By Abiel Maxi
Introduction: A New Dimension of Practice
Yoga in Singapore has evolved far beyond traditional mats and downward dogs. Today, practitioners have access to an exhilarating range of specialised styles that challenge both body and mind. Whether it’s defying gravity with aerial yoga, building trust through acroyoga, sweating it out in hot yoga, or finding profound calm in sound healing sessions, there are numerous yoga places in Singapore offering these unique experiences.
Each specialised form adds a fresh layer to the practice, catering to different personalities, fitness goals, and spiritual journeys. In this article, we explore what makes each style distinct, where to experience them, and how they are shaping the vibrant yoga scene across Singapore.
Why Specialised Yoga Is Gaining Popularity
Specialised yoga appeals to a wide spectrum of practitioners for several compelling reasons:
- Fresh Challenges: Breaking away from conventional routines keeps practice exciting and motivating.
- Targeted Benefits: Specific styles offer tailored physical, mental, or emotional outcomes.
- Community and Connection: Many specialised classes foster strong group bonds through partner work and shared experiences.
- Creative Expression: Practising non-traditional yoga styles enables practitioners to explore creativity and self-expression in motion.
For those seeking to expand their horizons, specialised yoga provides limitless opportunities.
Aerial Yoga: Defying Gravity Gracefully
What Is Aerial Yoga?
Aerial yoga uses a silk hammock suspended from the ceiling to support various postures, allowing practitioners to stretch, invert, and flow with added freedom. Originally rooted in traditional yoga, aerial yoga blends acrobatics, dance, and pilates elements.
Benefits of Aerial Yoga
- Spinal Decompression: Inverted poses relieve pressure on the spine, promoting better posture and reducing back pain.
- Increased Flexibility: The hammock provides support for deeper stretches without strain.
- Enhanced Core Strength: Maintaining stability in mid-air engages the deep core muscles more intensely than floor-based practices.
- Playfulness and Fun: The feeling of floating cultivates joy, helping to release mental tension.
Where to Try Aerial Yoga in Singapore
- Upside Motion: A boutique studio specialising in aerial yoga with beginner-friendly programmes.
- MotionWerkz: Offers aerial flow and aerial conditioning classes in a friendly, supportive environment.
Pro Tip: Wear fitted clothing to prevent fabric burns and ensure a comfortable aerial experience.
AcroYoga: Building Trust Through Movement
What Is AcroYoga?
AcroYoga combines traditional yoga, acrobatics, and Thai massage. It’s practised in pairs or groups, requiring clear communication, trust, and teamwork.
The three main roles are:
- Base: Supports the flyer from the ground.
- Flyer: Balances atop the base’s hands or feet.
- Spotter: Ensures safety and assists with transitions.
Benefits of AcroYoga
- Trust and Connection: Builds profound interpersonal trust and communication skills.
- Strength and Stability: Strengthens muscles through lifting, holding, and balancing movements.
- Fun and Playfulness: Invites a childlike sense of adventure and shared laughter.
- Mindfulness in Relationships: Heightens awareness of non-verbal cues and empathy.
Where to Practise AcroYoga in Singapore
- Jal Yoga: Offers AcroYoga workshops focusing on connection and safe progression.
- AcroYoga Singapore Community: Hosts regular jam sessions and open gatherings in public parks and studios.
Pro Tip: Start with beginners’ workshops to learn proper techniques and build foundational strength before attempting complex poses.
Hot Yoga: Transforming Through Heat
What Is Hot Yoga?
Hot yoga involves practising in a heated room (usually between 35°C and 40°C) to enhance flexibility, detoxification, and cardiovascular conditioning. While Bikram Yoga is the most famous sequence of 26 poses, hot yoga now encompasses various styles including Vinyasa, Hatha, and Power Yoga variations.
Benefits of Hot Yoga
- Increased Flexibility: Warm muscles are more pliable, allowing deeper stretches.
- Detoxification: Sweating profusely helps expel toxins from the body.
- Enhanced Cardiovascular Health: The heat raises heart rate, providing a light aerobic workout.
- Mental Grit: Coping with heat challenges mental endurance and focus.
Where to Experience Hot Yoga in Singapore
- Hom Yoga: Offers diverse hot yoga classes in stylish, eco-conscious studios.
- Platinum Yoga: Specialises in hot Hatha and hot Vinyasa flows for all levels.
Pro Tip: Stay extra hydrated before and after sessions to avoid dehydration, and listen to your body’s cues when practising in heat.
Sound Healing Yoga: Vibrations That Heal
What Is Sound Healing Yoga?
Sound healing yoga integrates yoga postures, breathwork, and the therapeutic use of sound vibrations from instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, and chimes. The frequencies promote deep relaxation and can facilitate emotional healing.
Some sessions focus primarily on meditation, while others combine gentle asanas and sound baths.
Benefits of Sound Healing Yoga
- Deep Relaxation: Sound vibrations stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting profound calmness.
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Balances brainwave activity, reducing anxiety and insomnia.
- Emotional Release: Facilitates the processing and release of stuck emotions.
- Enhanced Meditation: Sound waves help guide practitioners into deeper meditative states effortlessly.
Where to Find Sound Healing Yoga in Singapore
- The Singing Bowl Gallery: Offers sound bath yoga sessions that combine Yin yoga with sound therapy.
- Space 2B: A modern mindfulness and meditation studio conducting sound healing yoga journeys regularly.
Pro Tip: Go with an open mind and allow yourself to surrender fully to the experience, even if it feels unusual at first.
Studios Leading Specialised Yoga in Singapore
As interest grows, many yoga studios are expanding their offerings beyond conventional classes. Studios like Yoga Edition embrace innovation in their approach, curating programmes that integrate multiple specialised styles. Their focus on inclusivity ensures that both seasoned yogis and curious beginners can explore these unique pathways confidently and safely.
By fostering a culture of exploration, studios like Yoga Edition inspire practitioners to rediscover yoga as a living, evolving art form.
Tips for Exploring Specialised Yoga Styles
- Stay Open-Minded: Every style offers unique lessons, even if it initially feels unfamiliar.
- Choose the Right Level: Start with beginner classes or workshops to build fundamentals safely.
- Communicate with Instructors: Share any injuries or concerns before class begins.
- Respect Your Body’s Limits: Especially important in demanding styles like aerial or hot yoga.
- Enjoy the Journey: Specialised yoga is about exploration and self-discovery, not perfection.
Trying different styles will not only improve physical abilities but also enrich inner growth, resilience, and creativity.
