Recent Articles in Focus

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  This practice will take you deep into relaxation - your awareness will be guided around 61 points of the body, pausing briefly at each one before moving on to the next. You'll become less aware of the outer world and just have a quiet awareness of your inner world, hovering on the edge of sleep. Note: there is the possibility that you will fall asleep so you might wish to set a timer in case you don't hear the end of the class. Yoga Nidra is a helpful practice to do if you find meditation challenging because your mind won't quieten down. You'll feel deeply relaxed and refreshed afterwards.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 34 minutes

Emphasis:  This slow flow class will stretch your Psoas muscles deeply. If you want a more gentle psoas stretch go to the Hatha Section and choose the class "Poses to Stretch your Psoas Muscle".

Props needed: A blanket to put under your knee, blocks to rest your forearms on in Lizard Pose, possibly a belt to loop around your foot.

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

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  Learn how to do this kneeling backbend (Sanskrit name Ustrasana) with good alignment so you don't hurt your back or neck.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on, a bolster (or a pillow rolled in a blanket or towel - I'll show you how to do this).

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  Strengthen and stretch your ankles for increased mobility and better balance.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on if you are practising on a hard floor, possibly a block for under your heels in Malasana and/or under your sitting bones in Bharadvajrasana.

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

Duration: 5 minutes

Emphasis:  Step-by-step guide to come into this deep backbend with good alignment.

Props needed: Possibly a blanket beneath your hips if you are practicing on a hard floor.

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

Duration: 45 minutes

Emphasis:  Plenty of Sun Salutations with Bow Pose variations.

Props needed: You might need a belt to loop round your foot in Kneeling Bow Pose if you can't quite catch with your hand. A blanket to kneel on.

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

Duration: 45 minutes

Emphasis:  A standing pose sequence with triangle, wide-legged forward bend, reverse triangle, and other poses that will strengthen and stretch your legs, and stretch and twist your spine.

Props needed: Blocks or books to put your hands on in standing forward bend and possibly a belt to hold in your hands behing you when taking forward bend with the arms up behind you.

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

Duration: 15 minutes

Emphasis:  This short sequence will help improve your balance. You'll strengthen your legs and your core and improve your concentration.

Props needed: Blocks to put your hands on if you need it for standing splits.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  This class will stretch the inner thighs and open the hips.

Props needed: A block or book to put your hands on if you need it in the forward bends.

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

Duration: 5 minutes

Emphasis:  The first in a series of Philosophy classes - an introduction to the roots of yoga and the ancient text the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. We will be using the Yoga Sutras to explore the 8 'limbs' or steps of yoga over the next few months, discovering how we can use them to guide us through modern day life - think of it as life-coaching the yoga way.

Props needed: A comfortable place to sit.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis: This pranayama practice will ensure you are using your diaphragm fully - it's an important part of your breathing apparatus which, if you always breath quite shallowly can lose its flexibility and movement just like any other unused muscle. This is a very relaxing practice and will leave you feeling spacious and calm.

Props needed: A block and space to lie down.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 12 minutes

Emphasis: Dynamic Sun Salutation B to get your energy revved up.

Props needed: None needed.

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