Recent Articles in Hatha Yoga

Duration: 16 minutes

Emphasis:  This short sequence will help to strengthen your wrists and stretch them too. The muscles and tendons of the forearms can get tight, especially if you use a computer for long periods of time every day, so it's helpful to practice these poses regularly to keep the wrists healthy. Start gently and build up to more repetitions of each pose slowly over time.

Props needed:  A blanket to kneel on if required. 2 x blocks/bricks/thick books for under your hands for Tolasana (Scales Pose).

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

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  Seated side bends, Cat and Cow Pose, some gentle twists and forward bends plus two sets of circling to release tension in the low back and bring mobility to the hip joints.

Props needed:  A blanket to sit on if required.

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

Duration: 15 minutes

Emphasis:  A strong class for your shoulders and arms - you'll strengthen and stretch them and take them through their full range of movement. And we'll add in some squats for strength for your legs too.  Please note though, this is not a suitable class if you have any injury to your shoulders.

Props needed:  A strap.

Mat direction: n/a

Duration: 30 minutes

Emphasis:  A full-body stretch to do after your run or cycle to loosen up tight muscles and help you recover and relax

Props needed:  A blanket to sit/kneel on and a strap

Mat direction: Long side facing the screen

Duration: 40 minutes

Emphasis:  Some backbending and lunge sequences with a little bit of quad stretching too.

Props needed:  Blocks or a thick book to put under your forearms in Lizard Pose, a strap to help you reach your foot and a blanket for under your knees.

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  Another sequence for neck and shoulder mobility - this time all done lying down. There's a little bit of core strengthening in there too.

Props needed:  A blanket to roll into little bolster to support your spine, and a strap if clasping your hands together behind your back is difficult.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen so you can turn your head to see when you're lying down

Duration: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  In this sequence of seated poses we'll be gently moving the head, neck and shoulders through their range of movement to create more freedom and mobility.

Props needed:  Blocks or books to sit on and a blanket to make a roll for spinal support.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen

Duration: 38 minutes

Emphasis:  In this sequence we'll be gently moving the head, neck and shoulders through their range of movement to create more freedom and mobility.

Props needed:  Strap for between the hands if needed and a blanket for under the knees if needed too.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen

Duration: 40 minutes

Emphasis:  A sequence of poses (mainly standing) with straight arms, legs and spine. We will practice Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Half-Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) and Revolved Half-Moon Pose (Parivrtta Ardha-Chandrasana) plus some variations of Wide Legged Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana). We finish with some variations of Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana).

Props needed:  Blocks (or a thick book) as required for your hand in Ardha Chandrasana, 2 yoga straps (or use long scarves or dressing gown ties), plus a blanket for Savasana if required.

Mat direction: Long side of the mat facing the screen

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis:  Stretch out your back and shoulders with this slow sequence of Thread the Needle, Downward Facing Dog, Cat, Child's Pose, Eye of the Needle and some rocking and rolling for a good back massage too.

Props needed:  A blanket for Savasana and to put under your back for the spinal rolling if required.

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

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis:  Had a long day? Feeling tired or hot and bothered but still want to do some yoga? We'll be lying down for the whole of this class but still getting a good stretch.

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

Mat direction: Long side of the mat facing the screen so you can turn your head to see more easily.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  It feels good to stretch and open up the front of the body, especially if you've been working at a desk or sitting in a car all day. In this slow class we'll do some gentle backbends to open the chest, create more room to breathe and more room for the internal organs too. You'll strengthen the back of your body too while you're doing it.

Props needed:  Blocks, bricks and a blanket or, if you don't have these, use 3 folded blankets and a couple of thick hardback books instead.

Mat direction: Long side of the mat facing the screen will give you the best view when you're lying down.