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A wise man once said, “Spread your wings and let the fairy in you fly.” Let not this adage be reserved just to fables or smiling yogis. Flying bird yoga or acro-yoga as it is referred to in its contemporary avatar is believed to free your heart, mind and soul through a therapeutic bodily discourse with holistic benefits, says Grand Master Akshar, Founder, Akshar Power Yoga. He lists here the benefits of this fast-becoming popular form of yoga.
Flying bird yoga enhances your concentration and helps ease your mind from worries and relieves stress, thus helping you lead a peaceful life. It helps strengthen your immune system and combats chronic health conditions like anxiety, depression, insomnia and pain. Flying bird yoga also improves your digestion, boosts elimination of toxins from your body, while improving blood circulation and building stamina. The exceptional feature of flying bird yoga is that it can be done by any body type. The good news is that you don't ideally have to be thin and toned to perform this form of exercise. Click on to get started....
Front Bird
Benefits: Front Bird hones balance, teaching the flyer to feel comfortable while letting go of the base’s hands.
BASE: From a stable Front Plank, press your toes into your flyer’s lower belly. This helps her lift her chest.
FLYER: If you feel stable, let go of your base’s hands and reach your arms back like bird’s wings.
ALIGNMENT TIP for BASE: Keep your hands up and ready in case your flyer tips forward or wants to come down.
While doing the exercises, you have to keep your arms straight and allow the base to balance you with his or her feet. Look forward and open your chest. If you wish to let go of your hands, then stretch out your arms sideways, with your palms facing downwards. Try to maintain this posture for about 30 seconds before being slowly lowered by your base. Exchange positions and repeat.
Bow Pose
The Bow pose allows the flyer to play with a more advanced asana midair.
FLYER: Once you feel stable in Front Bird position, slowly bend your knees and grasp your feet. Keep your core engaged, legs strong and chest lifted, breathing slowly and deeply, trusting your base to support you.
BASE: Point your toes even more to help lift the flyer’s chest.
ALIGNMENT TIP FOR FLYER: Request “more point” or “more flex” in your base’s toes to find a stable position.
Plank on Plank
This helps both the base and flyer build core strength and learn how to support a partner.
BASE Take Plank Pose, with your hands shoulder-width apart, arms straight and vertical, core engaged.
FLYER: Facing your base’s feet, place your hands on his ankles. Press down with straight arms, lift the foot closest to your base, and place your ankle on his more distant shoulder. Point toes and press into the top of that foot. Engage your leg and core muscles. Place your second foot on your base’s near shoulder.
ALIGNMENT TIP Flyer: Stack your shoulders directly over your base’s ankles for stability.
Flying Bird Yoga is also a great form of couples' therapy since this form of yoga involves two people to balance each other, as a couple you may find your trust increases in each other and your communication skills improve.
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