I have recently been introduced to a wonderful new pastime: Acroyoga. Despite its name, Acroyoga isn’t a particularly “yogic” activity in the traditional sense. Unless of course by yogic, you mean amazing. Then you would be spot on. Basically, Acroyoga is the lovechild of partner yoga and acrobatics.
I am currently participating in a month-long, intensive Yoga
Teacher Training and enjoying every blissful, challenging moment. Acroyoga has
taken over our Sunday afternoons (and I am sorely disappointed that there are
so few Sundays in a week). Though not technically part of the course, we have
had the joy of being introduced to Acroyoga through one of the instructors, the
quirky, multi-talented Ms. Emily Baxter, who happens to also be a certified Acroyoga
teacher.
From first glance, Acroyoga looks like it is somewhere
between difficult and impossible, reserved for only the strong, stable, and
fearless. In reality, it’s not as hard as it looks. Don’t get me wrong, I
wouldn’t say it’s easy. But with trust and confidence, it comes together. The
base finds a nice, sturdy position, the flyer moves in a light, slow, strong
manner, and suddenly you find that sweet spot, where you actually feel a sense
of ease in all the effort.
And, after an Acroyoga class, every one of us walks away
with newfound self-assurance, feeling upbeat, light, and strong (as well as
mildly exhausted). There’s nothing quite as reassuring or confidence-building
as stretching the boundaries of what you think you can accomplish to include
something you thought would be impossible.
*Photos courtesy of the lovely Candace Cabrera Moore and Elmar Munar, as Win has been off traipsing around Myanmar with our camera