Rope Wall Yoga vs. Suspension Yoga – FAQs
Rope Wall and Suspension Yoga – your questions answered!
How do they differ?
Rope Wall Yoga is a practice that uses ropes anchored to a wall to assist, deepen, or modify yoga poses. It was popularised by B.K.S. Iyengar.
Suspension Yoga is a form of yoga that uses a fabric hammock with adjustable handles, suspended from the ceiling, to support the body during poses. It combines traditional yoga postures alongside upper body strengthening exercises, sometimes assisted by gravity, sometimes working against.
What are the benefits of each?
Rope Wall Yoga:
* Improves alignment and posture
* Provides support for deeper stretches
* Enhances spinal traction and decompression
* Reduces strain on joints
* Aids in inversions without putting pressure on the head or neck
* Suitable for therapeutic applications and injury recovery
Suspension Yoga:
* Spinal decompression and improved posture
* Builds core and upper body strength
* Increases flexibility and mobility
* Enhances balance and body awareness
* Reduces joint compression
* Encourages playful movement and stress relief
Is Suspension Yoga the same as Aerial Yoga?
The terms are often used interchangeably. However, Suspension Yoga typically emphasises alignment and therapeutic applications with the harness just a few feet away from the ground, while Aerial Yoga may include more acrobatic or artistic elements.
Are Rope Wall Yoga and Suspension Yoga safe for beginners?
Beginners often find the Suspension hammock helpful for learning alignment and building strength gradually.
Similarly, the Rope Wall offers additional support and feedback for students who are newer to yoga, making poses more accessible while promoting correct alignment and building the foundations of asanas.
Any contraindications?
Suspension Yoga is suitable for all levels including beginners, but NOT recommended for individuals who have high blood pressure, stage 2+ herniated discs, cataracts, glaucoma and other eye conditions or pregnant women.
The same contraindications apply to the Rope Wall and we also recommend a minimum of 3 months yoga experience.
What do I need to bring?
All you need is a yoga mat. Wear your usual work-out gear – some clients choose a T-shirt rather than a vest top for the Suspension rig purely so that the harness doesn’t rub against the upper arms. Pilates grip socks can be useful for the Rope Wall but aren’t essential.
Can Suspension Yoga & Rope Wall Yoga help with back pain?
Absolutely. Hanging and supported inversions supported by the Suspension rig can help decompress the spine and alleviate tension. Similarly, the use of ropes can gently traction the spine and create space between vertebrae, which may relieve pressure and reduce back pain.
What are some common poses in Suspension Yoga & Rope Wall Yoga?
Suspension Yoga:
* Inverted poses (like Hanging Spinal Twist or Inverted Butterfly)
* Floating Savasana
* Supported Warrior and Lunges
* Aerial Downward Dog
* Core-strengthening poses using the hammock as resistance
Rope Wall Yoga:
* Standing poses (like Warrior II) with alignment support
* Backbends (such as Bridge)
* Inversions (like down facing dog or supported shoulder stand)
* Hip openers and forward folds with resistance
Do I need to be flexible to try Rope Wall Yoga?
No. The ropes actually help improve flexibility gradually. They assist in entering and holding poses more comfortably than in unsupported practice.
