ABOUT ACROYOGA
Acroyoga is a truly joyous practice which blends the wisdom of Yoga, the dynamic power of basic Acrobatics and the loving-kindness of Thai Massage. Unlike regular yoga, it is practiced in pairs or groups of 3 or more; indeed, the entire class may be involved in a group pyramid pose. Whilst a typical class will include solo asana work, partner stretches, and some Thai massage moves, much of the time will be spent 'flying'. One partner, the base, typically lies on his or her back with arms and legs raised at 90%, and supports the flyer on hands and feet.Together, they move through a range of postures, many of which have immense therapeutic benefits. A 3rd person, the spotter, is there to keep the flyer safe, and can also offer guidance with alignment and position.
The practice of Acroyoga has both solar and lunar aspects. The solar side is the fiery acrobatic energy of strength and power, of meeting challenges, maybe overcoming fears and building skills to achieve that which seemed impossible at first sight - an empowering experience for many. The lunar aspect, on the other hand, cultivates metta or loving-kindness, developing intuition, compassion and heart-opening through the practice of Thai massage and Therapeutic Flying, in which the flyer is generally passive, receiving stretches and inversions created by the base rather than holding postures with their own power.
Yoga in Sanskrit means simply 'union', and Hatha Yoga is the union of sun and moon. Acroyoga too is about this union, and also the union of self with others. Whether solar or lunar in aspect, the key to success lies in developing trust and communication with your partner. After all, it takes a fair bit of trust to balance on someone else's feet! And whilst a trawl through Youtube will offer acroyoga videos with jawdropping or achingly beautiful moves, making a first attempt at flying is not as hard as it might appear. Whilst a level of strength and flexibility helps, no gymnastic experience is needed, and good alignment is more important than strength. After that initial triumph, many students will make rapid progress - possibly due to the highly addictive nature of the practice...
SOME PERSONAL REFLECTIONS...
My Acroyoga journey began in Thailand in 2011, whilst studying Thai Massage. During lunch break, fellow students were hanging upside down on each other's feet, and I was fascinated to try it. It was Love at first Flight, and on my return to Ireland I was straight on the internet searching where I could learn to do this. I discovered that Acroyoga had been around for less than 10 years yet was already a global community.. but there were no teachers in Ireland. 2 years of intensive travel followed, attending workshops and immersions, searching for partners to practice with, and finally attending the 11th Acroyoga Teacher Training, to become one of the first certified instructors in Ireland.
For me, the biggest appeal of Acroyoga is the spirit of adventure and playfulness in a group. Trying new things for the first time, we become like big kids again - peals of laughter are rarely heard in a regular yoga class, and joyful playtime seems to be something many adults have lost sight of. I also enjoy the sense of exploration, of discovering fun new things we can do - which encourages us to enjoy and celebrate our bodies, instead of focussing on what we don't like about them. Acroyoga is a highly physical practice; physical contact teaches us different ways of relating and connecting, thus participants who join a class as total strangers often rapidly become close friends.
Another great thing about Acroyoga is the challenges/growth opportunities it presents. Achieving a move that once seemed dauntingly impossible is an empowering experience, especially if one has had to overcome some fears and doubts to get there. Confidence and self-belief are developed in the practitioner, as well as the interpersonal skills of developing trust, sensitivity and communication - all of which translate from the Yoga Mat to the bigger world. One of the greatest gifts I have received from my Acroyoga practice is the knowledge that once I believe in my mind that something is possible, I'm over halfway there on the road to achieving it! if I want to base a difficult transition, for example, the mantra 'I am strong' can often make the difference between success and partial success!
SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF ACROYOGA
Like all yogas, expect to gain strength, suppleness and flexibility with practice. It will also improve cardiovascular, organ and digestive health, reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and improve sleep patterns. Acroyoga includes lots of gravity-defying inversion work, wich offers additional benefits to the circulatory system, and is an amazing way to extend and elongate the spine. Inversions also recharge the endocrine glands, helping boost the immune system and hormone production. Above all, it's fun, it's playful, it keeps us young. Don't we all strive for prolonged youthfulness?
TESTIMONIALS
"I could not believe my energy and confidence after leaving the class. I really enjoyed your presence as a teacher. It was also a great laugh."
Harry T, Skibbereen
"Hi Fiona, really enjoyed the acroyoga yesterday.. felt great afterwards and am really interested in doing it again. Thanks a mill particularly for the insight into the headstand."
