Category: aerial acrobatics

May 2, 2020

May 2020, Online classes

During the month of May 2020 I will be continue teaching my classes online

Check the options below

Weekly schedule Online Yoga Classes in English & Spanish

live-streamed on Zoom App

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

8:30 am to 9:30 am

Hatha Yoga Flow

Class-based:

On flexibility, mobility & restorative postures

Props:

Yoga mat or towel
Yoga blocks or straps or belts, (optional )

5 pm to 6 pm

30min of Vinyasa Dynamic Flow and 30min of Restorative

Class-based:

On postures to build overall strength and resistance.

Ending the session with restorative and breathing techniques

Props:

Yoga mat or towel
Yoga blocks or straps or belts, (optional )

Please check the time zone converter

Replay of the classes is available

April 1, 2020

What is Yoga and Why do you need to practice?

Yoga has helped me in so many ways. I know it sounds cliche but it actually did.

Before being a yoga instructor I was a dancer, an acrobat, a gymnast and I always been really curious about exploring different ways to move my body, I love any way of movement and I liked to train “hard”

When I Just finished my PE teacher degree I decided I was going to start practicing yoga.

I always felt a deep connection with yoga, even before I started my practice, almost like I have done before….Do you know what I mean?

So I decided to investigate the yoga studios in the city I was living at the moment in Córdoba, Argentina. I took a few classes here and then until I fund the one I felt it was following the same teaching philosophy I believe in.

“Always work in a progressive way and listen to your body”.

So I decided to do my Yoga Teacher Training with the same yoga school

I used to weak up at 6 pm to catch up on the 40 min bus ride and go to have an early morning class before I would start to work and teach my classes.

I have to say I was not a morning person by that time and it was a big effort I knew I had to do in order to produce the change I was looking for.

For 2 years we met during the weekends to study yoga philosophy, anatomy, physiology, teaching technics and we practice how to teach yoga among ourselves.

I have learned so much, it was a wonderful time of my life. I am proud to say I had kind and knowledgeable teachers to guide me during this yoga journey.

After that I have decided to travel and explore the world, I dream always dream about.

That brought me to more wonderful and learning experiences, but also to a few not that great as well.

When I was going through hard times traveling with no budget and I couldn’t find any place to keep my aerial training going, or I couldn’t afford any place to go to practice I came back to my personal yoga practice.

I was able to develop a consistent self-practice, with ups and downs like everyone. But I am still amazed by how much flexibility and strength I have gained over the years of yoga practice.

And I am not getting any younger, right?

Yoga has taught me how to be patient, to accept myself and others, to rest when is needed, to enjoy the simple things, to allow myself to say no when is needed. To have consistency in the practice, to be more flexible in mind and body and I have so much more to learn

I know it is not that easy as you read it and the journey will be different for each of us.

But all that said let’s bring down the following misconception of Yoga:

“Yoga is for stretching, and I am not flexible, hence I am not going to practice”

Because that seems to be the way it works, right?

Well…. let me tell you something, I am not sure where this idea of yoga is for stretching began, but it is far from the truth.

Yes, you might leave a yoga class feeling release and relax like a “nice stretch” and that might be some of the benefits yoga can give you

Do you really know what YOGA means?

Yoga is a vast collection of spiritual techniques and practices aimed at integrating mind, body, and spirit to achieve a state of enlightenment or oneness with the universe. What is normally thought of as “yoga” in the West is really Hatha Yoga, one of the many paths of yoga. The different paths of yoga emphasize different approaches and techniques but ultimately lead to the same goal of unification and enlightenment.

Yoga, at its essence, is a practice of energy- of creating space inside the body for prana (energy) to be cultivated, moved and transformed for optimum health, wellbeing, connection, and ease-

To be able to create space requires balance- the balance of the joint stability and mobility, the balance of muscle contraction and relaxation, the balance of movement between the limbs and the torso, and balance of the physical asana (yoga poses) practice with other seven limbs of yoga.

As balance is created and developed inside and through the body, by default, balance is created outside the body.

It is not a religion, but a practice of personal inquiry and exploration. As the cultural and religious diversity of practitioners attest, yogic philosophy speaks to universal truths that can be incorporated within any belief system.

The development of yoga can be traced back to over 5,000 years ago, but some researchers think that yoga may be up to 10,000 years old old. Yoga’s long rich history can be divided into four main periods of innovation, practice, and development.

Can you believe it?

5,000 or 10,000 is a lot of years, of practice and research of fulfillment.

Our body our mind and our energy, soul or spirit, whatever you want to call it are extremely connected.

