AcroYoga Sunshine Coast

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Community Guidelines

AcroYoga (acro) involves real physical risk, including the risk of injury. We can’t remove it, but we work together as a community to reduce it.

By participating, you accept that risk and take responsibility for your own safety and for supporting the safety of others.

Acro often places people in close and sometimes vulnerable positions. This makes two things essential: consent and spotting.

These guidelines exist to keep our space safe, respectful, and inclusive. Please read them before joining any acro jam, workshop, or training camp on the Sunshine Coast.

Consent & Boundaries

Clear is kind

Set and communicate your boundaries, limits, and needs.

You’re not expected to play with everyone.

Consent means clearly understanding and willingly agreeing to an activity.

It is always required and can be withdrawn at any time, even after saying yes.

"NO" is a complete answer. It does not need to be explained or justified.

Respect a no without convincing, pressure, or manipulation.

A friendly "thank you" or "no worries" is enough.

If something feels unclear, uncomfortable, or uncertain, trust yourself and speak up.

When someone seems unsure, give them an easy way out. Let them know a "no" is always okay.

If it’s not a clear no, suggest alternatives and find something that works for everyone.

We are all here to support each other and the safety of the whole community.

Safety First

Practice with full attention. It matters.

Keep a clear space. Be aware of your fall zone, surface and surroundings.

Check that everyone is ready and knows what to do before starting.

Use a spotter when learning new or unfamiliar skills, to feel safer or to build confidence.

If you’re unsure whether you need one, you do.

Anyone can ask for additional or more experienced spotters at any time, and this must be respected.

It’s also okay to say NO to spotting others (e.g. if you’re not confident).

If you’re spotting, understand the trick and your role. Position yourself to guide the flyer safely to the ground at any moment, while maintaining your own safety.

Stay ready and prioritise protecting the head and neck.

Take responsibility for your own safety and actively support others in theirs.

Communication

Clarity creates safety

Acro has its own terminology.

If you're unsure what something means, ask.

Make sure everyone involved (base, flyer, spotter) is ready before each attempt.

During the practice, focus on asking for what YOU NEED, rather than telling others what they are doing wrong.

Speak clearly, listen fully, and respond promptly.

Safe Word: "Down"

Immediate, safe return to the ground (with hands-on support)

Anyone can call "Down" at any time (base, flyer, or spotter).

Once "Down" is said, the trick is over immediately.

No questions. No hesitation.

Bases and spotter(s) guide the flyer safely and under control to the ground.

Only try again after checking in and understanding what happened.

When It Goes Wrong

Pause. Check in. Decide.

After any fall or unsafe moment, pause.

Make sure everyone involved is okay and whether they want to continue.

If not continuing due to injury, stop the practice and focus on getting appropriate care.

For other concerns, if necessary, refer to the section When guidelines are ignored.

If continuing, reflect, adjust and improve before trying again.

Share what you have learned.

Progress & Self-Awareness

Train smart, not just hard

Warm up. Check in with your body and mind before starting.

Don’t skip progressions. Build step by step, choosing options that fit the people involved.

Your abilities can change throughout the practice.

Be honest about your level, energy, and mental state.

Choose control over ambition.

Manage fatigue. Most injuries happen when you’re tired or rushing.

If something feels off, stop early.

Voice your concerns, recalibrate, work on progressions, or leave it until it feels right.

Respect & Inclusion

Everyone is welcome

All bodies, genders, and backgrounds are welcome.

No racism, sexism, body-shaming, or exclusion of any kind.

Be mindful of your words. Speak about your own limits, not the other person.

Say "I’m not able to base this safely" instead of commenting on their body or size.

Be aware of different experience levels and power dynamics (gender, language, skill level, …).

If you have more experience, lead with care.

Share appropriate skills and techniques to help others become confident, trusted community members.

Make an effort to include others. A simple hello or inviting someone into a conversation or practice goes a long way.

Zero Tolerance

NO Sexual Harassment

No unwanted advances.

No inappropriate comments, touching, or behaviour that makes others feel uncomfortable, disrespected, or unsafe.

Respect personal space and context at all times.

If it’s not clearly welcomed, don’t do it.

