FITNESS

on that strength. Pole dancing is a fitness routine in itself, that is meant to help you build on strength and flexibility. Everybody’s journey is different. Some have good flexibility levels but not a lot of strength, some people have good strength but struggle with the flexibility part of it. Some start from scratch, as I did. Everybody’s journey is different, and pole dancing is a lot more than what meets the eye. You just have to trust the process; you’ll be surprised by what your body can do!

How did the lockdown have an impact on your professional space?

I was quite put off by the lockdown initially as I intended on going abroad to train. I sat my parents down exactly one week before the lockdown happened, to talk to them about pursuing it. They were super encouraging about it and I remember feeling super pumped the next day when I was traveling to work. However, I took the lockdown as an opportunity to train myself and decided not to wait any longer. I decided to train myself how much ever I could at least, till things settled down. I soon became very comfortable with training myself, without having to rely on anybody. I’d work till 7 pm every day and then practice on my pole for another 2 hours after taking a small break. My practice would at times go on till 11 or 12 in the night as well, but I never got tired. I always looked forward to each training.

Who is your inspiration or what is your inspiration?

My parents have been the biggest inspiration in my life, as I learned to take risks because of them. Growing up, my twin sister and I were always encouraged to take up activities that we enjoyed. There was no “right way of doing things” or “end goal". We were taught to think independently. We were also hugely motivated to do what made us happy, without inhibiting ourselves. be solely about fitness. For a few it may be about feeling empowered while for others, it may be about feeling sexy. And I’m in no place to judge any of that or try and change what they feel about it. Yes, when people who have never tried it comment about it in a way it shows my art down, I don’t appreciate it at all. My job is to stand by my art no matter what, and continue to bring a smile on my student’s faces.

Pole is generally considered a sexual and feminine energy-driven sport, would you like to comment on that?

There are stigmas attached to everything. There are different opinions on anything. For me, the pole is all about feeling confident and powerful, everybody’s journey is about something different. For some, it may be about self-love, for others, it may Where do you teach, how can we reach you, and any advice to beginners?

In January 2022, I started Polefit Boldfit. The “bold” in the name holds significance as it was a big step for me, and for all those men and women out there who choose to break the stigmas and take up pole dancing as a hobby, fitness routine, or for any other reasons. Our studio is located at Kondapur, Hyderabad. Our Instagram handle is polefitboldfit and our website polefitboldfit.co.in has all details regarding our class timings and pricing. One can also contact us on 9700790122 in case of any questions. We are open to beginners and people of any age, gender or background are more than welcome at Polefit Boldfit. No pre-requisites. We welcome everybody with open arms, to learn and enjoy the art of pole dancing. If you have to express your dance style in 3 words, what would they be?

If I had to describe my art in 3 words, I’d say strength, empowerment, and grace.

AERIAL YOGA

Aerial yoga was developed by Michelle Dortignac in 2006, using a combination of traditional yoga poses, Pilates, and dance with the use of a hammock. Apart from being picture-perfect and quirky, there’s so much more to this art form that’s something both beautiful and transformative. In addition to providing many physical and mental benefits and fun acrobatics, aerial yoga is quickly gaining stride as a therapeutic and accessible yoga option. The claimed benefits of aerial yoga involve improved flexibility, stability, and balance, traction, joint decompression reduced risk factors for heart disease, and improved mental health. Anecdotal evidence indicates that by facilitating bending and stretching of the whole-body during exercise, muscles and joints will be strengthened and rehabilitated, and the spine decompressed as the body hangs freely.

Krishna Yoga Shala

Yoga institute Instagram: @krishnayogashala Krishna yoga Shala is known for their yoga classes and Yoga Teacher training program in prominent styles such as Hatha, Power yoga, vinyasa, Iyengar, yin, restorative and Aerial yoga. This institute provides classes on Aerial yoga for beginners with no prior yoga practice by advanced yoga practitioners. Also, their classes can be modified to suit all levels of practitioners. You can reach out to the institution directly at the studio, Krishnayogashala at Kondapur (opp Sarath City Capital mall) or via Contact Us option at https://krishnayogashala.com/. We got into candid conversation with Krishna yoga Shala’s director, Mr. Krishna Kumar to know more about aerial yoga, and here’s what he had to say. When and how were you introduced to aerial yoga? Unlike many other institutes, what is the driving force behind aerial yoga in your curriculum?

During my TTC course at Krishnayogashala, we were introduced to Aerial yoga. Seeing the hammock and people practice was quite a sight that made me want to try it the moment I could. We want our students to have fun during the practice while improving on their practice each time they come. Depending on the level of the student, we modify the practice/poses to suit each student so that everyone gets to become better. We even allow our students to request certain poses they want to learn and we incorporate them into our classes. Many steps back from aerial yoga because they think, they lack flexibility and core strength, what would you say about that?

People have a tendency to think that aerial yoga is a bit difficult or not suitable for them, but honestly, a hammock helps you go deep into the postures, gaining flexibility including core strength in balancing and adds a lot of fun unlike other forms of Yoga. I would say, one must have Patience, Perseverance, Passion, and Persistence to achieve Perfection. Who is your inspiration or what is your inspiration?

Frankly, the hammock itself is an inspiration. When we see ourselves doing the asanas getting easy to perform on a hammock than on the mat it inspires us to practice more. Since Aerial yoga is so much fun, once you start it, you just want to get better and never stop the practice. Take us through your journey.

I’ve been teaching yoga for 15 years now, more than 200 students got graduated in various certification programs. Aerial yoga classes in specific are much loved by the students, since working with hammock is more fun and interesting that they can swing and balance. Feel proud when my students need less assistance while getting into or holding in any posture, are confident and able to teach new people.

It’s been more than a year being an Aerial yoga practitioner and a certified teacher, I remember vividly in one of the first classes that I was unable to pull myself up using my arm strength for one of the poses (goddess) and was half hanging on the hammock. The image is quite funny in my head. Fast forward to less than a month, I was able to pull myself up and so much more. While now the goddess pose is now an easy pose for me, being able to pull myself up within a few classes was an extremely proud and happy moment for me. It made me believe that I was capable of more advanced poses.

What are some benefits of aerial yoga and how is it different from classic yoga in terms of strength training and general health benefits?

•Aerial yoga supports strength improvement, and proper alignment and enables to perform poses that are difficult on the ground like inversions, etc. •Flipping upside down decompresses the spine, releases tension in the spine that got accumulated, and good blood circulation to the brain. •One requires balance and stability to work against gravity which in turn improves the balance in our daily life. •Being suspended upside down which is easy in aerial yoga helps in good blood flow into the head and also releases happy hormones called serotonin and endorphins that keep us energetic and happy. •We can hold the postures against gravity for a long time when compared to on the floor. Who should avoid aerial yoga? Any specific health conditions or physical ailments?

People with high or low blood pressure, heart diseases, vertigo, glaucoma or, severe arthritis should avoid aerial yoga.

What clothing would you suggest to anyone beginning aerial yoga and whether doing it barefoot holds any significance?

T-shirts and tights would be the best clothing while practicing. We need to be barefoot during the practice as we would be standing on the hammock and would not want to restrict our movement by wearing shoes or socks. Plus, as it’s a shared space, we would want to maintain utmost hygiene.

If you have to express aerial yoga in 3 words, what would they be?

Fun, Refreshing and Energizing.