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Aerial Yoga, Body Image and Mental Health

Aerial Yoga, Body Image and Mental Health

Published May 3rd, 2023 By Jo Stewart

Ella was such a special part of our studio community!

Everyone who practiced with her experienced the enthusiasm, laughter and heart she bought to every class. It was always a fun time when Ella was in the room and an honour to share yoga with someone who so fully appreciated exploring and living this practice.

Now that she has left Melbourne to continue her global adventures I wanted to share her story here on our blog.

About Ella

"I'm Ella. I'm a 32 years old traveler.

I've been living in Melbourne since 2019, working in hospo and living my best life (at least trying).

I always was a plus size women and struggled with my body for most of my life. 

I’m working on accepting and loving myself and my body."

Yoga and Mental Health

"When I was younger I suffered from a bad depression and for the most part I got over it, but I still had some episodes of depression.

Since i started practicing yoga it’s just stopped!

No more bad depression days/weeks. I’m more balanced now. I think yoga is a whole world and it comes with so many good and positive things.

When you can see what you/your body can do it does make a difference.

Yoga helped me  get connected with my body and after years of trying to not be in my body I finally was comfortable with it ."

Why is Aerial Yoga Special?

"Other then that it’s such a good feeling, the way you move, and the things you can do and just activate your body in a non stressful way. 

When in the hammock it feels like a safe place, its super relaxing and with the support of the hammock everything just is just easier!

Since I started practicing i feel mental change (I'm soo much more positive, my mood swings are more moderate and I got different sense of meaning)

Physically I feel stronger and more flexible.

After every class my mood is 'always on his pick' (like a boost of energy).

And on top of all of these things aerial yoga is super fun!"

Mental Health Support Resources

Yoga and movement can be a helpful tools for mental health, but if you need more individualised care or crisis support we urge you to reach out early and often!

Thank you to Christ Cheers Psychology for compiling and sharing these helpful resources:

Finding a therapist or psychologist:
Find a Psychologist - https://psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist
Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com/au

Finding a psychologist or therapist is not the only way to do therapy. A range of online programs are now available that offer free, effective and evidence-based programs for stress, anxiety and depression. Head to Health is great place to start searching.

Some programs I’d suggest checking out include:

MindSpot https://mindspot.org.au/

This Way Up https://thiswayup.org.au/

MyCompass https://www.mycompass.org.au/

MoodMission https://moodmission.com/

MoodGYM https://moodgym.com.au/

When you need to talk to someone right now.
Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or 13 11 14 (24/7)
Trained counsellors offering crisis support and suicide prevention.
Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Health Support: https://coronavirus.beyondblue or 1800 512 348 (24/7)
Trained counsellors available and online resources.
Rainbow Door/Switchboard Victoria: https://www.switchboard.org.au/rain or 1800 729 367. QLife: https://www.switchboard.org.au/qlife 1800 184 527
provide peer-driven support services, counselling and referral for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, their families, allies and communities.
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline (1800 959 500)
a free, confidential phone counselling service, available 24/7 to anyone anywhere in Australia who works in music, the performing arts or other creative industries.

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9:30a.m. - 10:30a.m.

Aerial Yoga - All Levels

with Rane Bowen

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Nurturing Yoga and Pilates - Online

with Jo Stewart

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