Research shows that aerial yoga can boost mental health positively.
Different people need different things for their mental and physical well-being. The more we open and share new ways and methods to help, the better. We all need to find what works best for us. Bringing awareness and understanding to how we are feeling is the first step in our healing journey. It takes time, lots of compassion, empathy, and dedication to find what works best for you.
This means trying new things and seeing how they affect you. This also means being honest with yourself and willing to do something else if something you try does not work Restoring the body, resting the mind, and restoring the body helps to reduce stress, calm the mind, and reduce insomnia. Feel like a kid again. Have fun, try something new, swing, spin, and play. The mind will relax as you connect with your body and breathe.
According to Aditi Nandy, an Aerial Yoga Instructor here are some aerial yoga postures that are known to calm the nervous system, increase circulation, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and rejuvenate you for the rest of the day.
1. Aerial Plank
How to do:
Place the hands under the shoulders and legs in the mid loop of the aerial hammock. Once in the plank position, make your body hollow. With inhalation, bend your knees against your chest and when you breathe out, extend your legs straight
Benefit:
- Strong and tone core, legs, shoulders, wrists, spine, and hands
- Helps relieve lower back pain , postures & confidence
- Increasing balance and stability
2. Aerial Downward Dog
How to do:
As you stand on your toes, push the hammock against your pelvic bone. Bend over by raising your hips in an inverted V-shape, and lengthen the back of your legs.
Benefit:
- You get strong calves and hamstrings
- It helps strengthen your shoulders and neck.
- Mudra strengthens your core
- It helps tone your feet and hands.
3. Aerial Yoga Bound One-Legged King Pose
How to do:
The one-legged king pigeon pose involves reaching back with both hands and holding your left leg or ankle. If you have flexibility, you can hold your ankle with both hands. Once you are inbound pose, allow the left leg to sink into the floor., opening more deeply into the backbend.
Stop for 5 slow, deep breaths and return to the Reclining Angle Pose before releasing your left leg. Try posing on the other side.
Benefit:
- The pigeon pose extends the thighs , waist, and abdomen.
- It relieves tension in the chest and shoulders and also stimulates the abdominal organs, which helps to regulate digestion.
4) Aerial Inverted Bow Yoga Pose
How to do:
Pull your ankles down to increase the stretch! One bow down to rule them all!.
Benefit:
- This pose allows for building flexibility in the back and a great stretch in the shoulders.
5. Floating Savasana
How to do
Take 6 gathers and get inside the pouch to sit comfortably and lean back covering your head as well. With your heel distribute the fabric till the end to make sure the feet are properly covered. Relax comfortably inside the hammock. Inhale and exhale from the abdomen
- Surrender, feeling light, sensations of floating, a deep meditation
- Calms the brain, relaxes the body and mind
- Hugged by silk, feeling secure and safe
- Ease of sinking and melting into a deep relaxed state
- Reset and Renew
About the Author: Aditi Nandy is an internationally certified AntiGravity Fitness, Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Trainer, and Aerial Yoga Instructor who loves to eat healthily and stay fit. She is also Head of Customer Relation at Utsav Yoga Foundation.