Recent Articles in Beginner

Duration: 1 hr 16 minutes

Emphasis:  Relax and restore in this class that uses props to support the body so the muscles don't have to do any work. The nervous system and your mind get a chance to calm down, the breathing becomes steadier and, practiced before bedtime, this class will help you have a good night's sleep

Props needed: A bolster (or two pillows and a blanket), another blanket, optional cushion, blocks/bricks. .

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

Duration: 7 minutes

Emphasis:  In this short practice you'll raise and lower the arms - movement in time with the breath, breath in time with the movement. Rhythmic and relaxing, this practice will help to calm the nervous system, focus the mind, stretch the ribcage and promote shoulder mobility.

Props needed: A block/blanket/chair to sit on.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 48 minutes

Emphasis:  If you have a wrist injury or arthritis or something else going on that means leaning weight into your hands is difficult, this class will be just the thing. Leaning your forearms on a chair will enable you to do poses such as Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow Pose (Bitilasana), Balancing Cat - also known as Balancing Table Pose - (Dandayamana Bharmanasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana) and Camel Pose (Ustrasana). We'll also do a little bit of wrist mobility work to warm-up and finish with a supported Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) and Savasana with legs up on the chair. 

Props needed: Some wall-space, a chair and a blanket.

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

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: 11 minutes

Emphasis:  Take a break from your busy day to relax with this simple meditation. The mind is often so active, incessantly scrolling through thoughts, past events and future possibilities but this short practice aims to give you some respite from this. Rest your brain as you focus on the sounds and sensations of the world around you. If possible do this meditation outside, but if the weather or technology won't allow that then sitting by an open door, or even a window, works just as well.

Props needed: A cushion/block/folded blanket/chair to sit on, either outside or by an open door or window.

Mat direction: n/a

Duration: 1 hour 1 minute

Emphasis:  After warming up, you'll use a yoga belt to help stretch and mobilise the shoulders in Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Wide Leg Standing Forward Fold (Prasarita Padottanasana) and Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana). You'll then move to the floor for seated poses including Sage Marichi's Pose 1 (Marichyasana I), Sage Marichi's Pose 3 (Marichyasana III), Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana), Revolved Head to Knee Pose (Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana) and Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), then you'll lie down on your back for Half Plough Pose (Ardha Halasana), Reclined Straddle Pose (Supta Upavista Konasana) and Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana).

Props needed: A block, a blanket and a yoga belt.

Mat direction: Long 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: 41 minutes

Emphasis:  The whole of this class is done sitting on a chair. After a gentle warm-up you'll do 5 rounds of seated Sun Salutations followed by repetitive sequences that include side bends, twists and different variations of Chair Pose.

Props needed: Blocks and a chair.

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

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy a slow, easeful stretch with this floor-based class of supine and seated poses. Expect some supported backbends using the blanket and/or bolster, some hip openers and twists plus a lovely long Savasana.

Props needed: Blocks, blanket and a bolster (or 2 pillows rolled up in a blanket).

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

Duration: 44 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll use the wall to help your stability in a series of standing balances. Each standing balance is followed by a forward bend, also using the wall to enhance the posture. There's also a short sequence using the wall for abdominal strengthening.

Props needed: Some wall space and a blanket for Savasana if required.

Mat direction: Short edge of your mat against the wall.

Note: Filming this class was beset with disturbances - hedge-cutting neighbour, torrential rain beating against the window and a squeaky floorboard!!  It required a lot of editing which isn't quite seamless - but I hope it doesn't detract from the class :-)