I couldn’t wait to try out Anti-Gravity yoga at Om Yoga Factory. After reading the rave reviews from NYMag, Timeout NY I imagined myself dancing through the air, emerging from the cocoon in a butterfly like manner. This was not the case. Not only because I’m not a butterfly but the “hammock” is more like a womb that you have to push yourself out from. But once you manage, oh boy! There’s nothing like hanging upside down. And we did let it all hang out, upside down. I could actually feel my spine decompress, after a few more minutes the blood rushing to my face felt more soothing than uncomfortable. It was as if I could feel my neck elongating, and my lungs enlarging with every breath. It’s not the same kind upside down feeling as in head stand, or other inversions, half the time I’m concentrating fully on balancing, and in headstand the neck isn’t fully liberated. Inversion with no effort, is like a dream that I didn’t realize I wanted to come true.
Still, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Perhaps because there were so many first timers in today’s open class, it was pretty slow almost restorative, and there wasn’t much of a “workout” despite what all the reviews say. The pace did allow for very detailed instruction which I appreciated. Still, I missed the flow and I would’ve liked more “swing”. The hammocks mainly serve as giant straps when you’re not inverting, and even when you are you’re hovering only an inch or two from the floor, so it doesn’t quite have the impact of height, as say an Aerial Silks class. In fact in a lot of ways it’s like an Aerial Silks class lite. Fair, given there were ~ 20 people in class, and an Aerial Silks class is often limited to 8 or less. There’s too much potential for injury.
I did enjoy the class, it has undeniable benefits, and now that I’m on the $30 unlimited for a week diet, I’ll come for seconds possibly thirds or .. just leave all of you hanging.
