If you’ve ever seen performers swinging through the air on aerial contraptions and fancied having a go yourself, the solution could be closer at hand than you think. Anti-gravity yoga is the latest craze to sweep through America and it can only be a matter of time before it hits a gym near you.

The American chain of gyms, Crunch, has pioneered the new form of yoga classes also known as “Wings”. The technique was invented by Christopher Harrison, a Broadway performer and gymnast, and he says that the regime is “unbelievable for relieving compressed joints and aligning the body from head to toe."

Using a fabric hammock which, explains Harrison, acts as a soft trapeze, practitioners of the exercise start with simple hanging techniques and work up to more advanced poses whilst suspended at a 180 degrees angle.

Converts claim that they can reach positions which they would otherwise be unable to and that they end up with a far superior workout in terms of flexibility, agility and strength. Other benefits include increased blood flow, improved hand-eye coordination and it is also excellent for working the core muscles of the body. Those with high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, and pregnant women should not undertake anti-gravity yoga, however.

Residents of California are currently able to try the new exercise for an hour free of charge and just in case you are worried that the hammock might give way, its makers say that it can support up to 2000 lbs!