Today I decided it was time to give ANTI-GRAVITY WING yoga a try. Looks interesting that's for sure! I was definitely intrigued. I did a quick google search and it seems that only two spots in NYC offer the anti-gravity wings – Crunch Fitness and Om Yoga Factory. Since I already began my challenge with a trip to Crunch, I decided to give Om a try. I had to see for myself whether or not this was just another trendy yoga fad.
Location: Om Yoga Factory 265 West 37th Street @ 8th Ave. 17th Fl.;)
Cost: $14 ($60 mins) $17 (90 mins) Packages available.
Venue: small, intimate, personal.
Class: AntiGravity Yoga Wings
Class size: Only 7 (great size!) 6 gals and one dude
Level: Open
Description: AntiGravity yoga principles with elements from aerial acrobatics, dance, pilates and calisthenics. Helps students realign their body and spirit with the tool of gravity that serves to achieve physical and mental decompression. You will learn to fly, hold and balance in challenging yoga poses longer, gain better kinesthetic awareness, build cardiovascular and muscular strength, become more flexible, increase joint mobility, decompress the vertebrae of the spine without strain and utilize the agility you've gained from yoga to play with gravity.;)
Summary: Thumbs up! What is an Anti-Gravity Wing? Think of your bedroom sheets hanging from the ceiling – that's your "wing". The "wings" are definitely a bit intimidating at first, but once you get used to them, they become easier to manipulate.
The "wings" allow you to lengthen and deepen into your poses more than traditional yoga. It's like a yoga belt on steroids. The feeling was invigorating. It's definitely a trendy fad, but I really enjoyed it. It's a nice break from traditional yoga and it gives you the chance to swing around like a little kid and fly through the air. How often can you do that? If you've always regretted the fact that you didn't join the circus when you were young, well then this class is for you. After a couple of years, I think Cirque de Soleil will come calling. Our instructor could very well be part of the show! I should have asked her – maybe I could have gotten tickets.
Chicken "wings": I was heading home after my invigorating "wing" class when I got a text from one of my best guy friends, Matt. One of the best looking, coolest guys around. :) Matt has this uncanny way of always being at a bar in my neighborhood just when I'm about to go home and need to go home. Once he mentioned he was at MacAleer's, I immediately started fantasizing about their amazing chicken wings... hence the "chicken wing" reference. Not exactly the ideal post workout meal of champions, and certainly NOT organic, but I had to go. What followed was an evening of wings, beer and dating advice! Matt and Paul have volunteered to be my go-to-guys for "dude" advice on the road. I'm flattered, but a little scared. Matt and Paul are both single by the way. Should be interesting!!