Picture yourself in a perfect state of samadhi, suspended a few feet off the ground. You are safe, warm, and free.
Amidst fresh, clean air, you are one with your surroundings and the sequence of beautiful vinyasas.
All of this is done from the safety of your Yoga Trapeze or more commonly known as a hanging belt swing.
Ideation Yoga Trapeze
Namaskaaraha! Many iterations were developed, tried, and tested before the apparatus that we have come to know today, came into existence.
Lucas Rockwood, green food junkie, and actively practicing Yogi, was the founding father of the invention in 2007. After he became despondent with the earlier versions of the trapeze in 2004, he dedicated three years into perfecting it, and the yoga trapeze was born.
The yoga trapeze is the most popular amongst yoga practitioners in the world of sling inverters. It is used in more than 80 countries, and over 200 000 purchases have been completed.
Logic Behind Using a Yoga Trapeze
Have you ever felt like you want to run away and join the circus? Who doesn’t want to glide amongst the graceful sky acrobats? Through the eyes of a child, they amaze us with their fluidity and death defining stunts in the air.
The yoga trapeze can offer exactly that to the yogi wanting to take their skill up a few notches. This contraption allows the yogi to literally hang out. Proverbially speaking, you get to perform a variety of different yoga poses, suspended a wee bit in the air. This is especially great for the vinyasas that focus on improving muscle strength specifically.
Associated Benefits
Some of the key advantages that you will experience in using a yoga trapeze are:
- Support and assistance in achieving deeper backbends that are not usually possible without the apparatus.
- Improving core muscle strength.
- Increased upper body power.
- Being in the reverse of your natural body position will alter your blood flow, pump a round of fresh O2 to your brain, and re-energize your entire wellbeing.
- Act as a natural spinal traction.
Other Selling Points
Virtually inexpensive. The apparatus is available for purchase from as little as $99.
Anyone can use it. Yes, this can be used by everybody, no matter the age or fitness level.
Can withstand weight. Tested and found durable for up to 450 lbs, however, some versions are said to be able to support a weight of 600 lbs.
Warranty. This contraption has a 100% warranty lifespan of up to 10 years.
Versatility. Probably one of the highest selling points is that this product can be used both indoors (doorway) as well as outdoors (tree).
Difference Between Yoga Trapeze and Aerial Yoga
Even though both of these are practiced a few feet in the air, there are six notable differences between the two practices.
Size. The trapeze is small and consists of three handles per side. The aerial yoga contraption is bigger and has no handles whatsoever.
Height off the ground. Apparatus for aerial yoga is higher off the ground, sometimes as high as naval height. However, the yoga trapeze is not much higher than the waist.
Practitioners. Aerial yoga is mostly practiced and more suited by aerial performers and dancers. A great benefit of the yoga trapeze is that this can be used by literally anyone.
Notoriety. The yoga trapeze contraption is very popular and practiced by many yogi students all over the world. Aerial yoga has not achieved the same momentum sadly.
Material. Contraptions used for aerial yoga are made of materials such as silk, cotton, which are all elastic in nature. The yoga trapeze is made of non-elastic nylon.
Versatility. Aerial yoga is only of real benefit to performers of the circus arts, or those individuals that have a strong background in the performance arts. The trapeze, on the other hand, can even be used as a suspension device.
Varieties of Yoga Swings
A few different varieties of yoga swings exist. Below is a useful listicle, with some of the different types of Yoga swing brands:
AGPTEK Deluxe Yoga Swing. The device is made from taffeta material. It is not heavy, making it easy to assemble, as well as mobile in taking it with you, wherever you might need it. Highly recommended for providing relief from aching backs and necks. No more lifting with actual weights required to work on your core and overall strength. This contraption is all you will ever need.
Blue Crescent Yoga Trapeze. Affordable, comes with a carry on bag and can withstand 550 lbs of weight. The fact that it is made from durable parachute fabric, makes this the ideal device to practice outdoors, suspended from a tree.
INTEY Aerial Yoga Swing. This contraption is light in weight, sweat- and water-resistant. It makes it the perfect holiday Yoga partner.
Karriw Aerial Anti-gravity Yoga Swing. Made from polyester taffeta. This is the most inexpensive yoga swing available on the market. This is a great device for the yogi newb.
Odse Aerial Yoga Swing. Made from a non-stretch material, and has plenty of space for the derriere, making it super comfortable. Comprises of six handles, for peace of mind, that you can hang upside down, securely, and focus on your poses.
Neohealth Aerial Yoga Swing Kit. Multi-use, in that it can be used by more than one member in the family. Perfectly suited to the person working eight hours a day, that is sitting in an office chair and having to focus on a computer screen. The device aids by increasing energy levels, and is very easy to assemble, in your home.
Sotech Aerial Yoga Swing Set. One of the most appealing qualities of this device is that it’s basically pack up and go. Never again do you have to miss out on your sessions, whilst on holiday or traveling for work. This soft but tough device, will put the mind at ease of even the most fearful Yogi, and put them in a deep state of relaxation.
Yoga4You Aerial Yoga Swing Set. Available in a multitude of colors, it’s made from silky nylon material, and can withstand 600 lbs of weight. The apparatus can be installed in less than a minute both indoors and outdoors.
