1. Take up other forms of strength training alongside yoga.

Sanchia recommends calisthenics and barre. Calisthenics focuses on variations of bodyweight exercises that are usually grounded in one spot (think jumping jacks, squats and planks). Barre, a workout technique inspired by elements of ballet, yoga, and pilates, can help to build core strength.

2. Modify some of your poses.

Making changes to some of the poses can mean increasing the difficulty level and getting better muscle engagement. Try combining Chaturanga (the slow descent from a plank to the floor, elbows in) with a push-up. Once you’re comfortable with this, try a one-legged Chaturanga push-up.

3. Don’t always go for fast yoga classes – practice slower yoga too.

“There’s this misconception that you’re not going to build up any heat or create a sweat with slower classes, and it couldn’t be further from the truth. I think that holding the poses and having that muscle engagement is really key,” Sanchia says. A slow, powerful vinyasa flow class, for example, will help you feel the postures deeper as you’re holding them for longer. The longer you hold or move between poses, the longer you’ll spend under tension, which is a form of progressive overloading – a strength-building technique ideal for home, bodyweight workouts.

4. Persevere and be consistent with your practice.

Being consistent with your yoga practice will help to build strength and before you know it, your practice will feel easier. If you’re finding consistency difficult, start by incorporating 10 minutes of yoga into your day and increase the length of your practice when you start to feel more comfortable. “It’s also important to accept your progress for what it is right now, accept that this is the level of strength you have right now. You’re not going to build strength up over night,” Sanchia advises.

Yoga teacher Donna Noble first took up the practice after a colleague saw a picture of Madonna doing yoga and suggested that they give yoga a try. “I struggled to build physical strength at the beginning of my journey, but I overcame these with consistent yoga practice and repetition. Through this, I was able to achieve the strength to execute some of the postures,” Donna explains.

Want a great strength workout? Try power yoga at home