Sober Practice

No acro under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or anything that affects your physical or mental state. If you’re under the influence, you cannot participate.

This includes spotting.

Repeated behaviour will be brought to community awareness.

Hygiene & Presentation

Close contact, keep it clean

Acro involves close contact and touch. Come clean and prepared.

Be mindful of your feet and hands, trim nails, long hair tied back, breath, body odour, and sweat.

Wear well-fitted, non-slippery, movement-friendly clothing that keeps everyone comfortable, covered, and safe.

Avoid baggy clothing, untucked shirts, belt loops, jewellery, and pockets that may hook fingers and toes.

Keep in mind that lotions and sunscreens can make your skin slippery.

Community & Accountability

We look out for each other

Your actions impact the whole community.

We all share responsibility for keeping this space safe.

If you see something not aligned with these guidelines, say something.

Often a simple, respectful reminder is enough.

If something feels off, refer to the section When guidelines are ignored.

Let’s create a positive space where people feel safe, included, and want to come back (with their friends).

These guidelines can evolve. We welcome feedback at any time to keep improving together.

Support & Key Terms

AcroYoga:
A partner-based practice that combines yoga, acrobatics, and therapeutic elements, building trust, strength, balance, and clear communication.
Acro:
Short for AcroYoga.
Jam:
An open, informal space to practice acro.
Base:
The person with the most points of contact on the ground supporting the flyer.
Flyer:
The person being lifted or balanced.
Spotter:
The person actively preventing unsafe falls.

Network of Care (NoC)

The Network of Care (NoC) is a group of community members supporting safety, communication, and shared accountability.

They are not a leadership body or a replacement for personal responsibility.

They are one point of support when something feels unclear, unsafe, or hard to address alone.

Membership is open to anyone in the community who wants to support safety and contribute.

You can contact the NoC here: https://m.me/AYSCNOC

Jam organiser / admin

A jam organiser or admin is someone helping hold the space, communicate information, or support the community process. They can help when a reminder, check-in, or safety concern needs support.

How to raise a concern or share feedback

You can speak directly to a jam organiser, a NoC member, or a Facebook group admin. You can also share feedback on these guidelines at any time so they can keep evolving with the community.

Awareness over punishment

When Guidelines Are Ignored

We aim for awareness, accountability, and learning, not punishment. Mistakes happen. What matters is how we respond. Not all situations are the same. Use judgment and communicate.

Learning Moments

For example: lack of control, rushing, missed spot

Pause. Reset. Talk it through.

Help each other improve. Keep communication clear and supportive.

Physical Safety Concerns

Repeated unsafe behaviour

Be clear. Name it. Follow the process outlined below.

Others may choose not to engage until it feels safe.

Safeguarding

For example: consent, boundaries, behaviour

These situations can be subtle and sensitive.

Check in with the person affected.

Support them in following the process outlined below.

Respect their pace. Don’t override or “solve” it for them.

Zero Tolerance

For example: practicing under the influence

They cannot participate.

Repeated behaviour will be addressed through the Community Boundary process below.

Process

  1. 01

    Bring Awareness to the Individual

    Assume good intent.

    If you feel comfortable, speak to the person directly and refer them to the guidelines.

    If not, ask for support from someone you trust, a jam organiser, a member of the Network of Care (NoC), or a Facebook group admin.

    Often a simple, respectful reminder is enough.

  2. 02

    Shared Awareness

    The concern is brought to a jam organiser, NoC member, or admin.

    They check in with the individual again (a second conversation), reaffirming the guidelines.

    If needed, the behaviour will be shared with the community in a neutral, non-shaming way.

    The goal is awareness, not punishment.

  3. 03

    Community Boundary

    Repeated guideline breaches are treated as an ongoing safety concern.

    Active community members, admins and/or members of the NoC align on a response.

    The person may be asked to stop practising with AYSC until the concern is resolved.

    Community members may choose not to practise with them.

    In some cases, other communities may be informed.

    In serious situations, authorities may be contacted.

We’re not here to police each other. We’re here to look out for each other. Stay curious, communicate openly, and keep learning together to support a safe, strong, and playful AcroYoga community.