The Goal: One Photo, Zero Injuries

I have always marvelled at the elegant poses of people suspended mid-air, supported by nothing more than a narrow strip of fabric and what appears to be an alarming amount of confidence. So when I finally agreed to try aerial yoga with our not-so-daredevil group of Educational Advisors (EAs), our goal was quite modest: get at least one good photo of ourselves in the air. Did we succeed? Read on…

From Storming to… Soaring

The current mix of wonderfully disparate souls that make up the Advisory team has, over time, morphed into a functioning unit. The many debates, disagreements, animated discussions, and frequent talking over one another were what experts would politely call the “storming” stage (a surprisingly accurate label). Thankfully, we seem to have progressed into norming and performing, and perform we certainly did during our aerial yoga session, as attested by the photos taken.

Trust the Process (and the Fabric)

Naturally, we all began with varying levels of anxiety. After all, aerial yoga involves hanging in the air with only a piece of cloth attached to a slim beam standing between you and gravity. From the start, we were told to trust ourselves and listen to our bodies. (Our bodies complied enthusiastically the next day, through loud protests of aches and pains… but let’s not digress.)

We were also assured that the equipment could be trusted. The beam did not bend, the fabric did not tear (at least not during our session), and everything appeared structurally sound. Fingers, and toes, were crossed.

When Instructions Are… Open to Interpretation

Kudos to the yoga instructor, who guided us through each movement slowly and patiently. That said, within the first five minutes, Vishnu had already interpreted “wrap yourself in the cloth” as “sit on it confidently,” while the rest of us attempted something entirely different. Clearly, instructions are open to interpretation.

Yet, as the session progressed, we began using the fabric to stretch tight muscles, release pent-up stress, and realise that we were not, in fact, going to fall to our doom. We started encouraging one another as the poses became more demanding, forming a surprisingly supportive (and occasionally tittering) aerial community.

EA Voices from Mid-Air

Zakiyyah summed up the experience perfectly. She admitted that she genuinely thought she wouldn’t survive most of the poses—and yet, she surprised herself. At one point, she even screamed. Not because she was falling, but because she urgently needed someone to take a photo of her in the most challenging pose. Mission accomplished: she now owns a pretty cool photo and, more importantly, proof that she conquered the impossible.

Camillia reflected that aerial yoga taught her that strength isn’t about being an expert, but about trusting her body and mental resilience. Patience mattered (especially during the tougher poses) along with deep breaths and truly listening inward. More importantly, she noted that trying something unfamiliar together, trusting the process despite our doubts, and embracing every moment strengthened our bond. Apparently, growth and teamwork happen fastest when you are suspended in the air and slightly out of your comfort zone.

Cindy added that the session was not only a physical workout that improved her flexibility, but also a cognitive one, pushing her to step out of her comfort zone and try something new. She was especially grateful for the fun, laughter, and encouragement shared throughout the session, which made the experience all the more memorable.

Rebecca described aerial yoga as a first-time, amazing, and slightly back-breaking experience. It helped her discover both her strengths and many forgotten muscles (which made themselves very known the next day). What truly made the session fun and exciting, however, was doing it alongside such a happy-going, motivating, and supportive group. Of course, the experience was rightfully followed by a sumptuous meal and dessert. Balance in life is important, after all.

Vishnu finally revealed what was really going on when he was spotted sitting on the cloth instead of wrapping it around himself. He had simply begun reliving his childhood and using the cloth as a swing. When the instructor later praised his form and posture, he felt both shy and quietly proud to be singled out. Clearly, the weekend yoga sessions at the temple are paying off. With improved flexibility and breathing techniques, he grew more confident in attempting the various poses – much to the rest of our awe (and mild envy).

Hani, our Advisory Team Manager, posed the most practical question of all: Is it a good idea to do aerial yoga while nursing sciatica? Her answer: totally. Stretching helps, so why not? But beyond the activity itself, she was most excited to reconnect with the team. After all, people who work hard together should play hard together too.

After informing the instructor about her condition, she was advised to go slow and listen to her body, which she did… while still attempting every move. Pain or no pain, still must try.

By the end of the session, Hani walked away with several clear takeaways: the importance of regular stretching, the reassurance that perseverance matters even when things are uncomfortable, and the reminder that it is never too late to try something new. Most importantly, she noted how proud she was of the team: each member pushing through awkward, uncomfortable (and gravity-defying) positions without giving up. Leadership, it turns out, can also happen while hanging upside down.

Yes, We Did It!

By this stage, the instructor was convinced Vishnu was a dancer, given how graceful and precise his movements were. The rest of us attempted the butterfly pose (I was told I resembled a bat instead) and even tackled the most challenging one: bending backwards to grab our legs while suspended in mid-air. Yes, we did it!

The sense of achievement was real, and some of us were already keen to return for a more advanced class. Our feet, however, only truly returned to the ground the next day, when our aching bodies unanimously voted for rest.

The Takeaway: Build the Foundation, Then Fly

Beyond the laughter and the muscle soreness, the biggest takeaway for me is this: when we set our minds to something and build a strong foundation, we can take on challenges that once seemed impossible. With trust, both in ourselves and in the support around us, we can move forward step by step and sometimes surprise ourselves with what we are capable of.

From swings to dancers, bats to butterflies, sore muscles to sweet desserts – this was teamwork taken to new heights. Proof that growth, trust, and laughter happen best when you’re suspended, smiling, and supported.