Originally Published On 9/14/2020
Improve Your Posture With Aerial Yoga
Nobody can deny the fact that yoga – both aerial and on the mat has an excellent range of health benefits and one of the great things about aerial yoga is that it is accessible to a wide range of people thanks to its anti-gravity nature and an excellent selection of the best yoga swing poses.
For many people, getting on the mat is not as easy as they would like it to be but taking part in a yoga swing workout can be much easier for those who find flexibility a problem. One of the benefits of hopping into your aerial yoga swing is your posture stands to be greatly improved.
There are a lot of reasons why you should embark on your aerial yoga journey and you will be surprised how beneficial it would be not only in improving your posture but your overall health as well!
In this article, we will be looking at 5 of the best yoga swing poses to improve your posture as well as exploring why having a good posture is important for your overall well-being.
How Does A Yoga Swing Help To Improve Your Posture?
So, it is no secret that using your aerial yoga swing on a regular basis will improve various aspects of your health, including your posture.
But when we look at exactly how aerial yoga can help with this, we are much more easily able to understand just what an amazing benefit the entire practice is. As you work out in your yoga swing, you are being given one of the best opportunities you will ever get to decompress the spine and practice the right posture for you 24/7!
For many of us, sitting at a desk all day is unavoidable, and since there is so much focus on staying at work and getting as many things done as possible, this can put unimaginable pressure on your spine and this is something of a nightmare for your posture.
However, thanks to the many inversions that you will be able to do during your at-home yoga workout with us, this pressure is drastically reduced and relieved.
As your spine is decompressed, the joints within it are much more freely able to align, this is what improves the posture and provides relief from being cramped up in an office chair or on the sofa for large parts of the day.
All you need is a short time, probably an hour or two, every single day to help yourself get the care it deserves and also for maintenance.
If you work from home and have a yoga swing installed, why not schedule a mini session into your lunch break? You can also do aerial yoga as a morning stretch or even a cooldown from the entire day before sleeping! It is a very versatile activity with versatile poses as well suited for any time of the day.
Why Is A Good Posture Important?
Many people ask, “Why is good posture important?”
For us, this is a question that should be answered right away and honestly, not be asked again because posture plays a vital role in each and every one of us. Having a bad posture can put unnecessary pressure on your muscles and joints and this can lead to a plethora of other problems, some of which can be very serious.
As you continue through your life with bad posture, this can cause the joints to wear a lot more quickly than they otherwise would. This might lead to conditions such as arthritis which can be painful and in extreme cases can severely affect your quality of life, especially if you do not run intervention as soon as possible.
Furthermore, you may be surprised to learn that having bad posture can also contribute to poor digestive health! When you are not in the correct position, this can put a lot of stress on the organs in the abdominal cavity which impacts your digestion and you may suffer from heartburn or constipation — among other things.
But many conditions like these require a simple spinal realignment – and making the most of these best yoga swing poses is sure to improve function and that is where your aerial yoga swing becomes your new best friend!
You will notice that, as your posture improves, in extension, your muscles will begin to feel a lot less fatigued and this is because, much like the joints, they are getting a break from carrying such a heavy, unnecessary load.
You will begin to feel lighter and more in control and this can improve your overall feeling of wellness. In turn, you will likely feel much happier and experience a better mood.
Your spine is one of the most important parts of your body, not only is it the highway for messages to and from the brain, but it serves in keeping you upright and moving, and is literally the backbone of our bodies and lives therefore, it is vital that we pay attention to its health.
Keeping your posture in check promotes much improved spinal health and this is especially important if you are someone who spends a lot of time sitting down. Not only will this improve the health of your spine and its ability to support your back fully but if you suffer from back pain, you will notice that as your posture improves, so too will the pain level – until one day, it is gone altogether!
The 5 Best Yoga Swing Poses
There are so many different poses that you can try out in your yoga swing, some are a little more advanced but there are many that are ideal yoga swing poses for beginners.
So no matter what your level, there will be a yoga swing pose that will be of benefit where your posture is concerned, and we think that these are 5 of the best!
But before we begin, we would also like to remind you to take utmost caution in executing these poses and maneuvering through your yoga hammock or swing. You do not need to get into these poses all fast and speedy.
