LES MILLS YOGA™ Explained

Despite being around for 3,000 years, yoga is more popular than ever. That’s why we’ve launched our newest series of programs, LES MILLS YOGA™. Now available to teach, LES MILLS YOGA™ creator Fraser Beck explains why your club is ready for it, why your participants will love it and you'll have even more fun teaching it.

What is LES MILLS YOGA?

Fraser Beck (FB): Firstly, it isn’t just yoga. It’s a four-part offering that opens up different styles of yoga practice. You can choose from the more traditional Hatha style, Yin for healing and restoration, or the modern, strength-based flow of Vinyasa. There’s also breathwork, which is so important because breathing is the epicenter of human function.

Each of these four classes brings together powerful coaching, expert programming, and a deep respect for traditional practice.

Why has LES MILLS YOGA been developed?

FB: Our aim is to help evolve how people think about training. A well-balanced routine isn’t just about physical strength and fitness – it’s also about building resilience to stress and improving overall wellbeing.

Activities that nurture mental wellbeing are increasingly becoming a priority for people. We wanted to make it easy for people to choose credible and effective mind-body movement that feels right for them. That’s why we’ve focused on a variety of practices.

“It’s been really interesting trying something new. I come from a BODYBALANCE™ background, and I don’t regard myself as a regular yogi, but I’ve really loved teaching these classes. What I like about LES MILLS YOGA is that it’s consistent, has great music, a strong structure, and movements and positions that everyone can access.

It’s also a benefit for me, as an Instructor, to teach LES MILLS YOGA. Since I started, I’ve gained more flexibility and mobility, which gives me the energy I need for the higher-intensity classes I also teach – like BODYATTACK™ and LES MILLS CORE™.”

Teresia Bjorkqvist
STC Group Training Instructor and LES MILLS YOGA trial Instructor

Tell us about the development?

FB: It’s been over two years in the making. Along the way, we’ve drawn on the expertise of many highly skilled and passionate yoga professionals: myself, Millie Taylor, Jackie Mills MD, Diana Archer Mills, Kylie Gates, and Khiran Huston.

Bryce Hastings, Gillian Hatfield, and our international research team also contributed, ensuring each element was grounded in the latest science. We then trialed the classes extensively in New Zealand and with major club chains in Sweden. Nearly 90% of participants said they would recommend it to friends.

We tested and refined each format to find the perfect blend of traditional yoga, great music, expert guidance, and the motivational aspects of group training – so people keep coming back.

What makes LES MILLS YOGA different from other yoga offerings?

FB: Accessibility. Traditional yoga can feel exclusive. Studio environments can be intimidating, and the idea of logging hundreds of hours of practice can be daunting for potential Instructors. LES MILLS YOGA brings boutique yoga into the gym and allows people to engage in a way that suits them.

It also offers diversity. Initial Training covers all four formats, but Instructors can choose to teach only those that resonate most with them.

Can you break down the four formats? What’s to love about each?

FB: You get four different 45-minute formats:

• LES MILLS YOGA HATHA focuses on alignment, strength, and stability. It’s a great foundational practice and personally meaningful to me, as it’s where my yoga journey began.
  
  
• LES MILLS YOGA YIN is a restorative practice with long-held stretches that calm the nervous system. It’s essential for recovery, especially for those who train hard and want to perform at their best.
  
  
• LES MILLS YOGA VINYASA is all about music and energy. It’s an athletic flow, set to an upbeat playlist. Interestingly, vinyasa yoga was originally adopted as a training method by soldiers because it builds strength functionally and without equipment.
  
  
• LES MILLS BREATH blends breathwork and movement for clarity and grounding. Breathing regulates every biological process, so tuning into breath is invaluable. I’ve been researching and practising breathwork for over 15 years and believe it can change lives.

Traditional yoga classes are often 90 minutes. Is 45 minutes enough?

FB: Absolutely. Try it! You’ll still feel spaciousness and fullness from each 45-minute practice.

How does this compare to BODYBALANCE?

FB: When Les Mills created BODYBALANCE, it was the first time yoga was choreographed to music. It was a game-changer and is now loved in over 15,000 clubs worldwide. LES MILLS YOGA also moves to music – and the playlists are incredible.

While BODYBALANCE combines yoga with Pilates and Tai Chi, LES MILLS YOGA dives deeper into both traditional and modern yoga practices. It’s also rooted in the shared experience. In Māori culture, there's a principle called "ako," meaning a reciprocal teacher-student relationship. That spirit is central to LES MILLS YOGA. It’s not hierarchical; we all move through the experience together.

There’s definitely space for both on the timetable, and LES MILLS YOGA builds on the foundation BODYBALANCE created.

“BODYBALANCE has been popular, but when we launched the trial of LES MILLS YOGA, we actually saw an increase in the BODYBALANCE participants too, which is amazing.”

Sara Bohman, STC Group Training Manager
LES MILLS YOGA Club Partner Trialist

What role does music play in the four formats?

FB: I love house and EDM and wanted to bring that energy into yoga. As I created the classes, I thought: ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing to do Sun Salutations and Vinyasa flow to upbeat house music?’ It’s music you feel in your body that makes you want to move.

In contrast, YIN features subtle, indie-style acoustic guitar and piano that helps people drop into deep rest.

HATHA uses tribal beats and strong rhythmic percussion. When you're holding intense postures, that beat helps drive you forward.

LES MILLS BREATH weaves in multiple genres, creating a rich musical journey that enhances breathwork.

What would you say to Instructors with no previous yoga teaching experience?

FB: Some Instructors might think: ‘I'm not a 200-hour certified yoga Instructor – can I really do this?’

I encourage you to move past that. LES MILLS YOGA is a safe, well-established programme. You’ll have the opportunity to change people’s lives in profound ways and help them connect more deeply to themselves.

This is an exciting opportunity to explore a rapidly growing area of training – the mind-body connection.

Why will group training Instructors love teaching LES MILLS YOGA?

FB: The diversity! With one licence, Instructors and clubs get access to all four formats. You can teach everything from healing Yin to powerful Vinyasa – and enjoy the benefits yourself. It’s also a great way to grow your teaching without the physical toll of high-intensity workouts. You get paid to help heal your own body.

Interested in LES MILLS YOGA certification? Click here to get started.

8 science-backed benefits of yoga

Bryce Hastings, Les Mills Head of Research, shares insights from credible yoga studies:

• Yoga soothes stress: A meta-analysis found yoga can lower cortisol, boost self-compassion, and lift mood. Source.
  
  
• Yoga reduces depression: A meta-analysis of 12 studies showed yoga significantly reduces depressive symptoms. Source
  
  
• Improves brain health: Yoga may slow age-related and neurodegenerative decline by benefiting regions like the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and DMN. Source
  
  
• Eases lower back pain: Clinical studies show yoga reduces pain and improves mobility, with moderate long-term benefits. Source
  
  
• Enhances balance and coordination: In 11 of 15 studies, yoga improved balance and stability, supporting healthy ageing. Source
  
  
• Supports heart health: Yoga can help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and improve body weight. Source
  
  
• Reduces inflammation: A review found yoga helps reduce inflammatory markers, supporting those with chronic illness. Source
  
  
• Improves sleep and mood: Yoga significantly improves sleep quality, especially for those with persistent sleep issues. Source

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