A Letter of Appreciation from an AntiGravity Certified Yoga Trainee:
Hi Christopher!
I am not sure if you remember me as I am sure you have met many new students throughout the past six months. My name is Faith Martin and I was in your first Antigravity Yoga training. I flew to NY to meet my best friend Jules for my first taste of flying upside down at the Om Factory. I wanted to write you to let you know what I have been up to and let you know how much the program and teaching has changed my life. I finished teaching my hours and am ready to take the next steps to get my certificate. Upon graduation and finishing the program you told me something that stuck with me, you had said that you wanted to see me more self confident and that you believed I could teach the classes but you wanted to see if I did. I want to tell you a little about whom I am and who I have let break out of my shell since the training.
I grew up in Seattle Washington and am a product of a mother who did not know how to love and a father that had left early on. There were ten of us kids and I always felt I was never understood. I am sure I am not the only one in this world but I never experienced what real love was like. I spent many of years getting into trouble as a teen. I found myself homeless and abandoned dabbling into any trouble that I could. I had no self respect; I abused my body as well as my soul. When I was seventeen I found that I was tired of being alone and wanted to start a life with someone who could show me what love was. Luckily my husband David was the man I chose, he has had to put up with a lot over the years J When I was eighteen I was pregnant and had my second baby by nineteen. I vowed I would be the best wife and mother I could be. I spent all of my waking hours endlessly pleasing and showing love to those around me. Then it hit me. In ten years I had lived my life for others and forgot about one person, me. My husband went away to Iraq in 2007 (he's in the Marines) and I was left with myself. My girls were in school and I had nothing. I did not even know who I was. I had managed to forget completely and the last person I knew was someone who was getting into trouble, selling drugs and basically a train wreck. I was scared to take the journey. I began to take Jules yoga classes and then the training. I learned that not only was I way overweight and could not stand to be alone with my thoughts but I had neglected a very beautiful part of me.
As time went on and I began to teach classes myself and build my repertoire of fitness instruction classes, but there was always something missing. The part of me that took chances and had no fear to explore the world was in there but I just could not find her. Then Jules called me to go to the Antigravity training. I had no idea what I was getting into. I could not believe that I finally had the opportunity to try something that was really for me. I weighed the options. I had managed to lose 70 pounds already. I teach women to feel beautiful and powerful about themselves but again this would be just for me. It took a lot of courage to spend money and do something that was totally out of my league.
I know it did seem as if I was not confident in the training about myself and the apparatus but I found out something about myself during the training. I realized who I truly was. I am confident. I do know my abilities and believe in myself but why did it not show on the outside. I realized that I feel truly blessed to be given the opportunity to have such beautiful gifts in my life and so much love from others that I do not take one minute for granted. I was there to learn from you and your hard years of work. I felt that if I were to presume that I was good at everything it would prevent me from ever opening my eyes to what you had to offer. You gave me an experience to grow within and I wanted to take it, not spend the time talking all about me and my abilities, I save that for when I am the teacher. Your presence was inspiring; you were powerful and led me to feel victory within myself. I will admit it was challenging. I took the AG hammock home and began to practice. By the end of the week I was doing almost everything. I still have a little trouble with the lifts but I am getting much better. I have instructed all of my hours and feel confident on the apparatus. I learned that week that I was humble and that this quality within myself has led me to be a good teacher. People feel comfortable around me and I have even branched out to teach diversity classes as well as compassion filled fitness classes.
One of the most attractive things that you could have said to me was that you knew that students had to feel safe. Acceptance and trust is key. I knew right then that this was right for me. Taking the training showed me that I was ready for more of a challenge and that I could find yet another way to reach people to assist them in finding their identity as I have mine. I mostly wanted to thank you for your patience and your sparkling personality. One person at a time you will make a difference. I have started a new chapter in my life. I noticed that I no longer feel as if I am someone who doesn't deserve love but that I am loved. I believe we all have special gifts, thank you for using yours to help me find mine. My life has never been better, I even started losing more weight again. I believe in my purpose and most of all the power of love. I use the AG hammock all of the time. It has even enhanced other areas of my life J
So thank you from the very depths of my heart. I enjoy life to the fullest and can't wait to spread this feeling to others. I hope this letter finds you well.
Namaste
Faith
It's challenging, it's fun, it's effective. The AntiGravity Hammock acts as a soft trapeze, supporting you as you master simple suspension techniques leading to advanced inverted poses. AntiGravity yoga is unique; it is unbelievable for relieving compressed joints and aligning the body from head to toe.
"AntiGravity Yoga is revolutionary. When taught and performed accordingly, the technique, which is broken down to simple progressions, gives a cardiovascular workout with low impact while strengthening the musculo-skeletal system. It was challenging and exciting for my brain and body to move in 3D with endless possibilities of positions and shapes. It lengthens the muscles providing unique and effective flexibility stretches and lubricates the joints with mobility exercises. It allows for safe inversions that decompress the spine allowing a sense of space between the vertebral segments. I would definitely incorporate it into my fitness routine. Best of all, it's fun to do!" --- Marika Molnar, President of West Dance Physical Therapy and Director of Physical Therapy services to the NYCityBallet
What is AntiGravity Yoga?
