Top Aerial Yoga Safety Tips To Avoid Injury

General Aerial Yoga Safety Tips

Before you attempt your aerial routine at home, there are some precautions aerial yoga safety tips to take into consideration.

Rather than discussing anything in particular at length, we’ve decided to just list everything out below, so you can scan the things you should be aware of, and to see if there will be any potential problems with you partaking in aerial yoga or inversion therapy.

Most of these things are common sense, however we know it is easy to get carried away with excitement when getting into the swing, so it’s a good idea to have an outline of things so you’ll have peace of mind.

 

Here are some more general things for any aerial yoga sessions:

• Always start at beginner level and start slow to warm into each session
• Best to seek professional aerial yoga instruction if you’re a beginner
• Do not perform aerial yoga on a full stomach
• Not recommended for pregnant women without guidance
• Do not attempt if you have had botox in the last 6 hours
• Exercise caution if you have had major surgery in the past 6 months
• Don’t wear clothing with exposed zips as this could rip the hammock
• Don’t wear overly loose clothing as it could get caught in the hammock
• Try to cover up as much as possible to limit skin irritation from rubbing against the fabric
• Push yourself for sure, mentally absolutely – BUT never push to the point where it hurts
• The hammock can hold your weight, even if you lean fully into it – check load capacity
• Better to buy certified equipment from a reputable yoga swing manufacturer
• Make sure it is fitted correctly onto the ceiling beams!
• We recommend hiring a professional to install your swing with heavy-duty mountings etc
• When hanging on beams, make sure it’s made of hardwood or steel
• If hanging on trees, use only thick and sturdy branches
• If you are dealing with any spinal pathologies like herniated discs, spondylolisthesis, sciatica etc or hypermobility, please consult a physiotherapist before trying any aerial or inversions.
• Likewise, if you have conditions such as blood-pressure irregularities or vertigo, best to work with a knowledgeable health practitioner; and avoid if you regularly experience nausea or motion sickness

 

Here are a few things that are more so relevant when performing inversions:

Specific Precautions For Yoga Inversion Therapy

• Detached Retina/Glaucoma
• Recent surgery or trauma to any internal organs
• Broken or fractured bones in the hip/torso area
• Recent head/brain injury or trauma
• Heart and/or circulatory disorders
• Severe spinal cord trauma
• Fused vertebrae
• Extreme obesity
• Cancer of the bone
• During Menstruation Not Recommended
• Excessively High/Low Blood Pressure
• Do Not Perform While Pregnant
• Hernia
• If in doubt check with your Doctor
  for any Medical Conditions you are unsure of…
• Get used to it before you attempt to learn full Inversions – (SEE HERE FOR INVERSION BEST PRACTICES!)

A good dose of confidence is needed when attempting aerial yoga, however do not worry yourself unnecessarily. When a good quality aerial hammock or yoga swing is mounted properly, and by following these aerial yoga safety tips – you’ll be swinging with joy!

We have more information available about the benefits of aerial yoga and inversion therapy on our blog and we are happy to share this important healing and fun activity with you.

In most cases, non of these contraindications will apply, however it is always a good idea to consult your health care provider to confirm that there wont be any issues with your new-found hobby. Done correctly and mindfully, aerial yoga is a wonderful way to stay fit and healthy, so get started today!