The Locale
The studio, called Aloft Aerial Fitness, is located just a few minutes outside of UConn, and a stone’s throw away from Chuck’s Restaurant, for reference. It is nestled quietly in a residential area at the Mansfield Academy of Dance studio and the old building it’s in provides a quiet, rustic and truly meditative feel. Getting there at first, we actually weren’t sure if we were at the right place because there were no signs or other cars, but once other people started arriving, we followed inside. After a small waiting room where you can keep your belongings and remove your shoes, there is an average sized wood floor studio with a floor-length mirror taking up an entire wall. Students can choose a spot to set up their mats beneath the fabric used for the yoga.
The Details
Students must be 12 years and older in order to participate, and registration and insurance waiver forms must be completed upon arrival. For morning classes, you must register by 10 p.m. the night before, and at least by 10 a.m. the same day for evening classes. They offer foundation, yoga, fitness, and strength and flexibility classes. For foundations classes and new students, it’s $13.00, and regular walk-in rates are $18. Passes for class bundles are also available.
The Teachers
Our instructors for the evening were Chris and Lynne, who were both exceptionally kind and patient with us (new student awkwardness, yikes). While the class we selected wasn’t an introductory class, Chris and Lynne were both quite helpful in teaching us the proper forms and poses used regularly in other classes. They helped adjust each of our fabrics to the proper height depending on how tall we were, and made sure we were comfortable with whatever we were doing.
The Class
For me, it was truly exciting to try something completely new and different, so I was ready to roll as soon as we were allowed to sit “swing-like” in our fabrics. Chris (who led the majority of the class) reminded us to focus on our breathing, and gave advice on how to achieve the proper form for each given pose. We began with some stretches that helped us explore the freedoms and limitations of the fabrics that we were now in, and led up to more “yoga-esque” poses that were very similar to ground yoga poses except, you know, in the air. Some of the poses required you to balance on one leg, be half-on the ground, half-off, and even hang totally upside-down!
What I especially loved about this class was the way in which it was exploratory and meditative but also a wonderful workout. As the class went on, the poses became increasingly more difficult and required even more balance, strength and poise than the last. By the end of the class, I had worked up a decent sweat but felt amazing. There was even a reserved few minutes at the very end of the class to simply lie within your fabric, lights off, with lightly playing music, to wind down after all that movement.
The Fun
Trying this class out was definitely rewarding in itself and I will likely be going back soon, but it certainly was more enjoyable because I got to experience it with some friends who were also just as new as I was. There were *many* Instagram photos taken, shared “what are we doing?” glances, and laughs throughout the class. The instructors were genuinely kind and helpful, and the other, more advanced students passed no judgment at all. The environment was truly welcoming and positive, and I had an amazing time.
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