Hang tight!

Widely believed to promote emotional, mental and physical well-being, aerial yoga uses lots of moves from floor-based yoga but the silk hammock is used like a strap to support the body. And while the graceful, gravity-defying moves of aerial yoga may look daunting, they certainly add variety and fun to traditional yoga poses, even as you feel like you are flying in the air!

Here are some common aerial yoga poses:

FLYING LOCUST POSE
Directions
Place the hammock on the hip crease and lean forward. Reach the hands up as you lift the head and legs extending through the spine.

Benefits
An intermediate level aerial yoga pose, this pose is a chest opener and a full body workout. It strengthens the core muscles and increases spine and shoulder flexibility. Along with enhancing the mood of the practitioner, it makes one feel light and confident about oneself.

THE BUDDHA
Directions
Hold the hammock, lift yourself up and place both the feet (with soles together) in the hammock. Bend the knees wide in butterfly position so that the aerial silk is in front of the hips. Sit the hips down and bring shoulders in front of the hammock. Join the hands in prayer.

Benefits
Alerts the body and mind, stretches inner thighs and improves ankle flexibility. Opens up the hip joints. It also builds balance, endurance and focus, and calms the mind.

SCORPION POSE
Directions
With hammock on the hip crease, lean forward so that it supports you completely. Placing your hands on the mat, lift the legs up and bend the knees, ensuring feet are outside the aerial silk and point them. Stretch your hands and shoulders.

Benefits
This rejuvenating stretch opens the armpit and chest area. Regular practice creates emotional balance, releases stress, clears the mind and energises the body. It also encourages blood flow and detoxifies the circulatory system.

PLOUGH POSE
Directions
Spread the hammock and lie down in it with head outside. Ensure that the feet and shoulders are covered in aerial silk. Hold the silk and lift your legs and hips so that they are in one line with the shoulders. Bend from the hip joint and lower your legs so that your feet are beyond your head. Keep the legs fully extended.

Benefits
From youthfulness to longevity, from spine strength to stimulating thyroid and parathyroid glands, this pose contributes to a healthy heart. The plough pose is a gateway to perfect health. It fortifies neural connections, thereby rendering better memory power and makes you smarter!

(The author is a certified yoga teacher and founder of Energizer Yoga)