Dreamin' BIG $10 special!!

This last week I announced my BIG dream of co-hosting Live! with Kelly for one day and you all answered in a BIG way....thank you!!!!!

Do YOU have a BIG dream?  Do you need a little INSPIRATION?  Do you LOVE intenSati?  Let's celebrate!!!

In honor of dreaming big, TOMORROW only, class will be $10 for everyone!!!  You don't HAVE to be a mommy, you just have to wanna have fun and burn a ton of calories...like 800!

IF you need childcare, RSVP now for it....otherwise show up at 9:30am tomorrow at Ripley Grier 72!!

xo,
Jolynn

click here to see BIG co-host with Kelly dream

Q & A with the VERY pregnant, VERY inspiring Natalia Petrzela!

Are you wondering WHAT IS intenSati? Are you pregnant and think “I can’t do that while I’m expecting”? Do you have a child and tell yourself “I don’t have time to workout”? Are you finding it tough to motivate yourself to just do it? Do you want a child and yearn for a supportive community where you can have questions asked, fears laid to rest, and encouragement given? Read on…….

intenSati superstar, college professor and supermom, Natalia Petrzela graciously and beautifully gave me her perspective on the incredible ways intenSati has changed her body, improved her life and made her a fantastic mom!  AND she is expecting her second child VERY VERY soon...check out her inspiring picture.  Think you can't do intenSati while you're pregnant?  Think again!!

Natalia, how long have you been teaching intenSati?

5-PLUS YEARS, SINCE 2007.

What made you decide to become a leader?

DESPITE LOVING MY CHOSEN CAREER IN ACADEMIA, I HAD ALWAYS "MADE THE JOKE" THAT "IN ANOTHER LIFE I WOULD BE AN AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR" SINCE I SO ADORED GROUP FITNESS AND TAKING CLASSES HAD REALLY TRANSFORMED MY RELATION TO MY PHYSICALITY AND SELF MORE BROADLY. WHEN I STARTED TAKING INTENSATI IN 2005, I NOT ONLY FOUND THE BEST GROUP FITNESS CLASS I HAD EVER TAKEN, BUT IT TAUGHT ME THAT ANY SENTENCE THAT BEGINS 'IN ANOTHER LIFE I WOULD..." IS BS! IF YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING, YOU CAN MAKE TIME FOR IT IN THIS LIFE! IN 2007, PATRICIA MORENO BEGAN TRAINING LEADERS, AND THERE I WAS, READY TO GO (BUT NOT WITHOUT SOME BIG CHALLENGES TO OVERCOME IN TERMS OF MY TOTAL LACK OF SKILLS AS A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR!)

What would you say is the biggest benefit you have felt from making intenSati part of your life?

INTENSATI HAS NOT ONLY KEPT ME IN THE BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS (AND TWO PREGNANCIES), BUT IT HAS MADE ME BETTER AT ALL I DO. IT HAS EXPANDED MY PERCEPTION OF WHAT I AM CAPABLE OF, AND HAS EMPOWERED ME TO GO FOR HIGHER LEVELS OF EXCELLENCE EVERYWHERE FROM GYM TO CAREER TO MOTHERHOOD.

You're a mom to a fantastic little boy, with another child on the way. Do you think this practice has helped you with motherhood, and/or pregnancy in ways unique from other workouts?

ABSOLUTELY. IN THE BROADEST, MOST PHILOSOPHICAL SENSE, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ATTRACTED TO INTENSATI BECAUSE I THINK IT PROMOTES A REALLY HEALTHFUL BALANCE BETWEEN FOCUSING ON YOURSELF AND BEING OF SERVICE TO OTHERS, AND ALSO ARTICULATES HOW THOSE TWO GOALS CAN BE MUTUALLY REINFORCING. UNDERSTANDING THAT BALANCE, I THINK, IS CRUCIAL TO BEING A GREAT MOM BECAUSE IT CHALLENGES THE REDUCTIVE IDEA THAT THE BEST MOM IS JUST ONE WHO LOGS IN THE MOST HOURS WITH/THINKING ABOUT HER CHILD. WHILE I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR STAY-AT-HOME MOTHERS, I THINK INTENSATI HAS GIVEN ME THE TOOLS TO DEVOTE MYSELF WHOLLY TO MOTHERHOOD WHILE STILL GIVING TREMENDOUS ENERGY TO OTHER AREAS OF MY LIFE. A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH ONE OF MY FAVORITE AFFIRMATIONS: "COMPLAINING IS A WASTE OF TIME!" ONCE YOU ARE AWARE OF HOW MANY UNPRODUCTIVE THOUGHTS YOU HAVE IN A DAY, AND YOU CLEAR THOSE OUT, YOU HAVE SO MUCH TIME TO DEVOTE TO SO MANY THINGS! IN A MORE CONCRETE SENSE, INTENSATI IS A GREAT WORKOUT FOR PRETTY MUCH ANY WOMAN, AND CAN BE MODIFIED THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY RIGHT UNTIL THE END! THE SHAPE INTENSATI HAS GOTTEN ME IN DEFINITELY HELPED ME STAY FIT IN PREGNANCY AND BOUNCE BACK QUICKLY AFTERWARDS. I'M CONFIDENT IT WILL WORK THIS TIME TOO!

