Acroyoga is a physical practice which combines yoga, acrobatics and Thai massage. In performance it often has characteristics of partner dance.

There are three primary roles in an Acroyoga practice: base, flyer, and spotter.

• Base - this is the individual who has the most points of contact with the ground. Often this person is lying on the ground with the entire back torso in full contact. This enables both the arms and legs to be "bone-stacked" for maximum stability and support of the Flyer. Main points of contact with the flyer are the feet (generally placed on the Flyer's hips, groin or lower abdomen) and the hands (which either form handholds or grasp the shoulders).
• Flyer - this is the individual who is elevated off the ground by the Base. The Flyer can move into a series of dynamic positions, and generally lets gravity do the work for them. A Flyer needs balance, confidence, and core strength.
• Spotter - this is the individual who has an objective view of the partners, and whose entire focus is on making sure that the Flyer lands safely in case of any slips. The spotter can also make recommendations to the Base and Flyer to improve their form.

Experience

The experience of acroyoga is a nice combination of 1:1 social connection, physical exercise, yoga-style stretching, and community. It involves a lot of curiosity, exploration, personal challenge and growth. The communities tend to be strong as trust and communication are essential core elements of the practice.

At higher levels of skill, Acroyoga is quite beautiful and has all the hallmarks of a dance style. You can find many examples of this on Youtube.