So you’ve decided to go your very first aerial yoga class! That’s great news! Aerial Yoga is the practice of performing poses and inversions using a hammock or swing that’s suspended from the ceiling or from an aerial frame/rigging.
At first, aerial yoga looks like it’s something very difficult that takes a lot of skill and practice to perform. Unlike other forms of aerial sport, this is not the case with aerial yoga. In fact, aerial yoga hammocks/swings actually make it easier for you to perform yoga poses that you may otherwise find difficult.
Many first-timers at an aerial yoga class are surprised at how straightforward it is to perform inversions on the hammock and how safe it feels to be well-supported by a strong, soft yoga swing.
Here are some tips for you to consider before your first aerial yoga class. Enjoy!
1. Eat an Hour Beforehand
Due to the nature of an aerial yoga class, you don’t want to arrive feeling bloated with a belly full of food!
You should eat a light, healthy snack or small meal about an hour beforehand, to keep your energy levels high but avoid the bloated feeling.
Here are some suggestions for a pre-workout snack:
- Muesli with almond milk
- Porridge topped with dried fruit
- Poached egg with 1 slice of wholemeal toast
- Cereal bar with dried fruits (if you’re in a rush!)
2. Wear Appropriate Clothes
For aerial yoga, you need to wear form-fitting clothes. With regular yoga, you can get away with looser tops or wide bottomed yoga pants but loosely-fitted clothes will get in your way and may become tangled in the yoga swing!
During an aerial yoga class, you’ll be more comfortable wearing fitted clothes, even if you don’t normally wear form-fitting clothes in your day-to-day life.
I’ll never forget the day I inverted when I was wearing a baggy t-shirt, it fell straight over my eyes and exposed my pale white imperfect belly for everyone to see!
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on new clothes, Amazon has a great selection of affordable yoga clothes.
Examples of What to Wear
Leggings – ankle length, to avoid friction burn on the skin of your legs from the swing.
‘Meggings’ – leggings designed for men!
A sports bra for women, during inversions you’ll appreciate the feeling of a sports bra holding everything in place!
Any form-fitting top (beginners may prefer long-sleeves to avoid potential friction burns, but any tee or tank top is fine)
A headband to keep your hair away from your face. Long haired aerialists will want to keep their hair tied up and out of the way. Getting your hair caught in the swing hurts – ouch!
Yoga socks or yoga shoes – you can do aerial yoga barefoot, but many people prefer to have something on their feet. Yoga socks have rubber grip pads on the bottom, whereas yoga shoes are a little more substantial.
Related: Aerial Yoga Clothes – What to wear for Aerial Yoga
3. Arrive Early
For your first class, you should arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to get changed And prepare yourself for your first lesson.
It’s also a good idea to introduce yourself to the instructor and other members of the class.
Arriving early also gives you the chance to pick your spot in the class! Prime spots normally get taken early, but your instructor may ask beginners to use a certain swing so they’re nearby to offer support.
4. Think Positively
Getting yourself in a positive mindset before you arrive is vital for you the maximize the potential of what aerial yoga has to offer.
Make a mental note to rid yourself of negative thoughts and be confident before you arrive at the studio where the class is taking place.
You’re there to enjoy yourself and do something positive for your body, that will make you stronger, more flexible and hopefully free from aches and pains.
Aerial yoga may take care of your body and your spirit, but you need to take care of your mind. So adopt a healthy positive mindset in order the get the most from your lesson.
5. Relax!
Finally, relax and enjoy yourself.
Aerial yoga is an extremely fun way to stay fit. There are so many health benefits to practising aerial yoga, so when you’re there, enjoying the sensation of hanging upside down and brushing the floor with your fingers, you’re also doing loads of positive things for your health.
Not all fun things are bad for you! Aerial yoga may even make you feel ‘high’ or give you a head rush!
So, those are our top tips for first-timers going to their first aerial yoga class. Are you an experienced aerialist, what do you recommend for beginners? If we’ve missing anything out, leave a comment below to help our readers on their aerial fitness journey!
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