Whether you have a new yoga trapeze or are considering trying aerial yoga, one thing that’s super important is knowing how to hang a yoga trapeze correctly!
Aerial yoga is highly beneficial and, for many people, more fun than traditional yoga performed on yoga mats.
But aerial yoga can also be risky if done without the right safety measures. This is especially true if you’re thinking about doing aerial yoga at home.
The simple answer is that it’s best to hang a yoga trapeze from a fixed bar or beam, or using installed ceiling hooks. Needless to say, these should also be sturdy.
For a step-by-step guide, however, including the difference between yoga trapezes, yoga swings, and yoga hammocks, make sure to keep reading!
How Does A Yoga Trapeze Work?
A yoga trapeze is a yoga prop typically consisting of a silk hammock, handles, and carabiners.
Yoga trapezes can come in different sizes, thicknesses, and colors with two, four, or six handles.
Yoga trapezes are also known as yoga swings. Yoga trapezes are not the same as yoga hammocks, however!
Using carabiners and straps, yoga trapezes are hung from the ceiling—from a fixed bar or beam—or from any high, sturdy object, such as a thick tree branch, pull-up bar, or playground swing frame.
Once secure, yoga trapezes can be climbed on and used, much like a regular swing or hammock.
What Is A Yoga Trapeze Used For?
So, what are yoga trapezes for?
Yoga trapezes, and yoga hammocks, are used for aerial yoga.
This is a relatively new hybrid style of yoga that combines traditional yoga poses with aerial pilates.
Aerial yoga can be isometric, dynamic, or acrobatic, depending on the aerial yoga class and routine!
The main difference between aerial yoga and traditional yoga performed on a yoga mat is that the yoga poses are done while suspended.
This alleviates gravity (weight and resistance) and impact, making aerial yoga ideal for beginners and people with joint-related problems or injuries.
Aside from that, aerial yoga using yoga trapezes and yoga hammocks is super fun!
Yoga Trapeze Vs Yoga Hammock – The Differences
As touched on above, yoga trapezes (also called yoga swings) and yoga hammocks are not the same.
They can both be used for aerial yoga (depending on the class), but are typically different in design.
A key difference between yoga trapezes and yoga hammocks is that yoga trapezes have handles for gripping and placing your feet on while yoga hammocks do not feature any handles at all.
Yoga trapezes can have up to six handles, offering more possibilities depending on the desired yoga poses to be performed.
Both yoga trapezes and yoga hammocks can be ideal for beginners – the handles offer additional assistance while no handles offer more simplicity and, well, less to worry about!
How To Hang A Yoga Trapeze Correctly
Yoga trapezes and yoga hammocks can be hung from any high beam, bar, or even tree branch as long as the object is fixed and stable.
This is done using straps and/or carabiners attached to the yoga trapeze or yoga hammock.
First, make sure that you have decided on a fixed, stable location to hang the yoga trapeze.
It should be able to support a good amount of weight without moving, with enough space on all sides.
The next step is to loop the yoga trapeze straps around the object, then lock both sides of the yoga trapeze in place using the carabiners.
Each side should be in line with your shoulders (around shoulder width).
Lastly, make sure the yoga trapeze feels stable. You can do this by pulling on the yoga trapeze or applying some weight on the yoga trapeze by gently leaning on it on your stomach.
The yoga trapeze should swing but not “drop” or lower.
If you are hanging your yoga trapeze or yoga hammock from ceiling hooks, make sure these are properly installed!
Is Aerial Yoga Safe?
Aerial yoga is widely considered to be safe – and is even approved by health professionals.
The only risks that aerial yoga poses are if the person doing it is inexperienced and the yoga trapeze or yoga hammock is not hung safely.
This makes it important that beginners start aerial yoga with a yoga instructor (or guidance from a friend or family member) and that any aerial yoga trapeze or yoga hammock is properly set up before use – especially if done at home.
For increased safety, it’s possible to lay a crash mat underneath your yoga trapeze in case of falls.
Is Aerial Yoga Good For Beginners?
Aerial yoga might seem daunting or “advanced”, but the fact is that aerial yoga is good for beginners!
This is because yoga trapeze and yoga hammocks offer assistance and support, as well as little to no impact on the joints.
Many yoga poses performed on mats require strength and balance.
But when replicated in aerial yoga, the gravity is removed, requiring lower resistance to perform the yoga pose.
This also applies to people with lower body injuries.
The yoga trapeze or yoga hammock alleviates the weight, and can therefore help to prevent pain during exercise and even promote recovery.
The Benefits Of Aerial Yoga
Last but not least, what are the benefits of doing aerial yoga?
Aerial yoga can:
- Increase core strength, lower body strength, and upper body strength
- Improve balance, core stability, and overall posture
- Help to achieve various yoga poses performed on the mat
- Prevent joint pain (by removing contact and impact with the ground)
- Promote injury rehabilitation and recovery
On the other end, there are little to no disadvantages to doing aerial yoga.
If you are a beginner, just make sure that you try aerial yoga with guidance from a yoga instructor or experienced yogi.
And if you are planning on doing aerial yoga at home, make sure that your yoga trapeze or yoga hammock is safely set up!
Conclusion
Yoga trapezes should be hung from a high and stable beam, bar, or ceiling hooks, using sturdy straps and carabiners.
The object you hang your yoga trapeze from should not move and also provide enough space for you to move around comfortably.
Before doing aerial yoga, always make sure that your yoga trapeze is sturdy and in good condition.
For increased peace of mind, place a crash mat underneath your yoga trapeze in the rare case that you might fall!
The positive effect yoga had on me was indescribable. Every aspect of my life improved, from social to mental, physical to emotional.
I want my website to help more people get into the world of yoga and teach them how to be present for themselves - even if that’s just for a few minutes a day.
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