Yoga in unison

Some say that couples who sweat together, stay together. The hottest new fitness trend that’s catching up in the city is partner yoga that brings two people together, where the partners support one another as they create a posture. Yoga expert Rina Hindocha emphasizes that partner yoga is not just for couples — it can be practiced by any two or more willing participants such as friends, acquaintances, siblings, parents and children. It is also a great way to build stronger communication and intimacy in just about any kind of relationship, whether it is friendship or with your significant other.

Rapper Ace Hood had even revealed that partner yoga saved his relationship with his girlfriend, actress Shelah Marie. Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover, too, practice yoga stretches together.

Rina says, “Partner yoga is a healing art. It demonstrates how we become more empowered through our willingness to open up and connect with the world. It brings people together through movement, play, breath and touch. In partner yoga, your muscles relax and stretch while your partner’s resistance help your limbs stay in the pose.”

“An extension to partner yoga, being practiced by many, is acro yoga,” informs Pratibha Agarwal, yoga instructor from Anahata Yoga Zone. “A mix of partner acrobatics, Thai massage and yoga, it essentially builds a practice of trust among two people. It also shows that exercising is a lot of fun.”

The three primary roles:
Base: The person with the most points of contact with the ground. The individual is often lying on the ground. This enables both the arms and legs to be ‘bone-stacked’ for maximum stability and support of the flyer. Main points of contact with the flyer are the feet and the hands.

Flyer: The individual who is elevated off the ground by the base. The flyer can move into a series of dynamic positions.

Spotter: The individual with an objective view of the partners, with the focus on making sure that the flyer lands safely.

Partner and Acro yoga poses:
1. Downward dog and handstand variation
2. Boat pose
3. Double plank
4. Reverse warrior/ Viprita Veerbhadraasana
5. Gate pose
6. Camel pose
7. Wide legged seated forward bend
8. Fish pose
9. Plank pose
10. Bow pose