Recent Articles in Gentle

Duration: 6 minutes

Emphasis:  If you find that your mind often skips off to think about other things during your Pranayama practice, try this simple breathing technique to help you stay focussed. You'll imagine a square box in front of you and trace the outline of it in time with your breath.

Props needed: None.

Mat direction: n/a.

Duration: 20 minutes

Emphasis:  Move your body in these gentle and repetitive movements to help increase both the range of movement and the ease of movement in your joints.

Props needed: A chair.

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

Duration: 15 minutes

Emphasis:  In this short practice there's a focus on Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) to help keep the hip joints mobile and stretch the inner thighs. You'll start with the supine version of the pose (Supta Baddha Konasana), then move through some variations of the seated pose and Star Pose (Tarasana) too.

Props needed: 2 rolled blankets and a brick (or two blocks or a thick book).

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

Duration: 29 minutes

Emphasis:  In this class we'll repeat the same stretches kneeling in Thunderbolt Pose (Vajrasana) and Hero Pose (Virasana), sitting cross-legged in Easy Pose (Sukhasana) and with legs extended in Wide Angle Seated Forward Bend. We'll then take some poses for strength and mobility of the hips before lying down to rest in Savasana.

Props needed: 2 blocks and a blanket

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

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis: 5 repetitive sequences taking you through adapted Cat/Cow Pose (Marjaryasana/Bitilasana), Sphynx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana), variations of Locust Pose (Shalabasana), variations of Camel Pose (Ustrasana) and into Child's Pose (Balasana). This class will bring mobility to your spine as we strengthen and stretch it in gentle forward bends, backbends and twists.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on if required and you might need blocks for your hands in one of the Camel Pose variations.

Mat direction: You choose - whatever works best for you.

Duration: 18 minutes

Emphasis: If you've been keeping up with your daily exercise you'll need to stretch out the muscles that have been working hard. This class is ideal after a long walk, run or cycle or if you're just feeling a little stiff and want a good stretch. The main focus will be on the legs but we'll also do some poses for the shoulders, arms and the front of the body.

Props needed: A blanket, two blocks and a yoga belt or tie from a bathrobe.

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

Duration: 58 minutes

Emphasis: Usually in a Restorative Class you relax completely into the support of the bolster, blankets and blocks. In this class however, although you'll be really relaxed, you'll be a little more active. We'll start sitting in Hero Pose (Virasana) and add a twist, then we'll do some lovely relaxing poses with the support of a bolster. We'll then practise a supported Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana) which will engage the leg muscles, before stretching them out and finishing with 8 minutes of Savasana - delicious!

Props needed: A bolster (or I'll show you how to make your own with a blanket and two pillows), two blocks and another blanket to keep you warm in that long Savasana.

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

Duration: 31 minutes

Emphasis: If you're feeling a bit stiff and creaky and that you've spent way too long sitting on the sofa then this sequence to mobilise and free your hips might help. You'll start with some gentle hip circles then move into various Lizard Pose type lunges (Utthan Pristhasana). A long hold in Frog Pose (Mandukasana) and a nice long Savasana will help to release any last tightness and stiffness.  

Props needed: You'll need a blanket for under your knees and two blocks or books to put under your forearms.

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

Duration: 57 minutes

Emphasis: In this gentle class you'll move your joints from head to toe to help you stay comfortable and mobile.  

Props needed: Folded blanket to kneel and sit on plus some optional essential oil or body lotion to massage your feet with at the end. 

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

Duration: 7 minutes

Emphasis:  Quieten the thoughts in the busy mind and relax the nervous system with this simple meditation. We'll slowly count backwards from 10 to 1 and repeat it again, allowing body and mind to settle and surrender into peace.

Props needed: Folded blanket to sit on, or, if you'd feel more comfortable, a chair.

Mat direction: N/A

Duration: 35 minutes

Emphasis:  In this sequence we move from Childs Pose (Balasana) to Cow and Cat Pose (Bitilasana and Marjaryasana) and into Crescent Moon Pose (Anjaneyasana). From there, with blocks under the hands we move gently between lunge and half-splits, only going as far at the front leg feels comfortable. In the second sequence we add a little internal and external rotation into the Half-Splits Pose (Ardha Hanumanasana). In the third we add a twist and the fourth takes us into Gate Pose. Stretching your legs regularly is so beneficial for those who do sports or exercise and especially good for those who sit a lot - the lunges help to stretch the front of the hips and thighs too.

Props needed: Blocks to put your hands on and a blanket to kneel on.

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

Duration: 13 minutes

Emphasis:  Take a few minutes out of your busy day to relax in Savasana and practice these simple breathing techniques. They'll calm your nervous system, relax your muscles and quieten your mind. Bliss!

Props needed: A blanket to keep you warm if required.

Mat direction: n/a.