An award-winning yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and founder of Be Happy Yoga, Lesley Muir has launched Yoga Strong Total Transformation at her studio in Surbiton, the first health and wellbeing programme to integrate a traditional yoga practice with resistance training and expert nutrition coaching, in a single structured course.

Running at Muir's studio on Cranes Park Avenue, the eight-week programme emerged from Muir's own personal yoga practice, when she began experimenting with adding weights to her yoga routine.

Speaking to Nub News about her yoga journey, Muir said: "I could see I was losing muscle mass as I aged and knew I needed resistance training to maintain my strength and bone density, but I didn't want to give up my daily yoga practice.

"With limited time, I decided to combine the two and have been hooked ever since."

After offering initial classes to her own Be Happy Yoga studio members in summer 2025, the response led her to develop the full programme, with added home practice support and nutrition coaching.

Yoga Strong is designed for busy women who want to build strength. It is especially relevant for those aged 40+ who are concerned about loss of bone density and muscle mass.

Early trials have shown it is also very popular with a younger 20-something audience, who are also increasingly interested in strength training.

The course works equally well as an introduction to either resistance training or yoga.

The programme stays grounded in traditional yoga philosophy through the principles of Sukham and Sthiram (ease and steadiness), using breath to maintain presence under challenge, and Ahimsa (non-harming), strengthening the body in a way that's respectful, safe and sustainable.

Muir added: "This isn't a boot camp.

"It was very important for me as a yoga therapist to ensure that it also remains true to the core principles of yoga.

"The programme has been designed to combine three essential elements: resistance training for strong bones and muscle, mindful movement to manage stress, and proper nutrition."

Muir's classes e always held in small groups so that each person gets plenty of personal attention (Credit: Lesley Muir)

Programme Structure

Participants of the programme attend eight x 75-minute Yoga Strong sessions at the Be Happy Yoga Garden Room Studio, either in-person or online.

Classes are always held in small groups so that each person gets plenty of personal attention.

Each participant receives their own set of wearable wrist and ankle weights to keep and use for their home practices.

Between studio sessions, 20-minute home practice videos help maintain momentum, and a 45-minute restorative yoga practice video supports weekly rest and recovery.

The nutrition component comprises three one-hour live sessions with registered nutritionist Nudrat Chagtai, founder of Nourish by Nudrat.

These cover fuel and recovery, the connection between gut health and mood, and practical meal planning for sustained change.

All nutrition sessions include recordings, handouts and a course ebook, with optional one-to-one consultations available for those wanting more personalised support.

The course also includes pre and post-programme assessments and ongoing community support, to help everyone stay committed and motivated throughout the eight weeks.

Muir told Nub News: "I've designed the programme with an emphasis on this being transformative.

"I want to help people create a sustainable, healthy habit and for them to see clear improvements in their strength, mobility and mental resilience during the course. "Having home videos will help participants to make rapid progress, but in a way that can fit around their lives and the restorative yoga video ensures they properly rest and recover whenever they need it."

Nudrat Chagtai, Registered Nutritionist and Founder of Nourish by Nudra added: "Nutrition can be overlooked when people start strength training and it's often misunderstood.

"My coaching will enable Yoga Strong participants to understand their unique nutritional needs and build sustainable habits that support them long after the course ends.

"We will be following a food-first approach that is nourishing, practical and supportive for sustainable, whole body health."

Nudrat Chagtai is a Registered Nutritionist and Founder of Nourish by Nudra (Credit: Nudrat Chagtai)

Early Results of Yoga Strong's Effectiveness

Participants at studio classes have reported noticeable improvements within four to six weeks. Recent feedback from customers includes:

• "Using weights adds another level of challenge. It feels good to be developing greater strength in the arms."
• "I've practised flow yoga for many years. This is really energising and I have never felt so strong."
• "Life can feel hectic and over-stimulating, but this class offers me time to reset and do something good for my mental and physical health."

The programme helps participants build lean muscle whilst reducing body fat, strengthen bones and joints, increase energy and stamina, improve focus and mental resilience, and develop a better understanding of nutrition.

Booking Information

The full eight-week programme including all classes, weights, home videos, nutrition coaching and community support costs £299. This is reduced to £269 for all bookings made by 26 December, using the code STRONG26.

Friends booking in together can receive 10% off either rate.

The programme begins on Monday, 5 January 2026 at the Garden Room Studio in Surbiton.

75 minute in-studio or live online classes run on set times throughout the week:

• Mondays at 6.30pm – starting 5 January
• Thursdays at 12.30pm – starting 8 January
• Fridays at 8am – starting 9 January

Nutrition sessions take place fortnightly on Tuesdays at 8.30pm, from Week 2.

When booking online, participants will be asked to select their preferred class times for the duration of the programme.

You can learn more about the course and book a spot here.

Alternatively, you can visit the Be Happy Yoga website and select 'Courses' in the menu.

Lesley Muir is an award-winning yoga teacher and yoga therapist who founded the Be Happy Yoga community studio in 2017. She teaches many styles of yoga in addition to Yoga Strong and is a contributor to OM Yoga magazine.

Lesley Muir is an award-winning yoga therapist and yoga teacher and the fouder of Be Happy Yoga (Credit: Lesley Muir)

Be Happy Yoga is an oasis of calm for busy living and a space for healing, connection and movement in the heart of Surbiton and Kingston.

Muir teaches small group classes, from Yoga Strong and Flow Yoga to Chair Yoga, Pilates Fusion, Yoga Chill, and Hatha, plus Yoga for Men. She also offers private sessions, therapy courses, and workplace yoga.

Nudrat Chagtai is a Nutritional Therapist who helps individuals achieve better energy, balance, and resilience through practical nutrition lifestyle advice.

She specialises in digestive health challenges and hormonal imbalances. Her holistic, food-first approach combines personalised support, functional testing, group programmes, and inspiring wellness workshops.

Chagtai's warm, relatable style empowers clients to build healthy habits that fit real life, so anyone can feel more nourished, connected, and ready to thrive, whatever their season.