Paula Mc G, Cork
"Your workshop was fantastic! I never imagined I'd be flying upside down like that - you created such an atmosphere of support and trust amongst the group"
Sarah K, Galway
The practice of Acroyoga has both solar and lunar aspects. The solar side is the fiery acrobatic energy of strength and power, of meeting challenges, maybe overcoming fears and building skills to achieve that which seemed impossible at first sight - an empowering experience for many. The lunar aspect, on the other hand, cultivates metta or loving-kindness, developing intuition, compassion and heart-opening through the practice of Thai massage and Therapeutic Flying, in which the flyer is generally passive, receiving stretches and inversions created by the base rather than holding postures with their own power.
Yoga in Sanskrit means simply 'union', and Hatha Yoga is the union of sun and moon. Acroyoga too is about this union, and also the union of self with others. Whether solar or lunar in aspect, the key to success lies in developing trust and communication with your partner. After all, it takes a fair bit of trust to balance on someone else's feet! And whilst a trawl through Youtube will offer acroyoga videos with jawdropping or achingly beautiful moves, making a first attempt at flying is not as hard as it might appear. Whilst a level of strength and flexibility helps, no gymnastic experience is needed, and good alignment is more important than strength. After that initial triumph, many students will make rapid progress - possibly due to the highly addictive nature of the practice...
SOME PERSONAL REFLECTIONS...
My Acroyoga journey began in Thailand in 2011, whilst studying Thai Massage. During lunch break, fellow students were hanging upside down on each other's feet, and I was fascinated to try it. It was Love at first Flight, and on my return to Ireland I was straight on the internet searching where I could learn to do this. I discovered that Acroyoga had been around for less than 10 years yet was already a global community.. but there were no teachers in Ireland. 2 years of intensive travel followed, attending workshops and immersions, searching for partners to practice with, and finally attending the 11th Acroyoga Teacher Training, to become one of the first certified instructors in Ireland.
For me, the biggest appeal of Acroyoga is the spirit of adventure and playfulness in a group. Trying new things for the first time, we become like big kids again - peals of laughter are rarely heard in a regular yoga class, and joyful playtime seems to be something many adults have lost sight of. I also enjoy the sense of exploration, of discovering fun new things we can do - which encourages us to enjoy and celebrate our bodies, instead of focussing on what we don't like about them. Acroyoga is a highly physical practice; physical contact teaches us different ways of relating and connecting, thus participants who join a class as total strangers often rapidly become close friends.
Another great thing about Acroyoga is the challenges/growth opportunities it presents. Achieving a move that once seemed dauntingly impossible is an empowering experience, especially if one has had to overcome some fears and doubts to get there. Confidence and self-belief are developed in the practitioner, as well as the interpersonal skills of developing trust, sensitivity and communication - all of which translate from the Yoga Mat to the bigger world. One of the greatest gifts I have received from my Acroyoga practice is the knowledge that once I believe in my mind that something is possible, I'm over halfway there on the road to achieving it! if I want to base a difficult transition, for example, the mantra 'I am strong' can often make the difference between success and partial success!
SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF ACROYOGA
Like all yogas, expect to gain strength, suppleness and flexibility with practice. It will also improve cardiovascular, organ and digestive health, reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and improve sleep patterns. Acroyoga includes lots of gravity-defying inversion work, wich offers additional benefits to the circulatory system, and is an amazing way to extend and elongate the spine. Inversions also recharge the endocrine glands, helping boost the immune system and hormone production. Above all, it's fun, it's playful, it keeps us young. Don't we all strive for prolonged youthfulness?
TESTIMONIALS
"I could not believe my energy and confidence after leaving the class. I really enjoyed your presence as a teacher. It was also a great laugh."
Harry T, Skibbereen
"Hi Fiona, really enjoyed the acroyoga yesterday.. felt great afterwards and am really interested in doing it again. Thanks a mill particularly for the insight into the headstand."
Paula Mc G, Cork
"Your workshop was fantastic! I never imagined I'd be flying upside down like that - you created such an atmosphere of support and trust amongst the group"
Sarah K, Galway
Here is a short video showing an Acroyoga flow, filmed in India earlier this year. Enjoy!
I am currently teaching ongoing Acroyoga classes in Cork city - please see class timetable for dates. I am also offering workshops in Acroyoga around Ireland; these are listed on the 'Workshops and Events' page.
If you are interested in hosting an Acroyoga workshop or introductory class, please get in touch via the 'contacts' page. I look forward to flying with you!
Below are some photos taken during my classes, and on the right, a selection from my acroyoga travels. I hope they inspire.
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