In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Dr. Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf critically evaluate the claims made by YogaU Online about the connections between breathing practices and bone health during a recent promotional webinar for a new workshop called “Breath As Medicine: Yogic Breathing for Vital Aging.” They meticulously analyze research studies cited by YogaU, debunking pseudoscientific assertions about nitric oxide production, VO2 max, and the impact of breathing on bone density. The hosts highlight the ethical implications of such misleading information and emphasize the importance of evidence-based practices in the fitness and yoga communities. The discussion also touches on marketing tactics that prey on the fears of older women, underscoring the need for transparency and integrity in health advice.

03:48 Calling Out Pseudoscience

05:19 Yoga U's Dubious Claims

17:47 The Breath as Medicine Workshop

18:39 Debunking the Claims

32:57 Understanding Breathing Pathologies

01:01:56 Lung Function and Bone Mineral Density: A Study Review

01:03:57 Debunking Misleading Claims in Yoga Marketing

01:09:38 Sleep Apnea Studies and Their Misuse

01:17:57 Hypoxia and Bone Health: Misinterpretations

01:23:23 Nitric Oxide and Aging: Separating Fact from Fiction

01:41:02 Cardiovascular Fitness: Misconceptions and Realities

01:50:47 Yoga U's Ethical Dilemma and Call for Accountability

01:59:38 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Movement Logic on Instagram

References:

Episode 5 Does Yoga Asana Build Bone Density?

Episode 38 Got Bones? Yoga Asana Isn’t Enough

Episode 79 Make YogaU Make Sense

Episode 92 Make Dr. Loren Fishman Make Sense

Twelve-Minute Daily Yoga Regimen Reverses Osteoporotic Bone Loss

Recognizing and Treating Breathing Disorders: A Multidisciplinary Approach by Leon Chaitow

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

Association between lung function and bone mineral density in children and adolescents

Assessment of Bone Mineral Density and Bone Metabolism in Young Men with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Bone Mineral Density and Changes in Bone Metabolism in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Hypoxia is a Major Stimulator of Osteoclast Formation and Bone Resorption

Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Hypoxia-Induced Alterations in Bone Remodeling

Front Page Fitness podcast

Yoga Meets Movement Science podcast

In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, we take a hard look at one of our own core messages and ask: does it have to be heavy to build bone? We unpack a landmark systematic review and meta-analysis that compared more than 100 exercise interventions in postmenopausal women, looking at low, moderate, and high intensities across resistance training, impact, and combined programs.

We explain the big picture: resistance training works across intensities, moderate intensity often performs just as well as heavy, and impact-only isn’t the standalone solution it’s often made out to be. We also highlight how few truly high-intensity trials exist, why that matters, and what it means for interpreting the data.

Along the way, we reflect on why it’s important to update your message when new evidence emerges, and how this research shifts—not our programming, but our language—around lifting heavy. You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of what actually builds bone, what the science says (and doesn’t yet say), and why there’s more than one effective way to get stronger bones.

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00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

09:37 New Research on Exercise Intensity and Bone-Building Exercise for Postmenopausal Women

37:08 About the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

52:20 Meta-Analysis Results Overview

54:16 Lumbar Spine Analysis

59:00 Femoral Neck Analysis

01:01:43 Total Hip Analysis

01:02:40 Key Takeaways and Summary

01:04:17 Meta-Regression Insights

01:09:47 Clinical vs. Statistical Significance

01:14:14 Discussion on Bias

01:17:26 Engaging with the Community and Expert Opinions

01:39:46 Debunking Myths About Women and Heavy Lifting

01:40:39 Addressing Misconceptions around Lifting Heavy

01:47:25 Cultural Shifts and Women in Strength Training

02:05:58 Practical Benefits of Heavy Lifting

02:11:44 Final Thoughts

REFERENCES:

LIFTMOR Trial and YouTube video

Kistler-Fischbacher Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

91: LIFTMOR, Not Less: An Interview with Professor Belinda Beck

Stu Phillips IG page and post

Korpelainen paper

100: The Hidden Cost of "Just Do Something" Fitness Advice

In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel unpacks what warm ups actually do—and why cool downs aren’t necessary. She explains how warming up sharpens focus, raises tissue temperature, and primes the nervous system, setting you up to perform better and reduce injury risk. Laurel shares five simple principles for effective warm ups, clears up myths about stretching and “activation,” and contrasts them with cool downs, which don’t aid recovery or prevent soreness.

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References:

Article - (Stronger by Science) Heavier warm-ups are best, new study suggests

Paper - Systematic Review with Meta Analysis on Cool Downs (Afonso, 2021)

Ep. 90 - Capacities for Longevity: Strength