AcroYoga is a community-spirited practice that combines yoga and acrobatics. I was first intrigued by AcroYoga when I attended a beach yoga class on a Sunday morning in Ocean Beach. After the class ended, many of the participants began partnering up and playing with aerial poses. This partner practice requires cooperation and trust. There are three primary roles in AcroYoga: The base is the person who has the most contact with the ground, typically in a lying or standing position. The flyer is elevated off the ground by the base and moves into a series of positions. Especially in more advanced sequences, a spotter is needed to ensure the flyer lands safely and to give alignment suggestions.
After watching all these people in awe, I was encouraged to give it a shot. Although I had never done an inversion in my own yoga practice, the possibilities are vast when working together with a partner. With the help of experienced instructors, I was up in the air and flying within a few moments. What a rewarding challenge it was to accomplish something with another person through concentration. My second experience with AcroYoga was very similar, where I showed up to the greens in Ocean Beach and was welcomed into an extremely open environment of people learning and growing together. In a world that’s heavily based on technology for communication, AcroYoga is a great way to connect with strangers. If you feel like trying something that will challenge you mentally and physically while supporting new friends, come join the fun on the OB greens on most evenings. You can also attend a donation-based beach yoga class on Saturday and Sundays, which is followed by AcroYoga play on the beach.
Helene Gerasimchuk is a freelance writer and group fitness instructor. Contact her at [email protected]. Donation-Based Beach Yoga
Where: Tower 5 in Ocean Beach
When: Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. AcroYoga
Where: Ocean Beach Park, or two blocks over at the intersection of Abbott Street and Santa Monica Avenue on the greens.
When: No set schedule. Most Wednesday evenings and every weekend during the day. Visit www.facebook.com/sandiegoacroyoga for more information.