Aqua Yoga: Go With the Flow

This new fad – anti-gravity yoga has me a bit stumped. Participants precariously hang from the ceiling in harnesses while simulating yoga poses. In my opinion they would be far better off trying aquatic yoga. By taking your practice to a warm pool you’ll reap even greater benefits by “off-loading” your musculo-skeletal system while performing yoga postures.

While the buoyancy of the water allows you to increase your range of motion, it also creates an unstable environment where your core and posture are constantly challenged. As a result, the water fosters both flexibility but also stability. Furthermore, for those for whom land-based yoga is prohibitive due to arthritis or injuries, the water offers a wonderful alternative.

My favorite yoga flow sequence involves using a noodle in the shallow end to simulate camel pose, child’s pose, head-to-knee pose, gentle spinal twist  and even upward dog. Other postures that lend themselves beautifully to the water without the aid of a noodle include:  triangle pose, extended angle, eagle pose, dancer’s pose, half moon and tree pose. 

As summer approaches, try taking some of your yoga postures out of the studio and into the pool!

Be Well (and Namaste),

Carolyn

Tags: anti-gravity yoga, aqua yoga, aquatic yoga, be well coaching, yoga postures