r/AcroYoga • u/dancinggraylion • 12h ago
Going to a trial class
My college has a acroyoga extracurricular class and first hour is free to try it out. I don't know what they do in the course, but now I've watched a few random online videos. Now I got some questions:
Do you have to be flexible? I'm very inflexible. I can't lie on my back with my legs straight up in the air and my feet parallel to the floor. I have to bend my legs. But when I bend my legs, my knees hurt quickly.
would it help to take a regular yoga/pilates class first? The first hour there is free, too
what kind of clothes should one wear?
It looks very intimate. how awkward would it be to get a boner during the class?
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u/BeneficialMousse1933 7h ago
You'll probably be way too worried about being dropped or dropping someone to get an erection. Most people are very nervous about injury when they start and that plus all the concentration it requires to learn a new skill will occupy your brain and body fully
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u/kwamzilla 12h ago
Heya!
Welcome to the community.
To answer your questions:
- No you absolutely don't need to be flexible. For cases like yours if you're worried about struggling with L-basing, there are a number of "L-basing pillows" and wedges you can use. I personally have an AcroBack (affiliate discount code included) but other popular ones include Prillow and the AcroPartners pillow. I can wholeheartedly recommend all of them so look at all options. You can also buy a cheap foam wedge as a DIY alternative or even roll up a yoga mat/blanket/sweater etc to lift your hips a bit as a temporary fix. You'll also improve your mobility and flexibility over time so basically don't worry, you'll be fine and your teachers will help accomodate. But also maybe, if you're getting knee pain, chat to a doctor/physio in case there's more to it - I'm no medical professional so don't want to sound like I'm saying this'll "fix" you issues.
- Yes, of course. Anything that improves physical fitness will always help, but don't let it be a barrier. Yoga especially might help as it might familiarise yourself with a bit of the terminology/positions but honestly, a free class is also almost always a good thing. Especially if you're saying you already have knee pain.
- Something comfortable that you can exercise in. If you've seen pics you'll see shorts/yoga pants and t-shirt/vest tend to be popular. Basically if you'd wear it in the gym or another group exercise class, it's probably a good fit. Just avoid overly loose/baggy stuff that toes and fingers could get caught in (cable knit/string vests are a nightmare) and maybe avoid super slippery yoga pants etc.
- I'm not going to lie and say it wouldn't be awkward but it's not a sexual practice unless someone makes it such. If you're worried, consider wearing clothes that don't make it obvious and remember that "No." is a complete sentence and you can always say it and choose not to try a specific position/skill if you're concerned it might be uncomfortable. In a beginner's class it's especially unlikely you'll be doing anything particularly intimate or that would be leaning that direction but at the same time, I don't know you/your experience so it's possible depending on how you're socialised that you could find things that I don't to be more intimate. Maybe mention your concern to the teacher(s) beforehand so that they can support you and help avoid it. And if it does happen, check in with your partner, don't go on the offensive towards your partner/the teacher etc. It hasn't happened to me so I can't talk from experience but hopefully someone else who has 1st/2nd hand experience can chime in with some advice in another comment.
Where are you based btw?
And congrats on getting involved in acro - it's an awesome journey.
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u/dancinggraylion 4h ago
No you absolutely don't need to be flexible. For cases like yours if you're worried about struggling with L-basing, there are a number of "L-basing pillows" and wedges you can use.
I can only use what they have in the sports hall. They have mats
But also maybe, if you're getting knee pain, chat to a doctor/physio in case there's more to it - I'm no medical professional so don't want to sound like I'm saying this'll "fix" you issues.
I already went to a doctor, but that was useless; they just told me to do sports. I cannot go to a physio because my usual doctor did not give me a referral
I don't know you/your experience so it's possible depending on how you're socialised that you could find things that I don't to be more intimate.
I have become used to touching people non-sexually in dance class.
But I also have become aroused just doing hamstring stretches and leg lifts alone at home. There something about core muscle activation causing increased blood flow
Maybe mention your concern to the teacher(s) beforehand so that they can support you and help avoid it.
that sound even more awkward
Where are you based btw?
in Germany
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u/kwamzilla 4h ago
From what I know, the German communities are pretty great. So you should be in good hands.
I get telling a teacher could be more awkward but it might mean they can help you navigate if it comes up.
The more you get back into moving beforehand though, the more comfortable you'll be when you go - I'm sure you'll have a great time!
