Defy gravity, relieve stress

By Beth Schumacher

The first week of classes has come and gone.

Some professors may have jumped right into homework and tests, leaving the door wide open for that familiar feeling of stress and anxiety to come creeping back in. Where do you turn to for relief? Exercise. So grab your hammocks, we’re going to do some yoga. No, that was not a typo.

AntiGravity Aerial Yoga is a newer form of yoga created by Christopher Harrison. This gravity-defying exercise regimen incorporates dance, calisthenics and Pilates to keep your body flexible and your mind at ease. All of this follows their mission statement, “Antigravity Aerial Yoga inspires fitness through levity. Through the pursuit of antigravity, we can create a lighter existence.”

The hammock, which is quite similar to a swing, helps to realign your body while giving you that feeling of weightlessness to easily meditate the mind. Some of the benefits of AntiGravity Yoga according to the AntiGravity Yoga website include “zero compression inversions, stimulating the release of neurotransmitters from the brain, decompression of spine thru gentle traction, hydration of vertebral disks, increased muscular flexibility, core strengthening, upper and lower body muscular strengthening,” among other things.

Although there are no training centers in Illinois, you can still pick up AntiGravity Aerial Yoga at home.

Hopefully this new way to feel weightless will keep you stress free and ready to take on the new school year, whatever it may throw at you.