If you are like me and you love to move, to challenge your body, believe me, Yoga is not just for stretching is a continuous research of what else can you do, what else can you achieve.

Mind, body, and soul.

Yes, you might find challenges in some physical postures or it might be challenging for you to sit to meditate and practice breathing techniques (pranayama). It happens to all of us but with practice, everything that might seem hard at the beginning will become easier.

Cultivating patience and attention with yoga you will learn from your body and you will achieve yoga posture you never thought you could do. You will feel in peace with yourself and others.

I can keep telling you a lot of good things about yoga but you have to try it for yourself.

Click this link to be part of a supportive community of aerial acrobats and pole dancers who are taking their trainings seriously to be able to improve from the inside out

Here I am sharing a link to my Free Classes

Enjoy it,

Namaste

March 3, 2020

March 2020

Weekly classes at the resort in the East Side of Grand Cayman:

Wyndham Reef Resort, Grand Cayman Cayman Islands

MONDAY	WEDNESDAY	FRIDAY
8 am to 9am Hatha Yoga Flow	8 am to 9am Hatha Yoga Flow	8 am to 9am Aqua-Aerobics

Classes are 1 hr long

February 20, 2020

Yoga for Aerial Acrobats – How to get your spine more flexible?

Would you like to practice those pretty backbends in the silk and the aerial hoop? Or you are looking to increase your spine flexibility with a safe yoga practice at home?

Our spine is so delicate and so strong at the same time, is the one in charge of connecting our whole body, from our head, torso, arms, hands & fingers to our hips, legs, feet, and toes.

Some of us are born we the body more available to perform backends and torsions without a lot of effort and others need to work a little bit harder to get those pretty backbends.

Either or, it is true that if you don’t keep the good training and the practice going we will eventually feel stiffer and it will be harder to move.

As Kevin Kelly said “You are only as old as you spine is flexible”

The spine is a pivotal important part of our body. Without it, we could not keep ourselves upright or even stand up. It gives our body structure and support. It enables us to move about freely and to bend with flexibility. The spine is also designed to protect our spinal cord. The spinal cord is a column of nerves that connects our brain with the rest of the body, allowing control of our movement and bodily function. This is why keeping the spine flexible is vital for a healthy and active life and also important for an optimum nervous system function.

Today I am sharing 2 videos tutorials I uploaded in YouTube showing how to practice 2 basic but important yoga poses that will help you to build a solid foundation in your home practice and feel your spine more flexible and available in your daily activities

This is for you if you practice aerial circus acrobatics, pole dance and you want to get those pretty backbends but you don’t know where to start.

And this is also for you if you are following your yoga path and wish to understand better how to move in a safe way to increase your spine flexibility at home.

After your spine warm-up.
This is how we can practice cobra in a safe| proper way.
Take your time, be patient and always work in a progressive way.

Yoga Pose:

🐍 Cobra Pose or Bhujangasana

Benefits:
– Help us to keep our spine strong & flexible
– Help with our digestion
– Help us to reduce anxiety.
– Help us to balance our lower chakras.
– among other benefits…

Bring your yoga mat & 2 blocks.

We are going to practice:

🐪 Camel Pose or Ustrasana in Sanskrit

Benefits:
– It improves spinal flexibility.
– It helps to strengthen the back muscles.
– This pose creates space in the chest and lungs, increasing breathing capacity and helping to relieve respiratory ailments.
– Stimulates the kidneys, which improves digestion.

I truly hope this helps as guidance to start your home practice and increase your flexibility

Remember to consult your physiotherapist or personal instructor if your spine doesn’t feel good or you are suffering from any injuries.

Feel free to send me an email and ☝🏻Let me know how is your practice going. And join the private Facebook group:

“Yoga for every Acrobat” to connect with like-minded people who want to improve their aerial acrobatics performance by practicing specific yoga postures at home.

I share a video tutorial every week in the group, come to join us.

Don’t go without checking my free resource library, for more yoga tutorials to improve your flexibility.

Link Here 👈🏻

And let me know how you are your practice going

January 27, 2020

February 2020

Weekly Classes:

Wyndham Reef Resort, Grand Cayman Cayman Islands.

