While everyone knows traditional yoga, vinyasa and hatha, aerial yoga still remains quite confidential. There are several types of aerial yoga, including Fly Yoga®, a specific method created in 2008. What is the particularity of these disciplines? What are the benefits of aerial yoga Fly Yoga? What equipment to practice? Florie Ravinet, creator of the Fly Yoga® method, answers our questions.
What is aerial yoga or suspended yoga?
Also known as suspended yoga, aerial yoga is a body movement activity that is practiced using a fabric (hammock) suspended from the ceiling. The movements performed are inspired by traditional yoga, but also by circus art, pilates or dance.
The postures can be reversed, with the head down and the feet in the air, and are then facilitated by the support of the hammock, which reduces pressure on the spine and joints. The hammock, thanks to gravity and suspension in the air, also allows you to deepen stretches by supporting certain parts of the body, thus helping to increase flexibility.
What equipment to practice air yoga?
Practicing aerial yoga requires a hammock and a yoga mat placed under the hammock, both of which are usually provided by the gym or studio. “The outfit is important, so as not to hinder movements and protect the skin from friction. Personally, I recommend a T-shirt with small sleeves that protect the armpits from friction with the hammock fabric, leggings and socks.” indicates Florie Ravinet.
The hammock must be durable, comfortable and capable of supporting the weight of the body. It should also be wide enough to allow for a variety of movements and postures. It is made of fabric specially designed for aerial yoga, usually nylon or silk. It is attached to the ceiling using secure and sturdy fixing systems, which must be installed well to support weight and movement.
And as with traditional yoga, certain accessories can be used in addition to help with the practice, such as a strap, blocks or cushions.
Fabric hammock: How to hang in aerial yoga?
The practice of aerial yoga requires some techniques to learn how to properly sit on the hammock in order to achieve the different suspended postures. First of all, the hammock must be adjusted to the correct height to make it easier for the yogi to set up. For many exercises, it should be about hip height when standing next to it. “There are then various ways of sitting on the hammock, and a multitude of different positions, with the hammock slipped either under one foot, under the arms, at the level of the sacrum or even under the bend of the hips.” describes the specialist.
What is the Fly Yoga® method?
The Fly Yoga® method is a specific form of aerial yoga, imagined and patented in 2008 by Florie Ravinet. “It is a method based on physical and emotional safety, validated by several health professionals: physiotherapists, osteopaths, psychologists, neuroscientists and psychomotor therapists…” explains Florie Ravinet.
The biomechanical aspect is very important to minimize the risk of injury and improve safety, both physical and emotional. “The emotional aspect of this practice is sometimes neglected, but that's a mistake! When we are in the air, there can be a loss of security, irrational fear and unconscious reflexes: it is essential to support students in order to reassure them and provide them with psychological security, through words and gestures. gestures” insists the creator Fly Yoga. The course is thus designed and developed in a very progressive way, with gestures, pedagogy, and specific vocabulary drawn in particular from Ericksonian hypnosis and psychomotor skills.
“The student must feel invested in his development, so that he can gently leave his comfort zone: we move from the unconscious to the conscious and we bring together the physical movement and the emotion provided” adds Florie Ravinet.
Another specificity of Fly Yoga® aerial yoga: the hammock fabric, specifically developed for the method. These hammocks made in Europe meet specific specifications, and have double elasticity – in width and length – to improve the sensations during practice, and to ensure the safety of the student by avoiding burns by rubbing or bruising from rigidity.
The Fly Yoga® method is available in several specific classes:
- Le Fly Yoga Initiation for beginners or people with specific pathologies or chronic pain;
- Le Fly Yoga Pilatesinspired by the famous Pilates method, it allows you to build muscle in depth;
- Le Fly Yoga Circus, for lovers of acrobatics and thrills. It is reserved for initiates;
- Fly Yoga Pre-Post Natalfor future mothers from the 4th month of pregnancy, or postpartum;
- Fly Yoga for Children & Family for parents who want to spend special time with their children from the age of 4. Children can participate in lessons alone from the age of 9.
What are the benefits of Fly Yoga®?
The Fly Yoga® method offers many benefits, both physically and emotionally.
“Its regular practice contributes to the reduction of chronic physical pain, improvement of posture, flexibility and breathing, better management of emotions, reduction of stress, overall muscle strengthening and of course a feeling of freedom and well-being during practice…” lists Florie Ravinet.
Very fun, Fly Yoga® is accessible to children aged 4 and over, and is particularly recommended for those suffering from autism spectrum disorders. “The teaching, vocabulary and postures are adapted to their age and have been worked specifically with a psychomotor therapist” adds the specialist.
It is open and adapted to many specific osteo-muscular pathologies, such as disc herniation, chronic lumbago, knee problems, cruciate ligaments, etc. The development of the classes and movements was worked on with physiotherapists. and osteopaths to relieve this specific audience.
Finally, Fly Yoga® is a perfect activity for seniors, prone to back pain and joint problems. Group lessons also allow them to create social bonds and fight against isolation.
Beginner: Can you do YogaFly if you have never done yoga?
Fly Yoga® aerial yoga is open to everyone, whatever their physical condition! “Already having some knowledge of traditional yoga is not at all a prerequisite. Fly Yoga® initiation and Fly Yoga® Pilates classes are particularly recommended for beginners” reassures Florie.
What training for Fly Yoga®?
Training in aerial yoga requires learning and regular practice under the supervision of qualified professionals. The training courses are very varied and depend on each training organization, which sets its own criteria.
More specifically, Fly Yoga® training courses are Yoga Alliance certified and are open to health professionals (physiotherapists, osteopaths, masseurs, psychomotor therapists, midwives, etc.), qualified yoga teachers, circus teachers and yoga teachers. 'Martial Arts. “These are 100-hour training courses, which are done in modules for each Fly course theme (pilates, circus, kids, pregnant women), with for each module, an expert speaker from the specific audience” explains Florie Ravinet. The training can be done online or in immersion.
Where to take aerial yoga classes in Paris?
Several studios offer aerial yoga classes in the capital. Here are the most reputable ones, which offer quality courses, suitable for beginners as well as more advanced practitioners:
- The Fly Yoga® studio in Paris: located in the 9th arrondissement, rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, it offers introductory classes, Fly Yoga® pilates, circus, children's and family classes and finally pre and post-natal classes ;
- The Plume air club, which has one room in the 15th and two in the 16th, offers aerial Hatha yoga and aerial Yin yoga classes;
- Somasana, “House of Wellness” offers aerial yoga classes in its studio on rue de Miromesnil, nestled in the heart of the 8th arrondissement;
- Aéroyoga Paris is a unique space suspended in the air dedicated to aerial yoga, in Montreuil in the inner suburbs of Paris. Pre and post-natal courses, children and families or all audiences;
- Kajyn Paris: in its studio in the 13th arrondissement, Kajyn Yoga offers weekly Flying Yoga classes, with the possibility of trial classes at very low prices!
