As the end of the year approaches and everything seems that little bit more heightened than usual, it can be hard to make time to just… stop.
So we’ve put together a playlist of classes that incorporate a few different techniques, including self-massage, pandiculation, qi gong-inspired movements, mantra, mudra and breathwork to move you gently from restlessness to relaxation.
1. Letting go – Pranayama + Yin + meditation with Esther Ekhart – 50 mins
This powerful class combines standing pranayama, Yin poses and a grounding meditation – the ultimate ‘letting go’ class to help you feel blissfully relaxed and rejuvenated.
2. Self-massage with Julie Martin – 13 mins
Using the floor as a massage partner, this short investigation of rolling, rocking, shifting weight, will have you feeling awake, alive and refreshed, without ever having to get up off your mat!
3. Tilts and slides with James Reeves, 35 mins
Stressed? Overworked? Don’t know how to slow down? Explore the art of surrender with this deeply nourishing practice guaranteed to leave your hips, lower back and sacrum feeling loved.
4. Self-soothing methods for calming down with Tashi Dawa, 37 mins
Techniques for calming down your nervous system, wherever you are and whatever you might be doing. All you need are a couple of blocks and 2 tennis balls.
5. Mudra meditation with Katy Appleton, 10 mins
Using breath, hand gestures (mudra) and a guided affirmation, this brilliantly sweet practice with Katy will invoke more rest, peace and silence within.
6. Psoas delight with Sandra Carson, 1hr
Incorporating gentle movements, this wonderfully grounding, nurturing practice helps to create a balance between activation and rest. The hour just flies by!
7. Breathe and relax with José de Groot, 35 mins
Experience how the breath influences your mind in this deeply releasing practice combining Yin yoga and breathwork.
8. Pandiculation – stretching like a cat with Jennilee Toner, 25 mins
Explore a technique that involves tensing, stretching and yawning and experience how it resets the body’s muscular skeleton system. “Lolling about with purpose” as one member described!
9. Sing, breathe, sing! with David Lurey, 30 mins
A unique combination of mantra and breathwork has an amazingly calming and connecting effect – so dust off your vocal chords and give it a try!
10. Short Yin-before-bed practice with Anat Geiger, 25 mins
If another day has passed without a moment of connection and your body feels tired and your mind numb, this short Yin practice will comfort, nourish and calm you down.
p.s. Don’t forget, you can avoid further distractions by downloading these classes for use on our offline app.
We’d love to know your favourite wind-down classes, please share in the comments below.
