Aerial yoga uses a suspended fabric hammock to support standing, seated, reclining and inverted shapes. Equipment setup and direct instruction are essential parts of the practice.
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Before class
- Choose a trained aerial-yoga instructor.
- Confirm that the hammock and attachment points are checked.
- Wear fitted clothing without sharp fasteners.
- Remove jewellery that may catch the fabric.
- Arrive early for equipment instructions.
Beginner class structure
- Learn how to hold and spread the fabric.
- Practise supported standing positions.
- Use seated hammock shapes.
- Learn controlled entry and exit.
- Try partial suspension before full inversion.
- Finish with supported rest.
Basic practice points
- Keep at least one stable point of contact while learning.
- Follow the instructor’s sequence.
- Avoid wrapping the fabric without demonstration.
- Move slowly when changing levels.
Common mistakes
- Attempting an inversion without instruction.
- Using unchecked equipment.
- Moving quickly through wraps.
- Competing with other participants.
Practice limits
Exit when there is dizziness, confusion, fabric pressure or loss of control. Learn inversions, drops and complex wraps only through direct supervision from a qualified aerial-yoga teacher.
Preparing for an Aerial Yoga Class
Aerial yoga changes the way body weight is supported, so the first priority is learning the equipment and the class rules. The hammock is not simply another yoga prop: its height, attachment points and condition should be checked by a trained instructor or facility before practice begins.
Before using the hammock
- Ask how the fabric should be held, spread and wrapped for the movements being taught.
- Learn the class signal for stopping or coming out of a position.
- Remove jewellery, watches and clothing details that can catch the fabric.
- Begin with partial weight-bearing positions before attempting suspended or inverted shapes.
If you are new to yoga as well as aerial practice, it can help to become familiar with a few beginner yoga poses on the floor first. This makes basic ideas such as neutral standing, supported lunges and controlled transitions easier to recognise when the hammock is added.
Use support intelligently
Props can still be useful in an aerial class. Blocks, blankets and a wall may help with entry and exit positions, just as they do in floor-based practice. See our guide to using yoga props for practical examples.
Stay with the simplest version of a movement until the setup and exit feel repeatable. If a position causes pressure, dizziness, numbness or a sense of losing control, return to the floor and ask the instructor for another variation.
Interesting…I had no idea that this style of yoga even existed!
This is one of the best yoga aspects. because I learned this yoga course form arohan yoga school and its a so much relaxtion while doing these yoga poses. I prefer this yoga over mat yoga. You never get bored on this yoga.