Flying Yoga Playshops with Sarah & Whaka: in Center Camp at Burning Man & LA area
Last night, we had the joyous pleasure of participating in a Flying Yoga Playshop (similar to the video above) with Sarah and Whaka at the ArtBarn. And, we’re happy to note they will be playing and sharing this joyous yoga practice in center camp during Burning Man!
When we arrived at the ArtBarn last night, about ten students were in various states of flying, spotting or serving as a base–it looked wild and fun! Everyone was laughing and having a good time but also taking their responsibilities seriously.
Flying Yoga (also known as Circus Yoga, Partner Yoga, or Acro Yoga) puts one partner on the ground as a base while the second flies through the air. It is beautiful to watch, and while I had flown my 5 year old son, I hadn’t done much flying since I was his age!
The video below, from an LA news show, shows a few more examples while an LA teacher of Acroyoga explains a little:
Soon we were invited to join in, first by spotting another couple, and then by beginning to learn. Whaka used me to demonstrate the next move which included the basic forward fold, followed by some shoulder massage and some twists. It was a most amazing experience: I felt both transcendent, connected with the universe, and out of my body AND deeply in my body and connected to my partner and the earth. It took me out of my mundane self.
Next the Big Monkey practiced flying me; later I had the opportunity to fly him after I learned how by flying Sarah. It isn’t as hard as it might seem–it’s truly all about balance. And it truly feels fabulous whether you are the base or the flyer–your hips are held in traction by your partner’s feet and so your spine hangs, suspended. Here’s an instructional video which is sloooow but explains how it works:
After the class was over, we continued to practice, then Whaka flew the Big Monkey and then me again. He had me fly through a variety of yoga poses including forward folds, backbends, and twists. Whaka says he does a treatment that combines massage and flying.
I can’t wait to practice it again–and do some in center camp at Burning Man with Sarah and Whaka! Here’s info on more flying yoga at Burning Man:
Arjuna Yoga for Burners
| Date/Time(s): | Monday, August 31st, 2009 10:30 a.m. – noon Friday, September 4th, 2009 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, September 5th, 2009 10:30 a.m. – noon |
| Type: | Class/Workshop |
| Hosted by Camp: | HeeBeeGeeBee Healers |
| URL: | http://www.arjunayoga.com/ |
Description
Take Vinyasa, add a bit if partner/flying Yoga, throw in some circus skills, merge in some breath-work and make it a party and you have Playa Yoga. Each class is an experience in the moment and will be different every time. Come move, expand and play! Elias (Arjuna) has been exploring human movement for over 15 years. A Yoga teacher, circus artist, and workshop leader he will be teaching a free-form style of Yoga more suited to the culture and community of Burning Man. Open to all. Please bring towel, mat, water and a loving open heart.
If we keep taking classes and workshops, and practicing at home, maybe one day we will be nearly as fluid as Sarah and Whaka or Jenny and Jason of Acroyoga below:
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I have always known that yoga is beneficial but nobody told me it could be so much of hardcore fun !!! The flying feeling… has me interested big time.