Catch Up Classes

Duration: 1 hr 15 minutes

Emphasis: You'll start with Sun Salutation A and then move on to Sun Salutation B to warm up. As this class was recorded on the night of the full moon so I thought we'd learn Chandra Namaskar, the Moon Salutation. This flow takes you through familiar standing poses such as Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana, Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana) and Side Lunge (Skandasana) and is repeated on both sides.  We then practice Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) using a brick and the wall to help with balance.  Please note: on editing this video I realise that my alignment is not the best in this pose!  My standing leg is too far forward and is not vertical - please try to bring your front leg vertically under your hip so it is not at an angle like mine.  Coming down to the ground, you'll do some seated stretches in Wide Legged Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana) followed by a little bit of gentle core strengthening and Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana). Finally, Chandra Bhedana (Moon Piercing Breath) where you breathe in through the left nostril and out through the right to quieten the nervous system gets you ready for your Savasana

Props required: A blanket to kneel on if required plus a brick

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen for the Sun Salutation and then turn it so the long edge of the mat is facing the screen for the Moon Salutation.

Duration: 1 hr 16 minutes

Emphasis: This flow begins with a brief explanation of the first two 'Niyama', the personal observances that make up the second 'limb' of yoga as set out by Patanjali many hundreds of years ago. The physical practice of yoga begins with a standing warm-up followed by slow Sun Salutations then, as usual, poses are added to the sequence - this time side-stretches and leg-stretches are the focus. This focus continues in the seated poses and then in the supine poses, before Savasana brings the class to a close.

Props required: Two blocks and a belt.

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

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis: This short class focusses on side bends which will help to mobilise the spine, engage the oblique abdominal muscles and improve the range of movement of the shoulders. You'll start with a seated sequence and then repeat the movements in kneeling in Gate Pose (Parighasana) and then standing in Alanasana (High Lunge). Finally, there's a supine sequence before relaxing in Savasana.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on.

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