Recent Articles in Flexibility

Duration:  31 minutes

Emphasis: In this class we do some of the poses with animal names. Expect spinal mobility in Cow Pose (Bitilasana), Cow Pose (Marjareyasana) and Puppy Pose aka Half-Dog Pose (Uttana Shishosana), hip opening in Lizard Pose (Uttan Pristhasana) and Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajkapotasana), some stretching to the back of the legs in Heron Pose (Krounchasana), the gentlest backbend in Crocodile Pose (Makrasana) and a slightly deeper backbend in supported Fish Pose (Matsyasana) .

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on and blocks/bricks for Lizard Pose if required.

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

Duration: 1 hr 10 minutes

Emphasis: In this class we have a focus on lengthening and stretching out the spine. We start lying down for some breathing practice and a supine warm-up, then move to Tabletop Pose for some spinal mobility. Sun Salutations follow plus a sequence of standing poses including a variation of Pyramid Pose (Parsvottanasana). We spend a few minutes lying prone in Half-Frog Pose (Ardha Bhekasana) then come up for some seated poses. Finally, we come back to lying down to finish the class with some gentle stretches before Savasana.

Props required: Two bricks and a blanket.

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

Duration: 28 minutes

Emphasis: This class is all about checking your alignment in some of the standing poses. Using a wall to lean against, you'll use it not only to help you balance but also as a reference point to help you line your body up. You'll get a really good stretch and probably realise that you can go deeper into the poses than you thought you could.

Props needed: Some wall space, two blocks or a brick and a yoga belt with a loop plus blanket if you'd like one to relax at the end.

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

Duration: 27 minutes

Emphasis: A yin class that's a little shorter than others, this will focus on forward bends to stretch your back and the back of your legs. There is minimal talking from me once you're in the pose which will mean less distractions and help you to be quiet and still.

Props needed: A bit of wall space and, if your hamstrings are really tight, you might need a block and a rolled blanket.

Mat direction: It doesn't matter.

Duration: 20 minutes

Emphasis: In this short class you'll practise three Sun Salutations - one to warm-up and then two which include Side Lunge (Skandasana) to stretch the backs of the legs, the hip joints, knee joints and the ankle joints.

Props needed: None required.

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

Duration: 47 minutes

Emphasis: This is a Sun Salutation-based class with a bit of a difference - there are no poses where you need to bear weight on your hands. All the same movements of the Sun Salutations are there but are no Downward Facing Dogs, no Planks, no Cat or Cow or pushing up from the floor so it's perfect if you've got a hand, wrist or arm injury and need to rest it for a while so it can recover. Expect mostly standing poses but with some seated and supine at the end.

Props needed: None required.

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

Duration: 45 minutes

Emphasis: In this class you'll stretch the sides of the body as you raise the arms above your head Expect a supine warm-up and a seated sequence followed by a standing sequence. Then it's back to the floor for some more seated stretches plus a little bit of core work.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on if required plus a brick or block to hold.

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

Duration: 22 minutes

Emphasis: Engage the back muscles then stretch them out in these sequences, relieving stiffness and encouraging mobility and ease of movement.

Props needed: A blanket to kneel on if required.

Mat direction: Either - you choose.

Duration: 26 minutes

Emphasis: If you're feeling stiff and creaky and want a good stretch this is the class for you. Perfect if you've been cycling or running or when you just want to do a bit of slow and gentle movement, you'll start at the feet and move up the body, breathing deeply and stretching out any tight areas.

Props required: A blanket to kneel on if required.

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

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis: Our spines get a little compressed by gravity as we are upright during the course of each day, and at night as we sleep they lengthen back out again.  In this Hatha class you'll be introducing a bit of traction to help relieve pressure on the discs and nerves and realign your spine. You'll do mostly standing poses such as Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana) and Goddess Pose (Utkata Konasana) but also a seated variation of Garland Pose (Malasana) plus a couple of Downward Facing Dogs (Adho Mukha Svanasana) too.

Props required: Two blocks.

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

Duration: 41 minutes

Emphasis: Free up your shoulder blades and help relieve stiffness and tension in your upper back in this Sun Salutation flow class. You'll repeat the same movements with your arms in cactus position in the seated and kneeling warm-ups and then in the flows too. You'll move your shoulder blades up, down, in and out and bring mobility to the upper back too.

Props required: A blanket to kneel on if required.

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

Duration: 19 minutes

Emphasis: This gentle sequence is designed to stretch out and mobilise your whole body. You'll do twists, backbends and forward bends in various familiar poses.

Props required: You might want a blanket under your knees.

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