AntiGravity Yoga is a fitness regime designed to increase one's overall health and physical agility while having fun and creating beauty. AntiGravity is an acrobatic performance company whose daily workout utilizes the AntiGravity Hammock. The technique was created by gymnasts for the sake of exploring the air and has been modified and enhanced to fit into the yoga mold and to cater to the everyday athlete. By adding additional techniques from dance, pilates and calisthenics, AntiGravity has created a complete workout that is certain to get you in shape while realigning you from the compression of gravity. AntiGravity Yoga takes into consideration both meanings of the word --- working to manipulate physics while staying lighthearted.
What is AntiGravity?
AntiGravity is an acrobatic performance troupe that was founded in NYC in 1990 by Christopher Harrison. From the Olympics to Broadway to MTV, they are the most prominent American based company in the rapidly emerging field of Aerial Arts. The company is best known for their performances which incorporate AntiGravity Boots, Dancing Bungees and the AntiGravity Hammock.
What is the AntiGravity Hammock?
The AntiGravity Hammock is a structural fabric that is connected from two overhead points. It acts like a swing or soft trapeze. The AntiGravity Hammock is utilized to change one's dynamic relationship to the ground, allowing the participant to better understand their body and its relationship to physics.
Creator:
Christopher Harrison is a former Broadway dancer and world-class competitive gymnastics specialist who formed the aerial performance team AntiGravity as an expression of his love for acrobatics. AntiGravity Yoga, the first complete program in the emerging exercise field called "suspension training" is the latest creation that stems from his love for inspiring others with his passion.
Mr. Harrison is the Founder and Artistic Director of the internationally recognized entertainment & fitness brand AntiGravity Inc. (est. 1990). His love for the unique combination of acrobatic arts and sports has helped fuel the aerial arts movement. As a producer/director/choreographer he has to his credit hundreds of high-profile productions worldwide from original Broadway productions to the Olympic Games.
As an acrobatic dancer, Mr. Harrison danced on Broadway, internationally in A CHORUS LINE and in feature films before starting his New York based aerial performance company. His first professional job dancing was in the film, FOOTLOOSE.
As a competitive athlete, his background is in diving, cheering, trampoline and gymnastics where as a tumbling specialist he took 2nd place in the nation and 4th place at the USSAF World Games.
Mr. Harrison is the creator of numerous aerial performance apparatus including the AntiGravity Hammock. His Aerial Design work on Broadway was recognized with two Tony Awards for the producers and star of NINE. His work on the Broadway show SWING with his "tracked dancing bungee" creation was acknowledged with a Tony Award nomination for Lynne Taylor Corbett. He also established the AntiGravity Boots as a performance device, setting off a wholly new trend, which he hopes will emerge as a sport.
Mr. Harrison holds a BFA in dance from the University of Utah. He is an avid skier, in-line skater, yogi and urban Segway surfer. He has been certified as a personal trainer by the Aerobics and Fitness Foundation of America (AFFA) and as a gymnastics coach by the United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF). Christopher was awarded the "New Yorker of the Week" by Time Warner. Mr. Harrison is active on the board of the Wendy Hilliard Foundation, dedicated to bringing fitness to underprivileged youth.
Mr. Harrison is a successful survivor of stage three Lymes disease. Having had a complete recovery, he understands the connection between body/mind/spirit first-hand. As a constant student of truth, he incorporates his limited understanding of the universe into all his work.
Inception Statement:
"The technique of working on fabric as a performance apparatus is fairly new in the aerial arts, emerging in the mid 1990's. As far as we know, we were the first company to use the apparatus looped as a hammock or swing rather than like a rope. This was actually because our company members were not circus performers, but athletes and dancers so it was much safer to have a seat at the bottom of the hanging fabric. Our performers found that working this apparatus gave them a great core and upper-body workout --- it shredded their abs. We also found that there were other hidden benefits from hanging upside down. We would relax inverted in between sets and discovered it would revitalize our entire body. The aerialists that work on this apparatus tend to be a very positive group --- and for many they have performance careers that continue well into their forties. AntiGravity Yoga emerged naturally from our work. Creating the technique for the everyday athlete has led to wonderful new discoveries we are eager to share."
Where Might I Have Seen The AntiGravity Hammock Used In Performance by the Company?
• Pink stole the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards with a high flying act on an AntiGravity Hammock. The number, which was created by AntiGravity Associate Director and Original Founding Member, Dreya Weber combined our Aerial Carousel with the AntiGravity Hammock for a spectacular display of strength and beauty. Pink proved that genuine rock stars can sing and spin while upside down.
• Jane Krakowski won the Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway revival of NINE in which she emerged from the rafters in an AntiGravity designed entrance on an AntiGravity Hammock onto Antonio Banderas. The show also won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.
• Mariah Carey flew in the air in an AntiGravity Hammock on her CHARMBRACELET TOUR. The stunt was designed by AntiGravity.
• 50 Cent was flanked by The Women of AntiGravity performing in AntiGravity Hammocks on the 2007 B.E.T Awards.
• The Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Games featured an AntiGravity Hammock performance nightly at the Olympic Medals Plaza.
• In the Lincoln Center production of FROGS starring Nathan Lane at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards
• In any one of the following AntiGravity stage productions: AntiGravity's Crash Test Dummies, AntiGravity: An American Band, The AntiGravity 2007 Tour, The AntiGravity Party!
• The Obama Inauguration Neighborhood Ball on ABC television featured performances on the AntiGravity Hammock . The new President winked at one of the performers as she danced upside down and nearly threw her off her counts. Other featured guests of the evening included: Beyonce, Jay Z, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey and many other A celebrities.
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 rights.
