As someone who is into fast-paced, high intensity fitness training, I have never been that interested in taking yoga classes, especially as I tried a hot yoga class over ten years ago and didn't like it, but as a fitness fanatic and someone who loves trying new things, when I heard about local award-winning fitness teacher Lesley Muir's personally created new yoga programme Yoga Strong, which integrates traditional yoga with expert nutrition and resistance training, I just had to try it.

So, I booked myself in for a session of Muir's trademark yoga style this morning (Friday, 30 January) and 9.30am in her lovely Be Happy Yoga Studio located in her back garden on Surbiton's Cranes Park Avenue.

Upon arriving at the studio, I instantly fell in love with its calming and bohemian exterior, perfect for a yoga studio and loved how the morning sun peeked in on us, shining through the studio's glass doors. Muir also has framed copies of her yoga certificates and awards on the walls, proving that she really is the best at what she does.

Ready to start the class, Muir had already set out mats along with light strap-on ankle and wrist weights and a couple of dumbbells, something I had never imagined would be used in a yoga class before.

Before entering the studio, Muir asked everyone to remove their shoes and put them inside a box to keep the studio clean and our shoes safe from the rain.

There were six of us in the studio and one person joining online, with the group ranging from regulars to newbies like me.

Despite being slightly apprehensive, I was delighted to know that Muir's regulars had nothing but praise to give about her classes, and Muir was extremely helpful with us newbies, helping us to strap on our wrist and ankle weights.

As the class began, I was surprised not to hear any meditation music that you usually hear when getting a massage (I thought this would be common for some reason). Instead, there was a soft tweeting from the birds outside, which I loved as it made me feel as though we were in a woodland retreat.

The class started with some light stretches before we moved into some plank-based exercises.

Jokingly Muir explained that she likes to get the planks, being most people's least favourite move, out of the way first.

I was a bit scared about this section as I have a funny ankle following a break and bad balance so was worried I may not be able to do some of the plank exercises, especially the ones that involved lifting one leg or balancing on one arm.

But Muir was extremely accommodating and gently helped me manoeuvre into the correct position so that I found the moves more comfortable.

Now, I can't say that I managed to perfect the plank in one session but with Muir's help, I can now definitely hold one without collapsing to the floor.

Throughout this whole session and the rest of the class, Muir took to the front of the studio to show and expertly explain to us how to do each move so that no one was struggling.

Next, we moved onto the standing exercise section, which again given my balance problems, I was slightly nervous about especially as my little knowledge of yoga consists of an image of people balancing on one leg. But before the session, Muir asked me to fill out a confidential form stating any health or physical problems I had so I mentioned my balance.

Because of this, despite sometimes incorporating one-legged balancing moves into her classes, Muir avoided these in this morning's class so I wouldn't struggle.

I particularly loved the standing section because we grabbed the light dumbbells and did a few squats – something I enjoy doing in my gym classes. And it was in this section that Muir's new yoga style changed my perception of yoga from being one that barely counted as a workout to one where I actually felt that I'd worked my body just as hard as I would in the gym – I was very pleasantly surprised.

We also performed the infamous hero stance with weights strapped to our wrists and dumbbells in our hands and I felt that I was both stretching and actively working my body. This matched Muir's motto for the programme being a balance of calm and challenge, effort and ease– a perfect balance for any kind of workout, I would say.

Then we moved onto the floor and core section of the class, consisting of some weighted glute bridges. While there were a couple light groans from some of the other class members as they felt their glutes working, I was glad for this as glute bridges are one of my favourite moves.

To round up the hour-long session, we finished with about five minutes of stretching and I loved that Muir really took her time to explain the stretches to us so that we could get a proper stretch.

It really was a great session, the balance of calm and challenge works really well to leave clients feeling as though they have worked out without any aches and pain unlike how you might feel after a gym class.

I was glad that it wasn't too meditative and that I actually moved rather than just sitting down and practising breathing, which I thought was the basis of yoga.

Muir is an excellent teacher and does a great job in making her classes a welcoming and comfortable space.

While the class I attended this morning was just a general class, Muir is also running an eight-week programme for her Yoga Strong conception.

As part of the eight-week programme, Muir offers nutritional support, including meal plans, and has a Whattsapp group for all members to join and feel part of a yoga community.

And despite only launching the programme in December last year, she has already had some amazing reviews, with one saying: "I really enjoy the programme because it keeps me motivated and consistent, and I can genuinely feel my strength building over time.

"Doing it as part of a group is really supportive and inspiring, and the variety of classes means I can choose what suits my energy levels on any given day. It makes the whole experience feel flexible, accessible, and sustainable."

Another client added: "I am feeling stronger for sure, i really felt it yesterday at the Thursday class without weights felt so much different. I also really like the online classes as you can practice daily and at a time to suit, with the choice of longer or shorter practices.

"The online WhatsApp group makes you feel you are not alone. We are at week 4 next week – it [the programme] seems to have flown by."

Muir also offers traditional yoga classes and is hosting a free open day tomorrow (Saturday, 31 January) at her Surbiton studio for anyone wanting to trial her various classes.