Recent Articles in Flexibility

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: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  3 rounds of Sun Salutations with progressive variations of Side Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana) - you'll do lunges and twists, a lovely restful Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) before finishing with a relaxing Savasana.

Props needed:  A block or book to put under your hand and a blanket to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 44 minutes

Emphasis:  In this steady flow we'll be using squats and lunges to strengthen your legs, practise hip flexion and improve your general mobility.

Props needed:  A block or book to put under your heels if you need it for Malasana (Garland Pose) and 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: 40 minutes

Emphasis:  Use the wall to help you balance in Tree Pose and two variations of Eagle Pose. We'll also use it for Downward Facing Dog Pose with bricks or blocks under the hands and then the feet to feel the pose in a slightly different way, and then we'll progress to a great way to practice Splits and Handstand. The wall is a fabulous prop that will really help you focus on your alignment and using it adds a whole new dimension to your practice.

Props needed:  Some clear wall space, two bricks (or four blocks or two thick books), and a belt.

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

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis:  A quick warm-up followed by 3 rounds of Sun Salutation to move and stretch your body, raise your energy, focus your mind and get you ready for the day ahead.

Props needed:  None required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 56 minutes

Emphasis:  A flow class with standing sequences containing kneeling poses such as Cat/Cow Pose (Marjariasana/Bitilasana), Side Plank Pose variation (Ardha Vasisthasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana), Thunderbolt or Kneeling Pose (Vajrasana), Seated Yoga Seal Pose (Yoga Mudrasana) and a preparation for Pendant Pose (Lolasana). There's a seated and supine sequence to finish and a lovely long Savasana so you can rest and relax after your hard work. Note: if you have delicate knees please use padding and adjust the poses as necessary or choose a class where there is not as much kneeling involved.

Props needed:  Possibly a blanket to kneel on, a yoga belt or a tie or strap and possibly blocks, bricks or books to put under your hands for Standing Splits.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

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: 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: 16 minutes

Emphasis:  This short sequence will help to strengthen your wrists and stretch them too. The muscles and tendons of the forearms can get tight, especially if you use a computer for long periods of time every day, so it's helpful to practice these poses regularly to keep the wrists healthy. Start gently and build up to more repetitions of each pose slowly over time.

Props needed:  A blanket to kneel on if required. 2 x blocks/bricks/thick books for under your hands for Tolasana (Scales Pose).

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

Duration: 39 minutes

Emphasis:  Join me for this flowing sequence that will open your hips and help to free up your back. The flow will include the usual elements of a vinyasa (Sphynx/Cobra to Downward Facing Dog), with some standing poses including Standing Splits, Side Angle Pose and a standing balance. We'll finish with Anantasana (Vishnu's Couch Pose) and Mandukasana (Frog Pose) - both the half variation and then we'll have a go at the full pose!

Props needed:  A blanket to pad your knees. Blocks/bricks/thick books for under your hands if required.

Mat direction: Short side of the mat 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.