I Love DC Yoga!

Vanessa King is a Certified AcroYoga teacher, sharing the practice in DC since 2008. She’ll be at Yoga on the Mall leading the group warmup and a demo by AcroYoga students from Yoga District, Capitol Hill Yoga, Yoga Chai, Flow Yoga Center, Willow Street Yoga, Rivers Edge Yoga, Annapolis Yoga and Embrace Yoga. 

Describe AcroYoga

AcroYoga brings people together, since by nature, you can’t do alone! It’s a partner practice that fosters community. It’s rooted in diversity- a combo of yoga from India; acrobatics, originating from Greece and healing arts such as Thai Massage, from Thailand/India. Yoga is the glue. 

My first yoga studies were based on Patanjali’s teachings of the Yoga Sutras. AcroYoga embodies the full spectrum of yoga outlined in his four chapters on freedom- practice and surrender, strength and sweetness. An AcroYoga practice  can travel from the deepest surrender of receiving therapeutic flying or Thai Massage to the dynamic action of high flying acrobatics. 

I’ve heard that our highest yoga is that of relationship. AcroYoga is that kind of yoga. The union not just with the divine in yourself but the divine in another person. It develops trust, connection and playfulness in practitioners and inspires clear and positive communication. I’ve learned so much about myself and humanity from its practice. I find it fascinating that almost universally we are more capable of being there for others than believing others can support us.

What do you like about teaching AcroYoga in DC?

DC is a serious town. We live big questions! However, after teaching AcroYoga in various countries, I have to say the DC crew make the biggest shift- from ultra serious to ready to play and laugh and have fun together in a second. I love this community and am always excited to come home. We are loud and boisterous and everybody has a voice. It’s powerful and all love.  Show us your Acro yoga with a photo reply!