Getting bored of your regular yoga routine and looking for creative ways to challenge yourself? We took a look at six creative options for yoga practitioners, including classes that incorporate ropes, hammocks and even animals.
1. Cats on mats are purrfect partners
Ever tried to come into a downward-facing dog or a bridge pose with a cat nearby? The practice can get pretty interesting as your furry friend tries to get involved.
If you are lucky, a cooperative cat might practice with you or sit on your back while you are in child's pose. And for those felines who like to stretch out on the mat, their human companions get the added challenge of looking for a safe spot to place their feet.
2. Fly high with aerial yoga
Turn your normal poses upside down with the use of a webbing strap and hammock. This yoga style helps strengthen muscles and increase flexibility. An experienced teacher will be able to explain how to safely defy gravity and perform flips, tricks and inversions.
3. Hang in there with wall ropes
Specially designed wall ropes are a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of standing poses and inversions. They are also a great support for the pelvis while stepping into adho mukha svanasana, also known as downward-facing dog. Many yoga studios suspend the ropes from one wall of their studio space.
4. You've goat to be kidding
For those who want to connect with nature, performing asanas while surrounded by goats can be a therapeutic experience. Some yogis choose to sit in sukhasana (easy pose) with goats, but they might not come for the grounding practice alone — the farm animals are a popular subject for pictures posted on Instagram.
5. Be supportive with acro yoga
In acro yoga, a spotter is frequently used to ensure the flyer — the person who is lifted off the ground — isn't injured during partner poses. It combines yoga with elements of Thai massage and acrobatics.
6. Make nature your studio
Urban hikes combined with stops for short yoga practices are being offered by more yoga studios. Balance in tree pose among trees in the park, fold forward in the parking lot or look up toward the sky in half moon pose.
Hiking yoga often doesn't require a mat and yogis might even be able to leave their shoes on. Don't forget to open up and shine your heart toward the sun.
