How did I find out about AcroYoga?
I’ve mentioned in previous posts my yoga instructor, Tara Crist. We first met when Eva was 6 weeks old (back in February 2015) when I joined her family Yoga Babes class based in Maidenhead. Tara not only teaches yoga for adults but also with babies – which sounds like a strange concept. I mean, how do babies do yoga? Okay, I know they don’t actually do yoga, but whenever I used to tell people about the baby yoga class, that was the question put to me!
Yoga Babes was all about playing and balancing (safely!) your baby whilst on the yoga mat. There was also yoga for mums around that which was a great social/fitness group. I loved going, so continued as Eva got older.
Tara became a friend as well as a teacher. I learned as well as all the family yoga, she is also a kayaking and qualified Stand up Paddleboarding teacher. Also doing Yoga on the paddleboards! Yes I have tried it – read my blog post here!
A couple of years ago she went on a course in Brussels to train in AcroYoga. As she is all about mixing yoga with play, this was perfect.
So I went along to family yoga to try it out!
The family yoga (or AcroYoga) runs once a month and usually Darrel takes Eva. Mainly because it’s one adult per child and he misses out on the other classes due to work.
However the Saturday before last, we both went along. It was at the Positivity Centre in Burnham, run by a couple who have the centre for events and classes. There is also a vegan cafe with speciality teas – perfect for after a yoga session. Plus a pop up shop for freelance artists and jewellery makers to sell their work. The atmosphere in the place was relaxing and homely – we stayed for a long time afterwards just talking to the owners. They also had a little girl, so Eva was happy to steal her toys…
What we did in Family AcroYoga
There were about five other families in there with all the children. The children probably ranged from about four years old up to seven. With an animal safari theme, it was all about moving like tigers and giraffes. Lots of yoga moves for everyone to do, then balancing the children on our feet. It’s all about balance, posture and strength. Also fun and imagination.
Although AcroYoga is a practice of mixing acrobatics with circus type moves, this is not complex at all. It’s a simple way to keep strong and healthy whilst playing with your children. No need for tablets or televisions. Also no need to be an acrobat either! You can do as much or as little as you are able to. It certainly doesn’t have to be challenging.
How did Eva find it?
My daughter is a very strong willed child who likes to do her own thing. She’ll rebel against anyone who’ll try to tell her what to do. I like her spirit and would hate to change it, but it’s not always appropriate!
Even though I’ve been taking her to various social groups and classes from being a baby, she won’t always join in. AcroYoga is no exception! If she wants to run around (and tempt the other kids to do that too!), then she will.
But she can also do a perfect Downward Dog. All when it suits her.
This time she joined in more than before. She liked being crowd-surfed by the other parents and climbing all over me. She also attempted to give me a massage (sort of!).
It’s definitely a great way to bond with your kids and teach them about health and an alternative way to play.
