Studio Etiquette
Arrive on Time! Please be on time or 5 minutes early. Walking in late is a distraction to other students as well as the instructor.
Stay on the instructed Level! Please sign up for classes of your capability. There are 3 levels to the hammock classes, be mindful of prerequisites. If the class seems to be too easy for you, please follow the instructor at his or her pace. Do not choose to do exercises that are not performed because other students may see this and try a move they have not been taught, which is DANGEROUS, DISRUPTIVE, and DISRESPECTFUL to the instructor. If you are not certified, you do not have the knowledge to teach safely.
No Perfumes or Oils! Please come in CLEAN and scent free. Many people are allergic to scents and perfumes. Odors can linger in the hammocks and also be distracting when finding your Zen.
All devices OFF! Please be sure to turn all devices off. The studio is a place of peace, serenity and personal growth not only for you but for others around you.
NO recording during class. We reserve the right to dismiss you if we find you recording during class.
Cancellation Policy
When you book a class, please keep in mind that you have up to 6 hours prior to the start time of that class to cancel without penalty. If you do not cancel 6 hours prior to class or sooner, you will either lose your pass or be charged a $10 cancellation fee per class, or your account may be in default (unless you call or contact us). Thank you in advance!
Jewelry Policy
Please be sure to remove ALL jewelry for a hammock class. This is for your safety. If the hammock gets torn, it can be very dangerous. Notify the instructor of any jewelry that cannot be removed so we can safely cover it.
Q. What is the minimum age to attend a class?
A. The minimum age is 10 years old.
Q: Can anyone do this? How hard it is?
A: Provided one does not have any of the contraindications listed below and barring any physical abnormalities, anyone who has an open mind can do AntiGravity® Techniques regardless of age. We often find that the mind is more of a hinderance on ability than physical limitations. As psychoanalyst Carl Jung said, “Suspend your disbelief.”
If any of the below applies to you, please speak to your doctor before attending a class and always Monitor Your Resistance while in the Hammock.
-Pregnancy
-Glaucoma
-Recent Surgery (esp. shoulder, eyes, back, hips, hands or wrist)
-Heart disease or very high or low blood pressure
-Easy onset vertigo
-Osteoporosis / bone weakness
-Recent head injury
-Cerebral sclerosis
-Propensity for fainting
-Carpal tunnel syndrome
-Severe arthritis
-Sinusitis or head cold
-Hiatal hernia
-Disc herniation or acute discogenic disease
-Recent stroke
-Artificial hips
-Radiculitis (inflammation of nerve root in spine)
-Severe muscle spasms
-Botox injections (within 6 hours)
Q: Will I be successful in my first class?
A: Yes! Everyone leaves the class a success! Since this is a suspension class with deep philosophy, there is no competition nor ego encouraged. Everyone works at their own pace.
Q: Do I need to be a yoga practitioner or physically fit?
A: No. But you will need an open mind. AntiGravity® Fitness is more accessible than traditional mat-based yoga because the AntiGravity® Hammock supports you in your poses.
Q: Which AntiGravity® class is best for me?
A: This depends on your fitness level. We recommend that everyone start with an AntiGravity® Fundamentals class or private course which sets the foundation for all of our programs. In any case, remember that you are always encouraged to work at a level that feels natural to you.
BEFORE CLASS
Q: What do I wear / bring?
A: Wear workout clothing that covers the armpits (sleeve) and legs. Cotton or cotton blend fabric works best because it’s non-slippery. Make sure tops are not too loose. Keep in mind you’ll be upside down a lot. Yoga pants or sweats are best but make sure they are somewhat tight around the leg. No socks, unless they are sticky. You can use sticky gloves if you have a weak grip. NO JEWELRY as it may tear the silk.
-Workout wear that covers the armpits and legs.
-Cotton or cotton blend fabric is best (non-slippery).
-Tops: A little tighter is better.
-Bottoms: If wearing tights, make certain they are opaque (non-see through). If wearing sweats, tight around cuff of legs is best.
-Undergarments: Sports bra for females, fitted bottoms for men. Remember, you will be upside down.
-No socks unless they are grippy.
-You may need sticky gloves if you have a weak grip.
-PLEASE NO JEWELRY.
Q: Should I come on an empty stomach?
A: We recommend having something in the stomach to stave off dizziness, however, we do not recommend a big meal.
DURING CLASS
Q: Will I get dizzy?
A: If one has a strong propensity for dizziness or a hips over head, spatial awareness style dyslexia this could be a challenge. Ginger candy before class can help. Throughout class, the Instructor will continue to remind clients to listen to their bodies and give permission to back off or take a break, especially if there is discomfort.
Q: Will the Hammock will hold me?
A: Every portion of the Harrison AntiGravity® Hammock is rated for well over 2,000 lbs. (9 Kn)(908kgs). The points in the ceiling in an AntiGravity® Fitness licensed studio have been placed by a professional contractor and certified by an engineer and are rated to hold at least 1,000 lbs (4.5kn)(454kgs) per set up).
Q: What if I am afraid?
A: The difference between fear and excitement in the body is relaxation. In AntiGravity® Fitness we bring ourselves to presence before we begin class. During an inversion you are only 3-6 inches off the ground and during 75% of the moves you are distributing your weight between the hammock and the floor. Remember what FDR said, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself” and Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do something every day that truly scares you”. In truth, over 50,000 people practice AntiGravity® techniques safely every day. You can do it too!
We work very closely with you to monitor your movements and help you. You will never be forced to perform a move. We demonstrate every move before the class members perform them. During an inversion you’re only about 3 inches off the ground. Over 6000+ people practice this form of Yoga daily and safely! Most people are afraid in the beginning and then after a class they can’t believe they were so afraid! Don’t let fear stop you!
AFTER CLASS
Q: How will I feel after?
A: Our promise to you is that after class you will be stretched to your maximum height, varying between ¼” to 1½” taller, unfortunately, the effects are not cumulative. However, you will feel lighter, refreshed, and your muscles will feel worked out. Often times clients will compare their after class feeling to the post effects of a really great massage.
Q: Can AntiGravity® Fitness techniques heal my back pain?
A: Our licensed centers, instructors and practitioners around the globe all have amazing testimonials of healing through our zero-compression inversions. We are currently having studies commissioned in order to gather concrete evidence, until then you will only know by coming to class.
Q: Can I teach AntiGravity® Fitness?
A: Yes! We have ongoing Teaching Trainings.
Q: Is this the same apparatus that Pink flew on in the Grammy Awards?
A: Yes! The Harrison AntiGravity® Hammock (invented by Christopher Harrison) is often used in performance as well as in fitness. In performance we often use it off of one point rather than two. Original Founding Member and AntiGravity® Associate Choreographer Dreya Weber created the set for Pink on the apparatus and combined it with the AntiGravity® Carousel originally used for AntiGravity®’s performance at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.