Recent Articles in Hatha Yoga

Duration: 35 minutes

Emphasis: This class has sequences with repetitive movements to take you through backbends, forward bends and side bends.You'll move slowly, taking your time to feel your way through your body, cultivating your awareness and a slow, steady rhythm to your breath.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on and possibly a belt for some of the backbends.

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

Duration: 32 minutes

Emphasis: The title of this class tells you all you need to know :-) You'll be focussing on stretching the backs of the legs and opening the hips in mostly seated and supine poses such as Garland Pose (Malasana), Half Splits (Ardha Hanumanasana) and Eye of the Needle Pose (Sucirandrasana) amongst others.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on and blocks to sit on.

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

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis: Enjoy this relaxing class where most of the poses are done lying down, inviting you to breathe slowly and rest while stretching your body. Expect twists, leg stretches and a moving Cobra backbend.

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

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen. Please note: Many apologies but there were some issues with the microphone which means that there is some sound intereference in this class. I hope it doesn't detract from the practice itself and the benefits you'll get from it.

Duration: 1 hr 14 minutes

Emphasis: This is an Iyengar style class, with each pose being done separately rather than flowing together. Expect to hold the poses for around 3 breaths to cultivate focus, strength and resilience. Standing poses in this class include - Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Warrior 3 variation (Virabhadrasana III) and Eagle Pose (Garudasana). The floor poses include Half Frog Pose (Ardha Bhekasana), Bow Pose (Dhanurasana), Head To Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana) and Paschimottanasana and then it's back to standing for the Padhungustasana leg stretch series using a chair. The final relaxation is done with the legs up on the seat of the chair.

Props needed: Two bricks, a blanket, a belt and a chair.

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

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis: Short and sweet, this class will get you moving and doing your practice when you don't have much time. Expect to visit side bends, backbends and forward bends, plus twists, a balance pose and some leg stretches - there's a lot packed into these 13 minutes but you won't feel rushed, just glad you got on your mat :-)

Props needed: None required.

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

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis: The poses in this class will stretch your legs and your spine. Starting in Tabletop Pose (Bharmanasana), you'll mobilise the spine before moving into Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Swanasana). A variation of Thread the Needle Pose with one leg extended straight (Urdhva Mukha Pasasana variation) comes next to warm up the shoulders, inner legs and ribcage and, again, stretch the spine. Moving to standing you'll take more shoulder warm-ups before coming into Wide Legged Standing Forward Bend. The different variations will stretch into the hips, rotate the spine and also around the shoulderblades. Another Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Swanasana) takes you to Child's Pose (Balasana) and from there you can come and rest in Savasana or Constructive Rest Pose.

Props needed: Blocks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 15 minutes

Emphasis: In this class you'll move from top-to-toe gently moving the joints. Although you're probably familiar with them as I often include them as warm-ups in my classes, you might not know that these exercises are yoga poses. I rarely use their proper names - but they do have them - and I'll use them in this class. You can use this sequence as a stand-alone class - it's especially good to do first thing in the morning to get you moving - or as a warm-up before moving onto another activity or yoga class. Practise these movements often to help keep your joints mobile and healthy.

Props needed: None needed.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 20 minutes

Emphasis: Take just 20 minutes to bring a little movement to your body. Especially good if you're tired, you've been sitting at a desk for hours and need a break or if you've only got 20 minutes for your practice. You'll do a little bit of everything - strengthening for your legs, mobility for your spine, flexibility for your hips and inner thighs plus a little bit of quietening for your mind.

Props needed: A sturdy chair.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis: This sequence will move your joints, helping to lubricate them to promote better mobility and also strengthen the muscles, ligaments and tendons surrounding the joints. These two together (mobility and strength) will reduce injury and joint pain and help your body enjoy greater freedom of movement.

Props needed: Two blocks for under your hands in Wide Legged Forward Fold if needed, plus a blanket.

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

Duration: 12 minutes

Emphasis: I'd just come in from a few hours gardening, wheelbarrowing compost and spreading it out on my flower beds (hence looking a bit dishevelled!) and thought I'd share my go-to stretches that are helpful to bring my back into neutral after several hours in flexion. At this time of year when many of us are itching to get out there and get our gardens ready for the summer season it's easy to overdo it and then suffer with back-ache. If you practise these movements after gardening - and in-between gardening sessions too - you'll help to minimize muscle imbalances and hopefully prevent injury.

Props needed: A sturdy chair.

Mat direction: N/A.

Note: at the beginning of the class I mention the 'no dig' method of gardening which keeps the soil healthier and also saves your back. If you're interested in finding out more go to https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/

Duration: 39 minutes

Emphasis: Move through the body from head to toe mobilising the joints and stretching the muscles in these seated poses. You'll move slowly with the intention of down-regulating your nervous system and quuietiening body and mind so this class is useful if you're feeling overwhelmed, tired or wired and will help you to relax.

Props needed: A blanket and a yoga belt.

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

Duration: 58 minutes

Emphasis: In this class we make repetitive movements to help improve mobility. We'll try some unusual, fun challenges too. I hope this class will leave you feeling looser and more limber in your joints and muscles.

Props needed: A blanket and two cushions.

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