1. What inspired you to create Aerial Mukti Yoga?

When you started training in aerial acrobatics did you immediately see the connection between the two? I’ve always been attracted to how yoga props can deepen the yoga experience. I’ve also always been attracted to anything that gets me closer to fulfilling my childhood dream of becoming a monkey. My first aerial yoga classes were focused on achieving advanced tricks. As a beginner I kept getting injured, as these classes lacked instruction on proper body engagement. It was that then that AerialMukti Yoga was born. My awareness of alignment and body integration in asana practice was then applied to my aerial acrobatics study.

2. What are the benefits of the practice?

Increases flexibility, balance & postural alignment

3. What are possible contradictions to the practice?

Pregnancy, Recent injuries & surgeries, Botax injection within 24hrs, Easy onset Vertigo, Epilepsy "seizures", Recent concussion, Very high or low blood pressure, Heart disease, Recent stroke, Hernia, Retinal detachment, Glaucoma, & Artificial hips.

4. Why do you think aerial yoga is becoming so popular amongst yogis?Was it a seemingly natural hybrid as acrobatics became more popular?

Aerial yoga provides a unique experience to the practice of yoga postures because you start to use your pulling muscles (by pulling on the hammock), in addition to your pushing muscles (by pushing into the floor). When you get really good at aerial yoga you will be pulling & pushing on both the floor and hammock at the same time.

5. What distinguishes Aerial Mukti Yoga from other Aerial Yoga classes? Does it fall in line with Jivamukti's tenets and principles?

I’ve been teaching Jivamukti yoga for almost 20 years now. Jivamukti yoga is part of my being and everything that I do. I’m in constant reflection to notice how be in the state of mukti, of liberation, which is especially obvious when I am not. So what is it we want to be liberated from? Whatever it is, it is causing you unhappiness. Empowering ourselves (and our students) to connect to our (their) innate inner strength is the key to have the strength to make a change.  That is why every Aerial Mukti Yoga class emphasizes joy while gaining core strength. Aerial Mukti Yoga brings the depth of understanding that everything we do is a practice for liberation.

6. So what is it we want to be liberated from?

Whatever it is, it is causing you unhappiness. Empowering ourselves (and our students) to connect to our (their) innate inner strength is the key to have the strength to make a change. That is why every Aerial Mukti Yoga class emphasizes joy while gaining core strength. Aerial Mukti Yoga brings the depth of understanding that everything we do is a practice for liberation.

7. If you had to say, what part aerial acrobatics and what part yoga is Aerial Mukti Yoga?

Every Aerial Mukti Yoga class has both yoga and acrobatic influences. A restorative aerial mukti yoga class would me mostly yoga. A fundamental level class teaches the core principles of movement with a yoga hammock when paired with yoga poses and a sprinkle of acrobatic movements. An advanced level class would touch on acrobatic flips and tricks and hold deep yoga flexibility poses. An open level class could be equal parts yoga and acrobatics, depending on who showed up to practice that day.

8. Are there key athletic principles of aerial acrobatics that you must know?

Come to the demo at the conference to find out! A primary principle of acrobatics taught in an Aerial Mukti Yoga class is learning to practice “hollow body” which is a deep core integrated pose. The yoga hammock is really helpful in learning this. Another primary principle of acrobatics taught in an Aerial Mukti Yoga class is how to integrate your shoulders onto your back by waking up your lats, which is hard to do in a traditional yoga class.

9. How is Aerial Mukti Yoga therapeutic?

What are some examples? By its very nature aerial yoga is deeply transformational. Suspension from the yoga hammock is therapeutic, relieves compression and elongates the spine. Lifting ones own body weight is strengthening and develops integrated muscle coordination. Dangling and moving in the air naturally promotes childlike laughter and is an extreme amount of fun.

10. And how is it transformational?

Aerial Mukti yoga challenges ones sense of possibility by exploring ones capacities in a new way. A pose that was once inaccessible is now possible. The internal experience of achieving what was once thought of as impossible transforms the idea of possibility in all aspects of life.

11. Anything you want to add?

Aerial Mukti Yoga blends ancient yoga practices with the athletic principles of aerial acrobatics/dance, breath and FUN!!