The AcroSmols
Hi, we're Lilla and Michael from Chicago and we love climbing on each other! Follow us for lessons, tutorials, and tips to get your acroyoga off the ground. We specialize in same-size partnerships and #ladybasing!! Anybody can base, anybody can fly! ... Feat. occasional videobombs by our two housecats 😼
The AcroSmols
Hi, we're Lilla and Michael from Chicago and we love climbing on each other! Follow us for lessons, tutorials, and tips to get your acroyoga off the ground. We specialize in same-size partnerships and #ladybasing!! Anybody can base, anybody can fly! ... Feat. occasional videobombs by our two housecats 😼
Series
Shoulderstand Progressions
Shoulderstands are a type of inversion in acro where the flyer is balanced upsidedown on their shoulders on the base's hands. Here is a series of progressions that walk you through the related skills!
Handstands on Body Parts
Handstands are challenging wherever you do them, but the most challenging kind of handstands arguably are the ones we do on other human beings because balancing on limbs is way more unstable than the floor, blocks or canes! Here we present a progressive series of handstands on various body parts, ranging from an easy assisted lift to more challenging variations. Don't be discouraged if you aren't nailing these because they definitely take some practice!
Throne Progressions
Throne pose (sometimes called straddle throne) is one of the fundamental building blocks of acro. We'll dive into this pose from top to bottom - from the basics of regular throne to monos, reverse throne, and some transitions!
Bird progressions
We will show you the ins and outs of bird pose, one of the foundational poses in acro yoga. This will include basics as well as some more challenging variations for stability and control!
Videos
Arm-to-Arm Handstand on Chest (Fwd and Rev)
Here is an inversion you can get into from bird or backfly: an arm-to-arm supported handstand balanced on the base's pecs. You can do this facing forward or reverse; reverse will require a bit of an arch from the flyer. 0:50 forward demonstration 1:29 reverse demonstration Please have a spot since we're going upside down!
Handstand on Ankles
Handstands on ankles are a great way to train your inversions since they are much more unstable than working on the floor, canes or blocks. Here we break down the exercise and give a few tips for what can make them easier - otherwise, practice practice practice! 0:44 Skill demonstration
Handstand on Knees
If you're nailing the handstand on ankles, try this more challenging variation on knees! It's harder because it's higher up but also the hand position is trickier and it's wobblier. Skill demonstration: 1:33
Assisted Shoulderstand (Hands on Ankles)
This is an assisted version of shoulderstand so a good next step if you're feeling comfortable with candlestick or are looking for a safe progression to regular shoulderstand. Skill Demonstration: 0:38 Please have a spot behind the flyer since we're going upside down!
Throne from Bird
Here's a slightly more advanced entry into throne: coming from bird. You may already have intuitively practiced this transition but in this tutorial we break down the precise steps that need to happen to make it work! Skill demonstration 1:37
Icarian Scoop Throne Mount
This easy little mount will make getting into Icarian Throne way smoother since it doesn't require any repositioning from regular throne! It's also a fast way to get into "chair" pose. Skill demonstration: 1:09
Thinker (Mono Throne)
Here is a more advanced version of throne - a one-sided or "mono" pose! This will challenge the flyer's core strength as well as the base's ability to keep their leg in the center line of the body. Skill demonstration 1:23
Eggbeaters (no hands leg-wrap throne mount)
"Eggbeaters" are a mount into throne or reverse throne that involve one wrapped leg on the flyer and no hands connection. They can seem intimidating at first but we break down this move for you in detail! Skill demonstration 1:04 Please use a spot if you have one since the balance on this one can be a bit squirrely at first!
Mermaid Pose from Throne
This is an easy and attractive pose you do coming from throne. If you have some back flexibility as a flyer you can really make this one look nice! Skill demonstration: 1:05
Swinging Gate (Throne Transition to Rev Throne)
Here we show you an easy transition from throne to reverse throne and vice versa. The footwork for the base is really crucial to getting this right so we break this down in detail! Skill demonstration: 1:39 Please have a spot following the flyer from behind!
Reverse Throne Entry From Ground
Here is the most basic entry into reverse throne, from the ground. We show with unwrapped legs but feel free to try with wrapped legs as well (see our tutorial on "Eggbeaters" in this same series.) Skill demonstration: 1:14 Please have a spot since this can be wobbly until you get used to it!
Partner Box Up Inversion Exercise
Partner box ups are a fun exercise to warm up your inversions! They're a great way to practice getting the feel for lifting or pressing into a handstand if you don't feel confident about doing this on your own, or are looking for ways to do it other than using the wall. The key flyer movement here (hinging at the waist, pressing through the arms) is essential to finding a good stack in just about any inversion! If you do go for the full handstand in the final pose, this is also a great way to work on your handstands, since balancing on ankles is harder than the floor or canes. Please use a spot if possible, especially if you plan on letting go of flyer ankles in the final pose! Skill demonstration 2:13
Basic Bird Pose
Bird pose is one of the foundational moves of acro yoga. You may have done this one as a kid ("airplane"), but let us break down this move for you in precise acro style! 0:35 - Skill demonstration
Basic Throne Pose
"Throne" (sometimes called "straddle throne") pose is one of the basic ABC moves of acroyoga. Here we break down the pose with a standing entry from the ground. Skill demonstration 0:55
Candlestick Pose (Beginner Inversion)
Candlestick is the most basic in a series of shoulderstand-type inversions in acro, so it's a great place to start if you're working on these progressions. It's also a great way to practice inversions, leg position, and handstand alignment for the flyer in a relatively controlled environment. It's a good way for the base to get used to feeling a flyer's weight entirely on their hands as well. Please use a spot if possible since we're going upside down! Skill demonstration 1:35
Bird pose - no hands!
Take your bird pose to the next level with a hands free entry and confidence in no-hands while flying! 0:48 - Skill demonstration
Ski Jumps (Prep for Bird Pose)
Ski jumps are a great prep for bird pose and/or a calibration and trust exercise when working with new partners! This move will teach you to "plank" with confidence, which is THE crucial skill for flyers going into bird pose (and many others). 1:15 - Skill demonstration
Takeaways in bird
So you're comfy in bird - now your next step is to get comfy moving around and repositioning. Let us show you how! 0:24 - Skill demonstration
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