Recent Articles in Hatha Yoga

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis: Stretch the front of your body and bring some mobility to your spine with these gentle backbends. Each backbend is counter-posed with a gentle forward bend. Poses include Cow Pose (Bitilasana), Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), Camel Pose (Ustrasana), Melting Heart (Anahatasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) and a relaxing yet opening Savasana supported by blocks and a blanket.

Props needed: Two blocks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 32 minutes.

Emphasis: Most of the poses in this class feature hip openers that have the ankle over the opposite thigh in the 'figure 4' shape. You'll do some seated and supine poses to start, then come to standing for a sequence that includes some balancing (so stand close to a wall for a bit of extra stability), before finishing off with more seated and supine poses. It's nice and slow to give you time to get a really good stretch - I hope you enjoy it.

Props needed: A blanket and a wall if needed.

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

Duration: 27 minutes

Emphasis: In an Iyengar-style practice you'll hold the poses for a little longer than in a flow class and do each pose on both sides before moving on to the next one. This style of yoga has a focus on the alignment of your body too so expect quite a lot of instruction in each pose. The pace is slow and the poses (a mix of standing and seated) are straightforward - it's good to go back to basics every now and then.

Props needed: Blocks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis: Enjoy this class of side-lying and seated poses which will stretch and strengthen legs and hips.

Props needed: A blanket and a yoga belt.

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

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis: Stretch your legs in this short seated class. Perfect if you've been walking, running, cycling or doing any other sport, it will stretch out those muscles that have been working so hard. Most of the poses are done in Wide Leg Forward Fold (Upavista Konasana), but there's a thigh stretch and a hip opener too.

Props needed: None needed except if you need a blanket or block to sit on.

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

Duration: 16 minutes

Emphasis: Sometimes core strength work is hard and there can be a resistance to doing it. This class has very doable strengthening poses that I hope you won't hate too much! ;-) Give it a try!

Props needed: None needed.

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

Duration: 12 minutes

Emphasis: Enjoy a good stretch using the support of the wall. Expect spinal extension, calf stretches, shoulder stretches, a hip opener, a thigh stretch, a little arm strength work and then a few minutes to relax with your legs up the wall.

Props needed: Some wall space.

Mat direction: Wherever works best for you.

Duration: 35 minutes

Emphasis: This class has sequences with repetitive movements to take you through backbends, forward bends and side bends.You'll move slowly, taking your time to feel your way through your body, cultivating your awareness and a slow, steady rhythm to your breath.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on and possibly a belt for some of the backbends.

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

Duration: 32 minutes

Emphasis: The title of this class tells you all you need to know :-) You'll be focussing on stretching the backs of the legs and opening the hips in mostly seated and supine poses such as Garland Pose (Malasana), Half Splits (Ardha Hanumanasana) and Eye of the Needle Pose (Sucirandrasana) amongst others.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on and blocks to sit on.

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

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis: Enjoy this relaxing class where most of the poses are done lying down, inviting you to breathe slowly and rest while stretching your body. Expect twists, leg stretches and a moving Cobra backbend.

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

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen. Please note: Many apologies but there were some issues with the microphone which means that there is some sound intereference in this class. I hope it doesn't detract from the practice itself and the benefits you'll get from it.

Duration: 1hr 13 minutes

Emphasis: In this class you'll use the wall for most of the poses. It will offer you stability in the balancing poses, support in the resting poses and a way to explore some other postures in a slightly different way - and there will be a couple of rounds of slow Sun Salutations too.

Props needed: Wall space, blocks, a blanket and a yoga belt.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat against a wall.

Duration: 1 hr 14 minutes

Emphasis: This is an Iyengar style class, with each pose being done separately rather than flowing together. Expect to hold the poses for around 3 breaths to cultivate focus, strength and resilience. Standing poses in this class include - Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Warrior 3 variation (Virabhadrasana III) and Eagle Pose (Garudasana). The floor poses include Half Frog Pose (Ardha Bhekasana), Bow Pose (Dhanurasana), Head To Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana) and Paschimottanasana and then it's back to standing for the Padhungustasana leg stretch series using a chair. The final relaxation is done with the legs up on the seat of the chair.

Props needed: Two bricks, a blanket, a belt and a chair.

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