Downdog Review

Sometimes my ego gets the best of me. I prance into the room thinking aerial yoga will be a piece of kale because I’ve been practicing for however many years. The attendees from the previous class give me a once over (probably because I look like an arrogant yoga witch) and I proceed to park it next to a purple trapeze. My friend Liz is the reason why I’m here tonight (and she is also a regular ego-feeder because she loves me so much). So, as I come down from my “look at me” high, Jordan walks in - the picture of humility and grace. Just seeing her makes me feel a bit embarrassed.

One hour and we only engage a handful of poses. Jordan knows that I’m new to all of this and Liz has a couple classes under her fold-over waistband. We start out with a couple of shoulder openers just to get familiar with the trapeze. I think what I like most about it is the texture as well as the look of it hanging from a high ceiling. A total klutz could walk in and feel like a regular part of Cirque du Soleil what with the mood lighting and Jordan’s clear directives.

Jordan initially received her 200-HR certification from Holy Cow Yoga right here in Charleston. After some time, she discovered aerial yoga and went on to study under Michelle Dortignac in New York. I find her instruction appealing and effective because she seems to have a desire to share her love of the aerial practice with her students. It’s like Jordan found her soul mate and she’s shouting about it from the rooftops so that everyone else can get a taste of it. It’s not because she’s squealing for joy or jumping up and down. It’s just her gentle demeanor and assertive encouragement.

I don’t want to ruin it for you, but just a couple of spoilers: downward facing dog and corpse pose feel spectacular in the trapeze. The former is a killer back release and the latter is something out of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, just hanging out like a fairy in some treetop hammock.

Strengths:

• down-to-earth humility that reinforces trust
• infectious enthusiasm for the aerial practice
• laid back patience to let you get loose in the trapeze

Recommended for those who:

• Love hanging upside down like Michael Keaton in Batman (and probably real life)
• Are new to aerial yoga and want a good first impression
• Like feeling squeezed by soft fabric like cows and Temple Grandin (and me)

Check out Jordan and AerialFit!