What do you think of combining the workout of intenSati with the community building for future and current moms?

I THINK IT IS GREAT. ESPECIALLY ONCE YOU HAVE A CHILD, IT BECOMES THAT MUCH HARDER TO CARVE OUT TIME TO SOCIALIZE. IF YOU ENJOY THE PEOPLE YOU EXERCISE WITH, IT MOTIVATES YOU TO GO WORK OUT. I ALSO THINK THAT THIS COMMUNITY IS NOT JUST LIKE ANY GROUP YOU WOULD MEET AT THE GYM - BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF INTENSATI, IT TENDS TO BE A VERY POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE CROWD, WHICH IS ESPECIALLY WELCOME DURING THE INEVITABLE CHALLENGES OF MOTHERHOOD!

As a mom and instructor, what does offering on-site childcare during class mean to you?
IT MEANS MORE PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE, WHICH IS FANTASTIC!
 

We have a monthly "Mommy Talk" about relevant topics that can help new moms, those who might want to be someday and those who are well on the motherhood path.....what is something you wish you had known before you had your son?

I WISH PEOPLE HAD BEEN A LITTLE MORE HONEST ABOUT SOME OF THE YUCKINESS OF DELIVERY AND RECOVERY... THAT WAS BY FAR THE HARDEST PART OF MY PREGNANCY, AND I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED! THE GOOD NEWS FOR MOMS TO BE IS THAT IT ALL PASSES.

What is something you want to know now as you're about to bring another baby into the world?!
AS INTENSATI-CIZED AS I AM, THERE IS A LITTLE VOICE IN MY HEAD THAT SAYS "OK, SO YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP ALL THE BALLS IN THE AIR WITH ONE KID, BUT DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK YOU CAN MANAGE IT WITH TWO? COME ON..." I KIND OF WANT TO KNOW THAT I DEFINITELY CAN HANDLE IT ALL, BUT THEN AGAIN, CONVINCING MYSELF IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE WORK, SO I AM TRYING TO CHOOSE TO ENJOY THE UNCERTAINTY, AND TO CHANNEL IT INTO AN EXCITED SENSE OF ANTICIPATION RATHER THAN ANXIETY.

You are in your third trimester of pregnancy with your second child now, and you go FULL OUT when you teach, how long before your due date will you continue to teach?

AS LONG AS I CAN! I HAVE BEEN MODIFYING WHAT I DO AS MY BODY TELLS ME I CAN MOVE DIFFERENTLY AT THIS POINT, AND I WILL KEEP DOING SO RIGHT UNTIL... I NO LONGER CAN. I LOVE THAT I CAN KEEP TEACHING WHILE PREGNANT, AND THAT PEOPLE ARE INSPIRED IN DIFFERENT WAYS BY HAVING A VERY PREGNANT INSTRUCTOR.
 

How soon after you gave birth to your son did you return to the studio?

5 WEEKS, TO THE DAY! I HAD THE CHECKUP WITH MY DOCTOR IN THE AFTERNOON, AND HEADED STRAIGHT TO THE GYM TO TAKE PATRICIA'S INTENSATI CLASS! I TAUGHT A FEW DAYS LATER AND WAS SOOO HAPPY TO BE BACK.
 

You are such an inspiration because you looked even BETTER after you gave birth!!! How did intenSati help you get your your fab bod?

AS I MENTIONED, THE WORKOUT IS UNPARALLELED, BUT I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY IT GAVE ME THE TOOLS, LANGUAGE, AND CONFIDENCE TO SAY "I'M COMING BACK BETTER THAN EVER!" RATHER THAN TO SETTLE INTO THE KIND OF COMPLACENT LANGUAGE I OFTEN HEAR WOMEN USE ABOUT THEIR BODIES AFTER HAVING A BABY. IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT IT IS HARDER THAN EVER TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR FITNESS ONCE YOU HAVE A KID TO TAKE CARE OF, AND EASY TO SETTLE FOR "JUST OK." BUT IT IS FAR FROM IMPOSSIBLE! INTENSATI ENABLED ME TO GO FOR GREATNESS AND TO REALIZE THE GOAL I HAD OF GETTING IN THE BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE BEFORE GETTING PREGNANT WITH MY SECOND A LITTLE LESS THAN 2 YEARS LATER.

What's the hardest thing about practicing intenSati while you're pregnant?**

THE HARDEST THING IS THAT YOU REALLY DO HAVE TO HOLD BACK A BIT TO STAY WITHIN THE SAFE RANGE OF THE RPE (RATE OF PERCEIVED EXERTION) SCALE, AND YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO HOLD BACK IN A CLASS THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO PUSH, PUSH, PUSH!

