Recent Articles in 60+ minutes

Duration: 1hr 16 minutes

Emphasis:  After a seated warm-up we move into a supine sequence that will alternately strengthen and stretch the hips and buttocks. Expect familiar poses such as Pigeon Pose (Ardha Kapotasana), Eye of the Needle Pose (Sucirandrasana) and Bridge Pose (Setu Bhandasana) plus some new and hopefully interesting movements that will be beneficial to your hips. The class finishes, of course, with a long Savasana.

Props needed: A blanket, 2 blocks and 2 bricks.

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

Duration: 1 hr 15 minutes

Emphasis:  We start standing for a warm up and exploratory Sun Salutation, then we move on to two Sun Salutation-based sequences that include some resistance work with the belt, forearm plank variations and some interesting and unique exercises to strengthen the arms. In the seated poses we visit Archer Pose (Arkana Danurasana) and Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), both with an emphasis on the 'pulling' action, and a seated twist. Then we lie down for a moving leg stretch which is done holding the belt, and a variation of Supine Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana). We finish, as always, with a relaxing Savasana.

Props needed: A blanket, 2 bricks and a yoga belt.

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

Duration: 1hr 17 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy some hip openers, leg stretches and twists in this slow and steady class. Perfect for doing in the evening as it won't rev up your heart-rate and your nervous system, the sequences include Half Frog Pose (Ardha Mandukasana), Garland Pose (Malasana) and Standing Forward Bends (Uttanasana) with the heels on a block followed by the balls of the feet on a block. The next sequence includes the other Half Frog Pose (confusingly there are two English names - this one stretches the front of the thigh rather than opening the leg to the side and has a different Sanskrit name, Ardha Bhekasana). The next sequence includes some Pigeon Pose (Ardha Kapotasana), followed by the full Frog Pose (Mandukasana). We finish with some gentle fluid twists and a gentle, relaxing hip opener with the feet on blocks and a blanket. Note: When we get to Pigeon Pose I offer the alternative of Eye of the Needle Pose (Sucirandrasana) but I don't demonstrate it - just as a reminder, it's the one where you lie on your back, take one ankle over the opposite thigh just above the knee, and lift the other foot from the floor, interlocking the fingers behind the thigh - you get the same stretch around the hip and buttock as you would in Pigeon Pose but without the weight and possible pinching in the knee.

Props needed: 2 blocks and two blankets.

Mat direction: Doesn't matter - you choose.

Duration: 1hr 12 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy a deep stretch in this slow, relaxing class. After a supine warm-up, you'll come up to hands and knees for a sequence which includes lunges, twists and leg stretches. Some more supine poses lead you into Savasana where I'll guide you through Yoga Nidra, a relaxing journey through 61 points of the body, leaving you feeling peaceful, rested and spacious.

Props needed: A blanket, 2 blocks, a brick and a yoga belt.

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

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Emphasis:  This class focuses on mobility and freedom for the shoulders. We start on the chair to warm-up, before moving into a standing pose sequence in which we circle the arms. We then move back to using the chair for support for some strengthening poses before coming down to the floor for some supine leg stretches and seated arm and shoulder stretches, followed by Savasana.

Props needed: A chair, a belt (or tie from a bathrobe) and a blanket.

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

Duration: 1hr 15 minutes

Emphasis:  Liven up your vinyasa flow practice with some hand-weights. After a dynamic warm-up, these Sun Salutation based sequences will help to strengthen your arms and your core as we flow through familiar poses but add repetitive arm movements with weights. You'll then come to the floor for some seated poses which will stretch out your arms before relaxing in Savasana. Note:  look out for the cameo appearance by Flo!

Props needed: 2 hand-weights, or small water bottles, or even tins of food, and a blanket for Savasana if required.

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

Duration: 1 hr 17 minutes

Emphasis:  In this relaxing Yin/Restorative class you'll move through forward bends, backbends, sidebends and twists, gently releasing stress and tension in the body and mind.

Props needed: A bolster (or two pillows rolled in a blanket), two blocks and a blanket..

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

Duration: 1 hr 14 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we start with some supine warming-up with a focus on the abdominal muscles and the hip joints. We then move on to Sun Salutation A and then some rounds of Sun Salutation B, adding more core and hip work into the sequence. Some seated poses and a lovely relaxation complete the class.

Props needed: A blanket, 2 blocks and a yoga belt.

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

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: 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: 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: 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.