Recent Articles in 1-20 minutes

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: 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: 8 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy deep relaxation in this supine meditation in the style of Yoga Nidra. As you lie on your blanket roll you'll take a journey around your body, softening and releasing the right side and then the left side. It will leave you feeling rested and centred.

Props needed: A blanket.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 15 minutes

Emphasis:  A short sequence of standing balances suitable for beginners to strengthen legs, ankles and core, and improve focus and concentration.

Props needed: A yoga block or brick (or a box or tupperware of approximately the same length) and maybe a chair or wall to put your hand on if you feel wobbly.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 17 minutes

Emphasis:  If your house is busy and there's no space to roll out your mat try doing some poses on the stairs. Yes really! You can use them as props to help you get a little deeper into the postures and it's useful to have walls and a bannister to help you balance. We get a bit creative with lunges and twists, forward bends, Lizard pose (Uttan Pristhasana), a variation of Ardha Purvottanasana (Reverse Tabletop Pose), Dancer's Pose (Natarajasana) and some variations of Malasana (Garland Pose).

Props needed: None required - not using a mat is, I think, better as it avoids the risk of it slipping.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis:  Lie down, get comfortable and relax in this gentle two-part breathing practice.

Props needed: A blanket to keep you warm.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  This meditation will help you draw your awareness inwards, away from the distractions of your busy day, to focus on your spine and your connection to the Earth, leaving you feeling peaceful and calm.

Props needed: A folded blanket, block or chair to sit on.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 20 minutes

Emphasis:  Use this class as a warm-up and then choose another class (maybe a seated flow) for a longer practice, or use it as a complete practice in its own right. You'll move through Sun Salutations and add in Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana), a Warrior 2 variation (Virabhadrasana II) and Side Lunges (Skandasana), with lots of Single Leg Downward Facing Dog (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana).

Props needed: None required, unless you need a blanket for Savasana.

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

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis:  If you want to wake up your energy then these practices will do the trick. You'll move your body in all directions in repetitive and rhythmic movements which will help to release tension and allow your energy (known in yoga as Prana) to flow freely throughout your body. Please note: some of these practices might make you feel dizzy so if you have a tendency towards lightheadedness you might want to skip these ones - I'll mention them so you know which ones to avoid.

Props needed: Maybe a wall or table might be helpful to steady yourself if you feel a bit dizzy.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 5 minutes

Emphasis:  In this short but heartfelt meditation you will direct loving kindness towards yourself to help guide you through this day, and all your days. It's one to repeat on a regular basis and to spend time offering the intentions out to all beings we share our planet with.

Props needed: A cushion will help you sit comfortably on the floor or you might prefer to sit in a chair.

Mat direction: n/a.