Recent Articles in Beginner

Duration: 53 minutes

Emphasis:  Starting with the most gentle variation of Side Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana) with your forearm resting on your thigh, we'll practice this pose repeatedly adding props as we make the pose a bit more challenging each time. We'll also visit some different variations of Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana) as we change from the right side to the left.

Props needed: Blocks, bricks or a stack of books to put your hand on as we deepen the pose.

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

Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we're using a Tupperware style lunchbox to help us with our sequencing! The lunchbox will be passed from hand to hand to encourage you to use your full range of movement to reach, stretch, twist, strengthen and balance - I hope you enjoy this playful practice.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on plus your lunchbox.

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

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  When you've been cycling or running certain muscles in certain parts of your body have been contracting and working hard. In this class you'll target those muscles and stretch them out, counterposing all that tensing, and stretch the rest of the body too. Please note: you don't have to be a runner or cyclist to do this class - you'll get a lovely stretch for your body whatever you've been doing.

Props needed: None.

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

Duration: 12 minutes

Emphasis:  In this short and gentle sequence you'll be seated on a chair to stretch the front, back and sides of your body, take a twisting pose, bring mobility to your feet and ankles and take a variation of Chair Pose (Utkatasana).

Props needed: A chair.

Mat direction: n/a

Duration: 8 minutes

Emphasis:  This is the standard form of Sun Salutation that I offer in the majority of my classes. We're progressing to Plank Pose (Phalakasana) to Eight Limbed Pose (Ashtanga Namaskara) and in to Cobra Pose (Bhugangasana) to strengthen the body and create both physical and mental stamina.

Props needed: None.

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

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  In this next in the series of tutorials on modifying Sun Salutation to suit your needs, we swap the traditional lowering down to the ground via Knees Chest Chin Pose, aka Eight Limbed Pose, (Ashtanga Namaskara) followed by Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) or 4 Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana) followed by  Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) for a version that takes the weight off your wrists and onto your forearms, making it more accessible for those who have wrist and shoulder problems or just find the actions of lowering down too challenging. We then take Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana) which is a gentler backbend than Cobra.

Props needed: Maybe a blanket to kneel on.

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

Duration: 8 minutes

Emphasis:  In this variation of Surya Namaskar (the Sanskrit name for Sun Salutations), I show how you can progress to the next stage without having to lower down to the ground to take a backbend, or compromise your wrists and/or shoulders in Downward Facing Dog. Instead, we'll do Cat and Cow Pose and half variation of Downward Facing Dog that will help you keep the pressure off those tricky areas.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on.

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

Duration: 8 minutes

Emphasis:  In the next tutorial in this series on modifying Sun Salutations, we move to a standing variation that uses the chair for balance and support. This is a good option if you have knee issues that prevent you from kneeling on the floor, whilst still giving you all the different movements of a standard Sun Salutation. You'll be stretching and strengthening your body and increasing your mobility whilst honouring your limitations.

Props needed: A chair.

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

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  In this tutorial we'll explore the very gentlest form of Sun Salutation, seated on a chair. Expect the same 'flow' of forward bends and backbends as a standard Sun Salutation but, if you have an injury or a health condition that limits you in some or all of the movements, this variation might be just the ticket for you to experience this sequence that moves all your major joints and muscles. 

Props needed: A chair.

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

Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes

Emphasis:  We'll be doing some warm-up stretches seated on a chair, then we'll take some slow Sun Salutations before using the chair again to help with balance in Tree Pose (Vrksasana) and the Standing Leg Stretch Series (Utthita Hasta Padhangusthasana series). We'll also practise Camel Pose (Ustrasana) and Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana) using the chair.

Props needed: A chair, a blanket and some books to put your foot on to make the chair higher if you want to stretch the back of your legs a bit more deeply.

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

Duration: 12 minutes

Emphasis:  Sometimes you just don't feel like doing any yoga but you do want to rest. In this class you'll be lying down for 12 minutes as I guide you through a meditative Savasana and into rest and stillness.

Props needed: A bolster or a rolled up pillow for under your knees (use a bathrobe tie to keep it in shape) and a blanket to keep you warm.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll do some forward bends, some stretches for the sides of the body and the legs and do a couple of gentle backbends too.

Props needed: Two straps or bathrobe ties or similar, two blocks or books, and a blanket.

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