"Yoga is like music
The rhythm of the body
The melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul
Create the symphony of life"
- BKS Iyengar
Regularly reported benefits:​
-
Instant traction on the spine (within two to three minutes)
-
Relief of back pain and possibly sciatica
-
Core strength development
-
Deeper backbends and more open shoulders
-
Functional upper body and full body strength development
What inversion therapy can do:​
-
Increase range of motion, particularly in flexion and extension
-
Reduce herniated disk pain for injuries that are slight to mild (stage 1)
-
Add 1-2mm of space between L4/L5 and L5/S1 vertebrae
-
Alleviate lordosis
-
Reduce or calm activity in spinal muscles (measured in EMG - Electromyography)
What inversion therapy does not do:​
-
Remedy all pains, illnesses, and difficulties
-
Flush your brain with blood
-
Alter your blood – oxygen content
-
Take it easy on you (it’s fairly aggressive)
Who should not do inversion therapy?​
-
Pregnant women
-
People with stage 2+ herniated discs
-
People with cardiovascular disease
-
People with hypertension
-
People with glaucoma
For more information on classes and why you should join us for Yoga Trapeze, please contact us by clicking the button below
The Story Of the Yoga Trapeze
​
Inversion devices in various forms have been used in yoga studios for decades. The exact origins of the practice are unclear and are rarely agreed upon. While there were surely yogis hanging upside down from ropes attached to trees thousands of years ago, most people credit the late yoga master BKS Iyengar with popularizing and systematizing the practice.
​
In his studio in Pune, India, Iyengar introduced his yoga students (who came from all over the world) to many different yoga props that are now common practice.
Blocks, straps, ropes, yoga chairs and improvised yoga inversion slings.
Iyengar himself appears in some of the earliest photos demonstrating inversion sling yoga practice. In the photo he is using a thick rope and a stack of rolled up mats to practice passive backbends in his studio.
YOGABODY founder, Lucas Rockwood, first discovered inverted slings in 2004, while living in Thailand. Frustrated by the design and durability of early models, Lucas spent three years in development and eventually created a studio-quality device now known as the Yoga Trapeze. Today it is used in homes, studios and fitness centres in 81 countries around the world.
​
After practicing with a couple of different types of rigs, it soon became apparent – that there are cheaper, alternative options out there, that are easily mistaken for the YOGABODY Trapeze rig.
So please choose carefully!
​
What is missing in traditional yoga ?
​
A traditional yoga practice creates balance and improves overall health, including muscle strength, mobility, cardiovascular health, respiratory health, circulation and general fitness. It is difficult to fault yoga as a form of exercise, but the one thing that is clearly missing and very difficult to generate in a mat-based class is the functional movement of pulling or rowing.
Functional strength must include pushing, holding and pulling. Yoga offers thousands of opportunities for both pushing and holding, but without lifting heavy things (such as your body weight or a dumb bell), pulling is missing. As a result, many yoga clients have poor grip strength and weak wrists and shoulders.
So what does this have to do with Yoga Trapeze ? Everything
Most clients initially become interested in the Yoga Trapeze for the spinal traction and passive backbends. However, they quickly learn that the functional pulling and grip strength involved in its use are equally (if not more) valuable and transforms yoga into a truly comprehensive fitness modality.
A yoga practice that integrates the Yoga Trapeze, even if just once or twice a week, can include pushing, pulling, holding, hip opening, twists, backbends, forward bends and more.
Clients can work their shoulders, calm their nerves by integrating breath with movement and leave class floating on air.
​
How is the Yoga Trapeze different from mat yoga ?
While many of the yoga poses we do on the Yoga Trapeze look very similar to their mat-based counterparts, the dynamics are unique. The Yoga Trapeze demands a great deal of upper body and core strength for even the most basic movements.
Using the yoga trapeze, you’re able to assume extremely deep backbends in a passive way, allowing you to safely hold poses for long periods of time.
​
Key Yoga Trapeze Differences
-
*Builds upper body strength
-
*Builds core strength for dozens of postures
-
*Builds grip strength
-
*Allows for passive backbends and spine decompression
-
*Increases space between lower vertebrae
​
​
Yoga Trapeze Teaching Training - Yoga Teachers College – Lucas Rockwood – February 2021
Yoga Trapeze F.A.Q
We all have different flexibility levels!
A common misconception about all of yoga, not just Yoga Trapeze , is that it’s for the flexible. However, it’s more for the inflexible. That is, no one expects you to be doing full Wheel poses, inversions and flying splits your first try.
The whole point of trying a workout program is to work on strength and flexibility, little by little. Give yourself tons of patience and allow the poses to come to you… and they will!
Will I get dizzy?
You’re going to be putting your body through some new experiences, causing some discomfort. It takes around 3 classes to get “used to” going upside down, so know that feeling lightheaded after your first, or second time inverting is totally normal. I promise that you will get used to it!
The rig is not going to break
I know lots of people look at the flying contraption and think - "Is that thing going to support me" ?
The fabric is made of the same material as a parachute and the entire trapeze line has been weight tested to support approx.135 kgs.
It isn’t ALL about fancy inversion poses!
Of course, the inversions are the core of relieving back pain using the Yoga Trapeze; however, a 75 min class will often begin with some mat-based warm-ups, use of the main sling to do assisted Warrior poses and other openers, and use of the handles for “flying” pigeon pose, and other stretches.
The Yoga Trapeze is great for practicing assisted backbends and hanging upside down, but many clients love using it for flexibility training and having fun.
It’s NOT an aerial silks class
Silks and trapezes share lots in common and are both great! But aerial classes have the slings much higher from the ground and are usually for experienced dancers or performers.
No one expects you to do it all
You will encounter a pose or two you are not comfortable even attempting. Then don’t do it! I must’ve skipped three or four poses during my first class, and I’m no stranger to yoga. You will notice that even the most difficult poses are taken in steps. Do all the steps you are comfortable doing and you just may end up doing something you didn’t think you were capable of!
If not, either wait for the instructor to come to assist you or just take a break where you feel a good stretch and enjoy it there.
Other students are very supportive
We are unique beings, with different body shapes / sizes and movement capabilities. With all yoga, we begin from where we are at. We take our time, and we enjoy each moment. Make every practice your practice. Practice is everything!
It’s about having fun and working toward a stronger version of yourself—however you choose to do so - in your own time.
After just one class - people report back and say that their body feels great and that they feel re-energised!
Our Yoga Trapeze classes are for beginners - we offer a consecutive 4 - class block - dates available on request. Spots are limited as we space our rigs out for comfortability and breathing space - bookings are essential.
Enquire today ! You will love it !