Yoga Classes › "breath"

Nikita Akilapa

In the final part in our Introduction to Meditation Series, we start to watch the top and the bottom of our breath. You'll notice that there are round edges to the inhale and exhale, where each breath gently reaches a peak and then gives rise to the next. Either simply watch these spaces between breaths or gently hold for a moment at the top of each inhale, and pause for a moment at the bottom of the exhale.

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Nikita Akilapa

In the fourth part in our Introduction to Meditation Series with Nikita, we learn how to explore breath patterns as a means to change the way we feel. Allow the exhale to be twice as long as the inhale to give the body a chance of releasing all the old, to make space for the fresh new oxygenated air to flow in fully. Start at an equal breath (e.g. inhale for six seconds and exhale for six seconds) then increase gradually to a ratio of 1:1.5 (e.g. inhaling for six seconds and exhaling for nine seconds). Eventually, breathing to a ratio of 1:2 (e.g. inhaling for six and exhaling for 12 seconds). Maintain for up to about 20 breaths and then return to normal breath. If you are asthmatic, you may find that it's tricky to get to the full 1:2 ratio at first, in which case stay at 1:1.5. This is another great technique you might want to use as a tool to anchor an anxious mind any time you feel overwhelmed.

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Nikita Akilapa

In the third part in our Introduction to Meditation series, we start to count the breath. Get settled in a comfortable spot, either sitting or lying down, and begin to count your breaths backwards from 20 to 1. Say to yourself mentally, I am breathing in 20, I am breathing out 20. I am breathing in 19, I am breathing out 19, and so on until you reach 1. If you notice your mind has wandered away from this focus, draw it back. If you lose your count, start again. If you manage to get all the way to 1, try starting at 50 next time. You might want to use this exercise as a tool to anchor an anxious mind any time you feel overwhelmed.

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Nikita Akilapa

In the second part in our introduction to meditation class we notice the breath within the body. Notice the body's involuntary response to your inhalations and exhalations; from the most obvious, loudest reactions (like the rise and fall of the chest, the expansion and release of the mid body) - to the more subtle and quieter ones (like the gentle drawing back behind the eyes as you inhale, to the sensation of the palms of the hands as you exhale). Notice how you feel before and after doing this short meditation class, you might be surprised at how effective just a few minutes in meditation can be!

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Nikita Akilapa

A really accessible introduction to meditation comprising five short breath based meditation classes to help you land in the present moment and move into your body. Using the breath is a very simple anchor for your thoughts and can be an easy way to start meditation. Each meditation invites you to focus on the breath in a different way. Be aware of the thoughts that creep into your mind. They will inevitably come, but when they do, try not to engage with them. Simply notice and observe them in a detached way. Acknowledge them and let them go. See them and send them on. If you find yourself being drawn off on a narrative, be compassionate toward yourself and simply bring yourself gently back to the breath. Remember, there is no failure; only meditating. The act of meditating is to mindfully watch the thoughts, rather than to carelessly engage with them. You are winning by even attempting the exercise.

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Nikita Akilapa

In this first introduction to meditation video we use the breath as our anchor. Learn how to pay close attention to your breath and how it feels in your body; start to explore all its qualities. Get really involved in all its personality - length, depth, temperature, quality. Fully inhabit it. Breathe in, knowing you are breathing in, breathe out, knowing you are breathing out. Use it as an anchor to the present moment. The minute you notice your mind drifting off to something else, make a point of bringing it right back. Keep the focus and enjoy this meditation introduction! Watch the intruction here: https://movementformodernlife.com/yoga-class-1238-meditation-series-introduction

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Andrew McGonigle

There's no 'right' or 'wrong' in any yoga pose, so long as movements are made slowly and in a controlled way, mindfully and with the breath, and of course so long as there is no pain or pre-existing injury! With that in mind, Chaturanga or low plank, is one of the hardest yoga poses to master. This short tutorial on the yoga pose Chaturanga shows the action needed for the pose. Do take heed, the pose needs a LOT of strength in the shoulders and abdomen, which you'll need to build separately and whilst you build that strength, or if the pose is not suitable for your body, do please practice with your knees to the ground, or simply do a high push up, rather than the low push of Chaturanga. Enjoy!

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Mimi Kuo-Deemer

Finding Harmony is the first of three classes in the series of Qigong and Restorative Yoga. It focuses on harmonising breath, body movement and the balance of yin and yang. It can be hard to find harmony in our lives of conflicting needs and priorities. Class starts with active qigong and then go on to a relaxing restorative yoga class. Ideally, have a yoga bolster and two blankets. Alternatively, you can also use a sofa cushion and two bed pillows.

