Recent Articles in Relaxation

Duration: 7 minutes

Emphasis:  Come back to yourself with this short meditation. Move your mind away from all the distractions of your busy day and just sit and breathe in this present moment, with your awareness on your inner self.

Props needed:  None required except maybe a cushion or chair to sit on.

Mat direction: n/a

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: 30 minutes

Emphasis:  4 seated postures held for about 4 minutes each to deeply stretch the connective tissues of your legs.

Props needed: A blanket, a block or book and a bolster (see previous class entitled "3 Restorative Poses to Relax You Completely" for how to quickly make your own bolster if you don't have one).

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: 8 minutes

Emphasis:  Calm and ground yourself with this short meditation that will guide you through each of the 5 senses, bringing you into the present moment.

Props needed:  None required.

Mat direction: n/a.

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: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  A lovely meditation that focuses on the slow movement and sensations in the hands to help quieten the mind and heighten your awareness of your body.

Props needed: A block, blanket or chair to enable you to sit comfortably.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 7 minutes

Emphasis:  A simple meditation using counting from 1 to 10 to help quieten the busy mind.

Props needed: A block, blanket or chair to enable you to sit comfortably.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 5 minutes

Emphasis:  A breathing practice to calm and soothe you. In this practice you will inhale through the left nostril and exhale through the right. Breathing in through the left nostril links to the right hemisphere of the brain, promoting a sense of peace and relaxation. Please note: holding the breath is contra-indicated for those with blood pressure issues. Please do not retain the breath at the end of each inhale and exhale but allow the breathing to flow in a smooth rhythm without interruption. Please note also that in the video I am not mirroring you, so listen to the instructions rather than copying the arm movement I am doing - I hope that makes sense!

Props needed: A blanket, cushion or chair so you can sit comfortably.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 5 minutes

Emphasis:  A breathing practice to stimulate and energise you - inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left. Breathing in through the right nostril links to the left hemisphere of the brain, bringing a sense of being brighter and more alert. Please note: holding the breath is contra-indicated for those with blood pressure issues. Please do not retain the breath at the end of each inhale and exhale but allow the breathing to flow in a smooth rhythm without interruption. Please note also that in the video I am not mirroring you, so listen to the instructions rather than copying the arm movement I am doing - I hope that makes sense!

Props needed: A blanket, cushion or chair so you can sit comfortably.

Mat direction: N/A