AntiGravity Yoga allows even beginners to undertake advanced inversions safely ANTIGRAVITY YOGA A
ntiGravity®, an acrobatic troupe spe- cialising in aerial arts, was founded in New York in 1990 by Christopher
Harrison. A former Broadway dancer and world-class competitive gymnastics special- ist, Harrison launched AntiGravity Yoga in 2008. T e programme, for the everyday exer- cise, is based on yoga, but also combines modifi ed acrobatic and elements of dance, pilates and callisthenics – all performed on the AntiGravity Hammock. Connected from two overhead points, the
hammock acts as a soſt trapeze, support- ing participants in movements ranging from simple suspension techniques through to
advanced inverted poses. T e benefits are said to be wide- ranging, from the relief of compressed joints and the spine to improved body aware- ness and overall agility. Having tried out AntiGravity Yoga for myself – at the Aspria Ber- lin hotel, club, spa and sports centre in Berlin, Germany – I can also vouch for its ability to deliver a tough upper body and core workout, to get the heart pumping, and to facilitate deep stretches. The support of the hammock allows even begin- ners to hold challenging yoga postures for longer, and in the correct alignment, leading to a real sense of achievement – not to mention great results. Other exercises range from pull-ups to planks, handstands to ham- string stretches, and swinging while seated in the hammock to simply relaxing in a cocoon at the end of the session. Best of all, the use of the ham-
AntiGravity Yoga is probably the best class I’ve ever done – the use of the hammock makes it great fun and I honestly forgot how hard I was working
THE LOW-DOWN: ANTIYOGA® GRAVITY
space required: Concrete ceiling required, with a 4m x 2m area needed for each hammock. cost: €400 (us$560, £356) per hammock, plus around €30 (us$42, £27) per ceiling attachment. In addition, an annual licence fee must be paid. Costs provided by Aspria Berlin. training: €1,000 (us$1,400, £890) per instructor for two weekends of training. distribution: AntiGravity Yoga is currently available in the US, Canada, certain parts of Europe and is expected in the UK soon.
Movements require muscular balance SPA BUSINESS 4 2010 ©Cybertrek 2010
mock makes the whole class great fun – I honestly forgot how hard I was working. By the time we leſt the studio I was sweating, with tired muscles, but felt energised and had a huge grin on my face – probably the best class I’ve ever done. Marika Molnar, president of West Dance Physical T erapy and director of physical
therapy services to the NYCityBallet, agrees:
“AntiGravity Yoga is revolutionary. T e tech- nique gives a low-impact cardiovascular workout while strengthening the muscu- loskeletal system. I found it challenging for my brain and body to move in 3D, with end- less possibilities of positions and shapes.”
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