Yanar Alkayat
Yanar Alkayat is a health and fitness editor, registered yoga therapist and level 3 personal trainer. She founded Yanar Mind & Movement alongside her journalism to offer specialist yoga therapy for people living with long-term health conditions, movement disorders and marginalised communities.
Her chair yoga classes are funded by Parkinson's UK and she regularly runs yoga and fitness sessions for refugee and asylum seeker groups in London. Formerly a content editor and fitness product testing manager at Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner's World, she continues to write for national print and digital media.
Yanar's passion for fitness and wellness started young, when she borrowed her first health book from the library aged 11. After years of running marathons, she discovered CrossFit and Olympic lifting in her mid-30s and spent the next decade training and competing. Alongside this, she's always used yoga, breathwork and meditation to support her recovery and nervous system through high intensity training.
Her mum's Parkinson's Disease diagnosis motivated her to complete a diploma in yoga therapy and launch Yanar Mind & Movement, making movement and restorative practices more accessible. She champions mindful movement and nervous system regulation as well as strength work for better physical and mental health.
When not training, teaching or writing, she'll be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
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Stay strong after 60—the dumbbell workout I recommend to my personal training clientsWork every muscle with these seven moves—in just 21 minutes
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a yoga therapist and these are the two spine-stretching moves I start my day with before even getting out of bedSimple poses you can do in your pajamas
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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My 71-year-old friend asked for a strength-building bodyweight workout for beginners—here’s what I designed for herEight moves everyone over 60 can use to improve their strength, mobility and balance
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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Everyone's talking about Tom Holland's workout—here's how to attempt Spider-Man's routine at home if you can't do that tricky pull-upSwap out some moves but keep the challenge
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’ve been strengthening my lower core with bear hold variations—here’s how to give them a goIncrease the challenge to strengthen your deep core
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a yoga therapist specializing in Parkinson’s and these are my four recommended exercises to improve posture and mobilityI’m sharing them as part of the Movement Your Way YouTube series from the charity Parkinson’s UK
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a certified personal trainer and I’ve been doing this one move regularly to improve my push-up strengthIf you are working towards your first push-up, or trying to develop your ability to do push-ups, this move will help
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a yoga teacher and I’ve been loving this dynamic bridge variation for strength and flexibilityThe upgrade that delivers more than just a good stretch
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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The best adjustable dumbbells for building strength and muscle at homeBuying guide Save time, space and money with the best adjustable dumbbells, tried and tested by our expert
By Harry Bullmore Last updated
Buying guide -
I’m a yoga therapist and I love using this one restorative pose for better sleepOne simple pose is able to calm my anxious mind in minutes
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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Struggling to do a push-up? Get off your knees and try these two strength-building modifications insteadWork up the strength to do the full exercise using these modifications
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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If you struggle with child’s pose, here’s how to make it work for youNo need to abandon this posture and all its benefits, try one of these modifications that address common issues
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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No planks or sit-ups—I’m a trainer and these are the five moves I believe all beginners should start training their deep core withI used them myself when rebuilding my core strength after an injury
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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The morning yoga pose I do for strength, stability and energy—and it’s one your yoga class is probably missingPower up your legs, back, pelvis, hips and ankles with this underutilized posture
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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If you only ever have time to do a couple of stretches after a run make it these two to accelerate recovery, says a certified trainerWhen time is limited, or stretching is the last thing you want to do, I recommend these two powerhouse stretches
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a trainer and this is one move I give my older clients to improve their independenceIf you struggle to stand from sitting without losing your balance, practice this one accessible move to build lower-body strength
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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These are the three single-leg exercises I’ve been doing to rebuild core strength after an injuryThese moves will target your core as well as your legs
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I created this seven-move seated workout for clients managing their heart healthCan’t do standing workouts? Try this seated sequence instead
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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The breathwork trick that helps me sleep when I’m stressed—and my yoga clients love it tooYour go-to tool for finding calm and getting the sleep your body needs
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a yoga therapist and I love doing these three poses in bed before getting upGently wake up your body with these simple movements
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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Why we need to move through different planes of motion and how to do it with just one moveI’m a personal trainer and I get almost every client to practice this three-move sequence
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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Maintain strength and independence with this single-dumbbell workout for over-50sOnce you hit a certain age, strength training should become non-negotiable
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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Three chair yoga poses to try if you can’t do floor-based yogaWork on your flexibility and strength while staying seated
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a yoga therapist and fitness editor and one of these 13 gift ideas is sure to delight the yoga lover in your life, starting from £7Whether you’re buying for a seasoned yogi or someone who’s just started rolling out their mat, one of these suggestions should enhance their journey
By Yanar Alkayat Published
