Why Strength Matters in Midlife (and How Ashtanga Yoga Builds It Beautifully)💫

Many of us older Ashtangis, including those in midlife and beyond who attend my classes, are noticing just how powerful Ashtanga is for building strength. Here’s how…

1. Bone Health

Your bones can strengthen at any age - you just need the right kind of load.

All Ashtanga’s postures gradually guide your joints toward their ‘end range’, making the surrounding muscles work harder. When muscles work hard, they pull on bones and signal the bones to strengthen.

Standing postures, balances, and inversions all increase the load on your bones in different ways, making Ashtanga a powerful, natural way to support bone health and density over time.

Balancing on one leg? That limb works twice as hard, doubling the strengthening effect.

2. Brain Health

Strength isn’t just physical - it’s deeply connected to your brain health.

During menopause, lower estrogen can affect memory, focus, and mood. Ashtanga’s dynamic strength-building movement helps counter this by boosting brain-supportive growth factors like BDNF, which enhances neuroplasticity, mood, and overall cognitive resilience.

Building strength keeps your brain sharp and your mood steady.

3. Muscle for Metabolism & Lower Inflammation

Muscle mass is a major ally in midlife.

More muscle means a stronger metabolism, better blood-sugar balance, and steadier energy.

Ashtanga’s flowing sequence and controlled vinyasas help you maintain - and build - the muscle that supports healthy weight.

Muscles also act as your body’s natural anti-inflammatory pharmacy. Exercise releases myokines, powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce the inflammation that often increases in midlife.

So many great reasons to practice Ashtanga yoga 💫