Recent Articles in Hatha Yoga

Duration: 1 hr 11 minutes

Emphasis:  We start with some warm-ups seated on the chair then progress to seated variations of Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana) and Warrior 1 Pose (Virabhadrasana I). We then swap to using the chair for support under the hands as we do some standing poses including Tree Pose (Vrksasana), Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Revolved Triangle Pose (Parivrtta Trikonasana) and Standing Hand-to-Big-Toe Poses 1, 2 and 3 (Padanghustasana I, II and III).

Props needed: A chair and 2 blocks or a brick.

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

Duration: 34 minutes

Emphasis: After doing some warms ups in kneeling poses, we move to standing for variations of Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana) and Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana). Seated poses such as Archer Pose (Arkarna Dhanurasana), Heron Pose (Krounchasana) and Seated Pose aka Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Marichyasana 3) follow, and then, of course, Savasana.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on, a yoga belt and maybe a block to put under your hands.

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  This class takes you through some poses that offer you both forward bends and leg stretches. The slow pace will give you time to regulate your breathing and feel your way deeper into the poses if and when your body is ready. The perfect antidote to a busy day spent rushing around, the sequence will allow your mind to quieten down and your nervous system to relax while giving the legs and back a good stretch.  Note: please make sure you have done some warming up before practising this class - some marching on the spot, some pedalling the legs in Downward Facing Dog or a slow round of Sun Salutations for example. 

Props needed: A strap, a blanket (or two if you need extra padding) and a block.

Mat direction: Doesn't really matter, you choose what works best for you.

Duration: 9 minutes

Emphasis:  In this short class you'll combine foot mobility with balancing. In the first sequence you'll balance on one leg whilst circling the foot and then in the second sequence you'll challenge your balance a little more by standing on a block. You'll finish with some supine poses to stretch the legs.

Props needed: A block plus a wall or chair to put your hand on to help with your balance if needed.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis:  Keep your feet mobile and supple with these quick stretches. Repeat often for best results - we tend to forget about our feet and, when stuck inside shoes for many hours a day, they can become inflexible and poorly aligned which can lead to problems in the ankles, knees, and up into the hips and spine, so a little bit of regular maintenance will be well worth it.

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees and for Savasana.

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

Duration: 1 hr 15 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll do some gentle, repetitive sequences interspersed with some contemplation about letting go of the past year and welcoming in the new. You'll be invited to choose a 'Word of the Year' to help guide you through the coming months and also, if you wish, to set a Sankalpa - the yogic equivalent of New Year's Resolutions.

Props needed: A blanket for under your knees and for Savasana and possibly a block for under your hands - plus a pen and paper to note down your thoughts and words.

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

Duration: 1 hr 15 minutes

Emphasis:  Slow and gentle sequences to soothe and relax your body, mind and spirit. There are a few balancing poses at the end using the chair to help keep you steady.

Props needed: A chair, a couple of blankets and possibly blocks to put under your hands if needed.

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

Duration: 20 minutes

Emphasis:  This class consists of short seated sequences that start and finish in Staff Pose (Dandasana)and most of them are done with straight legs. There's a cameo role for Flo in this class too ;-)

Props needed: None required.

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

Duration: 27 minutes

Emphasis:  After warming up we'll move slowly down through the body with poses to help bring mobility to the neck, shoulders, chest, back, hips, legs and feet.

Props needed: A chair and a belt.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  A straightforward Iyengar-style class which focusses on some basic standing poses interspersed with the four variations of Wide Leg Standing Forward Fold (Prasarita Padottanasana)

Props needed: A brick or blocks to put your hand on in one pose.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 48 minutes

Emphasis:  If you have a wrist injury or arthritis or something else going on that means leaning weight into your hands is difficult, this class will be just the thing. Leaning your forearms on a chair will enable you to do poses such as Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow Pose (Bitilasana), Balancing Cat - also known as Balancing Table Pose - (Dandayamana Bharmanasana), Gate Pose (Parighasana) and Camel Pose (Ustrasana). We'll also do a little bit of wrist mobility work to warm-up and finish with a supported Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) and Savasana with legs up on the chair. 

Props needed: Some wall-space, a chair and a blanket.

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

Duration: 38 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll practise Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Side Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana) and Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II) from standing pose in the Iyengar style, then again from Downward Facing Dog in the Vinyasa style and then we'll try them from Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana) too to experience how they all feel slightly different .

Props needed: Blocks and a blanket.

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