MONDAY	WEDNESDAY	FRIDAY
8am to 9am Hatha Yoga Flow	8am to 9am Hatha Yoga Flow	8am to 9am Hatha Yoga Flow

CLASSES ARE 1HR

Weekly Classes:

Quinntessential Movement Studio, Galleria Plaza. Grand Cayman Cayman Islands

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	SATURDAY
6pm Flexibility Class 7pm Aerial Hoop Intermediate 8pm Aerial Hoop Beginners	3:45pm Aerial Kids Initiation 4:45pm Aerial Kids & Gymnastics.	3:45pm Aerial Kids & Gymnastics. 4:45pm Aerial Youth 10+ 6pm Aerial Silks Begginers 7pm Aerial Silks Intermediate.	11:15am Aerial Hoop Mix Levels 12:15pm Aerial silks Mix Levels
		5th, 12th, 19nd 8pm “Intro to Aerials Course”

All the classes are 1hr long except kids’ classes and gymnastics are 45min.

Workshops:

Quinntessential Movement, Galleria Plaza. Grand Cayman Cayman Islands

Conditioning for Aerialists	Acroyoga on St. Valentine’s Day	Create your Choreography
Feb. 2nd, 10 am to 11:30am. $35 per person. Member discount available. Link	Feb. 14th, 6 to 7:30pm. $55 per person or $85 per couple. Member discount available. Link	Feb. 22nd 1:45pm to 3:15pm. $35 per person. Member discount available. Link

Special Classes:

Monthly Acroyoga Jam By donations to fundraise Cayman’s Act of Random Kindeness

February 9th 3 to 4:30pm
Public Beach’grass patch next to the kids playground.
Event link Click Here

The schedule is subject to change

For private classes and more info contact me at

💌 info@sannyasa.yoga

January 24, 2020

January 2020

Weekly Classes at

Whyndam Reef Resort, Grand Cayman Cayman Islands.

Monday	Wednesday	Friday
8am to 9am Hatha Yoga Flow	8am to 9am Hatha Yoga Flow	8am to 9am Hatha Yoga Flow

All classes are 1hr long

Weekly classes at:

Quinntessential Movement Studio, Galleria Plaza. Grand Cayman Cayman Islands

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	SATURDAY
6pm Flexibility Class 7pm Aerial Hoop Intermediate 8pm Aerial Hoop Beginners	3:45pm Aerial Kids Initiation 4:45pm Aerial Kids & Gymnastics.	3:45pm Aerial Kids & Gymnastics. 4:45pm Aerial Youth 10+ 6pm Aerial Silks Begginers 7pm Aerial Silks Intermediate.	11:15am Aerial Hoop Mix Levels 12:15pm Aerial silks Mix Levels
		08th, 15th, 22nd 8pm “Intro to Aerials Course”

All the classes are 1hr long except kids classes and gymnastics are 45min.

Monthly Acroyoga Jam By donations to fundraise Cayman’s Act of Random Kindeness

January 12th 3 to 4:30pm
Public Beach’grass patch next to the kids playground.
Event link Click Here

Schedule is subject to change

For private classes and more info contact me

info@sannyasa.yoga

July 10, 2019

How young someone can start with Aerial Circus Acrobatics?

A few years ago you will have to be born in a circus family or to be enrolled in a professional circus school to be able to learn any kind of aerial acrobatics.

Thanks to the popularity of this discipline, nowadays you can find recreational aerial classes in studios, fitness centers or gym

When I am talking about recreational classes I am referring to the classes where the ultimate goal is not to be a professional performer.
And when I am talking about aerial acrobatics I am referring about learning different type of movements and skills in aerial apparatus like aerial silk, aerial trapeze, aerial hoop or aerial rope.

Learning this kind of activities at a young age will help the young person to develop body awareness, self-confidence, and love for the sport.

For a better understanding I like to compare aerial acrobatics with gymnastics, they are quite similar in the organization of the class, teaching techniques, and learning procedures.

The strength, flexibility, and balance that the kid will gain from working on gymnastics skills will transfer easily to every other sport that he or she might want to pursue.

You can find gymnastics classes for children as young as 2 years of age, but many coaches and PE teachers will agree that it’s better to wait until your child is 5 or 6 before enrolling in a gymnastics program.

Spending time with parent-child “classes” at home that emphasizes climbing, crawling, and jumping is a gentle way for children 2 to 3 years of age to develop their physical coordination and self-confidence.

As the PE teacher I am, when I teach I follow Piaget’s cognitive stages of development, which it says that at the age of 6, the children’s thinking becomes less egocentric and they are increasingly aware of external events, they begin to realize that one’s own thoughts and feelings are unique and may not be shared by others or may not even be part of reality.

