Paths to Strength in Manistee

How jiu-jitsu and yoga offer fitness for every age and ability in 2026

By Lourin Sprenger | Jan. 3, 2026

As the calendar turns and wellness resolutions begin to take shape, Manistee residents have more options than ever for getting active, whether they’re looking to build confidence through martial arts or find calm strength through yoga.

Two local fitness leaders, Manistee Combat Academy and Yoga Fitness Center, prove that there is no single “right” way to get fit in 2026. What matters most, they say, is finding movement that challenges you, supports you, and ultimately helps you feel more at home in your own body.

Their approaches may differ, but their philosophy is the same: Start where you are, keep showing up, and surround yourself with a supportive community.

Finding Strength Through Struggle: Manistee Combat Academy

For Manistee Combat Academy owner Trever Johnson, opening a martial arts gym wasn’t a business plan—it was a calling.

Returning home to Manistee after two decades away, Johnson immediately identified a need: kids and teens in the community were lacking structure, mentorship, and meaningful athletic opportunities.

“As a father of three, it pushed me to do something about it,” he says. Martial arts had shaped him deeply, and he wanted local youth to experience the same confidence and discipline.

In April 2025, Manistee Combat Academy opened its doors, offering what Johnson calls “a safe, positive, and challenging environment where kids, teens, and adults can ‘find themselves through struggle.’”

The academy offers a wide range of programs, from beginner-friendly kids’ jiu-jitsu to competitive boxing. Classes run in evenings and after school, making them accessible to families and working adults.

The class lineup includes:
- Kids’ Jiu-Jitsu (ages 4–12): Structured play, self-defense, teamwork
- Teen Jiu-Jitsu (13–17): Accountability, resilience, confidence-building
- Adult Jiu-Jitsu: Community-based training for fitness, self-defense, or personal growth
- Youth & Adult Boxing: Bringing back the region’s boxing culture with fundamentals and conditioning
- Youth Wrestling & After-School Training: A safe athletic outlet for local kids

Johnson believes the academy’s strength comes from teaching life skills, not just technique.

“What makes us unique is our commitment to helping people become stronger mentally and physically,” he explains. Confidence, discipline, and problem-solving are treated as essential parts of training, not side effects. The gym’s “everyone grows together” model means beginners receive thoughtful instruction while advanced students help mentor newcomers.

This year will be a growth year for the academy, with expanded youth programs, new seminars, community events, and more opportunities for all ages to train and compete. Learn more at manisteecombatacademy.com.

Johnson’s Top Fitness Advice for 2026

1. Start with something you enjoy; fitness should be engaging.
2. Stay consistent, even if it’s only two days per week.
3. Don’t fear being a beginner; courage matters more than experience.
4. Pay attention to how training makes you feel, not just how you look.
5. Surround yourself with a supportive community.

Finding Balance & Accessibility: Yoga Fitness Center

Across town on River Street, Diana Bradley, owner of Yoga Fitness Center, offers a different—but equally transformative—take on wellness.

Bradley first discovered yoga during a turbulent time in her life. After experiencing a devastating personal loss and then stumbling into a yoga class, something clicked.

“The physical and mental challenge sparked something within me that I had not experienced before,” she says. Within months, she pursued formal training, completing her first instructor certification in 2003.

“I looked at yoga as this secret treasure that I found and I wanted to share it with everyone,” she says. Three years later, Yoga Fitness Center opened, first in an elementary school gym, then a few temporary homes, before landing at its River Street studio in 2008.

Bradley prioritizes accessibility, creating classes suited for a wide range of needs and abilities:
- Chair Yoga: For people who struggle getting up and down from the floor
- Gentle Yoga: Perfect for beginners or anyone seeking a slower, stretch-focused experience
- Level 1 Yoga: A mixed-level class with modifications and posture cues
- Beginner’s Series: Once a year, offering a deep-dive into form, alignment, and fundamentals
- Pop-Up Yoga: Theme-based specialty classes
- Zumba & Zumba Toning: Led by licensed instructor Lisa, ideal for those who love dance-based fitness

Her teaching style focuses on clear, simple language and gradual progression. “Yoga poses are intimidating when you see someone in a strange shape,” she explains. “But I like to do the work toward a pose so you can see and feel that it is doable.”

For Bradley, success starts with placing students in the right level of class. She emphasizes choosing the format that matches your abilities—particularly the ability to get up and down off the floor—so that the experience builds confidence rather than discouragement.

If a student accidentally joins a class that’s too advanced, Bradley adjusts on the spot: offering modifications, options, and alternative stretches.

“You do not have to do every pose if it doesn’t feel safe for you,” she reminds her students.

In 2026, Yoga Fitness Center will continue offering weekly classes along with a spring Beginner’s Series and periodic pop-up classes. Updates can be found on yogainmanistee.com and on social media.

Bradley’s Top Wellness Tips for 2026

1. Progress takes time—think of training like preparing for a marathon.
2. Mental barriers can hold you back more than physical ones.
3. Release expectations; comparison only hinders growth.
4. Keep moving, even on days when you don’t feel like it.
5. Choose activities that bring joy, and your community will grow from there.
6. Be kind to yourself and give yourself grace.