Recent Articles in Vinyasa Flow

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.

Duration: 57 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll strengthen your core (the front, sides and back of your torso and the pelvic floor) with some supine abdominal work including a preparation for Bakasana (Crow Pose), some side-lying hip mobility work which also strengthens the oblique abdominals, some Sun Salutations including Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) plus Malasana (Garland Pose) which will lead on to Bakasana (Crow Pose). You'll finish with some supine stretches to relax and soften the areas that you have been working strongly.

Props needed: Blocks, bricks or books to put under your hands and a blanket for Savasana and to pad under your pelvis for the hip work if required.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Are you up for some fun? This class will have you jumping and hopping all over your mat. Expect to practise Candle Pose (Prapidasana), Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Goddess Pose (Uktakakonasana), Wild Thing (Camatkarasana), Side Arm Balance (Vasisthasana) and more, plus some hopping forward and back and side to side. I hope it will bring your heart-rate up and put a smile to your face. 

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

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen will work best for this class.

Duration: 34 minutes.

Emphasis:  Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) A, B, and C plus a couple of extra variations to keep you moving in different ways. 

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

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 32 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll be moving continuously through the poses to get energised and revitalised. We'll flow through two similar standing flows which include Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Lizard Pose (Uttan Pristhasana), Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana), Goddess Pose (Utkan Konasana) twisting variation and Kneeling Side Plank Pose (Ardha Vasisthasana). There will also be 3 rounds of the 'Ha Kriya' - breath and movement combined to rev you up, get rid of stagnant energy and bring lots of fresh oxygen into the bloodstream. (Please note, this kriya is not suitable for those with high blood pressure). 

 
Props needed:  Possibly blocks or books for under your hands in Pyramid Pose (they'll give you a bit more room to straighten your leg) and a blanket for Savasana and to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration:  61 minutes

Emphasis:  This sequence, based around a Sun Salutation, uses a yoga strap/belt to assist shoulder movement, strengthen your arms and help you reach your foot in some seated and supine poses such as Krounchasana (Heron Pose), Supta Upavista Konasana (Supine Wide-Angle Forward Bend), Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), Salabasana (Locust Pose) variation and Anantasana (Side Reclining Leg-Lift), 

Props needed:  A yoga strap or a tie from a bathrobe plus a blanket for Savasana if required.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  3 rounds of Sun Salutations with progressive variations of Side Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana) - you'll do lunges and twists, a lovely restful Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) before finishing with a relaxing Savasana.

Props needed:  A block or book to put under your hand and a blanket to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis:  A quick warm-up followed by 3 rounds of Sun Salutation to move and stretch your body, raise your energy, focus your mind and get you ready for the day ahead.

Props needed:  None required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 56 minutes

Emphasis:  A flow class with standing sequences containing kneeling poses such as Cat/Cow Pose (Marjariasana/Bitilasana), Side Plank Pose variation (Ardha Vasisthasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana), Thunderbolt or Kneeling Pose (Vajrasana), Seated Yoga Seal Pose (Yoga Mudrasana) and a preparation for Pendant Pose (Lolasana). There's a seated and supine sequence to finish and a lovely long Savasana so you can rest and relax after your hard work. Note: if you have delicate knees please use padding and adjust the poses as necessary or choose a class where there is not as much kneeling involved.

Props needed:  Possibly a blanket to kneel on, a yoga belt or a tie or strap and possibly blocks, bricks or books to put under your hands for Standing Splits.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 39 minutes

Emphasis:  Join me for this flowing sequence that will open your hips and help to free up your back. The flow will include the usual elements of a vinyasa (Sphynx/Cobra to Downward Facing Dog), with some standing poses including Standing Splits, Side Angle Pose and a standing balance. We'll finish with Anantasana (Vishnu's Couch Pose) and Mandukasana (Frog Pose) - both the half variation and then we'll have a go at the full pose!

Props needed:  A blanket to pad your knees. Blocks/bricks/thick books for under your hands if required.

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

Duration: 53 minutes

Emphasis:  Sun Salutations with Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana) and Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana 1) with hands interlocked behind the back to stretch the chest and the arms.

Props needed:  A blanket for under your knees and for Savasana if required. A strap in case you find interlocking your fingers behind your back difficult.

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

Duration: 41 minutes

Emphasis:  Slow and steady, this flow has minimal instruction from me, giving you time to make your own adjustments and focus on your breathing in each pose. There's a kneeling flow first, followed by a standing flow and the class finishes up with some supine poses before a nice long Savasana.

Props needed:  A blanket for under your knees and for Savasana if required. A block or book to put under your hand.

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