Recent Articles in Hatha Yoga

Duration: 40 minutes

Emphasis:  Some backbending and lunge sequences with a little bit of quad stretching too.

Props needed:  Blocks or a thick book to put under your forearms in Lizard Pose, a strap to help you reach your foot and a blanket for under your knees.

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis:  Another sequence for neck and shoulder mobility - this time all done lying down. There's a little bit of core strengthening in there too.

Props needed:  A blanket to roll into little bolster to support your spine, and a strap if clasping your hands together behind your back is difficult.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen so you can turn your head to see when you're lying down

Duration: 33 minutes

Emphasis:  In this sequence of seated poses we'll be gently moving the head, neck and shoulders through their range of movement to create more freedom and mobility.

Props needed:  Blocks or books to sit on and a blanket to make a roll for spinal support.

Mat direction: Long edge of the mat facing the screen

Duration: 38 minutes

Emphasis:  In this sequence we'll be gently moving the head, neck and shoulders through their range of movement to create more freedom and mobility.

Props needed:  Strap for between the hands if needed and a blanket for under the knees if needed too.

Mat direction: Short edge of the mat facing the screen

Duration: 40 minutes

Emphasis:  A sequence of poses (mainly standing) with straight arms, legs and spine. We will practice Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), Half-Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) and Revolved Half-Moon Pose (Parivrtta Ardha-Chandrasana) plus some variations of Wide Legged Standing Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana). We finish with some variations of Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana).

Props needed:  Blocks (or a thick book) as required for your hand in Ardha Chandrasana, 2 yoga straps (or use long scarves or dressing gown ties), plus a blanket for Savasana if required.

Mat direction: Long side of the mat facing the screen

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis:  Stretch out your back and shoulders with this slow sequence of Thread the Needle, Downward Facing Dog, Cat, Child's Pose, Eye of the Needle and some rocking and rolling for a good back massage too.

Props needed:  A blanket for Savasana and to put under your back for the spinal rolling if required.

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

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis:  Had a long day? Feeling tired or hot and bothered but still want to do some yoga? We'll be lying down for the whole of this class but still getting a good stretch.

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

Mat direction: Long side of the mat facing the screen so you can turn your head to see more easily.

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: 42 minutes

Emphasis:  This class focuses on lifting and lowering the legs in lots of different ways - lying on your back, front and side, hands and knees, standing and seated postures and also in Downward Dog. It will use your core muscles and strengthen your legs too. Finish off this dynamic class with a lovely, long 8 minutes of Savasana.

Props needed: 2 blocks or bricks (or 2 equal sized thick books if you don't have blocks), a strap (or a tie from a bathrobe), and a blanket for Savasana if required.

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

Duration: 8 minutes

Emphasis:  Learn how to do Wild Thing (Camatkarasana). This deep backbend, although less challenging than Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana), can be difficult if you have any shoulder or wrist problems so there are also two modifications to make it more of a possibility if needed. Take care, listen to your body and have fun with this invigorating pose. Any questions, please leave a comment below and I'll endeavour to help.

Props needed: Possibly a blanket to put under your knee if you are practicing on a hard floor but make sure it doesn't slip!

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

Duration: 45 minutes

Emphasis:  Practice familiar standing poses in the precise 'Iyengar' style for strength, focus and good alignment of your body, and enjoy a nice long Savasana afterwards.

Props needed: 2 blocks, a blanket and a strap to loop around your foot if needed.

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

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  Practise some familiar poses such as Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana) and Tree Pose (Urdhva Vrksasana) with a chair to help you into better alignment, plus some poses we don't practise so often such as Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) and Revolved Triangle Pose (Parivrtta Trikonasana). Using the chair will help to make these more challenging poses more accessible and with regular practise you'll be able to do them without the chair.

Props needed: A sturdy chair.

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