Recent Articles in Flexibility

Duration: 32 minutes

Emphasis:  A sequence of seated poses including Janu Sirsasana and Gomukhasana that will stretch the back of the legs, inner and outer thighs, and across the buttocks as you forward fold, and up into the muscles of the back as you twist.

Props needed: One blanket to sit on if required, plus another to roll up for a Savasana variation.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 48 minutes

Emphasis:  This class focusses on working your arms and shoulders in slow and steady Sun Salutations. In each round there is an added Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana 2) pose with a different arm variation.

Props needed: Blocks or a thick book to put under your hand in Half-Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana), blanket for Savasana. 

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  There's no weight-bearing on the hands and wrists in this class - no downward dogs, planks, lowering to the floor or cobra - just standing poses linked together followed by some seated postures. Expect a couple of balancing poses and some deep twists.

Props needed: Possibly a blanket or block to sit on and a strap to help you reach your foot if your hamstrings are tight.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  If you have tight quadriceps then this is the class for you. We'll do 3 variations of Frog Pose - the first one is called Ardha Bekhasana and the second and third ones are known as Mandukasana.

Props needed: A blanket and you might need a belt to loop over your foot if your quads are very tight. Go gentle on the knees in the first pose - it's a great stretch but don't overpull.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 47 minutes

Emphasis:  A slow and steady flow that works the whole body - with standing, seated and kneeling poses, twists and leg stretches plus Candle Pose (Prapidasana) for balance.

Props needed: A blanket and a belt.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 41 minutes

Emphasis:  A slow and steady flow of standing poses with one seated and one supine twist to finish.

Props needed: 2 blocks or books.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 1 hour, 21 minutes

Emphasis:   Yin Yoga is a slow, quiet practice where the poses are held for much longer than in other types of yoga to stretch the connective tissue of the body more fully. If you haven't done any Yin Yoga before please take a look at this blog post to get a little more information about the practice before you start this class. 

Props needed: A block and a blanket.

Mat direction: It doesn't matter - you can do this class without a mat if you like.

Duration: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Emphasis:  Stretch the front of your body with this class featuring multiple vinyasas with lunges and leg stretches, Standing Splits and Half Moon Pose, Pigeon and Bow Pose. This is a strong class and might not be suitable for you if you have delicate knees. Please use props to adjust the poses if necessary - blanket under the knee or blocks under the hands - and don't push past your edge into strain or pain.

Props needed: Blocks and a blanket

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 40 minutes

Emphasis:  Increase the range of movement in your hips with this sequence of kneeling and seated poses.

Props needed: A blanket for Savasana or to kneel or sit on if needed. 

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 34 minutes

Emphasis:  Give your hardworking feet, ankles and calf muscles a bit of tlc with some stretching and massage.

Props needed: 2 blocks, a belt, a tennis ball and a bath towel.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 38 minutes

Emphasis:  A slow flow with a short meditation to centre yourself, some shoulder-opening work, kneeling balancing, a backbend, stretches for the spine and stretches for the front and the back of the legs.

Props needed: A belt and 2 blocks (or thick books) and a blanket.

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

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  A slow flow to open tight pectoral muscles at the top of the chest, bring mobility to the spine, and stretch the front of the shoulders, the inner arms, and the abdominal muscles too.

Props needed: A belt and a block to sit on if you need it for the seated postures and to put under your head for the final pose.

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