By Sarah Landicho
Yogis and acrobats: Get ready to fly at the city’s first Chicago AcroYoga Festival Sunday, June 5, in Chicago. Participants should gear up for a full day of all-level workshops led by 15 of the Midwest’s best teachers.
What exactly is acroyoga? Paula Bui, co-founder of the festival and Chicago-based yoga and acroyoga teacher, describes it as a partner practice combining yoga, acrobatics and therapeutic methods that builds community, communication, trust and a sense of play. She’s been studying yoga and acroyoga since 2009 and has watched as the city’s acroyoga scene has blossomed in the past few years.
But with only a few active classes in Chicago, this form of partner yoga is still new to many—and it can seem pretty scary, Bui admits. “It’s terrifying at first. You’re not really sure where you’re going or what you should be doing,” she explains. But the upside of the practice is tremendous: “It reminds you of your own power and your ability to move—and it reminds yourself how to play,” she says.
Bui especially encourages yogis who may feel timid about acroyoga to sign up since there will be several introductory workshops to take students through the basics. And safety is always first, she adds. “We always work in groups of three: flier, base and spotter.”
Of course, there is plenty on the docket for those with experience, such as an Intro to Props class with Connor Otto and Standing Hand to Hand class with Jessalyn Oxford. Tackling handstands will also be a point of discussion throughout the day.
The opportunities to learn and explore don’t stop there, says Dan Plehal, festival co-founder and local yoga and acroyoga teacher. “We’re also hoping to build connections with other communities by offering classes in yoga, slackline, massage, circus work and more—allowing for a sharing of skills and enthusiasm for different practices,” he says. “I love that we get the opportunity to bring all of these wonderful teachers together in one place and create a space where practitioners of all levels can learn, play and celebrate a community together.”
Because students will work their bodies all day, Bui and Plehal were sure to incorporate therapeutics. Paul Fowler, director of Blue Lotus Thai Healing Studies, is one of two healing practitioners at the festival. He will lead a therapeutic Thai massage workshop at the end of the day to help participants release their quads, hamstrings, calves and abdominals. “By putting gentle weight on the muscles, the nervous system receives the cue that these muscles no longer need to contract, allowing them to turn off and let go,” he explains. “My hope is that the therapeutic Thai workshop that closes out the festival will leave people walking away feeling refreshed, renewed and light in their bodies.”
The Chicago AcroYoga Festival will take place on Sunday, June 5 at Moonlight Studios, 1446 W. Kinzie St., Chicago. The festival starts at 8 a.m. and the last session ends at 9 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit chicagoacrofest.com or email chicagoacrofest@gmail.com.
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