Recent Articles in Gentle

Duration: 39 minutes

Emphasis: This class is perfect for when you're feeling tired and low on energy but still want a good stretch. Most of the poses are done lying on your back, with a couple on your side and a couple lying on your front. Expect a bit of everything - forward bend movements, backbends and twists, arm stretches and leg stretches.

Props needed: A yoga belt with a loop in it, a block and a blanket for under your knees and/or Savasana.

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

Duration: 1hr 14 minutes

Emphasis:  After a simple breathing practice and a gentle top-to-toe warm-up you'll move into a kneeling pose flow which includes Balancing Table Pose (Dandayamana Bharmanasana), Camel Pose (Ustrasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana), kneeling variations of Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana II) and Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana), and Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana). The sequence is then repeated but with standing poses rather than the kneeling lunges. Vishnu's Couch Pose (Anantasana) takes us into a seated sequence which includes Boat Pose (Navasana) and Tarasana (Star Pose).

Props needed: A blanket, a belt, 2 bricks and possibly 2 bricks.

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

Duration: 1hr 5 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy some time out of your busy day to relax your mind and stretch your body in this yin class of mostly supine poses. Starting by massaging the back of the skull, the poses progress down the body to the feet, then back up to the head again to gently open and release tight areas. You'll hold each pose for 2 minutes so expect to experience some sensations but know that these longer holds allow the connective tissues to stretch and use your deep breathing to help the body relax into the poses.

Props needed: A blanket and two blocks.

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

Duration: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  This class features the repetitive movements of Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow Pose (Bitilasana) followed by some variations of Half Side Arm Balance (Ardha Vasisthasana). You'll then move from hands and knees to sitting for Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana) and into another variation of Ardha Vasisthasana known as Stargazer Pose. Easy Twist (Parivrtta Sukhasana), Embryo Pose (Garba Pindasana) and Star Pose (Tarasana), plus of course Savasana, bring the practice to a close.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on if required.

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

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy this relaxing practice that uses props to support you as you gently move and mobilise your spine. From supported backbends to Happy Baby Pose (Salamba Balasana) to a gentle twist, this class will help your back and hips feel free and easeful and your mind to feel rested.

Props needed: A blanket and two yoga blocks.

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

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis:  A simple meditation to help you feel a sense of stillness, peace and relaxation.

Props needed: N/A.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  This class will help you move your spine into backbends in a gentle way. Perfect if you find deeper backbends challenging, these poses will lift the chest and roll the shoulders back, creating space to breathe better. Repeated regularly they will help your posture and increase mobility. Expect a supine restorative pose to start, then move on to Cow and Cat Pose (Bitilasana and Marjaryasana), Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), Melting Heart Pose (Anahatasana), Camel Pose (Ustrasana), Locust Pose (Salabhasana), Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bhandasana), all interspersed with some knees-to-the-chest movements as counter-poses.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on if required.

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

Duration: 1hr 14 minutes

Emphasis:  After a brief centering meditation, a seated warm up and a round of Sun Salutation prepare the body for the movements to come. The flow takes you through the repetitive movements of a twist, a side stretch and the arm position of Eagle Pose (Garudasana) with some hip-openers added in for good measure. I hope this 'all-round' flow feels good for you in both body and mind.

Props needed: Two blocks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 1hr 16 minutes

Emphasis:  Relax and restore yourself with this gentle, repetitive flow of supine and seated postures that focuses on hip openers and twists.

Props needed: A blanket.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat against a wall.

Duration: 38 minutes

Emphasis:  After warming up with some spinal rotation, some hip circles and lunges we take a simple but satisfying sequence which includes legs stretches, twists and hip openers - firstly standing, then sitting and then repeated once again whilst lying in Legs Up The Wall Pose (Viparita Karani).

Props needed: Some wall space, a blanket and you might need some blocks under your hands.

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

Duration: 16 minutes

Emphasis:  This technique can be really helpful when you can't sleep or can't settle into your Savasana after your yoga practice. It's a little journey through the body tensing and relaxing different groups of muscles - you can't do it wrong but follow along with me for the first time then you can use it whenever you need it.

Props needed: A blanket to keep you warm.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  This short class can be used on its own when you haven't got much time but still want to do a bit of movement, or it can be used as a warm-up before doing another class or even another form of exercise. These simple, repetitive movements will take your shoulders and arms into internal and external rotation and your spine into rotation, flexion and extension. Practising this type of movement regularly will help to keep your shoulders stable and strong.

Props needed: None required.

Mat direction: N/A.