Recent Articles in Strength

Duration: 52 minutes

Emphasis:  This class is based around Sun Salutations - in each round we'll add in 3 poses and repeat them 3 times, creating a sense of rhythm and tempo to the flow. Then we'll do two seated sequences, with slightly different variations of the poses in each.

Props needed: Two bricks or thick books, 2 blocks or thinner books, and a blanket to kneel on.

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

Duration: 57 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class you'll strengthen your core (the front, sides and back of your torso and the pelvic floor) with some supine abdominal work including a preparation for Bakasana (Crow Pose), some side-lying hip mobility work which also strengthens the oblique abdominals, some Sun Salutations including Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) plus Malasana (Garland Pose) which will lead on to Bakasana (Crow Pose). You'll finish with some supine stretches to relax and soften the areas that you have been working strongly.

Props needed: Blocks, bricks or books to put under your hands and a blanket for Savasana and to pad under your pelvis for the hip work if required.

Mat direction: Long edge facing the screen.

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  Strengthen your core with this creative sequence - we'll practise a kneeling version of Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana), Boat Pose (Navasana), Dolphin Pose (Ardha Pincha Mayurasana), Blossoming Lotus Pose (Vikasita Kamalasana) and Bridge Pose (Setu Bhanda Sarvangasana) amongst others to work the front, sides and back of the body. A strong core means better balance, less back problems and better posture.

Props needed:  A blanket to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Are you up for some fun? This class will have you jumping and hopping all over your mat. Expect to practise Candle Pose (Prapidasana), Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II), Goddess Pose (Uktakakonasana), Wild Thing (Camatkarasana), Side Arm Balance (Vasisthasana) and more, plus some hopping forward and back and side to side. I hope it will bring your heart-rate up and put a smile to your face. 

Props needed: None required, except if you need a blanket for Savasana.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen will work best for this class.

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: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  Grab a brick from your yoga kit or, if you don't have one, a lunchbox from your cupboard, and join me for this fun class. We'll work your shoulders and hips through their range of movement in some repetitive movements in poses such as Child's Pose (Balasana), High Lunge/Crescent Pose (Alanasana) and Candle Pose (Prapidasana), plus a good core strengthening sequence - all holding and moving the brick to challenge the body and the brain in new and different ways.

Props needed:  A folded blanket for your knees and your brick/lunchbox.

Mat direction: Short 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: 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: 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.

Duration: 56 minutes

Emphasis:  A flow class with standing sequences containing kneeling poses such as Cat/Cow Pose (Marjariasana/Bitilasana), Side Plank Pose variation (Ardha Vasisthasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana), Thunderbolt or Kneeling Pose (Vajrasana), Seated Yoga Seal Pose (Yoga Mudrasana) and a preparation for Pendant Pose (Lolasana). There's a seated and supine sequence to finish and a lovely long Savasana so you can rest and relax after your hard work. Note: if you have delicate knees please use padding and adjust the poses as necessary or choose a class where there is not as much kneeling involved.

Props needed:  Possibly a blanket to kneel on, a yoga belt or a tie or strap and possibly blocks, bricks or books to put under your hands for Standing Splits.

Mat direction: Short edge facing the screen.

Duration: 16 minutes

Emphasis:  This short sequence will help to strengthen your wrists and stretch them too. The muscles and tendons of the forearms can get tight, especially if you use a computer for long periods of time every day, so it's helpful to practice these poses regularly to keep the wrists healthy. Start gently and build up to more repetitions of each pose slowly over time.

Props needed:  A blanket to kneel on if required. 2 x blocks/bricks/thick books for under your hands for Tolasana (Scales Pose).

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