Maybe the answer to happiness is hanging upside down every now and then!

For the last week, I have been in Ubud, Bali, training in Aerial and Acro Yoga.

When I booked this course, I genuinely questioned my sanity. I wasn’t sure what was going to come from it. But I do have some forward vision of what I’d like to happen at the mill, aerial yoga may just feature in the not too distant future.

I came to Ubud from Canggu, after completing a really deep dive at a women’s healing surf and yoga retreat. I had absolutely no expectation of what this training would be like. I know that in more traditional yoga circles, people would question whether aerial yoga has any real roots in the past. Some would probably say it’s gimmicky.

What I experienced was something very different.

AAYAA Yoga school

The school itself is tucked away in the rice fields in Ubud, a traditional building. A simple shala is where they take yoga teacher training and aerial yoga, I joined an existing course of teachers to do one week of training. I had a lovely double bed and a room to myself, with air conditioning although being a typical British girl I get so cold.I have to turn it off and then get too hot, yep I am that person.

The Teacher and the Space

My teacher was an incredibly inspirational man from Borneo a Jungian psychologist, healer, and therapist. His philosophy lessons and teachings were informative, intelligent, and deeply emotional. He had plenty of people crying, including the one guy in our group. And honestly, that was really beautiful to witness a man feeling safe enough to open up in a room full of women. All of our group was so lovely a real yogi vibe. Many of them in a what’s next phase of their lives. I will be excited to follow their journeys as life progresses as it always does.

So, What is Aerial Yoga?

The biggest benefit I found is that it opens you up in ways you’ve never been opened up before.

I have never experienced such strong backbends in my life but in a way that actually feels good. If you’ve ever worked towards wheel pose, you’ll understand this. Wheel pose is my absolute nemesis. I’ve always struggled with it. I was a super bendy kid, but I’ve never really regained that as an adult.

I’ve practised and practised. I try to work with non-attachment and let it go and sometimes I do. But I still find it very hard to achieve a full wheel without bent elbows, and lifting one leg off the floor? Absolutely not at this present time. Never say never.

What the aerial yoga sling does is support you in a way that allows your body to open safely. My spine has never felt so good. And traditionally, aerial yoga was actually developed to support lower back pain so for all of us getting older and creakier, this could be the way forward.

“I Could Never Do That”

If you’ve seen any of my Instagram posts, you might be thinking, my goodness, I could never do that. And honestly, when I walked into the room and realised I was the oldest one there, I questioned my reality too.

But once you learn the technique, the safety, and how to properly support yourself, it becomes surprisingly accessible. Like yoga, there are different levels. There’s even yin aerial yoga, which I found absolutely heavenly. Slow, supported, gentle.

As much as I still enjoy physical training, I’m really all about trying to slow it all down these days it really is about the inward journey now. I still continue to find the slow down off the mat a tricky one to navigate. I’m working on it. It’s not easy. Yoga in all its forms is the one space my mind stops whirring you are definitely not over thinking whilst suspended from a piece of material let me tell you.

The Science of Doing Something New

There’s also science behind why learning something new can feel so uncomfortable, especially if we’ve been through challenging or traumatic periods in our lives.

Trauma wires the brain for safety and predictability. Certain neural pathways become dominant because they once helped us survive. When we try something new, the brain resists not because it’s bad, but because it’s unfamiliar and energy expensive.

Every time we repeat a new movement, a new thought, or a new experience, we create new synapses and strengthen new neural pathways. This is neuroplasticity in action. Slowly, the nervous system learns that it’s safe to soften, to trust, and to expand again.

That discomfort on day one? That’s literally your brain rewiring itself.

Hanging Like a Parachute in a Tree

On the first day, I struggled so much. I laughed a lot because it was ridiculous at points. I looked like something out of a Carry On film, or one of those war movies where the parachute gets stuck in a tree and the person is just dangling there for years.

That was me.

I couldn’t get in. I couldn’t get out. My feet were squished together. It wasn’t the most enjoyable experience, and I genuinely questioned whether I’d make it through the week.

But like everything, it softened.

I softened.

I trusted the process and I ended up really enjoying myself. There is a lot of surrender needed.

More Than Just Movement

I finish on sunday and we are visiting a Balinese temple for a water purification ceremony.

In between the fun (and the fear) of aerial yoga, the training has been stitched together with the most beautiful philosophy psychology around how we show up in the world, our patterns, our behaviours, and all the things we need to look at and undo if we want a truly contented life.

It’s been surprising, creative and joyful. With great energy bought by the smiley teacher and group.

During the week we had some really honest, meaningful conversations with wonderful people from all over the world Poland, the Philippines, the UK, the Netherlands. The food has been excellent. The teaching has been first class. And most importantly, I’ve felt very safe.

Bringing It Home

Pending finding a good builder back in Norfolk, I’m excited to see if there’s a way to bring this back to the mill in my spirit of not rushing about this year it will come when it comes (I will get shouted at by Gabi otherwise for too many crazy ideas and getting over excited as usual) I’d love to make this happen though.

Anyway I will keep you all posted !

Thank you so much for reading. I hope everyone’s new year is going well so far. I’ll be back on the mat at the start of February, I really look forward to reconnecting with you all and seeing how life is unfolding for you so far in 2026.

with all the yogi love I can muster

Clare x