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Adam Hocke

Restorative yoga is so important. Give your body the chance to rest fully, even if you are limited on props. All you need for this restful practice is one blanket or towel. Through a handful of supported postures we will bring a calming awareness to body and breath. Great to calm you down when anxiety is high or when you are preparing for sleep.An essential daily practice for those overwhelmed and busy.

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Adam Hocke

The perfect class for when you are not feeling your best and you want to move into a better feeling. This class is great for when your immunity levels are low, you might be recovering from illness or injury or you just feel you need to improve your self-confidence gently. This is a beautiful self-care practice of self-massage, breathwork, gentle movements, and a supported inversion. These gentle practices will stimulate your immune system and then the flow is very gentle, perfect for slower days. Additionally, we will work with the power of intention and visualisation to bring wellness to your physical body.

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Kiranjot

This is a great cardio practice with a lot of jumping and chanting that will get you sweating. Har is mantra that means flow, it is a mantra with the power to clear blocks and strengthen our will power. It’s a great set to help you build stamina and help stimulate your glandular / hormonal system. After a short relaxation we finish the physical yoga with a simple breath meditation called for constant self authority. Starting with a chant, then move through some traditional yoga warm ups of cat cows and a downward dog. Then get uplifted and energised with a Kundalini Yoga kriya of dynamic jumping. Feel sweaty, feel energised and have fun with plenty of uplifting moves, then feel grounded and chant to finish. Enjoy this Kundalini dance! No props needed.

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Katarina Rayburn

This dynamic vinyasa yoga class is Rocket Yoga - an energetic and invigorating practice which has its roots in Ashtanga vinyasa. Expect something similar to Ashtanga, but with more flight, more variety and perhaps a little more fire than you'd get from a primary series class. This class is fast moving, after sun salutes you'll have the opportunity to get into crow pose, and then plenty of more advanced postures such as arm balances and inversions but modifications will be given. Linking breath and movement, this dynamic class will leave you with a sense of play, fun and you'll certainly feel it. Come with an open and playful mind; leave your ego behind and don't be afraid to fly or fall! You will need two bricks.

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Jonelle Lewis

Find some lovely tools to put in your toolkit to get grounded, rooted and present to your life. A perfect warm up class to earth mandala flow, or any class. Starting with foot mobility and stability exercises - open up the feet, ground to earth, use myofascial release to massage your feet using a tennis ball. A really useful exercise to keep the feet mobile and pain free, but also to keep a sense of connection with the earth. Qigong poses help you to keep the energy grounded followed by some Yin Supine hamstring stretches and then grounding breath-work.You will need a tennis ball, bricks and a strap.

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Lucy McCarthy

A quick, powerful shake-up class to shake off stagnant, negative energy. Includes full body shakedown, lions breath, fountain breath. For whenever you feel like you need to change your energy naturally! Perfect to start the day or to take a short break during the day.

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Max Strom

Inner Axis is new wellbeing movement class developed by Max Strom and deals directly with stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness. It is gentle and graceful, utilising breath-­based yoga inspired movement, inspiring visualizations, and immediately effective relaxation techniques. It is accessible to all fitness levels. A very calming practice, a great antidote for stressful modern lives. (There is no chanting or sanskrit.)

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Lucy McCarthy

A beautifully uplifting heart and chest opening flow yoga class. Starting with breathwork to feel deeply into the heart, this class has the intention of lifting and clearing out the heart space so you can move into joy. A playful, uplifting all-levels vinyasa flow class that includes chest opener at the wall, handstand at the wall followed by some fun backbends. This class aims to help you remove the blockages that get in the way of experiencing your innate joy and bliss.

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Kiranjot

A kriya is a specific sequence of postures or actions for a specific purpose. I like to call them recipes, each step works in turn to create a specific effect for your body, mind and spirit. There are hundreds of Kundalini Kriyas, this one is called the Kriya for Elevation. It is a simple practice involving lots of flexing the spine, stretching of the legs and stimulating breath of fire. The practice finishes with a more challenge held meditation Sat Kriya which is a key practice in kundalini Yoga. It encourages circulation of panic life force through all the chakras. It’s a great practice to help relieve symptoms of depression. This sequence has breath of fire to begin with so please watch my introduction to Kundalini Yoga if this is a new practice for you or you haven’t quite mastered it yet. Tune in to this traditional Kundalini yoga class or Kriya, as they are known in the Kundalini tradition. This full Kundalini yoga class involves chanting, mudra and physical hatha yoga poses and a beautiful, long Savasana to finish.

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Kiranjot

This short Kundalini yoga class, explains a couple of key practices of Kundalini to newcomers but also makes a complete short Kundalini class that incorporates movement, breath work and meditation that will relax and release the spine, charge up our energy, and soothe the mind. A grounding practice, very helpful particularly for anxiety and depression.

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