Moyo Yoga Takes Students to a New Height

For the novice yoga student, watching people strike a pose by sitting or wrapping themselves in swaths of material hanging from the ceiling can be intimidating. However, as Pennsylvania's first certified studio to offer unnata (aerial) yoga, in Skippack is offering offering some students as easier experience.

Students hold traditional yoga poses with their arms, legs or even entire bodies rest in the fabric hammocks. According to Moyo instructors, the hammock helps reduce any potential body strain, making it ideal for people with arthritis or certain wrist injuries. The hammock can also help students go deeper into a stretch or pose, and help guide their movements when they are out of the hammocks.

The hammocks can support up to 2,000 pounds, and student will not spend the whole class in them.

Moyo's Pat Settley said aerial yoga's unique nature can help people "let go of fear and bring back the kid in you."

Although some participants in an aerial yoga open house said the experience could be initially a bit intimidating, everyone left the studio having thoroughly enjoyed their time.
"I really want to do this again," Denise Richardson said.
"I love it," Sue Uphold said.
"I felt comfortable," said Jane Sosnowski. "I trust the fabric more than my legs."

Six to 12 students are in each aerial yoga class. Check out Moyo's site for more information.