Anti Gravity Yoga Review

The past four days I was fortunate to be trained by the creator of Anti Gravity Yoga (AGY), Christopher Harrison. It was intense, it was fun and I’m thrilled that I had this opportunity. This is my review of the technique and how I see it fitting into a regular yoga practice and workout schedule.

5 benefits of AGY:

1. Zero compression inversion. This is one of the most unique and beneficial attribute to AGY. The practitioner can experience decompression of the spine without having an inversion practice in yoga (headstands, handstands, shoulderstands). It is a flush of the lymphatic and endocrine system while giving space to the spinal column. A healthy spine is a healthy person.

2. Shift of perspective. My favourite is doing savasana in a pod. We tend to look for comfort in our lives by keeping our feet rooted to the earth, physically and metaphorically. Practicing above the ground allows us to practice being comfortable with the unknown or something we may not fully trust. Yoga is practice for life.

3. A great way to practice without all of the wrist compression of downdog. We receive all of the benefits of vinyasa (movement with breath), physical challenge and meditation while limiting the compression on the joints. It’s great for injured or arthritic wrists and shoulder.

4. Can tailor the technique to be more strengthening, cardiovascular or restorative. Enough said.

5. It SO fun. I have yet to witness somebody coming out of a class without laughing. We get the feeling of being an aerial acrobatic without the 30 ft drop. There’s swinging, flipping, hanging, flying, lying, the list goes on. It will bring you to blissful state of accomplishment.

As a traditional yoga teacher and personal trainer I would not replace this technique with your regular activities. I think it’s a fabulous addition and can help to augment yoga, weight lifting, and sports. I am a firm believer in balance and this method should definitely be added to the mix.

Email me if you would like to set up a group, private, or special occasion class. I am ecstatic to start spreading the AGY love!

tedimartin4@gmail.com

Upside Down Fun

These shots are form the two-hour inversion workshop. Excuse the quality of photos as they were all under exposed so I had to do some minor (or major) adjusting. Please feel free to leave me any comments and other workshop requests, as you know I’m always open to ideas :)

Namaste!

Yoga Inversion Workshop

Build Strength

Boost immunity

Increase Energy

No inversion experience necessary

Date: Saturday May 15 2010

Cost: Member $25, non member $40

Time: 11am – 1PM

Inquiries and registration:

tmartin@stevenashsportsclub.com

Valentine’s Day Partner Yoga Workshop

These are just a few of the photos we took at the workshop. You can click on the image to view the full photo. We had a fun two and a half hours filled with meditation, partner asanas, some great music and I couldn’t forget to bring chocolate :) This workshop is one of my favorites of the whole year… so I thought I would share some of the captures. Namaste!