Types of Yoga Classes
Depending on your needs at any time you are likely to find what is appropriate for your body, mind and spirit in this collection.
Forward Folding: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
To flex your spine into seated or standing folding-forward positions, your hamstrings have to be cajoled into warming up first.
This 75-minute practice goes along step by step so you're totally ready for the 'goal' poses: Janu Sirsasana and Marichyasana 1.
Forward Folding - Big Toe Pose Variations
Big Toe Pose -- Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana is a balancing posture in which you raise one leg at hip level, extend your leg and ultimately hold onto your foot with your hand. It's a pose that has you summon strength and flexibility, at the same time.
This 75-min class stages a methodical approach to the pose through three variations, from the floor to standing.
Forward Folding: Janu Sirsasana Variations
The 'goal' pose of this 75-minute practice--Janu Sirsasana--translates from Sanskrit to Head-to-Knee pose. But for most of us, we're aiming for a hamstring stretch and hip opening effect. Moving through the three variations enhances the benefits of the pose, and refreshes the approach to an old favourite.
Forward Folding: Hamstring Strength and Flexibility
One of the beautiful features of yoga practice is the way we can work the whole body in a safe way.
Safety is built in when a sequence of poses uses counter-posing.
What is a counter pose? It's a posture that helps neutralise the body after performing a particular pose: think of the way backbends and forward bends, for example, can complement each other. The idea is to restore balance, if perhaps the pelvis or spine have gone out of alignment, or need stretching after contracting.
In this 75-minute, you'll work the hamstrings to create strength and flexibility in equal measure.
Forward Folding with Twists
This 75-minute class presents an enjoyable mix of forward folding postures balanced with seated twists. Doing a series of forward fold poses one after another can be intense work for the spine and back muscles. Interspersing twists keeps you from overworking the hamstrings and spinal column; it also encourages 'squeezing and soaking' the organs of digestion and elimination as you rotate the lower torso. #EveYoga #flexibility #hamstrings #balance
Befriending Backbends. Part 1: Elongate.
Making space in the chest, strengthening glutes and hamstrings and creating vitality are just some of the reasons we do yoga backbends.
This is a 75-minute modulated backbend practice with the aim of having you feel energetic and calm by using an intelligent approach.
You'll find a written version of the practice at the end of the video.
Befriending Backbends. Part 2: Strengthening the Glutes and Hamstrings
This 75 minute class is designed to wake up the muscles that make for easeful backbending poses. When the gluteus medius, minimus and hamstrings support an even arching of the spine, there is less stress and effort. You will get to enjoy more of the benefits of these valuable postures: stimulation of the nervous system, opening the lungs and correction of stooped posture.
Befriending Backbends. Part 3: Shoulder blade flexibility and strength.
Keeping the dorsal thoracic - the upper back - strong and flexible is such a benefit to our posture and the strength of our bones.
A further advantage is that we can experience more freedom when we do backbends as we avoid pinching the lower back, hunching the shoulders and making the neck cranky.
Here's a 75 minute all-round practice to create fluid movement in the shoulder blades, especially, and the whole body, as well.
On The Road: Post Flight Back Extension
It's not always convenient to get to a yoga class, but it's generally possible to do a little 'first aid yoga', even when you're travelling long distances.
Here's one way to alleviate the after-effects of plane, train or car travel--basically a great stretch for neck, shoulders and back.
Supported Shoulder Stand - Salamba Sarvangasana
Supported Shoulder Stand. This version of shoulderstand gives the support that allows you to stay in the pose for a bit longer. Which means you get the benefits of being upside down for more time with less effort. Plus, there's no toll on your wrists or neck. It's a little tricky to get into in the beginning, so this video will help make the pose more accessible for you.
If you would like to make a donation to my continuing to create videos and recordings, please visit https://eveyoga/donation/.
Parivrrta Trikonasana - Twisting Triangle
This 75-minute class with its breathing exercises, backbends and twisting emphasis is ideal for warming the body in the chilly days of winter.
It is a holistic practice that includes standing poses, too, for strength and stability, with a chair savasana to finish with ultimate relaxation and release.
Healthy and Whole: Baby Backbends and Twists
Rotating the spine and extending it are potentially two of the most beneficial movements in yoga . They relieve tension in the spine as well as upper back, shoulders and hips. They also increase mobility in the spine, which keeps the body supple--with ease of movement, even as one ages.
