Recent Articles in Strength

Duration: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  After some gentle warm-ups for the wrists and Sun Salutations for the rest of the body, we add in poses that will alternately strengthen and stretch the wrists, moving from weight-bearing to counterposing that. Poses include Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana), Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana I), High Lunge (Alanasana) and Humble Warrior (Baddha Virabhadrasana). We then come down to the floor for a seated sequence which also moves between wrist strengthening and stretching in Upward Plank Pose (Purvottanasana) and Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana).

Props needed: A blanket or block to sit on in the seated poses. Possibly a belt if you find it helpful to join your hands together behind your back.

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

Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes

Emphasis:  After a Diaphragmatic Breathing practice, we warm up with some supine poses that work the hips and core muscles. We progress to slow Sun Salutations and add in Half Chair Pose (Ardha Utkatasana) with sweeping arm movements and a modified Tree Pose (Vrksasana). Each time we repeat the sequence we add in another pose - Warrior 3 (Virabhadrasana III) and Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) to challenge the balance. We finish the class with some slow seated and supine stretches before resting in Savasana..

Mat direction: It doesn't really matter - so you choose :-)

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  This Sun Salutation based flow includes variations of High Lunge Pose (Alanasana) that will challenge your balance and strengthen your legs and core muscles.

Props needed: Just your mat.

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

Duration: 1 hour 1 minute

Emphasis:  After warming up, you'll use a yoga belt to help stretch and mobilise the shoulders in Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Wide Leg Standing Forward Fold (Prasarita Padottanasana) and Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana). You'll then move to the floor for seated poses including Sage Marichi's Pose 1 (Marichyasana I), Sage Marichi's Pose 3 (Marichyasana III), Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana), Revolved Head to Knee Pose (Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana) and Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), then you'll lie down on your back for Half Plough Pose (Ardha Halasana), Reclined Straddle Pose (Supta Upavista Konasana) and Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana).

Props needed: A block, a blanket and a yoga belt.

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

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