Flight of Fancy - Anti-Gravity Yoga

When the world turns upside down, so must you - that was my key takeaway from my first anti-gravity class at the Ashmayu Yoga centre. As part of the feature I did for Little Black Book Bangalore, on fun things to do in South Bangalore - I found myself staring at a class with saffron-coloured hammocks, hanging from the ceiling. The class isn't like your fast-paced crossfits but be warned - these slow stretches challenge you just as much. From super fun exercises like swinging to uncomfortable but highly rewarding ones like hamstring stretches, the first 40 minutes are slow exercises that work on arm strength, core and good balance.

While it may be daunting to entrust your body weight to the hammock, just breathe and let go. The last 20 minutes are where you can reap the immediate benefits, hanging upside down and closing my eyes - I could feel vertebrae by vertebrae loosen its knots, and my spinal chord felt like warm jelly. After this, you pretend you are napping on beach (at least that is what I did) and nuzzle into the hammock, as the instructor gives you a gentle sway. When the class was done, I felt so light and calm and in a few days I could feel my muscles get sore, but that's a good sign in the fitness world. Anti-gravity yoga relieves the stress of the body and mind, and anyone can benefit from it - whether you are mediate or are into fitness, or perhaps just want to hang-upside down for fun.

Check out the link to Ashmayu Yoga Centre here.

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