Tough Lotus Aerial Yoga
Tough Lotus has another awesome Groupon! Three or Six Aerial Fitness Classes at Tough Lotus. (Using our link doesn’t cost you anything extra. It helps us out by giving us a small percentage to keep up Whimsicle)
I first heard of aerial yoga a couple of years ago when I was pregnant. A Groupon popped up on my cell phone showing people hanging upside down from swing-like contraptions. I thought, “this looks like so much fun!” However, it wasn’t advisable for a very pregnant me. When a Groupon for Tough Lotus appeared a few weeks ago, I snatched it up.
The first class required at Tough Lotus is “Introduction to Aerial Fitness”. Reserved only for beginners, I knew this class would go slowly and I would be able to ask a lot of questions. About 10 people showed up at 6:30PM on a Tuesday night to attend. Our instructor, AJ, had us roll out our yoga mats under a swing of our choosing. She then guided us in getting into a seated position in our swing.
For the swings, think of a very large hammock that is gathered together. When you pull the fabric around you, it feels as is you are retreating into your own little cocoon.
Attached to each swing is a set of 3 handles on either side. One handle up high, one at a medium height and one that is lower. We started the class by standing behind our swing, feet on either side of our yoga mat, bending at the waist, grabbing our swing and doing some easy stretches. As we progressed throughout the class, AJ carefully explained how to get into each pose. One requires you to sit in your swing and put your ankle through the highest handle. The first time, I completely missed. The second time I got it through and felt like a contortionist rock star.
With my right foot suspended in the air, I stood on my left leg – something I would never be able to accomplish without the use of the swing. On the count of three, we sat back on the swing, picked up our right foot and crossed it over our left. The back of my left leg felt a deep stretch and I swung through the air.
So much of this workout felt like I was playing. We also did ab work, that although didn’t feel strenuous in class, I felt sore in my abs the entire next day.
A big part of aerial yoga is inversion – hanging upside down. We did shoulder stands.
And hung upside down like a bat, plus strike gravity defying poses while there.
Class ended with a five-minute relaxation period. During this time, AJ came around and spritzed us with aromatherapy while we lay blissfully cocooned in our swings. I left class feeling relaxed and taller. All that upside-down time does amazing things for the spine.
I look forward to aerial yoga at Tough Lotus every week. Even though my Groupon has run out, I am hooked! Not only is my flexibility improving, but it is my fun hour of play. Any exercise I can say that about has my vote.
Check out Tough Lotus at Dobson and Elliot in Chandler, AZ or on their website: http://www.toughlotus.com
Find Tough Lotus’s current Groupon here: Three or Six Aerial Fitness Classes at Tough Lotus. (Using our link doesn’t cost you anything extra. It helps us out by giving us a small percentage to keep up Whimsicle)
JoAnn Crohn
CEO/Founder at No Guilt Mom
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This is so cool! And Chandler isn’t far from me 🙂 I have always wanted to try this!
It is so much fun Lindsay!
Chandler is not too far from me either, now I’m dying to try this! 🙂
Do it! If you want someone to go with, let me know!
Yikes, this looks tough! I’ve never done yoga, but this looks like fun.
Woah! This is both crazy and awesome!
what an experience! Looks fun too.
Oh wow! This looks amazing. I’ve always wanted to try yoga, this looks like extreme yoga 🙂
It is so much fun!! If you have a place near you that teaches aerial yoga, I recommend that you check it out!
Ah this is in Phoenix! I’m so excited- I’ll have to try this out!
So I love yoga….but wow this seems like a whole new experience. I might have to be brave and try it out!
Looks crazy, but I find it easier than normal yoga. I can hit poses that I can’t normally do.
This looks so fun! I’ve have seen one other person post about this but they didn’t have any details. I hope we can get one of these studios in my area! I would definitely have to go and try it out.
Thanks Susie! I love going!
This looks really interesting.
This looks like so much fun. I genuinely think I would really enjoy this. I’m always looking for alternative exercise classes to get involved with!
Katie <3
This looks like SO much fun! I love yoga and start my mornings out with it (nothing advanced) ! I would be afraid that I would fall right on my @%^ lol but I would still go for it! So inspired now by you! ^_^
I’ve fallen a few times when we try to do handstands and its no big deal. The swings catch you so that you don’t fall too hard. Think controlled fall.
I’m still trying to perfect my downward dog lol. This looks like a ton of fun though!
I actually find aerial yoga easier to do than regular yoga. You don’t have to worry about gravity.
Whoa! That looks like so much fun! So cool!
That looks like so much fun! But I feel like all the blood would rush to my head! I think I would be the one just laying in the thing like a hammock!
OMG!! I would be so nervous of falling on my head! I love yoga so I think I might have to bump up my skills if I wanted to try this:)
This looks so different and fun. I’d probably fall on my head though if I tried it, hahaha.
love yoga but that looks scary lol
I’d love to try that! I’ll have to find a place in area to take it.
I am so afraid I’d fall on my head and make myself even goofier than I already am!!
I actually find aerial yoga easier than regular yoga. The swing holds you surprisingly steady.
I would LOVE to try this. I love yoga and I bet this is gentle on the joints.
Wow! I had no idea there was such a thing. It looks like a fun but tough workout.
My cousin belongs to a studio that does this and she recommends it! I would be so scared to fall on my head lol!
This looks like so much fun! I have to see if an aerial yoga studio is nearby.
oh my gosh this looks so cool! I will need to look for a groupon for this. I love Yoga and Pole Dancing, so this seems like a logical next step!