The calendar has flipped to January, and everywhere you look, there’s a loud, relentless pressure to start a drastic new diet or an extreme exercise regime. The “New Year, New Me” culture is everywhere, but here at Yoga with Ands, we are completely rejecting that narrative.
Your commitment to yourself doesn’t need a specific date on a calendar or a Monday morning to be valid. Instead of starting from scratch and treating your body like a “project” that needs fixing, let’s honour the strength you’ve already built.
Yoga for Women over 40: Amplify, Don’t Fix
I recently shared a thought in the Yoga with Ands community with my students that really seemed to resonate:
“It is not about what I can fix about myself, but more about what I can amplify. It is not about doing yoga 5 times per week; what if you were consistent and did yoga just 1–2 times per week? That adds up to at least 60-80 hours of movement per year. You could add those 80 hours to your life in 2026… or you could lose them. Which feels better?”
When we shift the perspective from “fixing a broken version of ourselves” to “amplifying our existing power,” the pressure melts away. Consistency beats intensity every single time.
Pose of the Month: Warrior II
To kick off the year with stability rather than speed, we are focusing on Warrior II. How cool is the image above with Kathy and Natasha in Warrior II?
Warrior II is the perfect pose for January. It is a foundational, grounding posture that requires deep concentration and unwavering gaze. It reminds you that you are strong, stable, and ready for whatever comes next. It’s a full-body flow that gets the blood moving and burns off any lingering holiday sluggishness.
- Actionable Tip: When holding Warrior II, check your front knee. Is it tracking directly over your ankle? Press into the outer edge of your back foot to feel the deep engagement in your legs. Hold it for six full, steady breaths to tap into your unshakeable inner power.
Strong and Flexible at 40+
If you’ve ever felt like being “strong and flexible” was a title reserved for 20-somethings, I’m here to tell you to think again. Your body is capable of profound change at any age, but it requires smart, intentional movement.
In my latest studio sessions, we reveal the specific techniques we use to safely build strength and increase mobility from home. Hint: It’s all about the how, not the how much.
Aging Without Apology
The new year often brings a momentary sigh about being “a year older,” but that feeling has no place in our practice.
I recently sat down with Deb Benfield for a conversation about rejecting cultural narratives around aging. We talked about celebrating the wisdom of this stage of life and moving into 2026 without apology. You aren’t “getting old”—you are becoming a more powerful version of yourself. Click here to watch to the full podcast episode. Or listen here.
Ready to Trade Resolutions for Results?
If you’re tired of the crash-and-burn cycle of extreme New Year resolutions, there is a better way: sustainable strength. Our practices are designed specifically for the muscle groups and hormonal shifts unique to women 40+, giving you the energy and confidence to “Keep on Keeping On.” You don’t need a drastic restart; you need a smart, consistent practice that fits into your real life.
Join the Yoga with Ands Studio Today – Commit to Consistency
