Recent Articles in Focus

Duration: 1 hr 11 minutes

Emphasis:  We start with some warm-ups seated on the chair then progress to seated variations of Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana) and Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana I). We then swap to using the chair for support under the hands as we do some standing poses including Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Revolved Triangle Pose (Parivrtta Trikonasana) and Standing Hand-to-Big-Toe Poses 1, 2 and 3 (Padanghustasana I, II and III).

Props needed: A chair and 2 blocks or a brick.

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

Duration: 24 minutes

Emphasis:  After warming up with Sun Salutations we move into a sequence that will strengthen your legs with Chair Pose (Utkatasana), a repetitive challenging transition from Standing Single Leg Balance (Tadasana Pavanmuktasana) to High Lunge Pose (Alanasana), strengthen your core with the balancing and Plank Pose with one leg lifted (Eka Pada Phalakasana) and work the hip area with Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II) and One Legged Chair Pose (Eka Pada Utkatasana). Expect to work hard in this sequence but have fun with the unfamiliar transitions. Some restful seated stretches follow the flow and you will definitely enjoy your Savasana!  Please note: there was a minor camera malfunction halfway through the class so there's a very slight continuity blip! It won't affect your class at all but I thought I'd better 'fess up' in case you notice it and wonder what happened:-)

Props needed: None required.

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

Duration: 34 minutes

Emphasis: After doing some warms ups in kneeling poses, we move to standing for variations of Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana) and Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana). Seated poses such as Archer Pose (Arkarna Dhanurasana), Heron Pose (Krounchasana) and Seated Pose aka Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Marichyasana 3) follow, and then, of course, Savasana.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on, a yoga belt and maybe a block to put under your hands.

Duration: 1 hr 10 minutes

Emphasis: After practising Surya Bhedana (Sun Piercing Breath) to increase circulation, stimulate the nervous system and raise the energy, we move into 3 rounds of repetitive creative flow - expect poses such as Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) and Twisting Chair Pose (Parivrtta Uttkatasana) twice, plus the balancing pose Extended-Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose (Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana) that we've been working on this half-term. We then move to seated poses including Head to Knee Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) and Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), and finish with Chandra Bhedana (Moon Piercing Breath) to calm the nervous system and slow the heart rate before Savasana. 

Props needed: A bit of wall space to help you balance if required, a block or blanket to sit on plus a yoga belt if needed to hold your foot in the standing balance.

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  This class takes you through some poses that offer you both forward bends and leg stretches. The slow pace will give you time to regulate your breathing and feel your way deeper into the poses if and when your body is ready. The perfect antidote to a busy day spent rushing around, the sequence will allow your mind to quieten down and your nervous system to relax while giving the legs and back a good stretch.  Note: please make sure you have done some warming up before practising this class - some marching on the spot, some pedalling the legs in Downward Facing Dog or a slow round of Sun Salutations for example. 

Props needed: A strap, a blanket (or two if you need extra padding) and a block.

Mat direction: Doesn't really matter, you choose what works best for you.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  This repetitive flow will invite some foot mobility in the form of bending the toe joints and circling the ankle. After warming up with Sun Salutation A, the sequence changes, moving from Chair Pose (Utkatasana) to Half-Chair Pose on tiptoes (Ardha Utkatasana), High Lunge with bending knee (Alanasana), Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana) with lifted heel, Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana), One Legged Downward Facing Dog Pose (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana) before going through a vinyasa to take you back to Chair pose again. The sequence is repeated three times on each side. Two seated poses give you time to quieten and settle before resting in Savasana.

Props needed: None needed.

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

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis:  In this short class you'll combine foot mobility with balancing. In the first sequence you'll balance on one leg whilst circling the foot and then in the second sequence you'll challenge your balance a little more by standing on a block. You'll finish with some supine poses to stretch the legs.

Props needed: A block plus a wall or chair to put your hand on to help with your balance if needed.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 40 minutes

Emphasis:  In this flow class you'll warm up with a couple of rounds of Sun Salutation A, followed by two rounds of a repeating flow in which each pose will either stretch or strengthen your feet. Expect poses such as Balancing Table Pose, also known as Balancing Cat (Dandayamana Bharmanasana), Melting Heart Pose (Anahatasana), Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana I), High Lunge Pose (Alanasana, also known as Ashta Chandrasana), Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and to feel that, as you rest in Savasana at the end, you have really helped to mobilise your feet.  At the beginning I say that it's a short flow.... however it evolved into a slightly longer one at 40 minutes! ;-)

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees and for Savasana.

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

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis:  Keep your feet mobile and supple with these quick stretches. Repeat often for best results - we tend to forget about our feet and, when stuck inside shoes for many hours a day, they can become inflexible and poorly aligned which can lead to problems in the ankles, knees, and up into the hips and spine, so a little bit of regular maintenance will be well worth it.

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees and for Savasana.

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

Duration: 1 hr 15 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll do some gentle, repetitive sequences interspersed with some contemplation about letting go of the past year and welcoming in the new. You'll be invited to choose a 'Word of the Year' to help guide you through the coming months and also, if you wish, to set a Sankalpa - the yogic equivalent of New Year's Resolutions.

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees and for Savasana and possibly a block for under your hands - plus a pen and paper to note down your thoughts and words.

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

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis:  Welcome in the New Year with these beautiful words (author unknown) that invite us to remember what is truly important as we look forward to the next 12 months. If you'd like to read these words again after the practice, I've posted them on the Blog. 

Props needed: A chair or a blanket to sit on.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 1 hr 15 minutes

Emphasis:  Slow and gentle sequences to soothe and relax your body, mind and spirit. There are a few balancing poses at the end using the chair to help keep you steady.

Props needed: A chair, a couple of blankets and possibly blocks to put under your hands if needed.

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