The Strength for Longevity classes 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 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.
The recommended advice is to practise regularly, 2-3 times a week for 15-30minutes. So you can use these videos as a support to design your own practise to suit you.
Don’t feel fit or strong enough to start?
This is not 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