MerryBody is an online Yoga, Pilates and Meditation app for women who want to feel strong, calm and at home in their bodies, without punishment or pressure. It’s especially popular with women over 40, though our members range from their 20s to 70+. There are 650+ on-demand classes from 5 to 60 minutes, a new class every Monday, a curated weekly plan, and a 7 day free trial. It’s made by us, Emma and Carla, two sisters originally from Canberra and now on the Gold Coast, Australia, we’ve run The Merrymaker Sisters since 2013 and have been teaching yoga and pilates since 2017.
How does yoga and Pilates change your body after 40?
Your body will change when you practise Yoga and Pilates regularly. That’s just what happens when you move it with care, a few times a week, for months and years. Here’s what our members tell us they notice:
- Core and glute strength that shows up in everyday life. Lifting toddlers (or grandkids), carrying groceries, sitting through a long drive without your back seizing up.
- Hips and hamstrings that finally loosen after decades of desks and cars.
- Better balance, which matters more every year and which nobody thinks about until it’s too late.
- Stronger bones and joints that are supported, not smashed (like they are with running). Pilates and yoga are low impact, which is exactly why they’re so good for perimenopause and beyond.
- Deeper, easier breathing and a settled nervous system. Yin yoga and meditation, the perfect way to decrease stress and promote sleep.
Notice that not one of those is about how you look. They’re all about how you live and feel. That’s on purpose. We’ve been in the wellness world long enough to watch too many women chase an after photo of themselves and end up exhausted and on a never ending hamster wheel.
We spent far too many years chasing weight loss (no matter what we weighed). We were always ono another diet. Then we found another way… this is why we built MerryBody! So you too could create a better relationship with exercise and your body. Here’s a pic of us and Mum… she is now 68 and still does MerryBody Yoga and Pilates every day!
What actually happens when you start?
Week one usually looks like this. You roll out the mat in the lounge room You do a 10-20 minute class because that’s all the time you’ve got. Nobody’s watching. And at the end you feel… stronger. Calmer. Accomplished.
Then you do it again the next day.
And somewhere around week three, without deciding to, you start looking forward to it. One of our members (Rebecca) said it better than we could:
“I can’t do without my fix of Yoga/Pilates fusion to set my day up. It’s just part of my life now.”
That’s the shift. Not “I should.” But “I couldn’t do without.”
Is MerryBody good for beginners?
Yes. Every class has a level, there’s a weekly plan laid out so you never have to think about what to do next, and there’s a “gentle” pathway for anyone coming back from life changes, injury, illness or a long break (be sure to proceed with doctors advice). You can hit pause whenever you need to. Nobody is scoring you, and the people on screen (that’s us) will never make you feel bad about your downward dog.
“I love the lack of pressure to be and look ‘perfect’ but the focus on self acceptance and joy.”
“Still enjoying MerryBody as much as I did in the beginning.”
That second one is from a long-time member, and we think it’s the real measure of a practice. Not that you smashed a 30 day challenge. That years later, it’s still part of your life.
Why does nurturing movement work better than punishing movement?
When movement is punishment, you white-knuckle it, and you drop it the second life gets hard. When movement is care, it becomes the thing that holds you up when life gets hard.
“It’s real, I feel part of something. No excuses to roll out the mat.”
We asked members what they loved most about MerryBody. And what came back wasn’t “I lost X kilos.” It was joy. Realness. Belonging.
How do busy women actually stay consistent?
They do t on the the they have. Sometimes it’ a 3 class stack to start the day. Or a short class 10 minutes before the kids wake up. A yin class in bed at night. A Pilates class in a hotel room on a work trip with no mat.
This is the whole reason MerryBody is built the way it is: an “I have X minutes” search so you can hit play in seconds, classes from 5 to 60 minutes, Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Yin, Fusion and Meditation in one place so you match the class to your energy rather than the other way around, and a new class every single Monday (we haven’t missed one since 2019).
“I use ‘I have x mins’ all the time to quickly put on a class as I usually just fit my workouts in before work or at lunchtime.”
“Can be at home or travelling without a mat and still able to do a class. A new class release every week and weekly programme is a great incentive to get on the mat.”
“I do MerryBody outside my training with friends and when I’m away. It’s awesome. I’ll be doing it in Italy very soon!”
MerryBody Yoga and Pilates App is not only great for your physical health. When you do these classes consistently you’ll feel your moods lift, you’ll experience more energy and comfort within your body. It’s the easiest way to look after your mind and body health.
MerryBody at a glance
- What it is: Online Yoga, Pilates, Barre, Yin and Meditation app
- Who it’s for: Women of all ages, especially popular with women 40+
- Classes: 650+ on-demand, 5 to 60 minutes, new class every Monday
- Levels: Beginner to advanced, with gentle options
- Founders: Emma and Carla Papas, The Merrymaker Sisters, Gold Coast, Australia (running online since 2013, teaching yoga since 2017, Yoga Alliance registered)
- Price: $29.99/month or $134.99/year, 7 day free trial
- Where: iOS, Android and web
Frequently asked questions
Is Pilates or Yoga better for women over 40?
Both, and together is best. Pilates builds core and pelvic floor strength and protects joints; Yoga improves mobility, balance and calms the nervous system. MerryBody’s fusion classes combine the two.
Can I do MerryBody with no equipment?
Yes. Most classes need nothing but floor space. A mat is nice but not essential. We also use hand weights and bolsters but option, use none!
How often should I practise to see results?
Three short sessions a week is enough to notice changes in strength, mobility and mood within a month. Consistency is the most important thing. Stick it out for a month or 2 and notice the changes.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, 7 days free, cancel anytime.
You don’t need to commit to anything. You don’t need a mat, the right leggings or a clear schedule. You just need to press play once, on one class, and see how you feel afterwards.
Start your free 7 day trial at merrybodystudio.com or download the app at geni.us/merrybody.
Roll out the mat. We’ll meet you there.
Always merrymaking,
Emma + Carla