Recent Articles in Focus

Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes

Emphasis:  We'll be doing some warm-up stretches seated on a chair, then we'll take some slow Sun Salutations before using the chair again to help with balance in Tree Pose (Vrksasana) and the Standing Leg Stretch Series (Utthita Hasta Padhangusthasana series). We'll also practise Camel Pose (Ustrasana) and Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana) using the chair.

Props needed: A chair, a blanket and some books to put your foot on to make the chair higher if you want to stretch the back of your legs a bit more deeply.

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

Duration: 12 minutes

Emphasis:  Sometimes you just don't feel like doing any yoga but you do want to rest. In this class you'll be lying down for 12 minutes as I guide you through a meditative Savasana and into rest and stillness.

Props needed: A bolster or a rolled up pillow for under your knees (use a bathrobe tie to keep it in shape) and a blanket to keep you warm.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll do some forward bends, some stretches for the sides of the body and the legs and do a couple of gentle backbends too.

Props needed: Two straps or bathrobe ties or similar, two blocks or books, and a blanket.

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  Work your core muscles and do some hip stretches and twists too.

Props needed: A blanket.

Mat direction: You choose - I'm mirroring you although on retrospect I didn't need to in this class, so listen to the verbal cues.

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis:  We live in a culture that celebrates perfection and the correction of 'faults' so we have been conditioned to think of our physical differences from each other as problems. How often do you hear someone say 'I hate my feet/legs/hair/nose'?. This meditation invites us to see our bodies in a different way - to remind us that all the myriad parts of ourself working together is a miracle. Let's retrain ourselves to think about our bodies in this more positive way. Just so you know, the words of the meditation are not mine but I can't remember where they came from so I don't know who to credit.

Props needed: A cushion, blanket or chair to make yourself comfortable in an upright seated position.

Mat direction: n/a

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  Bring your yoga practice into the rest of your life with this balancing challenge. There's no need to get changed or unroll your mat, just take off your shoes and socks, find a clear space in the room and give this a go. Do it regularly - don't worry about remembering the sequence exactly - and you'll notice that you get stronger in your legs, ankles and core muscles and all your balancing poses improve. Smile if it gets wobbly - and it probably will - it's meant to be fun and lighthearted :-)

Props needed: None necessary - just make sure you have clear space around you in case you wobble over, or you could practise next to a wall for added security.

Mat direction: n/a - I'm mirroring you here but, on reflection, there was no need for me to do that! Just follow the verbal cues instead.

Duration: 24 minutes

Emphasis:  A mostly seated and supine class, you'll start and finish lying in Crocodile Pose (Makrasana), enjoy some twists and forward bends, and try an interesting transition from a seated twist into Downward Facing Dog.

Props needed: A strap (or the tie from a bathrobe or something similar), and two blankets (you might like to use one under your knee and one under your head in the supine twist.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen and I'll mirror you so that you get the best view of the poses on each side.

Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes

Emphasis:  Recording of a live Zoom Dynamic Flow class, although the pace is steady and measured. It includes repetitions Camel Pose (Ustrasana) and Gate Pose (Parighasana).

Props needed: 2 blocks or books, a strap (or the tie from a bathrobe or something similar), and a blanket.

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

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Emphasis:  Recording of a live Zoom general flow class uses a strap in lots of the poses to stretch and strengthen the body. Apologies - the first few minutes are missing from this video - I don't know what happened :-( You'll miss the settling and centering but join it as we start to warm up.

Props needed: A strap (or the tie from a bathrobe or something similar) and a blanket to kneel on and cover yourself in Savasana.

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

Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes

Emphasis:  Recording of a live Zoom class which includes backbends (Sphynx, Cobra and Seal Pose), forward bends (Childs and Star Pose), lunges (Lizard Pose), twists (Thread The Needle Pose) plus some variations of Pigeon Pose and a calf muscle massage too.

Props needed: Blocks or bricks to put under your forearms in Lizard Pose if needed and two blankets.

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

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  Flowing through a Sun Salutation we'll add in Candle Pose (Prapidasana), Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottonasana), Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II) plus Lizard Pose (Uttan Pristhasana) and a stretchy side lunge variation. This flow is slow and steady but we'll hold the poses for a few breaths.

Props needed: Blocks or bricks to put under your forearms in Lizard Pose if needed.

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

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  This sequence is all done lying down. We'll focus on your hip mobility, strengthening the surrounding muscles, stretching the legs and we'll finish with a gentle supported backbend.

Props needed: A blanket and a strap to reach your foot if needed.

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