Recent Articles in Hatha Yoga

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis:  We keep the hands together in Prayer Position (Anjali Mudra) for nearly every pose in this sequence, so it's a good one to do if you're resting your wrists or shoulders - there's no weight-bearing on the hands at all. But you will challenge your balance as we step forward and back from High Lunge aka Crescent Lunge (this pose also has a number of Sanskrit names - Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana, Ashta Chandrasana or, as I most commonly refer to it, Alanasana) to Half Chair Pose also known as Standing Figure 4 Pose (Ardha Utkatasana) and then hinge into Warrior 3 Pose (Virabhadrasana III). We then transition back to Alanasana to take two variations of Revolved Side Angle Pose (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana) before coming back to the starting point. There's a little seated hip opening sequence plus a short meditation to finish. I hope you find this creative sequence fun - it will focus your mind because you'll have to concentrate - no room for random thoughts here :-)

Props needed: You might like a blanket for the kneeling poses and Savasana.

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

Duration: 23 minutes

Emphasis:  We'll warm up with a relaxed and loose swing for the arms and spine and move on to a heel bounce to raise your energy and improve circulation and lymph drainage. We'll then move into some variations of Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana), adding twists and forward bends and a Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) before coming down to the floor for a final shake-out and a long, relaxing Savasana.

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

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

Duration: 21 minutes

Emphasis:  Move your whole body from top to toe whilst seated on a chair. This class is perfect if you're low on energy, feeling under the weather or nursing an injury and will help you to breathe better and release tension too.

Props needed: A chair (obviously! ;-) ) plus a block or book to put your feet on so, if your feet don't fully touch the ground, they can be flat on the floor and your knees can be level with your hips, plus you might like a blanket to sit on if your chair has a hard edge.

Mat direction: N/A.

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis:  Join me for a sequence of seated twisting poses that will stretch your legs, outer hips, inner hips and arms. It will offer you some spinal flexion and extension too plus the rotation from the twists as well. We'll practise, amongst other poses, Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana), Sage Twist (Marichyasana III), a twisting variation of Shoelace Pose (Ardha Gomukhasana), Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) and Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana).  

Props needed: A blanket or block to sit on if required.

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

Duration: 1 hr 19 minutes.

Emphasis:  Enjoy some slow and gentle sequences of kneeling, seated and supine stretches including Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana), Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana), Sage Twist Pose (Marichyasana III), Half Frog Pose (Ardha Mandukasana) and Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana).

Props needed: 2 blocks or books, a yoga belt or tie from a bathrobe or similar and a blanket to kneel on and/or cover yourself in Savasana if required.

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

Duration: 27 minutes

Emphasis:  In this supine and seated class we'll move the hips through their range of movement with poses such as Supine Tree Pose (Supta Vrksasana), Side Reclining Leg Lift Pose, also known as Vishnu's Couch Pose (Anantasana), Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana) and both the seated and supine variations of Bound Angle Pose, also known as Cobblers Pose, (Baddha Konasana).

Props needed: A belt, strap or tie from a bathrobe plus a blanket for under your hips and for Savasana if required.

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

Duration: 25 minutes

Emphasis:  Expect to work hard in this class as we strengthen the 3 layers of abdominal muscles and your back muscles. Please note: you need a strong back for the most challenging variations of these poses - please don't overdo it! Build up slowly by repeating the class regularly to increase your strength. We'll be lying down for all the poses and we'll practice Leg Lowering, both single and double, and the Stomach Twist (Jathara Parivartanasana) with the legs bent and straight.

Props needed: None needed.

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

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: 1 hour 18 minutes

Emphasis:  A slow and steady class with sequences that include Balancing Cat Pose, also known as Balancing Table Pose, (Dandayamana Bharmanasana), Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana) and Warrior 2 Pose (Virabhadrasana II). We'll then practise Pose of Shiva (Tandavasana) which is a gentle balancing and side-stretching pose, before coming down to the floor for some seated twists and forward bends.

Props needed: A blanket, 2 blocks or books to put under your hands and a strap or tie.

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