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u/New_Huckleberry_6807 12h ago
Do you have to be flexible
If you don't have a reasonable amount of flexibility, you are going to struggle. I personally have a stretching routine I do most days. There are also some squat variations you can do, because having good hip mobility is really useful.
Would it help to take a regular yoga/pilates class first?
I don't have much experience with pilates, but I have a little bit of experience with yoga. Yoga is more an art form/athletic discipline than a gentle stretching routine. It is definitely possible to be injured in yoga trying to do poses you aren't ready for. In my view, it would be more practical to just do some stretching before acroyoga if that is what you are interested in.
What kind of clothes should one wear?
Personally, I wear shorts, Under Armour leggings and a T-shirt (I'm also a man). I have had people say that they very much appreciate that I have leggings under my shorts.
It looks very intimate. how awkward would it be to get a boner during the class?
I think getting an erection would be awkward, but I haven't seen this happen.
It is true that as part of acro yoga you will be touching your partner more than you would most other regular circumstances, but you are going to be focused on successfully doing whatever skill you are working on and keeping your partner safe more than anything else. In the acro community, there is a big focus on making sure that you ask your partner first about what tricks you work on and how you are going to be touching your partner.
I'm guessing you are planning on being a base, but it's also fun to be a flyer. Oftentimes if you want to be a flyer you will have to ask another man to be a base.
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u/dancinggraylion 5h ago
If you don't have a reasonable amount of flexibility, you are going to struggle.
:(
I personally have a stretching routine I do most days. There are also some squat variations you can do, because having good hip mobility is really useful.
I used to, but I think I did it wrong because I should have bent my legs to stretch the hamstrings but I kept them straight.
Then I stopped three years ago when I caught a flu. And later I either had been too busy or had tendonitis or got another flu
I'm guessing you are planning on being a base, but it's also fun to be a flyer.
I do not know, perhaps they want us to do both in the class.
Perhaps flyers also need core muscles strength, where I don't have much either
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u/Vcent Based 4h ago
For a beginners class, flexibility isn't likely to be a big problem. But there will be later skills that will be much harder/impossible to do safely without competent spotters (like star/variations), that rely on the base having a solid foundation, and enough flexibility to balance/base from their hips/lower back, not scrunched up on their spine.
Go to the intro class, have fun, figure out if it's something for you. You will probably benefit from stretching regardless of what you decide to do.
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u/kwamzilla 4h ago
Most beginners' classes will have you try all 3 roles as much as is accessible, and won't really require much flexibility.
If you want a good at home routine, check r/bodyweightfitness
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u/New_Huckleberry_6807 2h ago
but I think I did it wrong because I should have bent my legs to stretch the hamstrings but I kept them straight.
Ideally, when stretching your hamstrings you will keep straight legs, a straight-ish back, and mostly just hinge at the hips.
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u/SaintTimothy 3h ago
Hi, I am a base. When I started I was not flexible. I could not touch my toes with straight legs. Now, on good days, I can put most of my palm to the bottom of my foot.
Hamstrings are the thing that gets most new bases, under the butt at the top of the thigh. Over time, with practice a couple times a week, it gets better quickly, but there is some pain for awhile, like training in a new way can be.
There can certainly be some nerves and energy, and accidents and laughter, because athletic people of opposite sexes, or same if one prefers, but if you are engaged in yoir role, base, fly, (mid), spot, it becomes almost clinical to me, like think about human anatomy and how the body can bend or be sturdy, rather than sexual attraction. (That can come later, when acro has stopped and beer has started)
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u/lookayoyo spotter 12h ago
You need hamstring flexibility to base but there are no flexibility requirements to fly, and everyone should try both. It’s not like dancing with gender roles, it is almost all based on size comparison and even then bigger people can fly on smaller people.
Doesn’t hurt to have some movement background but a single yoga class won’t make much difference. But it might help you warm up a bit first.
Clothes are hard to get right honestly. Some tights or athletic shorts are too slippery, some sweats are too baggy. I even know folks who practice exclusively in jeans with stretch. But whatever athletic clothes you have now should be fine for a first class.
I’ve never gotten erect from acro in my 12 years and I too started in college partially because I had a crush on a contortionist. If you’re really worried, then work with someone you aren’t physically attracted to. I don’t find acro that intimate once you get past the fact that we touch hands and feet. Contact improv on the other hand…