Aerial Yoga Academy

The circulatory system is comprised of the heart, lungs and the entire system of vessels that feed oxygen and collect carbon dioxide and other waste products from the cells. Arteries fan out in an intricate system from the heart, which pumps freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs outward. Veins return blood to the heart and, unlike arteries, make up a low-pressure system that depends on muscular movement or gravity to move blood along. One-way valves at regular intervals prevent backwash and keep fluids moving towards the heart in a system known as venous return. Turning yourself upside down encourages venous return. Inversions also ensure healthier and more effective lung tissue. When standing or sitting upright, gravity pulls our fluids earthward, and blood "perfuses" or saturates the lower lungs more thoroughly. The lower lung tissue is thus more compressed than the upper lungs. As a result, the air we inhale moves naturally into the open alveoli of the upper lungs. Unless we take a good, deep breath, we do not raise the ratio of air to blood in the lower lungs. When we invert, blood perfuses the well-ventilated upper lobes of the lungs, thus ensuring more efficient oxygen-to-blood exchange and healthier lung tissue.

The lymphatic system is responsible for waste removal, fluid balance, and immune system response. Lymph vessels arise among the capillary beds of the circulatory system, but comprise a separate system that transports stray proteins, waste materials, and extra fluids, filtering the fluid back through the lymph nodes and dumping what remains into the circulatory system at the subclavian veins, under the collarbones. The lymphatic system is analogous to a sewage system; an intricate, underground network. Lymph, like the blood returning to your heart via the veins, is dependent upon muscular movement and gravity to facilitate its return. Because the lymphatic system is a closed pressure system and has one-way valves that keep lymph moving towards the heart, when one turns upside down, the entire lymphatic system is stimulated, thus strengthening your immune system.

The changes in the gravitational pull on the body also affects the abdominal organs. When inverted the bowels move more freely and constipation is relieved. The pull of gravity on the organs, especially the intestines, creates weight on the abdominal organs and on the diaphragm, this encourages deep breathing, which gently massages the internal organs thus encouraging elimination.

Inverting upside down can actually make you feel better; those suffering from anxiety, depression, irritation, insomnia, mood swings and trauma are relieved by neurotransmitters being released from the brain, such as serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin!

Inverting will also help reverse the aging process by addressing the sagging skin process, toning the muscles around your face and body and preventing your skin from shrinking as you mature. Fresh blood and oxygen is also circulated around the face and body which enhances our natural glow and improves any skin conditions such as acne.

Inversions also help to decrease insomnia. When one inverts muscle tension is decreased by 35%. When our muscles are relaxed so is our mind and body.