Strength for Longevity
Sunday 17th May 2026: 1pm – 3pm
£15 in studio
£10 on zoom
If you aren’t able to join the class live, if you book the zoom session I will send you a recording of the class so you can practise in your own time.
Place: German Church, 29 Great Horton Road, Bradford, BD7 1AA or on Zoom (link will be emailed to you with the receipt of your booking).
This workshop will integrate yoga conditioning and Pilates to build functional strength and stability for arms, legs, hips, core and back, blended with intentional reset stretching for mobility. Flowing, energising sequences will meet slower, grounding moments to create stamina and strength that feels balanced, mindful, and dependable. This strength will sustain beyond the mat – supporting posture, joint health, and the simple movements that make daily life feel lighter. Whilst we will predominantly be using our own body weight, you have the option to add in weights (if you have them) to boost strength building.
Don’t feel fit or strong enough to join?
This is not going to be a gruelling test of endurance! Instead, I will share exercises designed to be repeated as many times as your body needs. We are all gloriously different and we will meet ourselves wherever we are at. No judgements, no comparisons. Compassionately reminding ourselves that strength is a journey and these small steps can have a big, positive impact.
Why should we build strength?
Strength is an essential component of overall health and longevity, particularly for women as we experience menopause. Yoga is a powerful tool for living a longer and healthier life, enhancing our body’s ability to perform everyday movements more efficiently and safely with greater power, control, and durability. Yoga promotes longevity by building functional strength and mobility, which supports daily agility, improves balance and helps maintain independence as we age.
Whilst our muscles start to decrease after the age of 30, it’s never too late (or too early!) to start building strength and mobility to support healthy ageing. Yoga is an effective method for building strength and stability using weight-bearing poses, which are critical for maintaining bone density and stabilizing joints.
Strength training is essential for bone health, muscle function and longevity. Skeletal muscle is an organ system that makes up 40% of our body weight and it’s vital for movement and also acts as a metabolic and hormonal powerhouse that influences everything from insulin resistance to cardiovascular health. The greater the health of your skeletal muscle, the greater your chances of survivability against any cause of disease, especially for women.
Benefits of building strength:
Counteracts muscle loss
Strengthens bones by increasing bone density and lowers risk of bone fracture
Helps prevent heart disease and reduces build up of visceral fat around organs
Boosts resting metabolic rate, aids fat loss and supports weight management
Helps counteract symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
Lowers blood pressure
Improves cardiovascular health
Reduces systemic inflammation
As well as all the physical benefits, building strength also helps
Boost mood
Alleviate anxiety
Improve sleep
Boost brain power and improves cognitive function by stimulating hormones (myokines) that we can think of as fertilisers for the brain!
Enhance memory
Reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers
Open to all (including beginners). Limited places are available so booking is essential.
Blocks, belts and blankets will be provided. If you wish to increase the demand, you are welcome to bring hand and ankle weights (1lb – 3lbs). Alternatively, a tin of beans of a bottle of water can be great substitutions if you don’t have weights!
You can book by clicking the button above or you can pay next time you’re in class. Any questions? Email yogabradford@gmail.com