Aerial yoga for kids: what ages 8 to 13 get out of it

Aerial yoga gives kids ages 8 to 13 a playful way to build strength, coordination, balance and focus. Swinging, hanging and stretching in a soft fabric hammock feels like play, but it asks real effort from their muscles and attention. Many children also leave with a noticeable boost in confidence.

If your child climbs everything in sight, or if they are the opposite and need a gentle nudge to get moving, aerial yoga can suit both. Here is what parents usually want to know.

What is kids aerial yoga?

Kids aerial yoga uses soft fabric hammocks hung from secure overhead rigging. Children use the hammock to support, swing, stretch, balance and, when they choose, go upside down.

At Yayso Yoga, the class is called Kids Aerial Hammock Fusion and is designed for ages 8 to 13. It brings yoga poses and movement into the hammock in a way that suits younger bodies and attention spans.

What do kids get out of aerial yoga?

Every child is different, but these are the benefits parents and teachers most often point to, in plain terms.

• Strength. Holding the fabric, lifting their own body weight and staying steady works hands, arms, shoulders, core and legs.
• Coordination and balance. Moving in a hammock that shifts and sways teaches kids to control their bodies and react smoothly.
• Flexibility. Supported stretches let kids ease into positions gradually without forcing them.
• Focus. It is hard to think about anything else while you are balancing in fabric. Kids learn to listen to instructions and pay attention to their bodies.
• Confidence. Trying something that looked scary at the start of class, and doing it, is a real win for a child.
• Fun. Most kids simply love it. That makes them want to come back, which is where the other benefits really build up.

Is aerial yoga safe for kids?

With proper supervision, secure equipment and sensible progression, aerial yoga is commonly taught to children.

Yayso Yoga’s lower level has secure rigging for its aerial hammocks. Owner David Gallaher, who teaches nearly every class himself, has taught body mechanics and dynamic stretching to youth and adults for over 25 years. That experience with how young bodies move shapes how kids are guided through each pose.

Every inversion is optional. Children who are nervous can stay upright and watch until they feel ready, and nobody is pushed into anything.

A few health questions are worth running past your pediatrician first, especially if your child has a heart condition, an eye condition, a recent injury or surgery, a concussion, or problems with dizziness or balance. For more on inversions and who should be cautious, see Is aerial yoga safe for beginners?

What should parents know before the first class?

A little preparation makes the first class go smoothly.

• Arrive a few minutes early so your child can settle in and meet the instructor.
• Tell the instructor about injuries or anything else they should know, such as a tendency to get dizzy.
• Dress them in fitted clothes that cover the underarms and backs of the knees. Leggings and a T-shirt work well.
• Skip jewelry and lotion, and tie long hair back.
• Avoid a big meal right before class, since swinging on a full stomach can feel uncomfortable.
• Bring a water bottle.

For more detail on clothing, see What to wear (and not wear) to aerial yoga.

Is there a class for homeschool families?

Yes. Yayso Yoga offers Homeschool Kids Aerial Hammock Fusion, a class for ages 9 to 14.

For many homeschool families, it can serve as a structured physical education option. It gives kids regular, guided movement and a chance to learn alongside other children their age.

How much does kids aerial yoga cost?

Kids Aerial Hammock Fusion is $25 per drop-in class. If your child wants to keep coming, you can buy 10 classes for $149, or choose 10-class autopay for $99.

Schedules change from time to time, so check the current schedule for days and times.

Sign your child up at Yayso Yoga

Yayso Yoga is at 17433 Alico Center Rd, Unit 3, in South Fort Myers, just off Alico Road. If your child is between 8 and 13, Kids Aerial Hammock Fusion is the place to start. Homeschool families can look at the daytime Homeschool Kids Aerial Hammock Fusion class for ages 9 to 14. Questions? Call or text 239.560.4267.