Although AcroYoga is still a fairly young practice, it is gaining in popularity – and fast. But what exactly is it? It is a blending of the wisdom of yoga with the dynamic power of acrobatics and Thai massage. Together, these three lineages form the foundation of a practice that cultivates trust, playfulness, and connection. Yes; you will fly, but you will also foster a sense of community, trust, and teamwork. Ahead of this month’s AcroYoga Workshop, we caught up with Pip and Eugine, two of the UK’s leading AcroYogis, to find out what someone can expect from an AcroYoga class.
You don’t need to bring a partner
We get asked this a lot. The answer is, definitely not! You are welcome to bring a friend/partner but this is not a necessity. If you come alone we will pair you up with multiple partnerships who are either opposite to what you do or a similar size so that you can learn both roles. The AcroYoga practice develops your skills to work with a variety of people.
You’ll learn to trust
Trust is what we exchange. Trust plays an integral part of AcroYoga, it is the ‘yoga of trust’. Luckily for us, in a class or during a practice, there is always a third person to keep things safe. This is what we call a spotter. A spotter allows us to try more things outside our comfort zone.
AcroYoga is for everybody
You don’t need to be an acrobat or a yogi to enjoy AcroYoga -it’s for everyone. In fact, some people who practice AcroYoga have never done yoga before. You’ll learn the building blocks to develop the skills needed for AcroYoga during a class.
You’ll learn to communicate what you need
Giving live feedback when attempting a posture or movement is a key ingredient when working with a partner. You’ll learn to communicate about what feels good and when it doesn’t. For example, the base (the person lying on the floor) may need to change his or her foot placement in order for the posture to find its balance or make you feel more comfortable.
You’ll learn both roles
Want to learn to fly or to lift someone up? Not sure which role is right for you? No need to worry, you’ll be learning both roles! Including how to be a ‘spotter’ – a third person to keep things safe. It’s a skill in itself!
You’ll learn the technique of a handstand
Want to hold a handstand and understand how to do it efficiently? Handstands are a fundamental part of the practice. We’ll break it down, step-by-step so that you can take away the understanding of how to hold a handstand with a beautiful straight line.
There will be laughter
AcroYoga is all about fun! You’ll find lots of games, partner drills, and community yoga. In a class, you can find yourself in heaps of laughter, sometimes physically on the floor. Beware, AcroYoga can cause some contagious giggling!
The AcroYoga workshop is now available for booking.
Eugene and Pip are inspirational, certified AcroYoga teachers. They teach workshops and perform throughout the UK. They bring a wealth of teaching experience from their previous backgrounds.
Eugene taught martial arts and yoga for almost 20 years. Pip trained as a ballerina and taught dance and pilates. They both took naturally to AcroYoga, have immersed themselves in it as a form of movement, art and expression. They have taught hundreds of handstand and AcroYoga workshops though out the UK. They also perform and are the founders of AcroYogaDance.