English: Flying Pigeon pose in AntiGravity® Aerial Yoga, developed by Christopher Harrison (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Okay, not really. But I did have the chance to go with Jillian to an anti-gravity Pilates class @ Shine. What’s that you ask? Nothing-less-than the latest fitness trend sweeping the nation! But seriously, it was totally cool.
You use what is called a “hammock” (but looks a heck of like the thick ribbons that acrobatic dancers and Cirque cast members use to twist and turn in while dangling from the celling– think Pink’s Grammy Performance circa 2010).
After getting introduced to the hammock and a grabbing a yoga mat, your lovely instructor walks you through some of the tried and true Pilates moves. I hear there are also yoga classes using the hammock, but I’ve to escape my kiddos long enough to try one!!!
I was a tad skeptical about it. I mean, there are so many fad classes and everyone’s got a gimmick. But for me the true worth of the workout comes the next day when see how your body feels. I want to feel a little ache, not a can’t move my limbs felling, but I want to know my time was worth something. I am also not an “entertainment” workout woman. I put in my time at the elliptical or Bikram and I’m done. I don’t need dance steps or pop music or anything else. I don’t want to run outside and look at the world. I don’t want to meet my friends and scoot a ball over a net. I want to workout and get on with my life!
Thus, I might not be the idea candidate for anti-gravity Pilates. But, I LOVED IT. You get to hang upside down–cool! You get pretend you are as awesome as a rock star or Cirque performer–cool! You get what qualifies for me as good workout–cool!
I felt it the next day in my abs, arms and legs!! I can’t say the same thing regular Pilates (one-on-one with a trainer on the reformer– not some half-baked group mat course…)
I cannot wait for kids to get back in school so I can go again!!!
The Booky Mom 