Yoga Swing Pro Aerial Hammock. Accompanied by a step-by-step guide, this is a perfect device for yogis that wish to pursue another type of yoga. The contraption’s handles are padded, for increased grip. Highly recommended for its superior quality.
YOGATAIL Aerial Trapeze Yoga Swing. It comes jam-packed full of accessories that can be used for an enhanced yoga session. Maintenance of the product is easy, in that it can be removed and put into the washing machine. This particular device is known to be the Hercules amongst the yoga contraptions.
A Step-By-Step Guide How to hang yoga trapeze in doorway
Part 1: Installing the Door Mount Bar.
This particular product is compatible with most standard door frames. The purpose of the bar is to simplify the process of installing and uninstalling your yoga trapeze. If you don’t have space in your home and you need to mount the trapeze before practice and visa versa, then this contraption is for you.
If your trapeze does not come with a Door Mount Bar, it can be purchased online or from fitness stores and is inexpensive. A great benefit is the flexibility it provides. It can also be used as a chin-up bar.
- Remove all the parts from the box.
- Measure each side of the doorway to the required length from the top, by using a tape measure.
- Take one tap and screw, and screw it in place on the one side of the doorway. Repeat on the other side.
- Once both caps are screwed in place, take the bar by the skinny end and twist the foam in the middle in a clockwise motion. This might take several minutes. Every twist of the foam in the middle will elongate the bar.
- Repeat the process until the desired length has been achieved.
- Clip the one side of the bar in the doorway, and twist by hand until it’s firmly in place on the opposite side. Stop the process, once both bars are securely in place.
- Move the foam handles of the bar to the desired length on either side.
Part 2: Mounting the Yoga Trapeze
- Unbox the yoga trapeze and group all the parts together that are the same.
- Take one of the leg straps, one of the arm straps, and the actual hammock in one hand.
- Take one of the screws from the pull-up bar/door mount bar and take the metal loops from the trapeze currently in your hand and put the screw through on the plastic block, located at the bottom of the bar.
- Tighten with one of the bolts. Make sure you do this by hand as tight as you can. You don’t need to fasten it tighter than what you are able to as it’s rubberized, and can’t undo itself.
- Take the remaining side of the hammock, the other leg strap and arm strap. Hold them together in one hand.
- Secure it in place on the other side of the bar, with the screw.
- Tighten with the remaining bolt by hand, as tight as possible.
With these few easy steps completed, your yoga trapeze is now ready for use.
Some Aerial Vinyasas to Try out
Uttan Pristhasana. The lizard pose. This is a tough pose to practice for some yogis and normally only by the intermediate level students. Provides beautiful, deep stretches to the hips and hamstrings. From a mental aspect, this pose is highly suited for emotional well being.
Dandayamana Janushirasana. Standing head to knee pose. A fairly easy pose to execute by distributing weight equally over the four points of the foot. The knee that is not engaged, is locked for better balance. The leg that is in the swing is grabbed with all ten fingers. The chin is tucked to the chest, the spine rounded and the aim is for the forehead to touch the knee in the trapeze.
Tada Kapotasana. Standing pigeon pose. This pose is well suited to beginners and is performed by standing. The pose is beneficial to the knees, ankles, and feet.
Urdhva Prasatira Eka Padasana. Standing split. Great for stretching the whole back part of the body and the groin muscles. Regular practice will also yield an improved balance overall.
Kumbhakasana. Plank pose. Several different variants of the plank pose can be practiced in the yoga swing. All of the variants are excellent for strengthening the spine and arms, as well as toning the abdominal muscles.
Adho Mukha Vrksasana. Handstand pose. The trapeze is a great stability partner for transitioning from preparation poses to handstands, into the various pike ups. A great example is combining the contraption with the L-shaped handstand.
Eka Pada Dhanurasana. One-legged bow pose. Part of the backbend family, and a beginner-friendly pose. This vinyasa is beneficial to the chest, hips, and ankles.
Inverted Baddha Konasana. Reserve bound angle pose. One of the more advanced yoga poses and involves the art of inversion.
Precautions in Using the Yoga Swing
This might not be suitable for everyone, due to contraindications:
Illnesses. Do not engage in any form of yoga with the device if you have a history of suffering from hypertension, arthritis, or heart disease.
Vertigo. If you get feelings of dizziness quite easily, you might not feel safe and comfortable using this contraption.
Surgery. The swing is not to be used if you are recovering from any surgery. It’s best to check with your physician as to when it will be recommended.
Pregnancy. The apparatus is not to be used whilst pregnant, and a doctor should be consulted as to how soon post-pregnancy one is able to engage in this form of exercise.
Injury. There is a potential of injury associated with the trapeze. Follow any instructions from videos carefully, and ensure you are well versed prior to engaging in this exercise. Another way that this can be mitigated is by ensuring that the vinyasas are performed in the correct sequence intended.
Conclusion:
Whether you are looking for variety in your yoga practice, wanting to improve flexibility, or if you are just plain curious, the yoga swing or trapeze (however you want to call it) is the device for you. Dhanyavad! Now You will be know how to hang yoga trapeze in doorway 🙂
Quote of the day:
“Inhale the future, exhale the past”