Body Weight, Bone Strength and Why We Keep It Simple

This autumn I'm back on the student side of the mat, working through my YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates. I know!! This week's unit was Lifestyle Management and Health Awareness, and one question made me smile:

“Weight-bearing physical activity can improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. True or false?”

True, of course. And it got me thinking about what we do every day at LoveYour.Studio. In fact, I taught this at our Foundation Teacher Training on Sunday. Here they are, our fabulous 2026 cohort, learning how to sequence a calm, floor-based class.

Your body is the equipment

When you hold Warrior II, balance in Tree, press into Meru Asana (Mountain, known in modern yoga as Downward Dog) or lift into Crow, you're carrying your own body weight through your bones. That's weight-bearing exercise, and it's exactly what bones need to stay strong as we age.

Yoga also moves the spine and joints in every direction: forward, back, twisting and side-bending. It works the body as one connected whole, rather than one muscle at a time.

Pilates is coming to the studio

Yes! Once I've qualified, I'll be bringing mat Pilates to LoveYour.Studio. It's a brilliant partner to yoga for core strength, alignment and precision.

We're choosing mat, not reformer, on purpose. Reformer Pilates is popular, and it has its place, but much of it happens lying down on a moving carriage. On the mat, you are the resistance, and you don't need an expensive machine (or an expensive class) to get strong.

Why yoga is still my first love

Pilates trains the body beautifully. Yoga goes further, into the breath, the nervous system, the mind and the heart. You leave a yoga class stronger, and calmer, kinder to yourself, more awake. No machine can do that part for you.

Yogic Breath & Yogic Mindfulness: starting January

Because yoga has more to give than big strong bums 😄

In January 2027 we begin our 100-hour Yogic Breath & Yogic Mindfulness training, in two halves: Yogic Breath with Yogacharini Deepika Giri, and Yogic Mindfulness with me, alongside meditation classes at the studio. It's a chance to go deeper into pranayama, meditation and the quieter side of the practice.

Curious? Come to our Open Day on Saturday 16 January, the first day of the course. Meet the teachers, try the practices and ask anything you like. It's free, with 20 places.

Early Yogi places are £1,600 until 30 November. Email hello@loveyour.studio to register your interest.

So come as you are, with the body you have. That's all the equipment you need.

Marcio