In a typical Hatha Yoga class I will instruct you through the whole class, perhaps demonstrating the moves so that everyone can follow. There might be things that you’re unfamiliar with, and things you need help with – so the list below is just to give you some idea. Don’t be put off by what you don’t know, or what is unfamiliar. Everyone else in the class will also have had to learn, and are an understanding group of supportive people:

-        Pranayama – breath techniques that improve energy and mood. These were explored by ancient yogis and modern science has studied these practices that gives us a greater understanding of the benefits.

-        Meditation – this can be the most daunting part for new participants but the skill is easily learned through a teacher led guided meditation for just a few minutes to develop familiarity with it

-        Asana – not everyone on class will be able to do everything that is offered to them, and so there will be options and variations so that everyone enjoys the sequence for themselves. Classes tend to start with Sun salutations – a sequence of stretches that warm up the whole body well, in preparation for the practice of forward and back bends that follow. These will include bends, twists and some balancing poses. I will add a video of a typical class, soon.

-        Deep relaxation – a class usually ends with a five minutes deep rest at the end. This is as essential to the class as all other elements, so that practitioners can rest in a meditative state and relax the muscles. For some it’s their favourite part of yoga.

As with all yoga, most of the Hatha Yoga asanas can be adjusted so that you can find what works for you. Just start with whatever flexibility you have right now, and don’t set a level of expectation around how you ‘should’ be.

Some classes are based on sitting in chairs and working with more limited range of movement – others include deep bends and twists that aren’t accessible to everyone, even after a lot of practice. If you can’t get up and down from sitting on the ground easily, then consider a chair yoga class.

None of my students have felt very flexible when they joined the classes, so that isn’t a criteria but it’s important to know whether you will be able to keep up with the pace of a class, so if you’re unsure then that is worth discussing before starting.

Yoga can be for people that have had illness and injury, but your GP is the best person for specialist advice on what that means for you.

Please just wear what you’re comfortable in and in which you can move with ease. Some people wear sportswear,  or leggings but Hatha Yoga can be practised in casual clothing too. As long as you can stretch your legs and move your arms about, you’ll be fine.

It’s usually a good idea to bring water along to sip on in case you get too hot, and also bring a warm top or blanket for the relaxation at the end, when your body might cool down quickly. You’ll be more comfortable at the end if you can keep warm, and relax without having to adjust yourself.

It's alright if you don't have one, but you will use a mat in classes so that you have some grip under your feet and padding when kneeling and sitting down. We can lend you a mat to use, if you let us know that you would like to borrow one when you book a class.

I will add a review of different mats but in the meantime, you’re welcome to ask about the options before you spend any money.

What else do we use in class?

Props are also used in a Hatha Yoga class. I usually bring some of these along, but you might want to buy some to use at home once you have practised with them. They can help make the pose more accessible and more comfortable, supporting any part of the body that comes into contact with the floor: hands, feet, head, hips.

In class I guide people on how to use these and will add some video instruction here when I can.

The most popular props we use are:

• Bolster

• A pair of yoga blocks and a yoga brick

• Strap