What is Acroyoga?
A Playful Fusion
Acroyoga isn't on our regular class schedule here at Kailo Yoga. But trust us, we completely get the draw. Acroyoga is playful. It’s dynamic and built on trust, teamwork, and joyful movement. At Kailo Yoga, we embrace these same qualities in many of our own classes. Even though we don’t practice yoga with partners or acrobatics. If you’re intrigued by Acroyoga’s sense of adventure, community, or physical challenge, Kailo has plenty to offer. Our vibrant Vinyasa classes give you dynamic movement and strength-building flows. Rocket Yoga provides energizing sequences full of inversions and arm balances. And our Handstand classes let you safely explore the joy of being upside-down.
What Exactly Is Acroyoga?
Acroyoga blends traditional yoga, partner acrobatics, and elements from the healing arts. Unlike regular yoga, it involves two or more people practicing together. Typically, there's a base, a flyer, and often a spotter:
- The Base: Usually lies on their back, supporting the flyer with their legs and arms.
• The Flyer: Balances, stretches, and moves through poses while supported above ground.
• The Spotter: Ensures safety, provides guidance, and fosters confidence between base and flyer.
Practicing Acroyoga means lifting, balancing, flying, and flowing. It builds strength, trust, and clear communication. Most importantly, it creates plenty of smiles along the way. It’s a practice deeply rooted in trust, communication, physical awareness, and lots of laughter.
What Does “Acro” Mean?
The word acro comes from the Greek akros, meaning “high” or “elevated.” In Acroyoga, it refers to the lifts, balances, and airborne movements that make the practice so unique. But it also points to something more. “Acro” isn’t just about going up, it’s about rising together. About lifting each other with care, focus, and trust.
A Bit of Acroyoga History
Acroyoga first appeared around 1999, becoming popular in the early 2000s. Two main groups shaped its development. AcroYoga Montreal was founded by Eugene Poku and Jessie Goldberg. AcroYoga International began in California, created by Jason Nemer and Jenny Sauer-Klein. Yet, the roots of partner yoga stretch further back. In the 1930s, the renowned yogi Krishnamacharya experimented with similar techniques. Modern Acroyoga built on this tradition, blending yogic principles, acrobatics, and mindfulness into a playful, structured practice.
What Makes Acroyoga Special?
Acroyoga is very different from traditional yoga practices. Here’s what sets it apart:
Partner-Based Practice
Unlike typical yoga sessions, Acroyoga always requires at least two participants. This shared experience naturally fosters strong community bonds and builds trust between practitioners.
Playful Yet Challenging
Acroyoga is athletic, demanding strength, flexibility, balance, and core stability. Poses can range from gentle therapeutic holds to dynamic sequences involving lifts, spins, and inversions.
Physical Connection and Trust
The practice involves significant physical contact. Flyers literally put their safety in their base’s hands (and feet!), creating powerful bonds built on trust and clear communication.
Social & Fun
With its roots partly in circus arts and dance, Acroyoga brings an element of performance and playfulness. It's joyful, vibrant, and very community-focused.
Who Typically Loves Acroyoga?
Acroyoga attracts a diverse group: yogis looking for connection, former gymnasts seeking new outlets, dancers craving creative expression, and social butterflies who love team activities. Acroyoga is accessible if you approach it with openness. Still, it can feel intense for beginners. Many find it helpful to build foundational strength and confidence first. Kailo's classes like Grundlæggende eller Vinyasa 1/2 provide excellent starting points to prepare your body and mind for partner-based yoga down the road.
Typical Acroyoga Poses
Acroyoga offers some visually stunning and enjoyable poses, such as:
• Front Bird: The flyer balances horizontally, supported by the base’s feet.
• Throne Pose: The flyer sits upright comfortably atop the base's feet.
• High Flying Whale: A therapeutic deep backbend, with the flyer resting on the base’s elevated feet.
• Shoulderstand: The flyer is inverted, supported by the base's legs and arms, in an energizing upside-down balance.
• Washing Machines: Dynamic sequences flowing through multiple poses smoothly, creating a mesmerizing and joyful dance.
What’s the Difference Between Acroyoga and Regular Yoga?
No Partner? No Problem. Try These Kailo Classes Instead
If your curiosity about Acroyoga stems from a love for strength, balance, community, or simply playful movement, we have wonderful alternatives right here at Kailo:
• Rocket Yoga: Filled with arm balances, inversions, and challenging flows—perfect if you crave Acroyoga’s intensity and upside-down thrill.
• Vinyasa 1/2: Dynamic, breath-focused sequences to build the strength, flexibility, and flow that support partner practices.
• Handstand Classes: Develop confidence upside-down, build core strength, and enjoy a playful atmosphere that aligns closely with Acroyoga’s spirit.
• Flexibility Classes: Improve mobility and deepen your ability to enter backbends, splits, and other acrobatic-friendly poses.
Each of these classes carries something familiar to what draws people into Acroyoga. You don’t need a partner to experience connection, courage, or joy in movement. You just need a mat and a bit of curiosity.
Check out our collection of klassebeskrivelser to find something that suits you.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Yoga Path at Kailo
Acroyoga is bold, creative, and deeply rooted in connection. It invites you to move with others, build trust, and discover strength in new ways. At Kailo, we celebrate that same spirit, whether you're flowing through a Rocket sequence, balancing in a handstand, or simply showing up for your very first class. So if Acroyoga sparked your interest, we invite you to explore what’s already here. You might just find the energy you were looking for:
See all class descriptions. We’d love to meet you on the mat - flying optional!