This 75 minute class couples these two important categories of poses and presents twists and backbends in a balanced and thoughtful way.
Pelvic movement and stability
The pelvis is an amazing fulcrum of the body and has lots of potential for movement in various directions. When we experience stiffness or soreness, it might mean that we've lost some our mobility or perhaps are even too mobile.
Here's a session to explore and experience some of the movements of your pelvis.
If you would like to make a donation to my continuing to create videos and recordings, please visit https://eveyoga/donation/.
A balanced class: seated, standing, backbending, twisting and inverted poses + relaxation
This yoga practice is a balanced mix of poses: seated, standing, backbending, twisting, inversion, relaxing. The variety of poses gives the best opportunity to work your body/mind, paying attention to all its parts.
The poses are simple. What makes the practice challenging is how well we cultivate presence, being present to our immediate experience. This is what we are shooting for in yoga.
If you would like to make a donation to my continuing to create videos and recordings, please visit https://eveyoga/donation/.
The Quality of Balance. Part 1: Alert and Relaxed
The essence of balance can probably be distilled in many ways. When we do balancing yoga poses, for instance, we can set our sights on employing equal measures of alertness and relaxation.
This 75 minute practice offers enough challenge so that it encourages us to stay alert, but not so much that it takes us out of the ability to stay reflective and relaxed.
Quality of Balance. Part 2: Activating Strength and Stretch
Getting just the right amount of strength and stretch into each yoga pose is the art of modulation, and perhaps the heart of yoga.
The balancing poses are good for teaching us this fine-tuned calibration. This 75-minute practice includes the warrior and half moon poses to help us hone our balance.
The Quality of Balance. Part 3: Commitment and Awareness
Balancing in yoga poses takes being committed to practising. You'll be able to arrive at equilibrium by working up to it gradually, perhaps even using a wall or chair to build up time in the poses. And then, repetitions of poses will yield even better results. Mindfulness of the practice process will help you from being overly ambitious or tense.
Do this 75 minute practice and it will give you some ideas of you might practice on your own.
The Quality of Balance. Part 4: Action and Observation
Two qualities that make doing yoga poses a satisfying experience are action and observation. We do a movement and in the process are observing what is happening in our bodies, in our internal dialogues, even in our intentions.
Nowhere is this more true than when we are attempting to balance: in headstand, in arm balancings, standing on one leg, for example. By being observant, we can learn much about the pose and, more importantly, about ourselves.
Here is a 75 minute class that will give you practice in simple balancing poses.
Prevent Falls: Strong & Supple Legs & Hips
Older individuals especially have to work to stay strong and flexible, else there's a gradual erosion of strength that can lead to loss of balance and falls.
Here is a 75-minute class that gives a good workout, combining muscle strengthening with releasing, and relaxation.
Prevent Falls: Building Strength and Balance
Work and tone your body in this class with these strengthening yoga poses: Bridge variations, Chair Pose, Warrior I Pose, Extended Side Angle, and more, finishing with relaxation.
Breathing Essentials: The Diaphragm
This 75-minutes session gives you an all-important anatomical focus---the breathing muscle--the diaphragm. With a combination of breathing exercises and attention to the diaphragm in classic yoga poses, you will be able to refresh the parts of your body that relate to the breath.
Breathing Essentials: Prana Vayu
Such an unusual word, 'vayu'...a Sanskrit word meaning 'wind'. The root word 'va' means something like 'circulation of energy.'
In this class, we will explore this movement of energy connected to breathing. And especially breathing into five main areas of the body. This is a beautiful way of practising, anchoring our awareness physically and energetically for maximum benefits.
Breathing Essentials: Vinyasa (Flow)
Flow yoga has become popular and has its own established niche among all the many types of yoga. This is because it's based on movement with the breath, and breathing is the most important anchor for our attention in yoga practice.
This 75-minute class emphasises having the movements through postures be enveloped in one's breath, like a beautiful picture frame that holds a piece of art.
Back Care with Brahmari Humming Breath
Is it unusual to link humming breathing with back care? No, of course not! This is yoga, after all.
It's all about being aware of and sensitive to the movement of energy through the body. And sound helps us do that.
