Recent Articles in 20-40 minutes

Duration: 38 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll practise Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Side Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana) and Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II) from standing pose in the Iyengar style, then again from Downward Facing Dog in the Vinyasa style and then we'll try them from Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana) too to experience how they all feel slightly different .

Props needed: Blocks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 36 minutes

Emphasis:  I couldn't decide whether this flow sequence should be classified as a Hatha Yoga class or a Vinyasa Flow - so I've put it in both categories! There's no Plank/Downward Facing Dog/Cobra vinyasa but this class does have a flow-y feel.  After a circulation-boosting warm-up the sequence contains Chair Pose (Utkatasana), Candle Pose (Prapidasana), variations of Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow Pose (Bitilasana) on the forearms and Forearm Plank (Phalakasana II).

Props needed: None.

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

Duration: 36 minutes

Emphasis:  I couldn't decide whether this flow sequence should be classified as a Hatha Yoga class or a Vinyasa Flow - so I've put it in both categories! Although strictly speaking it doesn't contain the usual vinyasa (literal translation is 'to place in a special way') of Plank/Downward Facing Dog/Cobra, it has that 'feel'. Give it a go and you can decide :-) After a circulation-boosting warm-up the sequence contains Chair Pose (Utkatasana), Candle Pose (Prapidasana), variations of Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow Pose (Bitilasana) on the forearms and Forearm Plank (Phalakasana II).

Props needed: None.

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

Duration: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  After some gentle warm-ups for the wrists and Sun Salutations for the rest of the body, we add in poses that will alternately strengthen and stretch the wrists, moving from weight-bearing to counterposing that. Poses include Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana), Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana I), High Lunge (Alanasana) and Humble Warrior (Baddha Virabhadrasana). We then come down to the floor for a seated sequence which also moves between wrist strengthening and stretching in Upward Plank Pose (Purvottanasana) and Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana).

Props needed: A blanket or block to sit on in the seated poses. Possibly a belt if you find it helpful to join your hands together behind your back.

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  This Sun Salutation based flow includes variations of High Lunge Pose (Alanasana) that will challenge your balance and strengthen your legs and core muscles.

Props needed: Just your mat.

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

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  If you've been driving or sitting for ages or maybe you've been digging in the garden and your back is a little stiff and achey, these poses will help to release and soothe it. You'll hold these simple, familiar poses for a while so that you can relax into them, letting go of tension. PLEASE NOTE: this class is not suitable if you have any sharp pain or have injured your back - please see a doctor/physio/osteopath to get a diagnosis and check that these poses are ok for you to do.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel and lie on, plus a bolster or 2 blocks and another blanket.

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  This gentle sequence will start with a simple breathing practice, then take you through some warm-ups done seated on the chair before you stand up and use it to assist you in some standing poses. Expect variations of Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana 1), a Standing Twist and Half Standing Forward Bend (Ardha Uttanasana). The sequence takes you from one side of the chair around to the other and then it is repeated back again.

Props needed: A chair.

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

Duration: 35 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll practise some of your familiar and favourite standing poses seated on a chair. Perfect for whenever you're feeling a little weary but still want to do your yoga, or if you are nursing an injured ankle or knee, for example. After some joint-loosening warm-ups, you'll do Reverse Warrior Pose (Viparita Virabhadrasana), Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana), Wide-Legged Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana), Eagle Pose (Garudasana), Sage Twist (Marichyasana III) and Staff Pose (Dandasana). You'll then sit and breathe for a while in Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) before taking your legs up onto the chair for a relaxing and back-releasing Savasana.

Props needed: A chair, some blocks to put under your hands in the forward bend.

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

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  These repetitive sequences will take you from hands and knees to raising one leg (which will challenge your balance) and into a 'long hold' pose (to build your strength). Expect variations of Cat (Marjariasana) and Cow (Bitilasana) Pose, Balancing Table Pose (Dandayamana Bharmanasana), Single Leg Downward Facing Dog (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana), Plank Pose (Phalakasana), Dolphin Pose (Catur Svanasana), some Mountain Climbers and Side Plank Pose(Vasisthasana).

Props needed: A blanket to put under your knees.

Mat direction: Either - you choose.

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  Strengthen your abdominals and other 'core' muscles with these repetitive circling movements in seated and supine poses.

Please note my camera had a problem focussing when I lay down for Savasana and it repeatedly goes blurry! I hope it shouldn't be too much of a problem as you'll be getting ready to lie down but it will make your eyes go funny if you look at it! Therefore I cut and pasted another clip into the Savasana section so it didn't do it for 5 minutes.  I just thought I'd let you know in case you think it's gone a bit weird ;-) 

Props needed: A blanket to put under your pelvis when you're lying down.

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

Duration: 37 minutes

Emphasis:  In each round of Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) we'll add in a different variation of Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) to stretch the muscles of the buttocks, thighs and hips.

Props needed: Blocks to put under your forearms in Pigeon Pose if required, a blanket to kneel on and/or use for Savasana.

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  There are lots of different variations of Locust Pose (Salabhasana) and in this class we'll do 11 of them! We'll do a kneeling flow linking each Locust Pose together so expect Cat, Cow and Downward Facing Dog too.

Props needed: A blanket to put under your back and to kneel on. 

Mat direction: You choose.