Regular Airwalker
®
Activity Guide
designed and written by movement therapist, Kimberly Dye, MS. BC-DMT.
contact us at: www.dyenamicmovement.com
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase! Both therapists and teachers love using the Airwalker because it promotes
sensory integration, coordination, muscular strength and spatial awareness. The Airwalker is a specially designed,
Spandex sack that can be suspended from a properly installed ceiling bolt, a swing or a gymnasium basketball
backboard. From ceiling bolt, use a safety snap and then hook to rotator device, or use the adjustable webbing
strap to connect the rotater device to the ceiling bolt for variable height adjustment.
The Airwalker’s resistant fabric provides a total body pressure that, not only feels good, but also gives tactile
feedback that contributes to positive body image and self-esteem. Being suspended creates a heightened
relationship to gravity, which stimulates the vestibular system responsible for balance and coordination. The
Airwalkers’s ability to shield the child from being seen by others creates a feeling of safety which inspires
relaxation. It’s elasticity and strong support can also help build muscle strength through specific exercises
described in this guide. The Airwalker’s holding, deep pressure, elastic walls promote positive body
movement experiences that assure self calming and regulation, as well as co-ordination and body control.
Plus, it’s fun! Children may be totally enwrapped, laid out flat, sitting, or kneeling.
SAFETY TIPS
1. Place a well cushioned mat beneath the Airwalker.
2. Always supervise children in the Airwalker. Adjust the height so they can get in and out easily.
3. To enter, instruct child to face the Airwalker, grasp both sides and put one knee or foot in first. Then
tell them to use their arms to pull themselves in and move their body to the center.
4. Prevent flopping out by instructing child to step out feet first
5. Do regular checks for misalignments of top fabric or internal webbing/clamp integrity.
6. Do not let child get out of control by over spinning or continuous swinging in one direction.
STRENGTH BUILDERS
Thigh Builder
Adjust the Airwalker height so it is easily accessible from the ground and your feet can just touch the ground. Sit half-way back into
the fabric so your legs are bent with feet near the floor. Use one leg, then the other, then both, to push and bounce off the ground.
Variaton
: If your Airwalker is close to a wall you can swing and push off the wall with your feet.
Variation
: Stand in Airwalker, hold up high on fabric and use your legs and arms to bounce while standing.
Push-Ups
Lie flat out, face down to the floor, using the material like a sling around your torso. Your hands should touch the floor. Bend and
stretch your elbows to push the floor away while the Airwalker supports your body.
Abdominal and Torso Strength and Flexion
1. In the push-up sling position, alternately jackknife and arch backwards creating torso flexion and extension. Then “fishflop” side
to side creating lateral flexion. Moving against the resistant fabric will build strength and elasticity in the muscles.
2.
From a sitting position, hold edge of fabric with both hands, lean back slowly while wrapping legs around fabric. Slowly return
using abdominal and torso strength. This can be performed close to the floor or in mid-air.
MOVEMENT TASKS
Around The World
Adjust height so you can stand on floor and bring upper body through sling so it wraps around the chest and under arms. Keep your
feet in the center like a compass point and make a full circle around by leaning your body forward, keeping it absolutely straight, and
pushing with your legs. Try using one leg as the compass point.
