Recent Articles in Gentle

Duration: 24 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll move from lying on your front in Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana) and a gentle variation of Frog Pose (Mandukasana), to lying on your side for a lovely flowing twist and a variation of Vishnu's Couch Pose (Anantasana), followed by lying on your back for a supine variation of Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana) and supine Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana). The pace of the class is slow (we'll hold the poses for a while) and it's nice and gentle.

Props needed: A blanket.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  A gentle class focused on stretching the legs and mobility for the ankles, knees and hips. All the poses are done lying on your back so this is good to do at the end of the day or when you are feeling low energy but still want to do some yoga.

Props needed: Two blocks (or a books of the same height) plus a blanket.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen so you can turn your head to see while you are lying down.

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  After warming up with some circular movements, this class will take you through a variety of seated postures that will gently open your hip joints, bringing you more mobility in that area and often a sense of freedom to the lower back. You'll repeat Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) a number of times and you'll be staying in the postures for a while too - a bit like doing a Yin Yoga class. You'll then repeat some of the postures in Legs-Up-The_Wall Pose (Viparita Karani) which is deliciously quietening and relaxing. This is an ideal class for a late evening practice, preparing you for sleep, or when you're generally feeling low on energy but still want to do some yoga.

Props needed: A blanket to sit on, or for your head to rest on, or for Savasana and some clear wall space.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 36 minutes

Emphasis:  After a little warming up we'll take 3 gentle backbends to open the front of your body and help you breathe more fully, then we'll take 3 gentle forward bends to stretch the back of the body and quieten the nervous system and the busy mind.

Props needed: A blanket to roll up to make a little bolster, kneel on if required, and cover yourself with in Savasana.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen might be best for this one but it doesn't really matter.

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  Taking the time for a good stretch after your run or cycle ride will allow the muscles to lengthen and recover and you'll feel better and more energised too. This class features some variations of Child's Pose (Balasana), Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Baddha Konasana (Cobblers Pose or Bound Angle Pose) and Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana) for your legs, a seated twist and Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana) for your back and some good stretches for your shoulders, chest and arms too.

Props needed:  A blanket to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 30 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll use a chair for support. Perfect for when you're feeling tired or have an injury to take care of, chair yoga gives you the opportunity to feel familiar poses in a different way. You'll be able to focus on your alignment, not have to worry about your balance so much and you'll definitely get a good stretch.

Props needed:  A stable and sturdy chair, one blanket to go over the back of your chair to protect the wall, another blanket or block to sit on.

Mat direction: One short edge facing the screen and another against a wall.

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  This sequence of movements of the arms, done with the palms together and in time with the breath, is repeated seated in a crossed-legged position, low lunge, high lunge, standing position and a squat.

Props needed: You might need a blanket to kneel on and a block or book for under your heels in the squat.

Mat direction: Short edge 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: 7 minutes

Emphasis:  A gentle breathing practice to help you relax and quieten your mind. (And it's also helpful for your sinuses too!) You'll breathe in and out through your left nostril, pause to notice the sensations, then repeat on the right side.

Props needed:  A blanket or chair to sit on if required.

Mat direction: n/a

Duration: 5 minutes

Emphasis:  This lovely meditation offers a reminder that all emotions are part of the rich tapestry of life.

Props needed:  None required, but if you like you can sit on a cushion or folded blanket or, if you prefer, a chair.

Mat direction: n/a

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