Recent Articles in Strength

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  These repetitive sequences will take you from hands and knees to raising one leg (which will challenge your balance) and into a 'long hold' pose (to build your strength). Expect variations of Cat (Marjariasana) and Cow (Bitilasana) Pose, Balancing Table Pose (Dandayamana Bharmanasana), Single Leg Downward Facing Dog (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana), Plank Pose (Phalakasana), Dolphin Pose (Catur Svanasana), some Mountain Climbers and Side Plank Pose(Vasisthasana).

Props needed: A blanket to put under your knees.

Mat direction: Either - you choose.

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  Strengthen your abdominals and other 'core' muscles with these repetitive circling movements in seated and supine poses.

Please note my camera had a problem focussing when I lay down for Savasana and it repeatedly goes blurry! I hope it shouldn't be too much of a problem as you'll be getting ready to lie down but it will make your eyes go funny if you look at it! Therefore I cut and pasted another clip into the Savasana section so it didn't do it for 5 minutes.  I just thought I'd let you know in case you think it's gone a bit weird ;-) 

Props needed: A blanket to put under your pelvis when you're lying down.

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

Duration: 44 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll use the wall to help your stability in a series of standing balances. Each standing balance is followed by a forward bend, also using the wall to enhance the posture. There's also a short sequence using the wall for abdominal strengthening.

Props needed: Some wall space and a blanket for Savasana if required.

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

Note: Filming this class was beset with disturbances - hedge-cutting neighbour, torrential rain beating against the window and a squeaky floorboard!!  It required a lot of editing which isn't quite seamless - but I hope it doesn't detract from the class :-)

Duration: 37 minutes

Emphasis:  In each round of Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) we'll add in a different variation of Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) to stretch the muscles of the buttocks, thighs and hips.

Props needed: Blocks to put under your forearms in Pigeon Pose if required, a blanket to kneel on and/or use for Savasana.

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  There are lots of different variations of Locust Pose (Salabhasana) and in this class we'll do 11 of them! We'll do a kneeling flow linking each Locust Pose together so expect Cat, Cow and Downward Facing Dog too.

Props needed: A blanket to put under your back and to kneel on. 

Mat direction: You choose.

Duration: 1 hour 14 minutes

Emphasis:  In this flow class we'll practice Sun Salutations and a vigorous standing flow sequence. We then move to the floor for some supine hip and leg stretches to prepare us for splits (Hanumanasana). We'll practice this using a bolster and blocks for support in this challenging pose.

Props needed: Bolster (or 2 pillows rolled in a blanket), blocks, bricks and a belt.

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

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Sometimes you need a bit of quiet to help you focus - a straightforward practice with minimal talking from me! So that's what you'll get in this class - after warming up with Sun Salutation A we move to a few rounds of Sun Salutation B, before repeating and adding in some extra twists at the end of each round. Expect a brisk pace and to work hard, challenge your balance too all with the briefest instructions. 

Props needed: None needed.

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

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis:  Sometimes chair yoga is gentle and sometimes it's more of a challenge. This class falls into the latter category and you'll work your core muscles as you bicycle the legs whilst seated. It's a little bit different and I hope you enjoy it ;-)

Props needed: A chair.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 30 minutes

Emphasis: In these repetitive sequences our Sun Salutations start and finish at the back of the mat and include Cat and Cow Pose (Marjariasana and Bitilasana), Garland Pose (Malasana), Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) and various standing poses.

Props needed: A flat block or book and a blanket for your knees if required.

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

Duration: 1 hr 13 minutes

Emphasis:  This class is a little different to our usual yoga - you'll use a chair to practice some unusual, repetitive exercises that will help to increase your strength, flexibility and mobility plus they will also help to improve your yoga poses too.

Props needed: A chair and a blanket.

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we practice some variations of Mountain Pose (Tadasana). Often overlooked as a beginning/end of sequence pose, Tadasana is one of the foundational poses of yoga. The alignment that we learn in Mountain Pose sets us up for the rest of our standing poses - we are strong, steady and focussed. We'll practice Mountain Pose standing up and lying down to feel the difference, and we'll do some Downward Facing Dogs (Adho Mukha Swanasana) too, and use the wall to feel subtle differences.    

Props needed: Some wall space.

Mat direction: Whatever works best for your mat positioned with one short edge against the wall.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  After two rounds of Sun Salutation A you'll move into practising 7 different variations of Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana). This pose, sometimes known as Intense Side Stretch, strengthens the legs and stretches the hamstrings, calf muscles and the back. In some of the variations it stretches the front of the shoulders and the inner forearms and wrists too. You'll explore the variations progressively, stopping where you need to along the way so you don't overstretch or cause injury. 

Props needed: Blocks or bricks to put under your hands.

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