Debbie Jones of Paris never really had an interest in yoga. Since starting the “antigravity yoga” class at the Athletic Club two weeks ago, she can’t get enough of it.

“I’ve never been one for yoga before, but I really like this,” Jones said during a break from an hour-long session last Wednesday. “It’s an amazing class.” 

Providing a whole-body workout that combines yoga techniques with those of dance, pilates and calisthenics, antigravity yoga has hit new heights since Pink stole the 52nd Grammy Awards show with her high-flying performance in an antigravity hammock.

Capable of holding over 2,000 pounds, the hammock suspends participants about three feet from the floor as they master simple suspension techniques that lead to advanced inverted poses.

The Athletic Club introduced antigravity yoga to its women’s only centre four weeks ago – the only fitness club in Canada to do so – and the response has been overwhelming, program director Bill Davis said. 

“There’s always a lineup. It’s a really popular class. I’ve been in the fitness field over 15 years now and I’ve never seen anything as unique as this.”

Although it appears slightly intimidating to onlookers, Davis said the program is suitable for any fitness level. 

“Any level can be accommodated, but we are starting to split the classes so more advanced members can learn new techniques. We want everyone to be comfortable,” he said.

The first inversion can be somewhat intimidating, according to Davis. 

“The first time I went upside down I thought ‘Oh, my God,’ but now I can do it for a good two to three minutes with no problem,” he said.

Renee Crawley has been attending classes for the past four weeks and said she enjoys the varied aspects of antigravity yoga. 

“I love it because it’s such a great workout,” she said. “At the same time, it’s a lot of fun, and then there’s the relaxation aspect of it. It gives you everything you want in a workout.

“When you do your first inversion, you’re not too sure about it, but then once you do it, you’re fine,” Crawley said. “I’ve seen all types of people doing this. It’s good for all ages.”

The exercises are beneficial for people who suffer from back pain, antigravity yoga creator Christopher Harrison said during a telephone interview from his New York office. 

“Inversion is very important for health. It refreshes the lymphatic system and, most importantly, it aligns the vertebrae of the spine without strain. There is no neck or back compression...You actually feel taller when you leave a class.”

Harrison founded antigravity as an aerial acrobatic performance company in 1990 and two years ago modified and enhanced the routines to incorporate yoga. 

“Immediately, everybody took to it,” he said. “Every place we went, classes were completely packed. There were cat fights starting in the lobby by people wanting to get in.”

Newcomers do require “a little bit of fearlessness,” but Harrison said he remembers one woman in her retirement years who learned every move within four days and was anxious for more. 

“It’s a very unique system that allows you to be successful because the hammock supports you throughout the workout. The more weight you give to the hammock, the safer it holds you in. It’s actually easier and kinder to the body because there is no pressure.”

For Paris’ Jones, an avid runner, antigravity yoga complements her fitness routines. 

“I love it because you get the elements of yoga,” she said. “You get to stretch out all of your muscles, you get upper body strengthening and you get to do acrobatics all at the same time.”

The Athletic Club offers antigravity yoga classes to its members free of charge and plans to offer the program in seven of its clubs throughout Ontario. About 23 members can participate in each 60 to 75-minute session, currently held twice daily.