by Sally Meredith - Date 2013

Inspired by AcroYogini and dear friend, Einat Bardea, July 2013 had me undergo the month long teacher training with AcroYoga Montreal, in the vibrant and festive French Canada. This marked the beginnings of an incredible Acro adventure, full of travel, street performing, acrobatic training and teaching! Along the way I practiced and taught with many different people. Each new acrobatic relationship formed had me learning sooo much about myself! That is one of the main things I love about this practice of AcroYoga!

AcroYoga is acrobatics with yogic consciousness. The yoga side of the practice for me is about my connection to breath, to my body and it’s movements, to my partner, and to whatever the practice itself stirs up in me. It is a practice that brings me to my edge on so many levels!

We challenge each other by exploring our physical limitations, because this is where we can build strength and continue to advance and refine the practice. There are also the social and personal challenges that come up. To be honest, still when I practice I have moments where I am scared of falling! I am scared of dropping my partner. I am afraid if I am too heavy. If I am not strong enough. I’m concerned if the person I’m working with is enjoying my company.

Sometimes I shrink, and I make excuses or go into stories about why I should avoid these moments of doubt. But then I connect to my breath, using it as a tool to help me connect to the part of myself who can simply observe these insecurities. With courage and trust I can explore my limitations and begin to shift them into possibilities! This is where the practices moves from beings acrobatics to AcroYoga for me.

When we step up to the edge of what we know, we can become aware of our limitations. From our edge, we can see the things that hold us back from expanding further into our self, physically, mentally, emotionally. “Flirting” with the edge provides us with the opportunity to dissolve our limitations into possibilities! Just like Acroyoga, life can be scary and uncertain! Or it can be thrilling and full of awe! There is a quote by Osho: Don’t call it uncertainty, call it wonder. Don’t call it insecurity, call it freedom.

After a long and incredible Acro adventure throughout Europe and the America’s, I reflect on the people and the moments that helped to expand my practice! Eugene, Jessie, Jill ad Heidi, my teachers from AcroYoga Montreal. Their creative flare and way of teaching continues to move me! For more information on the background of their lineage please go to: www.acroyoga.com

Ezra Lebank, The Boss! Ezra’s Bossy Philosophy resonates with me so much and has shaped my approach to the practice. His teachings and our acro chats always remind me to explore the unknown from a place of curiosity and expansiveness, and by that I mean: explore the unknown from a place of BOSSINESS ;-)  www.bossyflyer.com check it out, like a boss!

Silver and Ester SILVESTER! The amazing Estonian duo. I have so much love and appreciation for these guys and their friendship. When doing acroyoga with Silver and Ester, we don’t “work” or “train”… we play! I love the lightness, spontaneity and “go with the flow” kind of attitude you both bring to the practice. I am super excited to visit Estonia again next European Summer. AcroFESTonia number 2!

And my acroadventura travel sister from another mister… Sara Angelus! Together we started the World Play Movement – A project dedicated to PLAY and it’s ability to uplift and unite the diverse range of peoples around the world! At the beginning of this year we embarked on a road trip together, taking the World Play movement on a crazy tour from Austin, Texas to Panama and back too Austin! Along the way we saw through our mission of sharing acroyoga and creative movement in a way that is accessible to people of all abilities, ages and cultural backgrounds. As we continue to develop the project now, from different corners of the globe, I am so grateful to Sara for her courage and faith as we jump off the edge into this unknown territory together! To learn more about the project and how to get involved go to: http://www.worldplaymovement.com

Landing back home in Melbourne after 18months away the acroyoga adventure continues! I am so happy to be back sharing Acroyoga on home turf and working with Einat Bardea again! We are excitedly anticipating our upcoming workshop! Melbournites, come and explore the unknown from a place of curiosity and expansiveness. We will be sharing a variety of skills that will have us supporting each other to get our asana up in the air! Check out our upcoming workshops in Melbourne here: Calendar.

Peace Love Adventure Yoga PLAY!