6 Reasons Aerial Yoga Is the Self-Care You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s talk about self-care for a second.

We all know we should be doing it. We’ve heard about the bubble baths, the journaling, the face masks. And don’t get us wrong—those things are lovely. But sometimes, what we really need isn’t just to relax—it’s to reconnect.

To reconnect with our bodies.

To reconnect with our breath.

To reconnect with the part of us that feels strong, present, and fully alive.

That’s where aerial yoga comes in.

At The Yoga Dance Co, aerial yoga is more than just a workout. It’s a whole-body, whole-mind reset. A sanctuary in the air. A chance to move, breathe, and feel like yourself again—maybe for the first time in a while.

If you’re craving a deeper kind of self-care, here are 6 reasons why aerial yoga might be exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

1. It helps you get out of your head and into your body

Ever feel like your brain is running a mile a minute and your body is just… along for the ride? That’s the modern mental loop: overthinking, overstimulated, overwhelmed.

One of the most powerful things about aerial yoga is how quickly it grounds you in the present moment. When you step into the hammock, your focus shifts away from emails and errands and toward breath, balance, and sensation. You’re suddenly paying attention—to how your arms feel as you wrap the fabric, to the way your spine lengthens in a backbend, to the sensation of swinging softly through space.

It’s not about zoning out. It’s about tuning in. And when you spend an hour being completely embodied and aware, you walk out feeling lighter—not just physically, but mentally.

Self-care takeaway:

Aerial yoga offers a powerful reset for your nervous system. It quiets the mental noise and brings you back into your body—calm, centered, and grounded.

2. It teaches you to trust yourself again

Let’s be honest: life can chip away at your confidence. Whether it’s from burnout, comparison, or just years of pushing through, it’s easy to lose that sense of trust in your own strength—physically and emotionally.

Aerial yoga flips that narrative (literally). With every movement in the hammock, you’re building a new relationship with yourself. You learn how to support your own weight. You discover strength in muscles you didn’t know you had. You realize, “Hey, I can do this.”

Even if you’re scared or uncertain at first (which is totally normal!), something beautiful happens when you show up anyway. That act of courage becomes a foundation for self-trust that carries into your everyday life.

Self-care takeaway:

Aerial yoga reminds you that you are capable. That you can do hard things. And that you don’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

3. It creates space—for your body and your mind

We spend so much time compressed—hunched over screens, stuck in traffic, slouched on the couch. No wonder we feel tight, tired, and mentally cramped.

One of the most physically therapeutic parts of aerial yoga is the spinal decompression you get during inversions. When you hang upside down in the hammock (with full support!), gravity gently stretches your spine, creating space between the vertebrae. It’s like a reset button for your back—and it feels incredible.

But beyond that, there’s something symbolic about creating space in your body. It opens up space in your mind, too. When you unwind your body, you start to unwind your thoughts. That’s when new clarity, creativity, and calm can emerge.

Self-care takeaway:

You don’t just need rest—you need release. Aerial yoga gives your body space to breathe and your mind room to expand.

4. It encourages emotional release in a safe, supportive way

Here’s something you might not expect: aerial yoga can bring up feelings.

It’s not uncommon for people to cry in savasana (final rest pose) or feel unexpected emotions arise during deep stretches or inversions. And it makes total sense—our bodies hold onto stress, grief, tension, and trauma in physical ways. When we start to move, stretch, and open up, those emotions often begin to surface.

But here’s the magic of the hammock: it feels safe. You’re literally held. Wrapped in fabric. Suspended in a quiet cocoon. That combination of movement and containment creates the perfect environment for emotional release.

You don’t need to explain, justify, or even understand what’s coming up. You just breathe through it. Let go. And trust that your body knows what it needs to heal.

Self-care takeaway:

Real self-care is about more than pampering—it’s about processing. Aerial yoga creates space for you to feel what’s been buried and gently let it go.

5. It lets you play—and we all need more of that

Remember when movement used to be fun? When you climbed trees, spun in circles, jumped on beds, and did cartwheels just because it felt good?

As adults, we often lose that sense of playfulness. We start moving for “fitness” or “discipline,” and forget what it’s like to just enjoy our bodies and let them move in a way that feels fun.

Aerial yoga brings the play back. You swing. You spin. You float. You get tangled and laugh your way out of it. You try new things without pressure to “perform.” And in doing so, you tap into something joyful—something your inner child desperately needed.

Self-care takeaway:

Play is healing. Aerial yoga helps you reconnect with joy, curiosity, and freedom through movement.

6. It builds a stronger connection to a supportive community

We say it all the time: you don’t have to do this alone.

When you walk into an aerial yoga class at The Yoga Dance Co, you’re not just stepping into a studio. You’re stepping into a supportive, empowering community. You’re surrounded by people who are learning, trying, growing—just like you.

You’ll hear cheers when someone nails their first flip. You’ll see high-fives after class. You’ll feel the energy of people lifting each other up (sometimes literally!). And over time, this community becomes part of your self-care toolkit. A space where you’re seen, supported, and celebrated.

Self-care takeaway:

Healing happens faster—and feels better—when you’re surrounded by people who get it. Aerial yoga connects you to a community that truly lifts you up.

You Deserve Self-Care That Moves You

If you’ve been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or just down, aerial yoga might be exactly the self-care your soul has been asking for.

It’s not just about the poses. It’s about coming home to yourself.

It’s about moving your body in a way that feels empowering.

It’s about releasing what’s heavy and remembering what makes you feel alive.

You don’t need to be flexible. Or strong. Or “ready.”

You just need to show up.

We’ll hold the hammock open for you.

Ready to make aerial yoga part of your self-care?

Join one of our Intro to Aerial Yoga class or explore our Beginner Aerial Arts designed to help you build confidence, calm, and connection—one breath (and swing) at a time.

Check out the schedule and book your first class!

Your self-care just got a whole lot more uplifting.