Recent Articles in Gentle

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis:  It feels good to stretch and open up the front of the body, especially if you've been working at a desk or sitting in a car all day. In this slow class we'll do some gentle backbends to open the chest, create more room to breathe and more room for the internal organs too. You'll strengthen the back of your body too while you're doing it.

Props needed:  Blocks, bricks and a blanket or, if you don't have these, use 3 folded blankets and a couple of thick hardback books instead.

Mat direction: Long side of the mat facing the screen will give you the best view when you're lying down.

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  A lovely meditation that focuses on the slow movement and sensations in the hands to help quieten the mind and heighten your awareness of your body.

Props needed: A block, blanket or chair to enable you to sit comfortably.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 7 minutes

Emphasis:  A simple meditation using counting from 1 to 10 to help quieten the busy mind.

Props needed: A block, blanket or chair to enable you to sit comfortably.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  This practice will stretch the front of your body in some simple backbends - Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), Half Frog Pose (aka Quad Stretch) (Ardha Bhekasana) and Camel Pose (Ustrasana), and twist the torso in some kneeling twists.

Props needed: None - except a blanket under your knees if required.

Mat direction: Short side of mat facing the screen.

Duration: 27 minutes

Emphasis:  Some supine poses to stretch the front, back, inner and outer legs. A good practice to do after you've been exercising or if you're looking for more flexibility in your legs and hips.

Props needed: 2 blocks or a book, a strap and a blanket.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen so you can turn your head to see the poses.

Duration: 24 minutes

Emphasis:  Childs Pose, Cat & Cow Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Thread the Needle Pose, Malasana and a Standing Leg Stretch will all stretch the back of the body - finishing with Sphynx as a counter-pose and a face-down relaxation in Crocodile Pose.

Props needed: 2 blocks or 2 books (one thick and one thinner) and a blanket to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 32 minutes

Emphasis:  A sequence of seated poses including Janu Sirsasana and Gomukhasana that will stretch the back of the legs, inner and outer thighs, and across the buttocks as you forward fold, and up into the muscles of the back as you twist.

Props needed: One blanket to sit on if required, plus another to roll up for a Savasana variation.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 40 minutes

Emphasis:  Increase the range of movement in your hips with this sequence of kneeling and seated poses.

Props needed: A blanket for Savasana or to kneel or sit on if needed. 

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis:  Enjoy some quiet time to rejuvenate yourself and let the stresses and strains of the day melt away as you relax supported by a bolster.

Props needed: A yoga bolster (or if you don't have one you can improvise using a pillow, your yoga mat and a blanket - I'll show you how at the beginning of the video), 2 blocks, an extra blanket to make a pillow or pad your shoulder and optional 2 more blankets or towels to support under your thighs in Supta Baddha Konasana if you find that helpful

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen unless you're using your mat as a bolster in which case make sure to practice on carpet so you can be comfortable.

Duration: 30 minutes

Emphasis:  Move in and out of Bridge Pose variations to strengthen the back, core, glutes and hamstrings, while stretching the front of the body and opening the chest. We will then counterpose with gentle forward bends to stretch the back out.

Props needed: 2 blocks, a blanket for Savasana.

Mat direction: Long side of the mat facing the screen - you'll be lying down and will need to turn your head to see the screen.

Duration: 30 minutes

Emphasis:  Get a good stretch in this class where all the poses are done lying on the floor.

Props needed: A blanket and a long belt to loop around your feet.

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

Duration: 10 minutes

Emphasis:  This practice will take you deep into relaxation - your awareness will be guided around 61 points of the body, pausing briefly at each one before moving on to the next. You'll become less aware of the outer world and just have a quiet awareness of your inner world, hovering on the edge of sleep. Note: there is the possibility that you will fall asleep so you might wish to set a timer in case you don't hear the end of the class. Yoga Nidra is a helpful practice to do if you find meditation challenging because your mind won't quieten down. You'll feel deeply relaxed and refreshed afterwards.

Mat direction: N/A