At this time, elementary-age and preadolescent children demonstrate logical, concrete reasoning, their language became more mature. That means they will be able to communicate in a better way with the teacher and with other students during the class.
They are transitioning from a preoperational stage (toddlerhood 18-24 months) to a concrete operational development stage at the early childhood (ages of 6-7 to 12). Their way of thinking is less symbolic and more concrete, being capable to understand concepts such as to cause and effect, time, and comparison. They can tell what is wrong, what is right and how can we correct this.
They are at the ideal stage, to begin with, classes like aerial circus acrobatics or gymnastics

Although teaching to the people of this age can be certainly a challenge, it can also be so rewarding when seeing their faces light up every time they a achieve with success something new.

The classes should have a safe and fun approach because practicing sports when you are a kid can lay the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy habits.

As a conclusion for the explanation above, I suggest the ages of 6-7 to start with classes like aerial circus acrobatics or gymnastics.

When participating to this classes they should:

Wear comfortable sport clothing.
No shoes needed.
Bring their own water bottle.
Have fun!

I recently started with a kids aaerial acrobatics summer program in Cayman Islands, where I am currently living. I have to be honest I haven’t taught to children in a long time so I had to take off the dust of my “old activities” book “, but I am absloutley loving in it.

It last 2 weeks in July and 2 weeks in August 2019

If you would like to know more about it I am sharing here link so you can take a look

Namaste and happy trainings!

Renée

May 29, 2019

How Yoga can help you to improve as an Acrobat.

If you’ve ever asked yourself

“How do other aerialists make this all look so effortless and graceful?”.

I get that question quite often

The answer is: CONDITIONING.

Efficient conditioning done consistently, with proper rest and recovery.

Did you know that yoga can help you to improve your conditioning practice?

Yes!, Yoga can help so many people in so many way.

And the best of all, you don’t need to be flexible to start practicing,

Let me tell you something, when I was in my earliest twenties I had a lot of energy and I only care about improving my physical condition without being aware on how important it is to work in your wellbeing integrating mind, body and soul in order to improve yourself in any discipline.

Maybe you are like me and you practice aerial circus acrobatics, maybe you are a professional or you just started taking classes. Maybe you are a gymnast, a pole dancer, a rock climber or you just enjoy to play around practicing acrobatics postures of yoga like headstand, crows and arm balances.

If so, let me ask you somehting;

How long have you been practicing and how much have you improve?

It is already proved that we won’t get different result by doing always the same thing.

Every time I am in my trainings dealing with a hard move during my climbing sessions or if I am trying an inverted posture in my aerial silks trainings; I try to take the time to discover a new awareness of the posture and focus my attention in the details.

How do I feel my feet? Am I using my strength in an efficient way?

To be able to brig your mind to be present in the moment is something I learned form my yoga practice and I can transfer that to any other areas of my life.

It helps me so much what I practice on the mat to prepare my body and my mind to be ready for my aerial trainings or when I go to rock climb for fun.

But you might be wondering how does that exactly happen?

Basically I practice de yoga postures where I am using the same muscles or similar movements I will do later in my trainings.

For ex:

1- If I am working in improving my straddle position for the aerial trainings; in yoga I will practice Upavistha Konasana

Another examples;

2- If I am working an aerial pose or trick witch demands lots of shoulder opening in yoga I will practice Reverse Prayer Pose, also known in Sanskrit as Viparita Namaskarasana and I make sure that I am present with intention the palms of my hands as well as my fingers.

In Sanskrit the name is Paschim Namaskara or Paschim Namaste.

Benefits:

💗It is a heart-opening posture that increases flexibility and strength in the arms, shoulders, chest, and wrists.

Level:

Beginner- Intermediate

Equipment:

You don’t need any equipment to practice but you can experiment trying to hold a yoga block or something in between your reverse prayer hands

3- If I want to work in the flexibility of my spine ; I will practice a yoga twist pose named, Marichyasana twist. (there are many variations of the pose)

Benefits:

It calms the mind and the body.
It stretches the shoulders and the upper back.
Massages the internal organs and improves digestion.

Level

Beginner/ Intermediate

Equipment

None, but you could use a yoga strap or a belt to hold between the hands if needed.

3- Urdhva Dhanurasana pose also known in English as the Bridge pose.

Benefits:

Expands chest, lungs, shoulders.
Stretches hip flexors, muscles of the abdomen, wrists.
Strengthens the gluteus, hamstrings, lower back muscles
Enlivens the heart chakra and throat chakra.
Increases energy.

Level:

Intermediate/ Advance

Equipmnets:

You don’t need any equipment to practice but you can experiment trying to push from a safe elevated surface like yoga blocks or the step of stairs, if you feel your shoulders are tight.

