Recent Articles in Hatha Yoga

Duration: 56 minutes

Emphasis: All the poses in this class are done sitting, kneeling (just a couple) or lying down, making it the perfect class for when you're feeling weary and just want to take things a little slower. All of them stretch and/or strengthen the hips (inner and outer) and buttocks which will also hopefully help your back to feel a little more mobile and easeful too.

Props needed: Two blocks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis: The poses in this class will stretch your legs and your spine. Starting in Tabletop Pose (Bharmanasana), you'll mobilise the spine before moving into Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Swanasana). A variation of Thread the Needle Pose with one leg extended straight (Urdhva Mukha Pasasana variation) comes next to warm up the shoulders, inner legs and ribcage and, again, stretch the spine. Moving to standing you'll take more shoulder warm-ups before coming into Wide Legged Standing Forward Bend. The different variations will stretch into the hips, rotate the spine and also around the shoulderblades. Another Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Swanasana) takes you to Child's Pose (Balasana) and from there you can come and rest in Savasana or Constructive Rest Pose.

Props needed: Blocks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 15 minutes

Emphasis: In this class you'll move from top-to-toe gently moving the joints. Although you're probably familiar with them as I often include them as warm-ups in my classes, you might not know that these exercises are yoga poses. I rarely use their proper names - but they do have them - and I'll use them in this class. You can use this sequence as a stand-alone class - it's especially good to do first thing in the morning to get you moving - or as a warm-up before moving onto another activity or yoga class. Practise these movements often to help keep your joints mobile and healthy.

Props needed: None needed.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 20 minutes

Emphasis: Take just 20 minutes to bring a little movement to your body. Especially good if you're tired, you've been sitting at a desk for hours and need a break or if you've only got 20 minutes for your practice. You'll do a little bit of everything - strengthening for your legs, mobility for your spine, flexibility for your hips and inner thighs plus a little bit of quietening for your mind.

Props needed: A sturdy chair.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 51 minutes

Emphasis: The deep stretches in this class will help to keep you flexible, stretching connective tissues and improving joint mobility. The slow pace of the class and quiet spaces between the poses will help your nervous system relax and your mind to become still. Yin yoga is the perfect practice for the end of the day, allowing you to let go of all the busy-ness and set you up for a good night's sleep.

Props needed: None apart from a blanket for padding if required.

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

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis: This sequence will move your joints, helping to lubricate them to promote better mobility and also strengthen the muscles, ligaments and tendons surrounding the joints. These two together (mobility and strength) will reduce injury and joint pain and help your body enjoy greater freedom of movement.

Props needed: Two blocks for under your hands in Wide Legged Forward Fold if needed, plus a blanket.

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

Duration: 12 minutes

Emphasis: I'd just come in from a few hours gardening, wheelbarrowing compost and spreading it out on my flower beds (hence looking a bit dishevelled!) and thought I'd share my go-to stretches that are helpful to bring my back into neutral after several hours in flexion. At this time of year when many of us are itching to get out there and get our gardens ready for the summer season it's easy to overdo it and then suffer with back-ache. If you practise these movements after gardening - and in-between gardening sessions too - you'll help to minimize muscle imbalances and hopefully prevent injury.

Props needed: A sturdy chair.

Mat direction: N/A.

Note: at the beginning of the class I mention the 'no dig' method of gardening which keeps the soil healthier and also saves your back. If you're interested in finding out more go to https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/

Duration: 39 minutes

Emphasis: Move through the body from head to toe mobilising the joints and stretching the muscles in these seated poses. You'll move slowly with the intention of down-regulating your nervous system and quuietiening body and mind so this class is useful if you're feeling overwhelmed, tired or wired and will help you to relax.

Props needed: A blanket and a yoga belt.

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

Duration: 58 minutes

Emphasis: In this class we make repetitive movements to help improve mobility. We'll try some unusual, fun challenges too. I hope this class will leave you feeling looser and more limber in your joints and muscles.

Props needed: A blanket and two cushions.

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

Duration: 7 minutes

Emphasis: If you're new to Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana) or haven't practised it for a while try it this way using a wall to help you get in position. The set-up is important for the comfort of your neck so watch carefully first to ensure you've got it right, then push your feet into the wall to lift the hips and, maybe, one or even both legs. Shoulderstand strengthens the upper body, quietens the nervous system. massages the thyroid and parathyroid glands which stimulates the lymph system and stimulates blood flow. 

Props needed: Two blankets and some wall space.

Mat direction: Edge of your mat against the wall.

Duration: 22 minutes

Emphasis: Help to improve the rotation of your spine (very important in our rather static and seated modern lifestyles) with this short class. Expect to twist your spine three times in various poses and then pause on the 4th rotation to get a good stretch and increase your range of movement.

Props needed: A blanket and two blocks.

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

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis: This is a short class that's perfect for a warm-up or just for a bit of movement when you haven't got much time . You'll do lots of mobility work - 'oiling' the joints, moving with repetitive movements and getting your heart rate up too. Expect some arm swings, marching, squats plus Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana), Tree Pose (Vrksasana) and Revolved Chair Pose (Parivrtta Utkatasana). 

Props needed: None needed unless you need a wall or a chair for stability in Tree Pose.

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