This is the second in a series of two articles about local yoga and pilates offerings.

The Windward side has a diverse selection of venues offering yoga and Pilates classes. And if you’re looking for something new, aerial yoga combines elements of both!

Aerial Yoga

Noe Noe Hawaii

Did you ever wish you could learn to fly? Aerial Arts or Aerial yoga might be the closest you can get (without a plane, of course!).

Aerial yoga allows you to perform the same poses you can do on a yoga mat, but they incorporate a silk hammock that’s suspended from the ceiling as a prop to support you through the various poses. The purpose of the hammock is to help you improve flexibility and strength, while allowing you to do more challenging poses without added pressure on your shoulders, spine or head. Aerial dance provides many of the same benefits.

Chandra Miars opened Noe Noe Hawaii in Kailua in 2018. At this expansive, high-ceilinged venue, Miars teaches classes in aerial yoga, aerial dance, and aerial techniques.

A professional hula and modern dancer who has also studied Pilates, Miars trained in aerial dance in 2005. After falling in love with the art form, she went on to receive a certification in aerial yoga.  

Miars found the perfect location for Noe Noe Hawaii when a family-owned space on Kihapai Street which previously housed a custom engine shop, became available for rent in 2018.

“I was always looking for the perfect space and having grown up in Kailua, and still a resident here, it was a dream to be able to have a space in Kailua to teach and share this love for the aerial arts,” she said.

Miars conceived Noe Noe Hawaii as a health and wellness venue offering performances and event rental for the Windward community. 

“It has fit nicely with a lot of cutting edge ideas for groups to come together and do something totally different and out of the box,” she said.  “Educators, practitioners and instructors, can share workshops with the community or hold classes. It’s great for parties, fundraisers and even business networking gatherings.”

Other teachers also offer workshops at Noe Noe Hawaii and on the last Saturday of every month, Miars hosts an aerial sound bath with music by Lucie Lynch, a singer songwriter musician and sound healing alchemist.

For these events, Miars dims the light and guides visitors on a restorative experience either in the aerial hammocks, which transform into cocoons, or on the mat.

https://www.facebook.com/noehawaii/

On Instagram: noe_hawaii

Aerial 2

 

Kailua Pilates and Wellness Center

Kailua Pilates and Wellness Center provides private, semi-private and group classes on a mat or using the Stott Pilates Method. They also offer various massage services such as Deep Tissue, Lomi Lomi, Prenatal, Chinese Cupping, Reiki and sports massage. All can be customized to meet client needs.

http://www.kailuapilateswellness.com/

 

Harmony Pilates and Physical Therapy

Harmony Pilates has private and semi-private Pilates mat and equipment classes including Restorative, Prental, Barre and more. This studio also has licensed physical therapists on staff who work with clients, sometimes incorporating Pilates equipment into therapy.

https://harmonypilates.com/

 

On Balance Pilates

On Balance Pilates owner Lisa Ortego Loya opened the first Pilates studio on Oahu in 1993. Today, On Balance offers private and group mat and equipment classes as well as classes in CoreAlign, Gyrotinic, TRX, Floor-Barre.

https://onbalancepilates.com/

 

Photo 1: An aerial class for children at Noe Noe Hawaii

Photo 2: Participants lie in silk “cocoons” during an aerial sound bath