About Antigravity® Aerial Yoga Fitness
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The Origins
AntiGravity Inc. was founded in 1991 by Christopher Harrison in NYC as an acrobatic performance company with the mission of merging athletics and artistry. Evolving upward, the AntiGravity® Hammock was originally developed as an aerial performance apparatus by Mr. Harrison in 1999. Aerial silks were new to aerial arts and had only been used previously in the same format that one would utilize a Spanish Web (aerial rope). Not being a circus performer, Christopher didn’t quite know how to use it so he took the aerial silk and looped it into a hammock, then worked with his company members to create a wholly new movement vocabulary on the apparatus. They performed their new aerial art form all over the world and in many high-profile events. He quickly discovered the decompression benefits for the spine through zero-compression inversions.
In the ensuing years, Mr. Harrison developed the technique as a company warm-up. Mr. Harrison led AntiGravity Company team members in “Aerial Conditioning” classes at their rehearsal studio. The AntiGravity Skyloft located in Manhattan’s Midtown became the birthplace for many new acrobatic techniques and devices including AntiGravity® Boots and the AntiGravity® Hammock. Once the beta program had fully developed he brought the technique to the public, renaming it “AntiGravity® Yoga”. It was officially launched in NYC in 2007.
AntiGravity® Yoga Creator
Christopher Harrison has been practicing yoga since the mid-90’s He is a former world-class gymnastics specialist, a Broadway dancer and Choreographer and an avid student of truth. He is the Founder of AntiGravity Inc, the Creator of AntiGravity® Aerial Yoga as well as the originator of the silk hammock apparatus as both a performance device and as a fitness apparatus. AntiGravity® Yoga is the establishing technique within the emerging genre known as “Suspension Fitness”. He is a pioneer in suspension fitness training and is considered by many as the foremost authority of Aerial Yoga (aka “suspension yoga”). His passion of merging physical artistry, fitness and consciousness drives all of his projects.
Our Philosophy
Fun
AntiGravity® denotes combatting the laws of physics, but it also means against graveness -- in other words, stay light and have fun! When you laugh you are working your risible muscles. In AntiGravity® Yoga we are intent on keeping them in shape.
Awareness
Yoga is a practice of awareness in body, mind and spirit. Finding "now presence" is the objective of yoga practice. It is in the present moment that you are safe, that you are in flow with the universe and that you experience joy.
Accessible
Fitness techniques are not just for those who are physically gifted. They should be for everyone. AntiGravity® Yoga is easily modified to accommodate all fitness levels. It has been our desire to make AntiGravity® Yoga accessible to anyone who is sincerely pursuing health.
Inspiration
Inspiration is the key to sticking with a fitness program. AntiGravity® is a creative technique based on a movement art form that is meant to inspire fitness. The process should be rewarding, not only based on the physical results one will receive, but also on the satisfaction of creative accomplishment.
Anti-Aging
AntiGravity® denotes fighting against the aging affects of gravity. As the body ages, the joints need to be pushed to maintain mobility. The muscles need to be worked to maintain proper alignment and the discs need to be hydrated to minimize deterioration. If we don't use it, we lose it.
Grace
Physical grace comes from trained kinesthetic awareness. AntiGravity Yoga prides on creating beauty. Balance, body line and agility are dependent on fine-tuned proprioceptors (sensory receptors). This is best accomplished though a wide range of motion through numerous physical planes. This kind of conditioning is also a great cross-training technique for other sports, guaranteed to make an athlete faster and give them the competitive edge.
Flight
Although man was not born with wings, the dream of flight is primal to humans. AntiGravity® Yoga stems from that dream. Participants leave class feeling for a moment that they have "slipped the surly bonds of earth", sprouted wings and realized the dream of flight.
Benefits
Here are but a few of the many benefits of AntiGravity® Aerial Yoga.
- Zero compression inversions
- Circulatory and lymphatic system refresh
- 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
- Increased kinesthetic awareness; Fine-tuning balance & agility
- More astute proprioceptor (sensory receptors) response
- Increased joint mobility
- Low impact cardiovascular conditioning.
- Increased command/response acuity.
- Greater cerebellum function
- Increased Neuromuscular plasticity.
- Hormone stimulation.
- Self-esteem enhancement through conquering basic fears.
- More astute presence through mindful consciousness conditioning.
- Learning of new skills: A creative and artistic fitness experience.
- Uniquely fun experience that works risible muscles as well as functional muscles.
You will leave class feeling lighter. Your posture will be improved and you will be taller (growth is not cumulative).
Introduction to AntiGravity (Prati Gurutva)
AntiGravity denotes defying the laws of physics, but also means levity. In other words, AntiGravity is about having fun (haasya) while learning to fly (paripati)!
AntiGravity® Yoga is a hybrid form (saMyoga), fusing numerous physical disciplines within the context of yoga. Our roots are in artistic sports and aerial arts, however, consciousness training has always been key to our DNA. Yoga, a practice of awareness, which merges both the quest for mindful physical expansion and the pursuit of enlightenment has been a natural extension of our growth.
In each of our AntiGravity® Yoga classes, one trains in flexibility, strength, mobility and agility while experiencing joy (anandah). We nurture playful energy while conditioning the body.
Come and hang out with us --- it’s a great way to get fit while you lift your spirit!
Mission Statement
Antigravity® Aerial Yoga inspires fitness through levity, Through the pursuit of antigravity, we can create a lighter existence.
What we do:
We recalibrate the body through zero-compression inversion therapy and guide practitioners to discover a deeper awareness of ‘self’ through an accessible and playful practice while safely cocooned in a supportive silk hammock.
Who we are:
AntiGravity® Yoga, a fusion technique, is often seen as a bridge between fitness and traditional yoga modalities.
AntiGravity® and star device as well as AntiGravity® Yoga are registered trademarks, owned by AntiGravity, Inc. Any unauthorized or unlicensed use thereof is strictly prohibited and AntiGravity® will take all necessary action to enforce its rights. Any failure by AntiGravity® to enforce any of its rights under these Terms and Conditions or under applicable law shall not constitute a waiver of such right
