Breath Work › Beginners Yoga
We know that yoga can seem intimidating and can seem like it’s a million miles away from what is attainable, achievable or even fun.
We also firmly believe that it really doesn’t matter how long your hamstrings are or whether you can touch your knees or toes or if you’re already in the cirque de soleil. Really that’s not what yoga is about. So what is yoga about?
To Movement for Modern Life, yoga is simply a tool. It is a tool which is guaranteed to make you feel better. Guaranteed. Starting with a little stretch and a little strength, you will find you feel a lot better in your body, and then you may start to breathe. You may start to feel some space in your head. In your life. You may start to feel that things feel possible that you never even knew were. But don’t take our word for it. Just get moving. Forwards ever, backwards never. Get moving and keep on moving a little bit every day. We have online yoga videos to ensure that you don’t have to even go out... Show more
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38:46Calming the Nervous System (Seated)
Slow, soothing seated yoga practice to settle the nervous system and quiet the mind, bringing calm and presence. Gentle movement and breath-led awareness to encourage steadiness and ease, finishing with a short meditation to leave us centred. Accessible, low-impact, and supportive for all bodies. These practices can easily be incorporated into the day. Can be done on a chair or sitting down, anywhere. Ideal for those with limited mobility, struggling with sickness or injury, energy limitations. No need for a yoga mat, perfect for limited space. Recorded 12/03/26.
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41:14Slow Yoga Flow for Heart Opening
Slow, fluid vinyasa flow yoga class with chest openers, breath awareness, and upper-back mobility. Ends with a deeply supported restorative pose. Great for countering winter induced hunching and low energy. Props: Bolster/pillow and blanket, 2 blocks & strap/towel. Recorded 15/02/26.
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33:13Hatha Yoga to Feel Ready for Bed
Let’s unwind and prepare for a deep, restful sleep with this hatha yoga class. Through gentle stretches, calming breathwork, and mindful movement, we’ll release tension, quiet our minds, and shift from stress to relaxation. This class is designed to soothe our nervous system, ease our bodies into stillness, and create the perfect conditions for deep, restorative sleep.
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41:25Yoga for Beginners: Embodied Breath
In this beginners yoga class, we explore the notion of embodiment. This exploration will specifically focus on the breath and lungs as we move through yoga poses. Class starts with a breath practice to connect to the body, then moves through half sun salutations and poses learnt in the classes at the start of the yoga for beginners course, presented with new variations. You will need a strap, blanket, brick and cushion.
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10:00Meditation: Soft Pause
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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14:09Meditation: Exploring the Breath
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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07:53Meditation: Counting the Breath
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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10:16Meditation: Feeling the Breath
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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06:10Yoga for Exam Stress (10): Clear Your Mind With Bumble Breath
This short class brings a breathing technique called bumble bee breath and brings a tibetan singing bowl to help you to focus on the sound to help you to clarify. It is a great technique to learn to clear the mind.
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18:56Alternate Nostril Breathing
A pranayama practice, breathing technique called Nadi Shodama, with is a very relaxing and cleaning breath. This alternate nostril practice is wonderful for helping the body to relax and will help to cope with anxiety or stress, and can even help with sleeplessness.
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21:01An introduction to Ujjayi/Victorious Breath
A pranayama practice of Ujjayi Breath (victorious breath). Ujjayi breath is normally practiced with ashtanga or vinyasa classes, but can also be practiced as a seated pranayama. This breath-work class is perfect for those who are seeking to improve their breath-work for their yoga practice, or if you'd like to simply work on the breath as a tool for meditation or as a tool to slow your breath down to soothe your nervous system.
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15:57Breath Challenge: Daily Breathing Exercises
These introductory breath work exercises should be done every day on the Ten Day Breath Challenge. They are a superb preparation for deeper pranayama practices and for teaching the body and mind to relax with the breath. Also recommended for beginners to yoga who are looking to understand the important breath work limb of yoga.
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