This 75-minute class will help you awaken and strengthen the core in through a simple and focussed practice. It incorporates postures, movement and relaxation.
Savasana with the Breath
We all know that breathing is integral to doing yoga. But for less experienced yoga practitioners, doing pranayama, or controlled yogic breathing exercises, may feel daunting.
This 15 minute relaxation with breathing sets you up for greater awareness and control of your breath in a very gentle way. You will feel nourished and renewed at the completion of the practice.
If you would like to make a donation to my continuing to create videos and recordings, please visit https://eveyoga/donation/.
Slow practice with gentle flow
A gentle feel-good practice with breathing, warm-up, classic poses and relaxation.
Perfect for the end of a busy week or for a Sunday morning.
Note: Near the end of the of the recording (1:05) there are some floral images added that go for 5 minutes and then Eve comes back on screen to finish the program.
If you would like to make a donation to my continuing to create videos and recordings, please visit https://eveyoga/donation/.
Restorative. Part 1: The Courage to Relax
Here we explore a calming, relaxing practice that references 'Courage to Relax'. What does that mean for us? For the most part we are busy and full of thought activity. Stopping our busyness, being quiet, slow and considerate of our bodies and minds can feel totally unfamiliar and sometimes even threatening.
In this 75 minute class, you are invited in to a safe, quiet and peaceful place to give yourself much needed regeneration. Then you can go back into the busyness with more mental and physical clarity and breathing space.
Restorative. Part 2: Self Care
In this 75 minute class you will be doing a combination of passive, restorative poses and slightly more active ones--to create a balanced practice.
The good thing about this type of practice is that you aren't sacrificing anything when you choose rest over being continuously on the go. Rather, your are saying 'no' to busyness and you are saying 'yes' to self-care.
Restorative. Part 3: Cultivating Peace
It's such a nourishing thing to do a slow and quiet practice such as this 75 minute class. With this restorative program, at the end of it, you feel internally pacified and refreshed...more able to face the world with clarity and calm. These are the qualities we mean to cultivate as much as possible by practising yoga regularly.
Restorative Reboot: Floor Twist, Lying Bound Angle & Legs Up the Wall
Legs-Up-the-Wall has got to be everyone's favourite relaxation pose.
Here's a short (12 minutes) practice that can stand alone as a method of recharging your batteries. Or, as a way to finish a longer practice and set your body/mind on an even keel.
General Practice with Yoga Nidra.
This session offers a perfect ending to your week or the beginning of your weekend, with a gentle posture program, followed by 'yoga nidra' for complete relaxation.
The Quality of Balance. Part 4: Action and Observation
Two qualities that make doing yoga poses a satisfying experience are action and observation. We do a movement and in the process are observing what is happening in our bodies, in our internal dialogues, even in our intentions.
Nowhere is this more true than when we are attempting to balance: in headstand, in arm balancings, standing on one leg, for example. By being observant, we can learn much about the pose and, more importantly, about ourselves.
Here is a 75 minute class that will give you practice in simple balancing poses.
Turtle Pose - Child's Pose Variation
Safe to say, we all deal with stress on a regular basis, but when it becomes unending, we need to take time out for ourselves.
In this variation of child's pose, our bodies take the outward shape of the turtle where the shell protects the vital organs--kidneys and adrenals--and we gently nourish ourselves.
A five-minute practice that can be incorporated into a restorative practice...or even held for longer in a stand-alone tool for regeneration.
The inspiration for this practice of turtle breathing comes from Dr. Willow Brown, https://drwillowbrown.com
Slow practice with gentle flow
A gentle feel-good practice with breathing, warm-up, classic poses and relaxation.
Perfect for the end of a busy week or for a Sunday morning.
Note: Near the end of the of the recording (1:05) there are some floral images added that go for 5 minutes and then Eve comes back on screen to finish the program.
If you would like to make a donation to my continuing to create videos and recordings, please visit https://eveyoga/donation/.
Breathing Essentials: Vinyasa (Flow)
Flow yoga has become popular and has its own established niche among all the many types of yoga. This is because it's based on movement with the breath, and breathing is the most important anchor for our attention in yoga practice.
This 75-minute class emphasises having the movements through postures be enveloped in one's breath, like a beautiful picture frame that holds a piece of art.