the official AcroYoga web page).
It is easy to see this practice as child’s play. Remember hanging over someone’s feet, sitting on someone’s shoulders or leaning back to balance a two-person tug-of-war? In AcroYoga, typically a triad of players play—a Spotter assists a Base as he or she supports a Flyer in dynamic variations of yoga poses with names like Folded Leaf, Bat and Bird (like the one pictured here).
We’ve already mentioned how the principle of bone-stacking makes seemingly challenging poses increasingly effortless and allows people of varying sizes to fly or base with greater ease. One more thing to note is that the spotter’s involvement is vital. Think of the spotter as the safety net; with his or her watchful eye, the base and flyer can more fully, and freely, explore those eye-catching acrobatics.
When MY’s Gina was introduced to the practice, she remembers that though the visual appeal of the partner poses hooked her, the underlying elements of trust-building brought her back to fly. “This amazing practice was another place to explore relationship, explore the intricacies of community,” Gina says. “It was another way to have a conversation in a safe, nurturing, playful, fun environment.”
This weekend leading AcroYoga instructor Chris Loebsack, one of the first certified AcroYoga instructors (pictured below), will be assisted by MY's Gina in sharing the playful freedom and benefits of therapeutic flying, Thai massage, inversion training and an intro to partner acrobatics. We hope you can make it for part or all of the sessions!
BUT if you absolutely can’t make it this weekend, Gina also coordinates casual, weekly Ithaca AcroYogi practice sessions at various parks, weather permitting. You can feel free to check the Ithaca Acro Yogis Facebook page for the next play session, too. Let’s fly!
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