What is AcroYoga Solar?
AcroYoga Solar is the acrobatic, energetically dynamic branch of AcroYoga—a partner-based physical practice that fuses yoga, acrobatics, and healing arts. In the Solar form, both partners are equally active and perform powerful acrobatic movements combined with yoga, focusing on physical activity, movement, and fun rather than therapy. Solar, like the sun, is an acroyoga practice that’s very energetic and circus like. Practitioners work in roles of base, flyer, and spotter to execute L-base poses, standing acrobatics, inversions, hand-to-hand balances, and flowing transitions. Unlike its counterpart AcroYoga Lunar—which emphasizes Thai massage, therapeutic flying, and relaxation—Solar AcroYoga cultivates power, coordination, playfulness, and trust through athletic partner work.
Origins & Lineage
AcroYoga International Co-Founders Jason Nemer and Jenny Sauer-Klein began codifying the practice of AcroYoga in 2003, with Jenny’s background in Circus Yoga and Contact Yoga combined with Jason’s expertise as a world-champion in Sports Acrobatics. They wrote the first AcroYoga training manuals in 2004 and certified the first group of AcroYoga Teachers in 2006. While Jessie Goldberg and Eugene Poku founded AcroYoga Montreal the same year (informally using the term since 1999), Nemer and Sauer-Klein’s AcroYoga International became the primary codifying body for the practice globally.
The Solar/Lunar distinction emerged organically from the practice’s dual nature. AcroYoga includes Solar and Lunar yoga asana sequences, inversions and spotting, acrobatic and therapeutic flying, Thai massage and more. The Solar aspect draws from Jason Nemer’s competitive sports acrobatics background—by age 16 he had won silver and bronze medals at the World Championships of Sports Acrobatics, and at 21 he performed at the Olympic Games. This acrobatic rigor, combined with yogic principles of breath, alignment, and mindfulness, distinguishes AcroYoga Solar from circus acrobatics or gymnastics.
Historical precedents exist: footage from 1938 shows T. Krishnamacharya (the father of modern yoga) assisting students in partner-supported backbends resembling contemporary AcroYoga poses. However, the formalized Solar practice—with its specific vocabulary, progressions, and teacher training curriculum—dates to the mid-2000s.
How It’s Practiced
AcroYoga Solar sessions typically begin with an opening circle for centering and community connection, followed by solo yoga warm-ups emphasizing core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. Practitioners then pair up to work through partner exercises, progressions, and eventually flying poses.
Core Roles:
- Base: The person on the ground (typically lying supine for L-basing or standing for standing acrobatics) who supports the flyer using legs and arms. Emphasis on “bone-stacking”—aligning skeletal structure to bear weight efficiently rather than relying on muscular effort.
- Flyer: The person elevated into the air, responsible for maintaining body shape and tension while the base provides support and balance.
- Spotter: A third person focused on safety, guiding controlled descents and preventing injury during learning phases.
Primary Techniques:
- L-Base: Base lies supine with legs creating an “L” shape, feet on flyer’s hips or lower abdomen, hands grasping shoulders or forming handholds. Allows extended flight time and accessible entry point for beginners.
- Standing Acrobatics: Base stands upright, supporting flyer on shoulders, hands, or feet. Requires greater strength and balance; shorter flight duration.
- Inversions: Flyer positioned upside-down (handstands, headstands, shoulder stands) either on the ground or on the base.
- Transitions: Flowing movement sequences between poses, requiring communication, timing, and synchronized breath.
- Hand-to-Hand: Advanced skill where base supports flyer’s hands with their hands while standing, flyer in handstand position.
The practice emphasizes clear verbal communication (“Ready?”, “Fly!”, “Down!”), physical calibration (matching effort levels), and cultivating trust through repetition and mutual care.
AcroYoga Solar Today
AcroYoga Solar is taught through workshops, ongoing classes, festivals, and teacher training programs worldwide. AcroYoga International has certified over 1,500 teachers around the globe. Practitioners gather for informal “jams”—drop-in practice sessions in parks, studios, and community spaces where experienced and novice acroYogis collaborate, experiment, and share skills.
Online learning has expanded access: AcroYoga International offers video courses covering Solar fundamentals, L-base progressions, standing acrobatics, inversions, and hand-to-hand work. These fulfill prerequisites for in-person teacher trainings and allow students to progress at their own pace.
Retreats and immersions (often 3–7 days) provide intensive Solar training alongside Lunar practices, creating a holistic AcroYoga experience. Many events are co-taught, honoring the practice’s origins in Jason and Jenny’s collaborative teaching model. The global community spans six continents, with vibrant scenes in North America, Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia.
Social media has amplified visibility—dramatic photos and videos of advanced Solar poses circulate widely—though this sometimes creates misconceptions about accessibility.
Common Misconceptions
“You need to be strong/fit/young to do AcroYoga Solar.”
While strength develops through practice, technique and bone-stacking mechanics matter more than raw power. Beginners of varied fitness levels can safely learn foundational poses. The practice is designed to be progressive and accessible.
“It’s just acrobatics/circus skills.”
AcroYoga Solar integrates yogic principles—breath awareness, mindful movement, ahimsa (non-harming), present-moment focus—that distinguish it from purely acrobatic training. The emphasis on community, communication, and mutual support also differs from competitive gymnastics.
“Solar is aggressive; Lunar is gentle.”
Both branches cultivate different energies but require equal presence and care. Solar develops dynamic trust through active partnership; both can be playful, serious, therapeutic, or challenging depending on intention.
“You need a dedicated partner.”
While consistent partnerships accelerate learning, AcroYoga culture emphasizes rotating partners to develop adaptability, broaden skills, and build community. Most classes and jams facilitate partner rotation.
“It’s dangerous.”
Properly taught with spotters, progressions, and safe falling techniques (“bailing”), AcroYoga Solar has manageable risk comparable to other physical practices. Injury rates increase when practitioners attempt advanced skills without training or spotters.
How to Begin
Start with an introductory AcroYoga class or workshop (often labeled “AcroYoga 101” or “Beginner AcroYoga”) offered at yoga studios, circus schools, or community centers. Many teachers specify “Solar & Lunar” or “All Levels” to indicate mixed content. Use teacher directories (such as AcroYoga.org’s certified teacher map) to find local instructors.
For self-study, AcroYoga International’s online Immersion or Solar Course provides structured video curriculum covering fundamentals: basic L-base poses (Bird, Throne, Folded Leaf), inversions (Shoulder Stand, Plank), spotting principles, and communication protocols. These courses serve as prerequisites for teacher training but are accessible to dedicated beginners.
Attend a local AcroYoga jam—informal practice gatherings listed on community Facebook groups, Meetup, or studio calendars. Experienced practitioners typically welcome newcomers and offer guidance. Bring a yoga mat, wear fitted athletic clothing, and communicate openly about your experience level.
Key foundational skills to develop: core strength (planks, hollow body holds), shoulder stability (downward dog, dolphin pose), hip flexibility (pigeon, lizard), and basic yoga inversions (legs-up-the-wall, shoulder stand). These prepare the body for Solar practice and reduce injury risk.
Recommended reading: While no single canonical AcroYoga text exists, the AcroYoga International manuals (available through teacher trainings) provide the most systematic curriculum. Online resources, YouTube tutorials from certified teachers, and Tim Ferriss’s Tools of Titans (which features Jason Nemer) offer supplementary context.