AcroYoga isn’t just about tricks, it’s about connection

Playing together, cuddling, laughing, sharing massage, and your struggles: AcroYoga is never just about the tricks. It connects me to myself and others in a playful way. It reminds me that everybody struggles in life. That it's okay to struggle and that you don't have to do it alone.

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Rediscovering Playfulness Through AcroYoga

Ten years ago, I was introduced to AcroYoga for the first time. I was living in Amsterdam and was invited via a WhatsApp group to a "jam" in a park. I remember how nervous I felt; that much physical contact with strangers was far outside my comfort zone. Yet, I decided to go, drawn to the playful connection I saw happening between people who practiced it.

That first afternoon, I trained with an experienced AcroYogi and found myself doing advanced tricks surprisingly quickly. But what stayed with me most was the atmosphere: relaxed, playful, and open. Everyone helped each other, and between practicing, there was laughter and encouragement. I immediately felt how special it is when people literally and figuratively carry one another.

Connection on the Other Side of the World

After a few more park jams, I left for New Zealand. What began as a trip turned into living on the South Island in Wanaka for a year and a half. Even there, I found an AcroYoga community. We trained at a high level, practicing challenging "pops," but for me, it was never just about the tricks.

AcroYoga brought me into contact with others in a playful way. You get to know each other quickly when you learn to fall, trust, and laugh together. I even met an American woman in class who later became my mountain biking and climbing partner. That is what makes AcroYoga so special to me: connection happens almost naturally.

AcroYoga makes it easier for me to connect with others because you skip the awkward small talk and connect on a physical and emotional level. Playing together, cuddling, sharing massage, and laughing enhances the cuddle hormone oxytocin, which also makes you feel connected.

My First AcroYoga Class in Utrecht

After my time in New Zealand, I lost touch with AcroYoga for a while as I focused on finding stability and my place back in the Netherlands. Years later, while living in Zeist, I felt more room for social connection and fun again. A yoga teacher told me about classes in Utrecht, and eventually, I found my way to Playful People Tribe.

My first "Playground" session immediately felt right. I was struck by the warm, open atmosphere. Marijke has a way of guiding that is soft, inviting, and without judgment, which made me feel instantly welcome. Because there are often beginners present, the threshold remains low. You don’t have to prove anything; you are allowed to discover, practice, and make mistakes.

More Than Just Tricks

What makes Playful People Tribe special to me isn't just the tricks, but everything around it. We usually start in a circle, knees touching, to "land" together through breathing and stretching. Marijke often introduces a theme or a question, such as: "What do you want to let go of?" or "What would you like to invite into your life?"

People often share openly—sometimes lighthearted, sometimes vulnerable. That openness touches me every time; it reminds me that no one is perfectly in balance all the time. We all carry something with us and struggle in life. After a playful warm-up and practicing AcroYoga, we always end with Thai massage. It is a gift: slowing down and caring for one another before heading home.

Learning to Trust More

Ultimately, AcroYoga is about trust. There is the literal trust that someone will catch you if you fall, but also trust in yourself. I noticed this specifically during the Thai massages. Due to past experiences, I had become insecure about my massage skills and felt tension and fear that I would do it "wrong." I kept coming back, not because it was easy, but because it felt safe enough to practice being with those feelings. Slowly, my inner conviction shifted from "I can't do this" to "I am allowed to learn." You don't have to be perfect to be welcome here.

From Strangers to Friends

After a year of Playgrounds, I joined the intermediate course, which brought even more depth. Because you practice with the same group for weeks, a bond forms naturally. By the end, it felt like we had built a new group of friends. The beauty is that it never feels like a final goodbye; you keep running into each other at Playgrounds, Coaching Nights, or AcroYoga festivals.

A Place Where Everything is Welcome

Perhaps the greatest gift Playful People Tribe has given me is emotional safety. I remember an evening when I shared that I had been rejected by a date. During the closing massage, my emotions—sadness, loneliness—simply came out. No one was shocked; instead, I received a smile, a hug, and genuine attention. Nothing had to be "fixed." That evening transformed from something heavy into something deeply connecting.

Coming Home to Myself

I’ve noticed that people almost always go home differently than they arrived. At the start, they often feel tired or stressed; by the end, they describe feeling playful, connected, and calm. Moving, playing, and building trust together helps you connect with your body, yourself, and others. Thanks to Playful People Tribe, I feel more connected to Utrecht and its surroundings, to others, and to myself. It has given me the most important realization of all: I don’t have to do everything alone.