A playful, creative and curious form of exercise is allowing adults to bring out their inner child with “much love and upside-downness”.
AcroYoga Sunshine Coast is a crazy upside-down world where participant stack on top of each other, combining yoga and acrobatics to take the seriousness out of adult life and bring a few laughs along the way.
When local coordinator Gabriella Salmon was first introduced to the concept a decade ago, she was immediately transported back to her days performing as part of a children’s circus in Far North Queensland.
“I was in the circus when I was in a kid and in 2010, I was living in Bali and a friend kept asking me to go to a yoga class,” she said.
“I thought yoga wasn’t really my vibe and eventually I turned up and it was acroyoga and I had this feeling of ‘this is what I used to do as a kid’ and I loved it.
“Acroyoga is creative, curious and playful.”
The concept sees participants practice traditional yoga poses, modified to be done on top of another human.
“It’ very playful. That’s a big focus in the way that we teach bringing that element of childlike curiosity and play, and exploration of our own bodies.
“The difference between acroyoga and straight acrobatics is that we try to be really mindful about our approach, just like in a yoga class.
“We focus a lot on the connection with ourselves, our own bodies and our own emotional states and the connections with the people we are working with.
“It really quickly embodies a sense of trust. It’s not very often in life you meet a literal stranger and 20 minutes later you are trusting them with your entire body.”
Like stories about great things happening in our community? Help us deliver more by registering for our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article
Ms Salmon and her partner Ivan Blanco run regular five-week programs outdoors at Mudjimba or Coolum for adults to learn the foundations and safety of the activity, and Ms Salmon said there were always a lot of laughs to be had.
“Balancing on top of people means you are going to have some funny moments and you are going to fall off occasionally,” she said.
“Once you’ve nailed the foundations, we have a progressions series.”
She said offering adult-only classes was a chance to take timeout from a typically competitive and results-driven world.
“We focus on teaching adults – we feel there is a gap.
“Socially kids get to do all the fun stuff and adults often get stuck into something that is competitive and results-based and we don’t really do the fun stuff all the time.
“We want to bring some of that back, running around in the park and playing tag as a warmup game.”
Ms Salmon said there was no prior experience or high level of strength needed, just a willingness to listen and learn, and no active injuries.
“You don’t need to be super strong in your muscles if you have the right technique.
“As long as there is an ability to listen well and communicate well and respectfully, it’s open to anyone.
“It’s also about using intelligent body mechanics rather than just force. There is so much we can access once we understand the technique.
“It can also be really helpful in breaking down issues in body image, in communication skills, trust and playfulness.
“We promote self-awareness to provide a safe and consensual environment.”
AcroYoga Sunshine Coast also runs regular community events for locals to try before beginning a course.
The next five-week series will begin on October 7 from 6.30 to 8.30pm at a yet-to-be-determined location. Other event times, days and regularity vary with the seasons, typically with more on offer during the warmer months.
For details visit muchlovewellness.com/eventsworkshops or the AcroYoga Sunshine Coast public Facebook group.
