AcroYoga enthusiasts practicing their form. Photo by Harriet Burrows.
By Harriet Burrows
It’s more yoga than acrobatics, but a new fitness hybrid known as AcroYoga is sweeping across Perth and the globe.
Every Monday Jo Camponovo, the founder of Yoga Grooves allows ten people into her often sold-out AcroYoga classes in Fremantle.
“It’s a combination of acrobatic concepts with a yogic consciousness, [it] can push one’s physical and mental boundaries, embraces communication, to work together, to stay connected, and to trust in oneself and one’s surroundings,” said Camponovo.
Clinical rehabilitation specialist Anna Mikal told The Bounce News: “There are great benefits to the musculoskeletal system in practicing AcroYoga.”
The benefits according to Mikal include increasing bone density in the arms, which is said to reduce the likelihood of osteoporosis and improve bone strength.
“When AcroYoga is practiced incorrectly there is a risk of lumbar spine injuries.
“It’s important classes are led by a qualified teacher to reduce the risk of injury,” said Mikel.
Gabrielle Edwards, 52, has been practising AcroYoga for more than a year and insists with the right instruction anyone can participate.
“Everyone thinks that looks fun, but I don’t think I could do it, I love yoga, but often it can be quite an introverted practice and what’s fun about Acro is it’s not,” said Edwards.
“There are some really basic postures, you can fly and do some basic things really quite easily.”
Camponovo believes AcroYoga can be a spiritually and emotionally strengthening experience.
“It can help people build confidence in communication with people.
“On a physical level, AcroYoga can build incredible core strength and can help you to go deeper into a yoga pose than if you were doing the posture on your own,” said Camponovo.