Recent Articles in 20-40 minutes

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  This sequence focuses on Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana). Forward bends are known to help quieten the mind and the nervous system and will give you a good stretch to your back and the back of the legs.

Props needed: 2 blocks, a blanket and a belt or tie from a bathrobe.

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  We'll warm up with a relaxed and loose swing for the arms and spine and move on to a heel bounce to raise your energy and improve circulation and lymph drainage. We'll then move into some variations of Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana), adding twists and forward bends and a Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) before coming down to the floor for a final shake-out and a long, relaxing Savasana.

Props needed: None required except if you want a blanket for Savasana.

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  In this sequence most of the poses are done with the arms above the head, initially with the hands apart and then, when we repeat it for a second time, with the thumbs linked together. Expect variations of Locust Pose (Salabhasana), Warrior 1 pose (Virabhadrasana I), a variation of Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Warrior 3 Pose (Virabhadrasana III) and Candle Pose (Prapidasana).

Props needed: None.

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

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  Move your whole body from top to toe whilst seated on a chair. This class is perfect if you're low on energy, feeling under the weather or nursing an injury and will help you to breathe better and release tension too.

Props needed: A chair (obviously! ;-) ) plus a block or book to put your feet on so, if your feet don't fully touch the ground, they can be flat on the floor and your knees can be level with your hips, plus you might like a blanket to sit on if your chair has a hard edge.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  This short class is ideal to practise first thing in the morning. We'll gently move the joints and stretch the muscles to warm-up then pick up the pace for a round of Sun Salutations that include Reverse Warrior Pose (Viparita Virabhadrasana), Triangle Pose (Uttitha Trikonasana) and Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II). We finish with some Seated Torso Circling (also known as Sufi Grinds) and a warming ritual to raise your Prana (your life-force energy) and send you off into the day ahead.

Props needed: None required.

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

Duration: 27 minutes

Emphasis:  In this supine and seated class we'll move the hips through their range of movement with poses such as Supine Tree Pose (Supta Vrksasana), Side Reclining Leg Lift Pose, also known as Vishnu's Couch Pose (Anantasana), Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana) and both the seated and supine variations of Bound Angle Pose, also known as Cobblers Pose, (Baddha Konasana).

Props needed: A belt, strap or tie from a bathrobe plus a blanket for under your hips and for Savasana if required.

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

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Expect to work hard in this class as we strengthen the 3 layers of abdominal muscles and your back muscles. Please note: you need a strong back for the most challenging variations of these poses - please don't overdo it! Build up slowly by repeating the class regularly to increase your strength. We'll be lying down for all the poses and we'll practice Leg Lowering, both single and double, and the Stomach Twist (Jathara Parivartanasana) with the legs bent and straight.

Props needed: None needed.

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

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  When you've been cycling or running certain muscles in certain parts of your body have been contracting and working hard. In this class you'll target those muscles and stretch them out, counterposing all that tensing, and stretch the rest of the body too. Please note: you don't have to be a runner or cyclist to do this class - you'll get a lovely stretch for your body whatever you've been doing.

Props needed: None.

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

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: 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: 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.