Ever wonder what it’s like to flip your fitness routine upside down—literally? Enter aerial yoga, the gravity-defying practice that lets you hang, stretch, and even soar in ways you never thought possible. Imagine traditional yoga getting a little more air, a bit of flight, and a lot of fun, and you’ll understand why this trend has taken off.
The origins of aerial yoga go back to the early 2000’s when fitness innovators decided to give yoga a lift by blending it with aerial acrobatics. Aerial yoga founders like Christopher Harrison created the first “antigravity yoga,” drawing inspiration from circus arts, pilates, and traditional yoga practices. Using silk hammocks originally crafted for aerial arts, studios soon realized that these fabrics made an incredible support system for stretching, strengthening, and yes, for a touch of mid-air drama.
This “floating” yoga comes with plenty of perks. Enthusiasts experience the joy of weightlessness, which is as freeing as it is challenging. Many moves involve hanging upside down, which helps decompress the spine and offers a new perspective on fitness. The sensation of being supported by the silk while working through poses lets yogis playfully strengthen their core and improve flexibility while they’re at it. Plus, the hammock provides support for deeper stretches and inversions, so even beginners can feel like they’re flying through a dance routine, minus, of course, the floor.
If traditional yoga keeps you grounded, aerial yoga lifts you into a whole new zone. Moving while partially suspended takes pressure off the body and lets people at all fitness levels find their flow. And since it blends playfulness with purpose, aerial yoga is as much about feeling empowered as it is about getting fit. It’s no wonder people enjoy “hanging out” in class—what other workout lets you feel like you’re defying gravity while getting a full-body workout?
Curious about taking your workout to new heights? Empowered Aerial Fitness in Stamford is a fantastic place to test the waters (or the air). Founded by local fitness expert Aileen Creagh, Empowered Aerial Fitness offers a welcoming vibe for newbies and plenty of challenges for seasoned yogis looking to soar. Known for its focus on empowerment and body positivity, the studio helps participants feel lighter— inside and out—after every class.
“Everybody wants to be in the circus!” jokes Creagh. “Aerial yoga is physically demanding and incredibly freeing. It’s playful and stress-relieving, making it a perfect way to boost mood and confidence while building strength and flexibility. Students often come in feeling curious or even a bit fearful, but they leave smiling, feeling confident, and proud of doing something amazing.”
“The benefits of aerial hammock yoga are limitless and vary for each student, but include a full-body workout, improved flexibility, strength, balance, and body awareness,” says Creagh. “Plus, students experience spine decompression, easier inversions, better posture, and the shift from an ‘I can’t’ mindset to an empowering ‘I DID that!’ attitude.”
So, if you think you have the groundwork of the practice down pat, why not give aerial yoga a whirl? Whether you’re chasing a fun new workout or just curious to try something out-of-the-box, this fitness class might just make you feel like you’re on cloud nine.
For more information or to try a class, please visit https://www.empoweredaerialfitness.com/
