introduction
Written by Jason NemmerThe Tao of Acroyoga: Combining ancient wisdom and modern movement“
I have had the honor and pleasure of discovering and distilling the practice of AcroYoga since 2003. As AcroYoga celebrates its 20th birthday, we are proud to say that it has become a global movement with millions of practitioners on every continent. publishing your first book, Move, Connect, Play: The Art and Science of Acroyogawas a major accomplishment in my lifelong mission to grow the global AcroYoga community to 1 billion practitioners. With 2,000 certified teachers in more than 60 counties, we’re off to a great start. I see a world where people who don’t share a common language can find joy in lifting each other up. I choose to live in a world where we play games with each other because it fosters trust, humanity’s oldest currency.
Since I started writing my first book in 2019, I have steadily developed advanced yoga sequences, acrobatic flying transitions, and other philosophical gems from my research into ancient practices that I have not shared before. The Tao of Acroyoga I introduce these new practices, accompanied by philosophies drawn from my life experiences and research. Tao Te Ching This book expands your ability to balance, nourish, and grow yourself, your relationships, and your community. of Tao of Aero Yoga This is a training manual that provides countless paths to deeper experience of the present moment. Here, now, more opportunities for joy, connection, and heightened awareness await you.
The physicality of acroyoga is very evident. Acroyoga is a combination of acrobatics, therapy, and yoga that offers undeniable fitness benefits. Beyond the physical benefits, it also offers a wide range of life lessons, including elements such as desire, fear, trust, achievement, struggle, and teamwork. Through all my experience teaching and developing this practice, it is abundantly clear to me that its true value lies in deepening humanity through the undeniable power of connection with others. In doing so, we can confront each other’s gifts and challenges. The gems we can all unearth are inner balance and grounded self-awareness, a desire and skill to nurture others, and the ability to grow community through play.
This book is full of pearls of wisdom that anyone can read and enjoy, even without any prior experience or understanding of acroyoga. So, as a sequel, Move, connect, playI wrote a chis book to expand on the teachings and tools covered there. This book is no different in that it is progressive, practical, and inspirational. Having studied the art of movement and healing for decades, I’m so excited to share how these ancient practices have changed my life, and I hope they can benefit yours as you expand your knowledge and skills of acroyoga. Basic practices outlined in Move, connect, play Get ready to enjoy the intermediate and advanced exercises you’ve derailed here. Limitless expansion awaits as you absorb the principles and integrate your AcroYoga practices in unique ways with your partners and the global AcroYoga community.
This book is structured around three specific movement traditions that form the roots of acroyoga: acrobatics, therapy, and yoga. It also draws heavily on Taoist wisdom and the related movement practices of Qi Gong, and is infused with circus arc inspiration for extroverts and performers.
Section I, “Balance,” focuses primarily on practices that concern the self, such as hatha yoga, qigong, and gymnastics. Section II, “Nutrition,” focuses on practices that lead us to Ocher through the healing arc of therapeutic flying and Thai massage. Packed with therapeutic concepts and philosophies of traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Section III, “Growth,” further expands the lens to include cultivating community through the lineage of ancient circus arts. There are three levels of flying transitions, called acrobatic sequences. flight schooland progression to standing acrobatics, thrill seekers continue to progress toward their dream skills. The mystical practices presented in this book have given me countless tools to become a master of flow, make friends with people from all walks of life, and on average become a much healthier and happier person.
There are many self-help books that are full of information to learn, absorb, and apply in your life. This book supports you in that way, but these pages ask questions that lead you to unknow, unlearn, and empty yourself of old and outdated wisdom that no longer makes sense. Letting go of the need-to-know attachment is central to Taoist teachings. If the new ideas in this book don’t make sense to you at first, or you find yourself scratching your head from time to time, it’s perfect. That means it’s working. I encourage you to think less and feel more. Let go of who you used to be so you can become more present, grounded, empowered, and flexible. It all starts with a very short book written in China a long time ago.
Source: Spiritual Media Blog – www.spiritualmediablog.com
