YogaWorks and AntiGravity Partner to Launch Aerial Fitness Classes

AntiGravity Yoga. Photo courtesy of YogaWorks.

YogaWorks has partnered with AntiGravity® to offer AntiGravity yoga, an aerial fitness class that uses the AntiGravity® Hammock to allow participants to conduct yoga moves while suspended from the ceiling. Classes began April 2, 2012 at YogaWorks’ Westside studio in New York City.

“We wanted to be able to offer another hybrid-like program,” said Jill Bauman, the regional vice president of YogaWorks. “We felt that the quality of [AntiGravity’s] program along with the therapeutic aspects would be very beneficial and embraced by the yoga community.”

Because the class allows for zero-compression inversion, it’s great for members of all levels and those with injuries, said Bauman. “It has zero-compression inversion, so you can invert without having compression on your spine,” she explained.

Currently, instructors must be certified by AntiGravity® to teach the class. YogaWorks will be launching its own certification in May, with plans to launch the traditional AntiGravity classes, such as AntiGravity® FUNdamentals, Slow Flow, Flying Fitness and Restorative in the near future. In addition, YogaWorks will add AntiGravity® Pilates to its list of classes offered as well. All classes will use the AntiGravity® hammock.

“The AntiGravity® Pilates is more core-building and core-strengthening,” said Bauman. “You’re off the ground and able to do a lot of the exercises that can be done on a Reformer, in the hammock.”

“The yoga community is embracing it. It’s been really positive,” Bauman said about the partnership. “It’s really fun. That’s the thing that is really unique about it — you feel like a kid — joyful.”

By Rachel Zabonick