Recent Articles in Strength

Duration: 1 hr 16 minutes

Emphasis: A flow class without the usual Sun Salutations, these sequences take you through Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottonasana), Side Lunge (Skandasana), Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana), Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana II), Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana), Trikonasana (Trikonasana), back into Standing Forward Bend, into a variation of Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana) and the we round it off with a Tree Pose (Vrksasana) before doing the same again to the left side. The sequence is repeated again, swapping in a few different poses before we come down to the floor for some seated poses which include forward bends and twists such as Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana), two twists (Marichyasana 1 and 3) and a little bit of work on Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana). We finish with some Leg Lowering and a Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana).

Props needed: Two blocks, a blanket and a yoga belt or tie from a bathrobe.

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  A fun sequence that takes you from some hands and knees poses into Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svansana) and Garland Pose (Malasana) then down into Staff Pose (Dandasana) for some twists and a seated 'walk' up and down the length of your mat. The sequence is then reversed to bring you back to the beginning and then repeated.

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees if required and a block for under your heels if needed in Garland Pose (Malasana).

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

Duration: 41 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll use the wall to explore some familiar poses such as Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana II), Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) and Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). Using the wall for stability and support allows you to go a little deeper into the poses and notice subtle differences compared to the usual way of doing the pose.

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees if required, 2 blocks and/or bricks.

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

Duration: 46 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll move around the mat in a circular flow. Starting with 2 rounds of Sun Salutation to warm up, our next sequence will move into standing poses that take us around to face the back of the mat. The exact sequence is repeated again to bring you around once more to the front. The next sequence will also follow this circular flow, before taking you down to the ground for a supine backbend and some hip stretches.

Props needed: None required.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen will give you the best view although there will be times when you'll be facing the other way and won't be able to see the video.

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis:  Expect some upper body strength work in this short flow as we move from Plank Pose (Phalakasana) to Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) to Upward Plank Pose (Purvottanasana). You'll do some other poses that require straight legs too, including Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana) and Floating Stick Pose (Utpluti Dandasana). Just two poses require bent knees - Garland Pose (Malasana) and Archer Pose (Akarna Dhanurasana).

Props needed: Two bricks or 4 blocks or some books.

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

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis: Sun Salutations A and B to warm up then more Sun Salutation Bs with extra standing poses added in, repeated 3 times.

Props needed: None required except a blanket for Savasana.

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

Duration: 1 hr 14 minutes

Emphasis:  Recording of a live Zoom class which features a breathing practice, a warm-up sequence, then two sequences which focus on spinal movement - flexion, extension and rotation. We then move to the floor for Half Frog Pose (Ardha Mandukasana) followed by some more twists, and a repetitive seated sequence finishes off our physical work. A lovely long Savasana gives you time to relax and renew.

Props needed: 2 blocks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 1 hr 12 minutes

Emphasis:  Recording of a live Zoom class which features several rounds of Sun Salutations, each one adding in new poses.

Props needed: 2 blocks plus some extra height of bricks or books to put your hands on, and a blanket.

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

Duration: 32 minutes.

Emphasis:  Starting with a seated warm up, we'll progress to some standing poses that lead to the standing balance called Eagle Pose (Garudasana). Then we'll come down to the floor and practise a supine variation of Eagle Pose that will strengthen the abdominal muscles too.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on and lie on if required.

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

Duration: 37 minutes

Emphasis: This flow class will strengthen your whole body - there are lots of forearm planks! - but it's balanced with Downward Facing Dogs (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) and Standing Forward Bends (Uttanasana) to give you a little breather in between each one. In each sequence there's a variation of Dolphin Pose (Ardha Pincha Mayurasana) that will also involve engaging muscles throughout your whole body. This class will be hard work but you'll feel invigorated and empowered afterwards :-)

Props needed: Two blocks for the shoulder openers and a blanket if required for Svanasana.

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

Duration: 22 minutes

Emphasis:  Four rounds of Sun Salutation, each with a different variation of Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II).

Props needed: None required.

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

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis:  Starting with a simple hands on hips Chair Pose (Utkatasana) we move through Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) to an adapted variation of Candle Pose (Prapidasana) with blocks under the hands. Each round gets progressively more challenging but you're in control - you can revisit any of the previous options if you need to. Chair Pose is great for strengthening the legs and Candle Pose is a wonderful balancing pose.

Props needed: Blocks to put under your hands.

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