Question 1

What is aerial yoga?

Accepted Answer

Aerial yoga is incorporates an aerial hammock, “silk”, as a prop as students flow through traditional yoga sequencing.
 
The silk allows students to increase their flexibility and go deeper in traditional asanas, all while improving balance and core strength. Students experience many asanas, such as inversions, that create increased strength and focus.
 
Students are able to invert many of their traditional asanas, alleviating stress and pressure on the spinal chord – allowing a complete decompression. This method of practicing yoga inversions promotes stress relief, facilitates detoxifying effects, can help improve posture, and may even help students overcome fears!
 
In addition to the benefits of yoga, aerial yoga incorporates various wraps that gently massage and stimulate the lymph nodes, facilitating powerful detoxifying effects.

Question 2

Who can participate?

Accepted Answer

Everyone in good health can benefit from our aerial yoga classes and no previous aerial, acrobatic, or yoga experience is necessary! Whether you are a beginner or an instructor, you are invited to become a member of the Elevate family! We have teachers of varying backgrounds that all have extensive experience, training and styles they bring into their classes!
 
As with all exercise programs, we strongly advise anyone experiencing any kind of medical condition or injury to consult their doctor before beginning aerial yoga.

Question 3

What class should I take first?

Accepted Answer

Students who are new to are studio have a few options to get started. One of these options is required for all students who are new to our studio. This is to ensure you have the best experience when joining our classes.
 
Option 1 (local residents only):
Our in studio 2-week Aerial Yoga Foundations series teaches students new to our studio the core foundations of an aerial yoga practice and provides a safe and engaging environment to learn in alongside a small group of other students. This option is strongly recommended for anyone new to the studio and new to an aerial yoga practice. Click here to get started. 
 
Option 2 (recommended for visitors):
Our All Levels class is intended to accommodate everyone from beginner level to seasoned aerial yogis. We do ask that those new to the studio opting to enroll in this class arrive 10 minutes early so we can review the basics with you. Click on our schedule to book these classes. There is limited availability in this class. If you are looking for additional private booking times, please contact us: hello@elevateyogaaz.com.
 
Option 3 (recommended for those that prefer more 1 on 1 support to get started):
With private one-on-one classes, one of our instructors will help guide you through the foundations of an aerial yoga practice and answer any questions you may have, and make recommendations in terms of the classes that will best meet your goals. Click on Our Classes > Private Sessions to book.

Question 4

What should I bring to class?

Accepted Answer

1) Yoga Mat
Because we are aerial yoga, not aerial arts, we do still use yoga mats. Because you will still spend time on the ground, you will want to bring a yoga mat. We do have mats available for rent; however, we strongly recommend that you bring your own mat.
 
2) Water
Stay hydrated! It's hot in the desert so we encourage students to bring water. We do have a water filling station so at minimum, bring a water bottle and we can fill it up for you. We also encourage students to try to practice yoga on an empty stomach, but keep in mind you will be moving, twisting and practicing inversions! Eat smart throughout the day prior to class.​
 
That's it! If you have other props you like to use in your yoga practice you are welcome to bring them along but it's not required.

Question 5

What should I wear to class?

Accepted Answer

Always wear comfortable clothing that breathes. New aerial students may also want to wear a shirt that covers the underarms and long pants, as some of the poses and transitions may be uncomfortable at first. We also suggest women wear a properly fitted sports bra, as wardrobe issues during inversions and transitions are not uncommon.
 
Similar to traditional yoga, aerial yoga is practiced barefoot, so leave your shoes and worries at the door! Additionally, we ask students remove jewelry of any kind, including earrings and avoid wearing clothing with gems, sequins, glitter, or other sharp or abrasive surfaces.

Question 6

What if I'm running late?

Accepted Answer

We ask that students arrive 10 minutes before class is scheduled to start. This allows us time to get you checked in and adjust your silk to the proper height. This also helps us be able to start class on time.
 
If you are running late, please contact our front desk via text message at (480) 680-7617 prior to class to see if you can be accommodated or rescheduled for another class.
 
We apologize for any inconvenience, but arriving late to class is disruptive to other students. Arriving late and participating while not warmed up can also be unsafe and may result in injury.
 
For our harmonic sound classes and restorative yoga classes, we have a strict policy around late arrivals and students are not permitted to enter class late, once class has started.

Question 7

Is aerial yoga safe?

Accepted Answer

We take the safety of our students and instructors very serious! We treat aerial yoga no different than any other form of exercise, of which all entail some level of risk. Our aerial yoga silks are rigged to hold up to 2,000 lbs. and each instructor is trained on assisting students on safely entering and exiting the silks.
 
The most common cause of discomfort during class is the compression of the silk on the skin itself. The body is full of toxins and when you first begin your aerial yoga practice, the discomfort you feel is the body’s way of working the toxins out.
 
Some people may also experience dizziness as a result of inverting. We take time during each class to ensure students are given time to ground themselves and breath after each inversion.
 
After time, the discomfort and dizziness will be less frequent as your body gets used to the compressions on the skin and the inversions. If you do have any existing medical issues, injuries, or other concerns, ensure you discuss with the instructor before beginning class.

Question 8

Is there a weight limit?

Accepted Answer

The short answer, no. We generally advise students between 250-300lbs that there will be additional pressure from the hammock and we'll be there to help them make modifications or add padding as needed! We suggest this based on the feedback we've received from students over the years as well as observing how it is often necessary to maneuver differently and be aware of joint angles when your body parts have more mass.

Question 9

What are the benefits of aerial yoga?

Accepted Answer

When practicing aerial yoga, you can expect the same benefits as a traditional yoga practice and more! In our aerial yoga classes, we combine your traditional yoga asanas with the use of the aerial silk as a prop. This allows students to have added support as they are able to go deeper into their stretches, increase pulling strength and defying gravity by hanging upside down. It also makes many traditional asanas more accessible to the average person (think handstands).
 
Here are some of the top benefits you can expect to experience in our classes: a total body workout, decreased stress, improved flexibility, relief from back pain, increased strength and balance, and improved digestion, blood circulation, and memory.

Question 10

Is there an age limit?

Accepted Answer

The short answer, no! Our studio is open to all ages, old and young. For parents wanting to bring their kiddos along, we do allow this. For the younger kids, we just ask that parents use discretion. Classes are typically 60-minutes long and if they're attention span is good to go for a 60-minute class, they are welcome to participate.

Question 11

Do I need to bring my own aerial hammock?

Accepted Answer

No! We do have aerial hammocks available for all students to use when visiting the studio. All of our aerial hammocks are laundered prior to arrival and will be hanging and ready for you to use.
 
We do offer a B.Y.O.H. (Bring Your Own Hammock) program and encourage students to take advantage of it! This not only helps you connect more to your practice by using your own hammock, but it helps us reduce water waste through doing less laundry.

WHAT TO EXPECT