ABU DHABI: YogaOne, the first licensed Anti-Gravity (AG) studio in the capital, has launched a new form of yoga which, among other things, involves hanging upside down.
Located in the Mangrove One compound behind Al Seef Village, the studio currently offers two weekly ‘High Fly’ classes and an evening ‘Low Fly’ class.
“We launched AG classes over a month ago and have witnessed a huge groundswell of enthusiasm for this incredible form of yoga,” said Pem Fassa, an AG instructor at the studio.
AG, according to the expert, is a technique that allows a person to stretch and hold challenging poses by using an anti-gravity hammock. The silk hammock acts as a soft trapeze to help the person master simple suspension techniques.
Inverted style
The ‘Low Fly’ classes, which have been specially designed by Fassa to accommodate those who may have a fear of inversions or being too far from the ground. “Although this is a slower paced class with longer holds than the ‘High Fly’ class, it builds strength and increases flexibility. The difference lies in the height of the hammock which is adjusted at a lower level. However, students do all the zero-compression poses of a regular ‘High Fly’ class,” said Fassa.
“I ask my students to leave their fears and apprehensions at the door. I tell them that in order to fly, they must be willing to let go,” she added.
AG students vouch it helps them to be more aware of their body. “Being suspended off the ground forces you to be more precise to get something done - for example you have to engage the upper body to pull up from an inversion, because your legs are taken out of the equation,” said Singaporean Jessica Chow, who is a regular practitioner at the studio.
The many benefits of AG include muscular flexibility, decompression and hydration of the vertebral discs, muscular tension release and increased joint mobility and kinesthetic awareness.
For more information visit www.yogaone.ae