It is important that you take your time and do them slowly to maximize the stretches and poses as much as you can and also not to shock your body from the sudden changes in positions.
Keep in mind that we only have one spine and our intention is to preserve it and not to strain it even more. If you feel like there is something wrong with what you are doing, then it would be best to take a pause and tell your instructor about it.
Star Inversion
This pose involves you getting into a star shape, much like you would on the mat but in an inverted position. Your hands will be placed on the ground below you whilst your hips are supported by the swing and your legs are spread out on either side of your body.
There are many advantages to this asana including stress relief and relief from anxiety as well as improving your circulation and helping to relieve symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle.
However, one of the most notable benefits of this pose is that the inversion of gravity drastically decompresses the spine and allows for much more natural alignment. Breathe through this pose for more relaxation!
Inversion poses is definitely one of the go-to poses of spine decompression in aerial yoga and there are a lot of inversion poses for you to try, not just this one.
Suspended Plank
Plank is a notoriously challenging pose when it is done without the aid of a yoga swing but it can be much easier when your feet are supported in the hammock and your hands are placed on the ground.
One of the great advantages of doing this pose is that it is excellent for toning and strengthening a variety of muscles all over the body, particularly the abs, glutes, spinal erectors, and upper back muscles which are all crucial for a strong core.
Along with the benefits of a strong core comes the reason we are here – improved back posture.
Adding this pose into your daily aerial yoga routine for a couple of minutes can benefit your posture and in turn, provide you with relief from lower back and neck pain. Planking may truly come as a boulder to break through but once you do, it is a feeling worth doing and having again.
Inverted Pigeon
At first glance, this pose may look similar to the star inversion we have already discussed, but this time, as you hang upside down your legs are not spread apart but are close to your body with your feet touching at the soles. This is a brilliant pose for many reasons including a deep hip stretch which is also great if you spend a lot of time sitting down.
However, this pose is mainly beneficial where your posture is concerned since this hip opener helps loosens up your spine, hamstrings, glutes, and hip flexors.
For extra stretch through the hip flexors and quads, you can alternate with arching one leg back behind at a time and gripping onto your ankle from underneath.
Opening and stretching these places in your body makes it easier to correct imbalances in your posture and the anti-gravity effects from the use of the yoga swing will help to align the spine.
In addition, it is an extremely relaxing pose and is ideal for adding to your restorative routine. This pose may seem tricky, so we recommend having your instructor guide you through this or at least have a spotter to keep you in check.
Arrow Pose
If you are looking for an inversion that is simple and easy to get to grips with then this is likely going to be your best option.
Not only is this an incredibly relaxing pose but it can also be great for improving your posture. This is, once again thanks to the anti-gravity nature of the pose which allows some serious spinal decompression to take place.
To perform the pose you will support your legs with the hammock and simply hang upside down in one straight line.
Aside from helping with your posture, this pose is also great for meditation and building confidence because this makes you hold your body in a difficult position and once you finish strong, the fulfillment would be very much evident.
Chair Pose
In order to do this pose in your yoga swing, you should place the hammock under the arms to support you as you bend your knees.
This is an excellent go-to pose for people who are a little more advanced in terms of strength and stamina and is sure to improve your posture.
The pose allows for great decompression and will also provide very good relief from back pain.
Although this one is not an inversion pose, it is still great for realignment and stamina in addition!
Time To Look After Our Bodies!
Having the option to hop into an aerial yoga swing is genuinely amazing and when we think about the hectic lives that we lead, it becomes even more clear that we need to take the time to look after our bodies – your yoga swing can be a great companion for this.
Out of the many benefits that an aerial yoga routine can bring, improving your posture is one of the most important and the key reason that a yoga swing can help so well with this is mainly because of the anti-gravity effect it gives on the spine.
Using a yoga swing for an all-around suspension training workout to strengthen your back and other core muscles, along with your stretches will ensure your body is supporting itself correctly and at the same time it is at ease. Having a good posture can promote a general feeling of wellness since it can improve your digestion, relieve pain and prevent conditions such as arthritis.
Therefore, including poses in your aerial yoga routine that are designed to target your posture is essential. These five best yoga swing poses are great for many reasons and you will certainly notice a marked postural improvement once you start performing them regularly.