As an Ashtanga practitioner, my routine is very predictable, which I love. There’s safety and comfort in knowing what to expect. I admit it—I’m type A, a bit controlling and mildly high maintenance. But there was something about the AcroYoga I found on YouTube that called out to me. I’d watched with awe as yogis melded flexibility, strength and acrobatics into their asanas.
As if the universe were responding to my secret yearning, a teacher approached me one day after a drop-in flow class. She complimented my practice (always welcomed by my ego) and followed with an invitation: “Would you be interested in trying AcroYoga with me and a few friends?” Having just cleared the inner chatter that so often dictates my decisions, I jumped on it: “Sure!”
AcroYoga is the brainchild of Bay area yogis and acrobats attempting to combine all of their passions into a new style of yoga. Instead of practicing individually, teams of three take turns as base, flyer and spotter. One individual—the base—is grounded to the floor to serve as the active support and foundation for the flyer, providing the surface on which to perform movements. The flyer uses the base person for assistance in “flying” into the poses. The flyer is not thrust into the air, but rather, controls moves into the desired position using the base as structural support. The spotter keeps a vigilant eye on alignment and provides a safety net should someone tumble.
Anxious sweat brewing, I entered the teacher’s home studio the following afternoon. I had no idea what to expect or even if my body would be able to participate; after all, it had been 26 years since I’d done gymnastics. A warm hug from my instructor quickly put my fears to rest.
The makeshift class consisted of three of us, which seemed ideal for my first attempt at something so foreign. We began by sitting in a circle and responding to a prompt of “What made you laugh today?” After a few trust- and community-building exercises, we began our workout.
Next thing I knew, I was flying! Uptight, control freak me, up in the air looking like an apprentice for Cirque du Soleil. We warmed up in “folded leaf” and moved on to more challenging poses, each taking turns as base, flyer and spotter, absorbing the importance and responsibility of each role. The session was filled with laughter, concentration, beautiful postures, awkward poses with our faces in places that seem more appropriate for intimate moments, and clumsy falls. Everything was exactly as it should be. Closing the class with a bit of Thai massage tied a spectacular bow on an amazing experience.
Sarah Vosen, a certified instructor in Santa Monica, describes AcroYoga as “a partner-based practice combing yoga, acrobatics and Thai massage; honoring all three lineages to build a heart-based community.” She outlines the foundation of the practice as “a balance of dynamic strength and fluid flexibility, along with unconditional loving-kindness.”
There are two styles of flying, she explains, therapeutic and acrobatic. “The therapeutic flyer is completely relaxed, passive and receptive. During acrobatic flying, the flyer participates more actively to make moves happen powerfully.” In either case, she continues, “the base is always engaged and active.” AcroYoga usually does not use props, relying solely upon the strength of the triad.
“It can be difficult to feel open to others in a fun, childlike way, but AcroYoga gives permission to play,” notes Vosen, who says the classes she teaches are appropriate for all levels: yogis, non-yogis, beginners and experts. It is an open community that embraces all levels. If feeling intimidated by the very thought of it, Vosen assures, “There is no need for a lot of skill, just a willingness to play, trust and communicate.”
What surprised me the most was that it all seemed within the realm of possibility—maybe not at that moment, but in time. For me personally, AcroYoga has provided a space to continue to challenge myself, let go and not take myself so seriously. The Baba Hari Dass quote that has been adopted by the AcroYoga community sums it up perfectly: “Work honestly, meditate every day, meet people without fear, and play.”
—Amy Crawford
Where to Fly in Los Angeles
Strength and inversion training: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8–9:15am at Palisades Park, Santa Monica
AcroYoga all levels: Fridays 8–10pm at Urth Yoga, 2809 West Sunset Blvd., Silverlake 90026, 213.483.9642.
AcroYoga all levels by donation: Sundays 12–1:30pm at The Hub, 2001 S. Barrington Ave., Ste. 150, West Los Angeles 90025, 310.575.4200.
Go to acroyoga.org for more information.
Photo courtesy Gary Begley
