What were you doing the Sunday before the Bank Holiday, hmm? Nursing a hangover? Having a lie-in? I can guarantee not many of you were hanging upside-down from your ankles with a hammock suspended from the ceiling for support. See attached picture: https://s3-media3.ak.yelpcdn.com/photo/iAUDbj-mHppPf_Vf4HfcXw/l.jpg Yes Yelpers, I was engaging in a spot of anti-gravity yoga, and I can tell you first-hand that it's the yoga to end all yogas. You thought you had it tough with your warrior poses and your cobras and your planks, pfft. This is the real deal.
I first became fascinated by anti-gravity yoga when I saw the delightfully orangey Ollie and Cheska of Made in Chelsea swinging from bits of material, flying through the air with the greatest of ease, then of course to break off for a chat about some drammmz, golly gosh or whatevs. Anyway, I thought, that looks awesome. I went trawling about on the interwebs for clips of such fun, and I was suitably intrigued. Upon discovering the lovely, friendly Kaz at Bodybarre (as recommended by our Yelp Elite's own Grace R, equally talented in the skills of baking and pole dancing), I just had to give it a go.
As you might recall, it was a rain-drenched morning in Manchester, and off I toddled, it taking mere minutes from my Ancoats abode to Thomas Street. (I love my new house.) The rules - no vests, must be sleeves. No jewellery. No shoes, but definitely socks. You'll figure out why as you go along. You don't want to snag the hammock, but as well as that, it'll grip you solid around the shoulders and ankles, so a material cushion of sorts is essential! The studio is as Grace says, utterly sumptuous. Up the stairs you go to be greeted by a holder for your umbrellas, proper coat racks for your layers and a thoroughly warm welcome by Kaz and the staff. Seriously, I'd never felt so at home in a brand new place before. I was guided through every step as the only hammock virgin, my legs shook, my arms felt like they might fall out of their sockets, my abs asked me why I was trying to kill them, but as those who try to keep in shape know, this is all a very good sign. And then at the end, you get to fold out the hammock folds and lie down and have the loveliest rest you can possibly have outside your own bed.
Genuinely, I want an anti-gravity yoga hammock for my house for this very purpose.
Sold, within minutes. Of course there are countless, myriad brilliant classes available here, all of which are expertly taught and reasonably priced, with a delightfully inclusive vibe you wouldn't get at your faceless national brand gym. I was worried about moving away from the Aquatics Centre due to my love of swimming. With this around the corner, I'm thinking, well, it doesn't involve me being drenched in chlorine and having to avoid bashing into scantily clad people. Aquatics What-now?
All kinds of brilliant, and worthy of all the accolades. read more
