Recent Articles in Duration

Duration: 34 minutes.

Emphasis:  Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) A, B, and C plus a couple of extra variations to keep you moving in different ways. 

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

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll be moving continuously through some seated poses, focusing mainly on the hips. We'll start lying down to warm up, then move through Head To Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana) with two twisting variations, Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana), Garland Pose (Malasana), Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana) and some variations, and finishing with Urdhva Mukha Prasarita Padottanasana (Upward Facing Wide Leg Stretch).

 
Props needed:  Possibly a block or book to sit on and to put under your heels for Malasana.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 32 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll be moving continuously through the poses to get energised and revitalised. We'll flow through two similar standing flows which include Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Lizard Pose (Uttan Pristhasana), Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana), Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana), Goddess Pose (Utkan Konasana) twisting variation and Kneeling Side Plank Pose (Ardha Vasisthasana). There will also be 3 rounds of the 'Ha Kriya' - breath and movement combined to rev you up, get rid of stagnant energy and bring lots of fresh oxygen into the bloodstream. (Please note, this kriya is not suitable for those with high blood pressure). 

 
Props needed:  Possibly blocks or books for under your hands in Pyramid Pose (they'll give you a bit more room to straighten your leg) and a blanket for Savasana and to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration:  61 minutes

Emphasis:  This sequence, based around a Sun Salutation, uses a yoga strap/belt to assist shoulder movement, strengthen your arms and help you reach your foot in some seated and supine poses such as Krounchasana (Heron Pose), Supta Upavista Konasana (Supine Wide-Angle Forward Bend), Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose), Salabasana (Locust Pose) variation and Anantasana (Side Reclining Leg-Lift), 

Props needed:  A yoga strap or a tie from a bathrobe plus a blanket for Savasana if required.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 16 minutes

Emphasis:  This sequences uses a brick (or a lunchbox as an alternative) to help improve your shoulder movement in poses such as Vajrasana (Thunderbolt or Kneeling Pose), Virabhadrasana II (Warrior 2 Pose), Parsvakonasana (Side Angle Pose) and two variations of Malasana (Garland Pose). Passing the brick from hand to hand helps you to be more aware of, and accurate with, your alignment in the poses.

Props needed:  A brick or lunchbox, a block or book to put under your heels in Malasana and a blanket for the kneeling poses if required.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis:  Some familiar poses - variations of Child's Pose (Balasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana), Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana) and Forearm Plank (Makara Adho Mukha Svanasana) - done in unfamiliar ways. You'll have some fun sliding around on a blanket as you strengthen your core muscles and stretch your arms and legs.

Props needed:  Your yoga mat folded for padding plus a blanket to slide on if you're practising on a hard floor or, if you're practising on carpet, you'll need two paper plates to enable you to glide.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

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.