Recent Articles in Duration

Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes

Emphasis:  After a Diaphragmatic Breathing practice, we warm up with some supine poses that work the hips and core muscles. We progress to slow Sun Salutations and add in Half Chair Pose (Ardha Utkatasana) with sweeping arm movements and a modified Tree Pose (Vrksasana). Each time we repeat the sequence we add in another pose - Warrior 3 (Virabhadrasana III) and Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) to challenge the balance. We finish the class with some slow seated and supine stretches before resting in Savasana..

Mat direction: It doesn't really matter - so you choose :-)

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  This Sun Salutation based flow includes variations of High Lunge Pose (Alanasana) that will challenge your balance and strengthen your legs and core muscles.

Props needed: Just your mat.

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

Duration: 11 minutes

Emphasis:  Take a break from your busy day to relax with this simple meditation. The mind is often so active, incessantly scrolling through thoughts, past events and future possibilities but this short practice aims to give you some respite from this. Rest your brain as you focus on the sounds and sensations of the world around you. If possible do this meditation outside, but if the weather or technology won't allow that then sitting by an open door, or even a window, works just as well.

Props needed: A cushion/block/folded blanket/chair to sit on, either outside or by an open door or window.

Mat direction: n/a

Duration: 1 hour 1 minute

Emphasis:  After warming up, you'll use a yoga belt to help stretch and mobilise the shoulders in Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Wide Leg Standing Forward Fold (Prasarita Padottanasana) and Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana). You'll then move to the floor for seated poses including Sage Marichi's Pose 1 (Marichyasana I), Sage Marichi's Pose 3 (Marichyasana III), Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana), Revolved Head to Knee Pose (Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana) and Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), then you'll lie down on your back for Half Plough Pose (Ardha Halasana), Reclined Straddle Pose (Supta Upavista Konasana) and Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana).

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

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

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  If you've been driving or sitting for ages or maybe you've been digging in the garden and your back is a little stiff and achey, these poses will help to release and soothe it. You'll hold these simple, familiar poses for a while so that you can relax into them, letting go of tension. PLEASE NOTE: this class is not suitable if you have any sharp pain or have injured your back - please see a doctor/physio/osteopath to get a diagnosis and check that these poses are ok for you to do.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel and lie on, plus a bolster or 2 blocks and another blanket.

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  This gentle sequence will start with a simple breathing practice, then take you through some warm-ups done seated on the chair before you stand up and use it to assist you in some standing poses. Expect variations of Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana 1), a Standing Twist and Half Standing Forward Bend (Ardha Uttanasana). The sequence takes you from one side of the chair around to the other and then it is repeated back again.

Props needed: A chair.

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

Duration: 35 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll practise some of your familiar and favourite standing poses seated on a chair. Perfect for whenever you're feeling a little weary but still want to do your yoga, or if you are nursing an injured ankle or knee, for example. After some joint-loosening warm-ups, you'll do Reverse Warrior Pose (Viparita Virabhadrasana), Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana), Wide-Legged Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana), Eagle Pose (Garudasana), Sage Twist (Marichyasana III) and Staff Pose (Dandasana). You'll then sit and breathe for a while in Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) before taking your legs up onto the chair for a relaxing and back-releasing Savasana.

Props needed: A chair, some blocks to put under your hands in the forward bend.

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

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  In this pranayama practice you'll deepen your breath and pause at the top of the inhalation (known as Antara Kumbhaka) and then pause at the bottom of the exhalation (known as Bahya Kumbhaka). This practice will help to increase your lung capacity and also calm the nervous system.

Props needed: None needed.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  These repetitive sequences will take you from hands and knees to raising one leg (which will challenge your balance) and into a 'long hold' pose (to build your strength). Expect variations of Cat (Marjariasana) and Cow (Bitilasana) Pose, Balancing Table Pose (Dandayamana Bharmanasana), Single Leg Downward Facing Dog (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana), Plank Pose (Phalakasana), Dolphin Pose (Catur Svanasana), some Mountain Climbers and Side Plank Pose(Vasisthasana).

Props needed: A blanket to put under your knees.

Mat direction: Either - you choose.

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  Strengthen your abdominals and other 'core' muscles with these repetitive circling movements in seated and supine poses.

Please note my camera had a problem focussing when I lay down for Savasana and it repeatedly goes blurry! I hope it shouldn't be too much of a problem as you'll be getting ready to lie down but it will make your eyes go funny if you look at it! Therefore I cut and pasted another clip into the Savasana section so it didn't do it for 5 minutes.  I just thought I'd let you know in case you think it's gone a bit weird ;-) 

Props needed: A blanket to put under your pelvis when you're lying down.

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

Duration: 41 minutes

Emphasis:  The whole of this class is done sitting on a chair. After a gentle warm-up you'll do 5 rounds of seated Sun Salutations followed by repetitive sequences that include side bends, twists and different variations of Chair Pose.

Props needed: Blocks and a chair.

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

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy a slow, easeful stretch with this floor-based class of supine and seated poses. Expect some supported backbends using the blanket and/or bolster, some hip openers and twists plus a lovely long Savasana.

Props needed: Blocks, blanket and a bolster (or 2 pillows rolled up in a blanket).

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