Recent Articles in Video Class Library

Duration: 54 minutes

Emphasis:  In this Vinyasa Flow class you'll warm up with some arm swings followed by a standard Sun Salutation. The next two rounds feature shoulder stretches in Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana), Revolved Side Angle Pose variation (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana), Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana) and One Leg Downward Facing Dog Pose (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana). Seated poses include Child's Pose (Balasana), the Deer Pose variation of Bharadvaja's Twist (Bharadvajasana) and Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana) and some relaxing supine poses such as Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana), Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana) and Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana). Finally, there's a lovely long Savasana to help you relax and restore after your physical practice.

Props needed: 2 blocks or a brick and a yoga belt.

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

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Big arm circles and sweeping shoulder openers start this class, followed by a Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). Thread The Needle Pose (Urdhva Mukha Pasasana) and Child's Pose (Balasana) come next, then we move to sitting in Easy Pose (Sukhasana) for some more arm circles, a side bend and the arm position from Eagle Pose (Garudasana). A gentle neck stretch (no pushing down on the side of your head please) will help to release the shoulders - I hope you'll really be able to feel the difference between each side - and then we'll lie down for a final neck massage using a block before resting in Savasana.

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees if needed, a block and 2 bricks.

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

Duration: 34 minutes

Emphasis:  We start this class with modified Sun Salutations - no stepping back and forward. The sequence progresses with Locust Pose (Salabasana) variations and some shoulder openers then, after setting up the mat and blanket, comes Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana). Once settled into the pose some variations are offered, including Plough Pose (Halasana), and then the counterpose for Shoulderstand, Fish Pose (Matsyasana). Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana), a supine twist and Reclined Bound Angle Pose( Supta Baddha Konasana) follow next before we finish the practice with Savasana. Please note: Although there are many benefits to practising Shoulderstand (calming to the nervous system, stretches upper back and neck, regulates the thyroid gland, helps digestion, restful for the heart as it doesn't have to pump the blood up to the legs, stimulates the lymphatic system and strengthens the whole body), it also has some contraindications (high blood pressure, eye, ear and neck problems, heart problems, pregnancy and menstruation, hiatus hernia) and should be practised with care.

Props needed: A blanket, 2 blocks and 2 bricks plus a yoga belt if you need it to join your hands together behind your back.

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

Duration: 30 minutes

Emphasis:  Help to keep your shoulder joints feeling 'oiled' and free whilst doing a bit of resistance work to strengthen the muscles too. The majority of this class is done standing (there's a Warrior 2 based sequence) and you'll be using a yoga belt, then right at the end there will be a few supine poses including Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana) and a relaxing supported backbend.

Props needed: A yoga belt, 2 blocks and a blanket.

Mat direction: Long side of the mat facing the screen.

Duration: 14 minutes

Emphasis:  This short class will help you free up your shoulders, neck and upper back. All the movements, which include shoulder rolls and shoulder 'flossing', are done seated on a chair but you could do them standing up too. Great for a warm-up or as a stand-alone class, repeat regularly to keep you shoulders mobile.

Props needed: An optional chair and a yoga belt.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 24 minutes

Emphasis:  In this Iyengar-style class the poses alternate between extending your arms out to the sides and lifting the arms up above your head. Expect familiar poses such as Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana), Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana), Tree Pose (Vrksasana), a Locust Pose variation (Salabhasana), Melting Heart Pose (Anahatasana), Revolved Abdomen Pose (Jathara Parivartanasana) and Upward Extended Feet Pose (Urdhva Prasarita Padasana). You'll also be working on your strength and stamina as you'll hold the poses for 3 breaths on each side.

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

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

Duration: 38 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy some empowering Sun Salutations with the added arm strengtheners of Revolved Lunge Pose (Parivrtta Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana) and Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) followed by some arm and wrists stretches and Bound Hands Warrior 1 Pose (Baddha Hasta Virabhadrasana I). There's also some seated and supine stretches too.

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

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

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  This short class offers poses that will strengthen your arms, stretch your arms and help the mobility of your shoulder, elbow, wrist and finger joints. It's a great sequence to practise regularly if you sit at a computer for multiple hours a day and also just for general maintenance of your arms too. You can do the poses sitting on a chair or standing if you prefer.

Props needed: A chair (optional), a brick or block, a yoga belt.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 7 minutes

Emphasis:  Give your hardworking hands a little attention and relaxation with this mindful meditation. After releasing any tension in your hands you'll bring your awareness to each finger in turn, before sitting in peaceful stillness for a few moments.

Props needed: None.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 1hr 15 minutes

Emphasis:  Liven up your vinyasa flow practice with some hand-weights. After a dynamic warm-up, these Sun Salutation based sequences will help to strengthen your arms and your core as we flow through familiar poses but add repetitive arm movements with weights. You'll then come to the floor for some seated poses which will stretch out your arms before relaxing in Savasana. Note:  look out for the cameo appearance by Flo!

Props needed: 2 hand-weights, or small water bottles, or even tins of food, and a blanket for Savasana if required.

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis: Often in yoga there is a focus on flexibility and stretching but it is equally important to keep the muscles strong and in good condition to support the joints and keep them stable. The Sun Salutations in this flow include Locust Pose (Salabhasana), an accessible low backbend which strengthens the entire back of the body from your neck all the way down through the back, buttocks, back of thighs, calves and ankles.  Regular practice of this valuable backbend will be really helpful for preventative back care.

Props needed: A block, a blanket and a yoga belt.

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

Duration: 16 minutes

Emphasis:  This short practice will help you to mobilise your back with some gentle seated side bends, twists, forward bends and backbends. There is also a standing stretch and a twist, both using the chair for support.

Props needed: A chair.

Mat direction: n/a