Let go, and learn to trust

In today’s changing world where all of us want to feel secure, take charge, control but won’t trust or let ourselves be, Acroyoga comes in as a yoga of trust. It is where you take control by letting go and begin your journey towards the art of giving and receiving. As by definition, Acroyoga combines the wisdom of Yoga, the dynamics of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of Thai massage.

These three lineages form the foundation of practice that cultivates trust, playfulness and community. Working with a partner will help to develop direct and compassionate verbal communication. As you learn to support others, you will end up allowing yourself to be supported. Participants benefit physically through strengthening, mentally through patience, and emotionally through trust and letting go, besides it being a lot of fun!

Workshop will include partnering yoga poses, counter balancing techniques, and therapeutic flying. One needs to just bring oneself with an open heart to connect, trust, play and fly in a supportive environment. No previous experience or partner is needed for the workshop.

Note: It is always good to start practising Acroyoga after attending a class and under expert supervision only.

Positions of people in Acroyoga:
Base-In this position, the person is in most contact with the ground. His job is to support and hold the flier.

Flier: In this position, the person does the flying with the help of the base.

Spotter: In this position, the person keeps an eye on the things to prevent the injuries and to correct the forms. A spotter is necessary if you are at the beginner’s level of Acroyoga.

Double Boat Pose
Double Boat Pose is the partner version of the traditional Boat Pose. In this pose, both the base and flier are seated on the ground. This also can be done by beginners, though the yogis should be flexible. This partner version is easier than the single boat pose as your partner’s support makes the hold easier. But, at the same time this version increases the stretch. It is good for core strength.

Sit facing each other with your knees folded in front of you.
Extend your arms toward each other and hold your wrists firmly.
Now raise your calves until they become perpendicular to the sky and parallel to the floor.
Join your soles with your partner’s.
Now press on each other’s soles and straighten your legs.

Bow Pose:
This pose is a transition from the Back Bird Pose. It comes under intermediate to advanced poses. A little more challenging than the other but it also means more trust, compatibility, strength and flexibility.

Base should lie down on his back on the ground with his knees bent and feet flat on the ground.

Flier is to stand facing away from the base near his feet.
Now the base places his feet firmly at the flier’s lower back with his heels resting on her butt.
Flier bends backwards reaching with her arms.
Both should grab and hold each other’s elbows firmly.
Base lifts his legs straight into the air, lifting the flier off the ground at the same time.
You have reached the Back Bird pose.
Now the flier should bend her knees and grab her ankles with her hands in the Bow Pose.

Straddle Boat pose:
Variation of Boat Pose. Sit facing each other with your knees outside the arms.
Extend your arms toward each other and hold your wrists firmly.
Now raise your calves until they become perpendicular to the sky and parallel to the floor.
Join your soles with your partner’s.
Now press on each other’s soles and straighten your legs.

Bird Pose:
It involves the actual high flying by the flier as the flier is supported solely by the base without any point of contact with the floor.

Base: lie on the ground with your back firmly supported by it and your knees bent.

Flier: stand before the base near his feet.

Base: lift your feet and place them at her hips. Make sure your feet are firmly planted there and supported by her hips. Now hold the flier’s arms at her elbows and straighten your legs high in the air lifting the flier with the motion.

Flier: Balance yourself and lock your body in a straight line with your toes pointed out. When you are sure of your balance, then leave the base’s arms and raise yours in the flying motion.

Sleeping Plank:
Base: Lay on ground, stack wrists over shoulders, separate feet flyer’s shoulder width apart. Simultaneously engage core and stack shoulder over hips. Option to release one arm.

Flier: Place hands on base’s ankles, lift one leg at a time, place feet in base’s hands, strong body. Simultaneously engage core and stack hips over shoulders.

— Shakti Shilpa is an innovative, nature loving, free spirit behind this form of yoga