Acro Jam FAQ
Curious about joining an acro jam but don't know where to start or how?
This FAQ will cover all the essentials and you can reach out directly if you have a question we haven't covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
You've got questions and we've got answers for them!Acro Yoga is a mix of yoga, acrobatics, and Thai massage. It’s all about trust, connection, and playfulness. There are generally three roles: the 'base' who’s generally at the bottom doing the lifting, the 'flyer' who is the one being lifted by the base, and the 'spotter' who ensures the flyer and base are safe. There are often a few other configurations (especially when we go beyond one base and one flyer), but that’s the general gist of things. The practice involves carefully coordinated movements between the base and the flyer, with poses that can range from simple to complex. It’s a fantastic way to build strength, flexibility, and balance, while also fostering a strong sense of community and trust. Whether you come for the social side, to learn impressive skills (and/or take a few photos for the 'gram), to foster connection with a partner (or partners), or are just interested in a new hobby, acro’s got you covered.
'Social Acro' is just another way of describing what we do, primarily at Jams and Festivals. Some folks who are more focused on dynamic and acrobatic skills are less fond of the label of 'acro yoga', and the same can be said for some of the yoga purists who don't consider it to be 'yoga'. We like the term Social Acro as it more accurately describes what we do - acrobatics for fun and as a community. The goal isn't to 'be the best' or necessarily to 'level up', but to just enjoy yourself with other like minded humans. It also works as a good catch all for the various types of acrobatics you find at our jams and events, while 'acro yoga' or 'partner acrobatics' etc can be used to refer to more specific disciplines, 'social acro' just means whatever type of acrobatics you're into done for fun!
For acro classes it's best to wear comfortable, stretchy clothing that allows for a wide range of movement. Avoid loose or baggy clothes as they can get in the way or become a safety issue during certain poses - equally, if you're planning to fly, consider avoiding slippery shorts as that can make thing harder. It’s also a good idea to avoid clothing with zippers or other hard elements that could potentially hurt you or your partner during the class. We practice acro yoga barefoot, so if you’ve got a foot injury, infection or another reason to cover up, please do so and look into a pair of grippy socks as we want to keep our partners safe. Otherwise, no special footwear is needed. You might also want to bring along a water bottle to stay hydrated, and a towel if you anticipate working up a sweat. If you’re feeling stiff, also consider bringing an extra yoga mat that we can use to create a basing pillow too!
Unlikely! We have plenty of wonderful acro yogis in the London community of all ages. We have folks coming to our jams in their 60s, 70s and 80s still pulling off flows and skills in the parks! In our community, we pride ourselves on looking after our partners, respecting personal limitations/boundaries and playing safely. Of course, as with any physical activity, injury can happen. We will, of course, aim to take every precaution to help you prevent injury but ultimately, personal risk management has to be handled by the individual. You are responsible for your own safety.
An Acro Yoga Jam (or just 'Acro Jam') is a fun, community-driven gathering where people who love Acro Yoga come together to practice, play, and create. Generally, we meet in one of London’s many parks (Clapham Common, Green Park, Primrose Hill, Regents Park, Hyde Park are the main ones) though we have a few indoor venues – particularly in winter (Our main one is LSBU Active in Elephant & Castle)! They are generally free or low priced as they are community events run for and by the community itself – so can be impromptu in nature. A jam is explicitly not a structured "class" and does not have a teacher leading the group (so please don’t go to one looking for a free lesson!); instead, everyone is free to practice at their own pace, try out new poses, and help each other learn and grow. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people, share experiences, and, most importantly, have a great time while improving your Acro Yoga skills! Often you’ll find other activities including slacklining, juggling, contact improv, dancing, handstanding, capoeira and more.
Yes! There is a regular jam at Haverstock School in Chalk Farm every Friday night. There is also a regular Sunday Jam that is in Green Park during the Summer. There are also several jams that run as part of classes run by London's many amazing teachers. You can see a full list of our jams on our homepage and schedule page. You can also visit LondonAcro.co.uk for a full list of classes, jams and more info.
Visit the London Acro Website or London Acro Instagram Account as they have a teacehr directory that you can browse online. If you’re based in the South, you can reach out to Kwame directly over on the Acro With Kwame website and he'll connect you.
Bring a yoga mat (or blanket if we’re outside), comfortable clothes to play in and anything else you’d like to share such as slacklines; handstand blocks, boards or canes; juggling balls and clubs etc. In general, almost everything is shared and so please indicate clearly if things are **not** communal.
Consent is key in acro so we ask that you do confirm with other participants first. Although photo and video is generally permitted and many current members of the community know who does and doesn’t consent, it is best practice to ask first – even when in a public location. Please also bear in mind, as an attendee, that the outdoor jams are in a public place. We cannot take responsibility for preventing passers-by from recording/taking photos and so if you want to avoid this you may need to chat to them yourself!
Yes, of course. However, it is important to understand that an acro yoga jam is **NOT** a class – this isn’t an opportunity to get a free acro yoga lesson! Additionally, while there is often informal skill sharing, if you’re looking to learn properly please take a class! Jams are the fun, social aspect of acro where you can polish and develop existing skills but they are not a substitute for an organised learning environment. Self-assessment and risk management is absolutely key – you are your own primary spotter. We strongly suggest checking the London Acro Website for info on learning acro in London.
Sure. Jams are informal and people come and go throughout the day – especially in the summer.
Absolutely. Outdoor jams are often like a picnic or social in the park. You’re welcome to come and just watch! No pressure to join in! Please note: As indoor space is limited and paid for, if you wish to join an indoor jam there may be a charge regardless of participation in the activities.
Sure, if you’re going to watch them. We often have parents and kids – some even participate. Just remember, this is not free childcare and you need to ensure that they are safe and are respecting other participants. We love the little ones and have several acro parents and acro kids in our community.
If you’re able to keep them under control and ensure that they aren’t bothering other participants, then sure. Safety is an important part of acro and having a dog run up to (or into) someone balancing another person upside down, or crashing into a slackline is dangerous for all. Additionally, it’s important to be aware that not everyone is comfortable around dogs and other animals, and they have equal right to enjoy the space too. Putting others at risk and disrespecting our partners is not within our community ethos. If in doubt, consider leaving your pets at home to avoid issues.
The Clapham Common Acro Jam. But we're biased as it's our primary Jam and we love our community so much. Many people love it (and the winter jam at LSBU) because the commnuity is super welcoming, friendly and supportive - but those are qualities of any good acro jam. We recommend asking local acrobats and regulars at the various jams in London or who have visited and participated to give you an idea of what to expect at each. Every jam has its own slightly different feeling and vibe so it's important that you try a few and find the one that you connect with most - even if it isn't one in the lovely Souht of London. You can also search online for reviews of the various jams as some are listed on TripAdvisor etc.