Catching up on new trend
YOU can try out an exciting and surprisingly easy form of yoga, which is taking the world by storm, here in Nelson Mandela Bay this week.
The routine, called “acro yoga”, is a combination of acrobatics and yoga (hence the name), plus Thai massage. Three people are involved.
Acro yoga instructor Kim Danoher, who is based in Dubai but is currently teaching in Nelson Mandela Bay, said the new form “builds trust, relationships and community between the participants”.
The former Miss Port Elizabeth is visiting the city until the weekend.
“Acro yoga is . . . very popular overseas, especially the Americas and Europe. It is growing into the Middle East, Australia and Africa – Kenya and South Africa . . . [it] has been steadily growing in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
“It uses three people together – a base, a flyer and a spotter. This relationship builds trust, support, communication and teamwork among participants as they lift and balance each other in poses that increase strength and flexibility.
“It automatically builds community by creating a fun, accepting environment and encouraging everyone to work together.”
Danoher is conducting her final acro yoga classes at Hobie Beach today, on Wednesday and on Friday. The beach sessions are free but participants are asked to donate to Island Forest School. The first studio session at Greenshields on Saturdays is free. It costs R100 after that.
Although acro yoga has not yet been established in Nelson Mandela Bay, Danoher believes that “it definitely will be”.
“It is an immense amount of fun and very liberating as people realise how easy it is and of what their bodies are capable.
“Bodies are naturally designed for it and no previous experience in any form of yoga or acrobatics is required.
“At present there isn’t a dedicated acro yoga teacher in Port Elizabeth, but I’m doing my best to expose it to as many people as possible while here so that they realise what is possible and how easy it is.
“I believe in how beneficial it is for encouraging new friendships, fitness, building body confidence, normal confidence and happiness.”
Danoher teaches acro yoga with former Nelson Mandela Bay resident Sandy Rubin in Dubai. Classes every Friday in the region raise funds for different charities, including Island Forest School.
Rubin will be in Port Elizabeth on December 7 and 8 to conduct another workshop at Yoga Shala in Richmond Hill.
For information contact Kim on 081-076-4748 or visit the acro yoga Facebook page at www.facebook.com/acroyogaportelizabeth.