Style

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  A seated sequence of poses to gently move your joints and stretch your muscles. Do this class on its own or add on an extra one afterwards if you want a longer practice.

Props needed: A block or folded blanket to sit on, two blocks or a thick book for the full-body stretch and a blanket for Savasana.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen might be best to help you see the supine poses.

Duration: 20 minutes

Emphasis:  Use this class as a warm-up and then choose another class (maybe a seated flow) for a longer practice, or use it as a complete practice in its own right. You'll move through Sun Salutations and add in Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana), a Warrior 2 variation (Virabhadrasana II) and Side Lunges (Skandasana), with lots of Single Leg Downward Facing Dog (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana).

Props needed: None required, unless you need a blanket for Savasana.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 70 minutes

Emphasis:  In this Sun Salutation based class we'll practice the two Gate Poses (Parighasana I and Parighasana II). Both of them strongly stretch the side of the torso, inviting space into the waist and between the ribs (these areas can get congested and squashed when we sit for long periods of time) and it will also stretch one leg whilst the other leg is bent. We'll do some other poses, such as Half Frog Pose (Ardha Bhekasana), a kneeling variation of Sugarcane Pose (Ardha Chandra Chapasana) and Revolved Half Hero Pose (Parivrtta Ardha Virasana) too.

Props needed: Two blocks or books for under your hands if your legs are tight, a strap or belt to help catch your foot, and a blanket to kneel on if required for padding, and for Savasana.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis:  If you want to wake up your energy then these practices will do the trick. You'll move your body in all directions in repetitive and rhythmic movements which will help to release tension and allow your energy (known in yoga as Prana) to flow freely throughout your body. Please note: some of these practices might make you feel dizzy so if you have a tendency towards lightheadedness you might want to skip these ones - I'll mention them so you know which ones to avoid.

Props needed: Maybe a wall or table might be helpful to steady yourself if you feel a bit dizzy.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 5 minutes

Emphasis:  In this short but heartfelt meditation you will direct loving kindness towards yourself to help guide you through this day, and all your days. It's one to repeat on a regular basis and to spend time offering the intentions out to all beings we share our planet with.

Props needed: A cushion will help you sit comfortably on the floor or you might prefer to sit in a chair.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 52 minutes

Emphasis:  This class is based around Sun Salutations - in each round we'll add in 3 poses and repeat them 3 times, creating a sense of rhythm and tempo to the flow. Then we'll do two seated sequences, with slightly different variations of the poses in each.

Props needed: Two bricks or thick books, 2 blocks or thinner books, and a blanket to kneel on.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis: If you're feeling stressed, anxious and/or overwhelmed you are not alone - the pace of modern life means we can all feel we're stretched to breaking point at times. Meditation can help you become a little more centred and feel clearer and calmer about what the day ahead may bring. Join me for this short class to pause amidst the busy-ness, check in with your body and pay attention to how it feels in the present moment, before turning your attention gently back to the day ahead.

Props needed: None required.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  Use a chair to help stretch your legs and your hips. In this class we'll do some variations of Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana I), Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana II), Hand to Big Toe Pose (Utthita Padangusthasana), and Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana). We'll then do an extra-deep hip opener before we do a variation of Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana) then we'll stretch out in a variation of Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) before relaxing with legs up on the seat of the chair.

Props needed: A chair!

Mat direction: Having your mat and chair slightly at an angle to the screen will give you the best view.

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  Been sitting on the sofa for a while? It's time to slide off onto the floor and let the sofa help you do a little yoga. In this class we'll practise Staff Pose with Raised Hands (Urdhva Hasta Dandasana), some side bends, twists and forward bends including Wide Legged Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana). We'll practice Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) both sitting upright, allowing the sofa to make this pose so much more easeful than usual, and lying down with the feet on the edge of the sofa before relaxing in a supported Savasana for a short while. Please note, I had some issues with background noise in this video so the volume may be a little low - apologies for that.

Props needed: A sofa!!

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Stretch your body in this slow sequence of poses where we will use a bolster for support. You'll practice Hero Pose (Virasana) with a shoulder opener and a twist, a variation of Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana), Garland Pose (Malasana) seated on the bolster, a gentle reclining hip opener and the Stomach Twist (Jathara Parivartanasana) before resting in Savasana.

Props needed: If you don't have a bolster you'll need a yoga mat, blanket and pillow to make one and then either a second mat or another blanket if you are practising on a hard floor. If you have knee issues you might want a second pillow to make the bolster bigger or have a block to make the bolster higher so you have more space in your knees.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 16 minutes

Emphasis:  Take a few minutes out from your busy day to do Legs-up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani) and rest for a while. This relaxing pose is beneficial for the heart, the veins of your legs, your nervous system and your mind. We'll add in some other gentle poses here such as a variation of Bound Angle Pose(Baddha Konasana), a variation of Wide Leg Seated Forward Fold (Upavista Konasana), a gentle supported backbend and a shoulder stretch.

Props needed: A block or book and a folded blanket.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen so you can turn your head to see, or you might prefer to watch the video once through so you know what to expect and then follow along without needing to look.

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis:  Autumn is a time for letting go - just as the trees and plants shed their leaves, so can we let go of the things that no longer serve us. In this mediation you will bring this to mind to help you feel lighter, less crowded and burdened. You will also focus on anything that you would like to have more of in your life, helping you to feel more relaxed, clearer and more purposeful.

Props needed: A blanket or a chair to sit on.

Mat direction: N/A