Recent Articles in Beginner

Duration: 45 minutes

Emphasis:  Hatha Yoga is often used as a generic term for a class that is slower paced and does each pose on the right side, then the left before moving on to the next one. It doesn't incorporate joining the poses together to make a 'flow'. In Classical Hatha Yoga the poses are held for between 5-9 breaths to build strength, stamina and focussed attention. In this class we'll move through some warm-up poses before practising Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), Parsvottanasana (Pyramid Pose), Prasarita Padottonasana (Wide Legged Forward Bend), Malasana (Garland Pose), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend), Setu Bhandasana (Bridge Pose), Viparita Karani (Reclined Legs Raised Pose) with blocks beneath the pelvis, Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand), Matsyasana (Fish Pose) and Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose).

Props needed: A blanket, two blocks or thick books, a brick if you have one, and a blanket.

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

   Duration: 36 minutes

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: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  Relax lying on your mat for this sequence of supine twists, which will include the Stomach Twist (Jathara Parivartanasana) and the Reclining Hand to Big Toe poses (Supta Padanghustasana). We'll practice Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana) and Half Frog Pose (Ardha Mandukasana), leading to Supine Spinal Twist (sometimes known as Cross Twist and, in Sanskrit, as Supta Matsyendrasana).

Props needed: A strap, a folded blanket to put under your knee, plus an extra one (or a block) to put under your head.

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

Duration: 30 minutes

Emphasis:  A sequence of kneeling and seated twists which will help bring mobility to your spine, back muscles, chest and abdominals and give your digestive organs a squeeze and massage (so this would be good if your system is sluggish). We finish with a short, relaxing, seated meditation where you'll bring your attention to your spine and your connection to the earth.

Props needed: A folded blanket to sit and kneel on, plus a long strap (you could tie two together if yours isn't long enough).

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  A seated sequence of poses to gently move your joints and stretch your muscles. Do this class on its own or add on an extra one afterwards if you want a longer practice.

Props needed: A block or folded blanket to sit on, two blocks or a thick book for the full-body stretch and a blanket for Savasana.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen might be best to help you see the supine poses.

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.

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis: If you're feeling stressed, anxious and/or overwhelmed you are not alone - the pace of modern life means we can all feel we're stretched to breaking point at times. Meditation can help you become a little more centred and feel clearer and calmer about what the day ahead may bring. Join me for this short class to pause amidst the busy-ness, check in with your body and pay attention to how it feels in the present moment, before turning your attention gently back to the day ahead.

Props needed: None required.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  Been sitting on the sofa for a while? It's time to slide off onto the floor and let the sofa help you do a little yoga. In this class we'll practise Staff Pose with Raised Hands (Urdhva Hasta Dandasana), some side bends, twists and forward bends including Wide Legged Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana). We'll practice Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) both sitting upright, allowing the sofa to make this pose so much more easeful than usual, and lying down with the feet on the edge of the sofa before relaxing in a supported Savasana for a short while. Please note, I had some issues with background noise in this video so the volume may be a little low - apologies for that.

Props needed: A sofa!!

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Stretch your body in this slow sequence of poses where we will use a bolster for support. You'll practice Hero Pose (Virasana) with a shoulder opener and a twist, a variation of Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana), Garland Pose (Malasana) seated on the bolster, a gentle reclining hip opener and the Stomach Twist (Jathara Parivartanasana) before resting in Savasana.

Props needed: If you don't have a bolster you'll need a yoga mat, blanket and pillow to make one and then either a second mat or another blanket if you are practising on a hard floor. If you have knee issues you might want a second pillow to make the bolster bigger or have a block to make the bolster higher so you have more space in your knees.

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

Duration: 16 minutes

Emphasis:  Take a few minutes out from your busy day to do Legs-up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani) and rest for a while. This relaxing pose is beneficial for the heart, the veins of your legs, your nervous system and your mind. We'll add in some other gentle poses here such as a variation of Bound Angle Pose(Baddha Konasana), a variation of Wide Leg Seated Forward Fold (Upavista Konasana), a gentle supported backbend and a shoulder stretch.

Props needed: A block or book and a folded blanket.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen so you can turn your head to see, or you might prefer to watch the video once through so you know what to expect and then follow along without needing to look.