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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I don’t have time for the gym anymore—this is the dumbbell arms workout I use at home to still get resultsThis 30-minute session maintains my strength
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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Energizing chair exercises for seniors recommended by a yoga therapistChair yoga can be gentle and accessible, but it can also be invigorating—here’s a sequence I use in my seated classes
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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These are the two exercises that helped me tackle a 5,889ft peak—every walker can use them to tackle uphills more easilyThese unilateral moves will help build leg strength
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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Do this leg workout with dumbbells once a week to build strong glutesThis simple routine uses one move done three ways to strengthen all three glute muscles
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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All you need is this simple yoga pose to ease tight hips—and you can do it from your bedUnlock your joints with this quick movement
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I train older adults and to help them age well, I never skip these coordination exercisesPractice coordination exercises weekly to stay agile
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I'm a yoga teacher and this is the two-minute flow I give to my clients to help them manage stress levelsThere’s no better antidote to a fast-paced, frenetic life than slowing down
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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How hard is Jessica Biel’s Matchbox workout? A trainer unpacks every moveBiel has shared some of the moves that helped her prepare for Matchbox The Move and they’re as impressive as ever
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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This is the one stretch I recommend to all walkers who don’t have time for a full cool-downStretch your walking muscles and keep your lower body flexible
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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Six mobility moves this personal trainer says you need to run injury-freeJust increasing mileage isn’t enough to become a better runner
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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My 73-year-old dad uses this three-move dumbbell routine to build functional, full-body strengthWhen life leaves you with zero time to work out, you have to be efficient
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a personal trainer and if you want to strengthen your walking muscles, I recommend these three exercisesFeeling unsteady? Boost your walking stability with just three moves
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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The one yoga pose I rely on to help me recover after a long walk or hikeThis pose offers more than just a good stretch
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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I’m a personal trainer and I’ve transformed my deep-core strength with this one rarely-used exerciseAdding movement to a high plank develops an underappreciated part of your torso
By Yanar Alkayat Published
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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