And the examples can go on; because I have been there I know how it feel when you can not tell what are you doing wrong and why you can make any progress an an specify posture or trick.

Bringing together my years of experiences as a practitioner, my university education and my observance in my students; I have create a conditioning workshop specific for people who practice aerial circus acrobatics, such us aerial hoop, aerial silk or aerial trapeze combining yoga tools and physical education trainings.

If it happen you are in Cayman Islands I am leaving here a flyer with the info and a link.

If you are no currently in Cayman Islands but you understand the importance of working your body with love and awareness being respectful of your possibilities and limitation, knowing these limitation will transform in achievements with the practice then add other kind of practice like yoga to improve your training.

I will suggest to practice:

Vinyasa yoga if you are looking to build endurance
Hatha Yoga to cultivate more awareness.
Restorative yoga to rest and recover your body.

Are you interested in having access to an online training where you can practice at home?

Let me know, send me an email to tell me what would you like to learn online to make your performance as an acrobat easier

Join the Facebook Group, Yoga for every Acrobat and take advantage of the weekly videos tutorials I posted with easy yoga postures to practice at home

Find the practice that suits you better.

“We are spiritual beings having a human experience “
-Pierre Tierhard-

Namaste.

Renée

April 13, 2019

First Aerial & Pole Dance Showcase in Cayman Islands!

I am so happy to be part of the 1st ever Aerial & Pode Dance Show case in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

The master mind behind all this is Quinn, the owner of “Quinntessential Movement”, where I am currently teaching.

Quintessential Movement started as a pole dance studio the very first in Cayman Islands adding later aerial acrobatics, fitness, conditioning, flexibility classes and yoga. Plus different workshops happening during the weekends.

The show is a result of teachers instructions and students passion of what they have learn in the classes; followed by the dedication in their practice adding their own style and creativity to the choreographies

How everything started for me here?

When I arrive in Grand Cayman in 2015, my partner and myself came with the idea of staying only 1 year, save some money and keep travelling around the globe.

Cayman Islands are known as paradise, with its beautiful beaches and glamorous vacation resorts which are quite popular for tourists.

I have been in the entertainment industry for a while now. I don’t consider myself an expert still many more to learn but my mom once told me the first time I danced on a stage I was 5 years old.

So I came here expecting to find job with an entertainment company and I found out there were no formal entertainments company by that time.

I pull out my master degree in physical education and all my experience around it, sent some cv to different places and after 2 weeks I got a job in a very prestige hotel along with my partner who got a job in the diving industry before me. Finding a place to rent was relatively easy and we got comfortable fast. At the end of 2 years of hard work I was able to buy as a self present for my birthday my first car ever.

Time passed by and we decide to stay a longer or better to say we decide to do not set a departure date and go with the flow.

On my 3rd year in the island I couldn’t do it anymore, I have to be honest with myself even I got promoted to supervisor of the watersports activities I was not happy working in the hotel; the job was good and the income was great but it was time and soul consuming. I was not fully dedicating my time to what I always did, sharing my passion for yoga and aerial circus acrobatics.

Looking for a way to go back to the activities I enjoy, I did some online research and found there was a place where pole dance was taught.

Wow! I was so happy that I sign up right away for the classes.

There is were I met Quinn who was the instructor and the wonderful group of people who was taking classes with her.

Quinn started a community in Grand Cayman who were ready for more, not just for the physical challenge, they wanted to learn how to fly.

So she open her own studio Quinntessential Movement.

Her encouragement, together with other people I know, in Cayman Islands who started their own bussines as well; inspire me to do the same. To keep following my dreams.

What do I have to lose if offer Quinn my classes at her studio?

Nothing, and the answer was Yes!

That was enough reason for me to decide to quit to my hotel job and invest time and money to start my own bussines in Cayman Islands.

And I absolutely not regret it.

I started with my mobil bussines named Sannyasa Yoga Acroyoga & Performance Ltd.

All about yoga, acroyoga & aerial acrobatics, offering classes and performances.

I encourage you to do the same, if you have a dream do anything it takes to make it happen.

Most likely it won’t be easy at the beginning. As an entrepreneur depending only on me, I still need to work hard to make it happen but it is absolutely rewarding to be able to generate income by doing what you are passionate about.

And I think all the love and the passion is reflected in the studio, in the classes and in the students like a family

That is why I am so proud to be part of the instructors of the studio and community where we all help each others to “shine”

Here is our flyer and some of the beautiful ladies I have the honour to teach