Style

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

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  We often use Child's Pose as a resting pose but in this class we'll explore some different variations including Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose) and Seated Yoga Seal Pose (Upavista Yoga Mudra), a variation of Melting Heart Pose, also known as Extended Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana) and a variation of Thread the Needle Pose with wide knees (Parsva Balasana). Please note that in Rabbit Pose and Seated Yoga Seal Pose the crown of the head is on the floor and, even though not much weight should be on the head, if you have any neck problems at all these poses are not recommended.

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees if required, a strap to help you reach your heels in Rabbit Pose if required and two blocks or a books to put your elbows on for the Extended Puppy Pose variation .

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  All the poses in this class are done lying down so if you are feeling a little weary but still want to do some yoga then this class is perfect for you. We'll be doing Eye of the Needle Pose (Sucirandrasana), a Tree Pose (Vrksasana) variation, a twist, Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), the Supine Leg Stretch Series known as Supta Padangustasana plus the lying down version of Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana).

Props needed: A strap/belt to help you reach your foot in the Leg Stretch Series and a blanket for Savasana if required.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen so you can turn your head to see while you are lying down.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  Stretch your legs and your hips in this steady-paced seated sequence which includes a variation of Eye of the Needle Pose (Sucirandrasana), Marichi's Pose (Marichyasana 3), Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana), Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana), Blossoming Lotus Pose (Vikasita Kamalasana), Double Big Toe Hold Pose (Ubbhaya Padangusthasana) and Star Pose (Tarasana), plus a kneeling variation of Wild Thing (Camatkarasana).

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on and for Savasana if required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 30 minutes

Emphasis:  Each Sun Salutation includes a backbend that leads towards Dhanurasana (Bow Pose). It's a strong pose so, if deep backbends don't feel good for your back, then please stop at one of the more gentle options offered in the progression.

Props needed: None required except for a blanket for Savasana if required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 47 minutes

Emphasis:  Each consecutive Sun Salutation will offer a different version of Lizard Pose (Uttan Pristhasana), deepening it each time. Lizard Pose is a lovely hip-opener and stretches the ilio-psoas muscles which are situated close to the spine and within the pelvis, joining the lumbar spine to the top of your legs (click HERE to see a previous post and diagram of them). These core muscles get shortened in our culture of spending so much time sitting down and all the lunges and hip openers that we do in our yoga practice help to stretch and release them, improving posture and helping the lower back to feel more comfortable.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on, a thick book or blocks for under your forearms when we deepen the Lizard Pose and possibly a strap to loop around your foot when we catch hold of it in one variation.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.