What's the best thing?

THE BEST THING IS BEING ABLE TO KEEP DOING A CLASS YOU LOVE AND KNOW THAT IT IS SAFE TO CONTINUE DURING PREGNANCY...

Thank you Natalia!!!! You inspire me even more today than you did yesterday!

Join us Wednesdays for intenSati for Mommies!

9:30am, Ripley Grier 72, 131 W. 72^nd St.
24-hour advanced RSVP required for on-site childcare from Lucky Lil' Darlings

** We always want to be aware of your heart rate and that it is not rising, falling or working at too high a rate. Because we speak affirmations throughout class, you are always monitoring this. If you can't speak, you're working too hard. Also, a good warm up and cool down is essential for pregnant women...we need to make sure there is proper blood flow to the uterus and your heart. IntenSati incorporates a gradual warm up AND cool down. In fact, after the cardio portion of class we do a lower body strengthening section before we stretch to ensure your heart rate is safely slowing down.

More and more studies are being done on the benefits of exercise during pregnancy but you know your body best. Please listen to it. If something doesn't feel good to you, don't do it. This class is designed to let you work at the level of intensity appropriate for you.

Of course, ALWAYS speak with a doctor before beginning an exercise program. However, the general rule is if you've been active it's beneficial to stay active.

It's a BOY!!!!

Congratulations to one of our mommies!!!! She's had a beautiful bouncing baby boy and we're gonna celebrate!  Tomorrow ONLY, Wednesday, January 25, class is $10 for everyone!!!!!  Put on your dancing shoes and bring your friends....we're celebrating!!!!

Don't forget you MUST RSVP today for childcare....additional costs apply. 

Can't wait to see all of you at 9:30 @ Ripley Grier 72 tomorrow morning!!
xo
jolynn

January love letter to you!!

Every month I create a new series for class and write you a little note of inspiration.  Here are my words of wisdom for January!!

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight….” Martin Luther King, Jr.
 

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!  What a perfect day to ask you to think about YOUR dreams. 

Yes, I am writing in the middle of the month instead of at the beginning.  But you know what?  If you’re inbox is like mine, this month you’ve had no shortage of “New Year New You” newsletters J

So, here’s your mid-month reminder that we’re gonna rock 2012!  I’m switching it up and revealing the series we'll be saying in class first!

 

2012 it is my time!

I train to be the change
I focus my mind.

On love, of self

On joy and health.

I call up greatness

I expect the best.
Success is mine
I won’t settle for less!

I am playing full out!
I am going all in!
It’s me against my fear
And I’m going to win!

My greatest power is belief I can do it

I’m willing right now!
Watch me, I’ll prove it!

I ask for clarity
I focus on joy
I recognize my strength
I listen to my voice.

If you’ve been in class this month, you know the new intenSati mantra is “train to be the change”.  Have you asked yourself where you want to see change in your life?  Are you willing to try something new even if it’s scary?  And think about the word TRAIN….it doesn’t say immediately see the change….it says TRAIN…which implies a commitment, persistence, practice….are you WILLING to train?  Train doesn’t always mean physical action either….this is one of my lessons this month.

Did you know that I have struggled with weight my whole life?  That for the last eleven years of my life I have maintained roughly my current weight through vigorous exercise and diligent healthy eating habits?  That I rarely go two days without working out and when I do, you don’t want to be around me because I am GRUMPY!  Really nice right? 

Well, for more than a year I have needed vein surgery on BOTH of my legs which meant NO WORKING OUT for two weeks!  No flying either and you have to wear “sexy” compression thigh highs while you heal.  Last year, with two weddings, multiple trips and the pre-wedding fitness regime….I was NOT WILLING to do this.  So I waited, until this year.  Now, I am at the beginning of a new year when I want to teach a lot of classes and I’m still nurturing my intenSati for Mommies class and it’s post holiday and I don’t want to NOT work out but I’m not flying anywhere, I’m not getting any better and if I WANT to get pregnant, I CAN’T do it while I am, and it will just get worse.  Are you hearing the conversation in my head??  Wait!  It gets better….

I teach fitness, I NEED my veins in my legs to work properly!  I KNOW this but I have to be WILLING to embrace the training necessary to get better which is do NOTHING.  I can’t do nothing!  I’m going to gain weight!  I’m not going to get rid of the holiday excess!  No one’s going to come to class!  I’ll be miserable!  Two weeks is too long!  Those stocking will make me look weird!  What are these?  THOUGHTS….that’s all….just thoughts…except the one about the stockings…they DO make me look weird J. 

My point is that I say I WANT a healthy body, but I HAVE to be WILLING to TRAIN to be healthy and my training right now is rest and care.  This is something I was afraid to do.   It’s something I’m still struggling with, but I get ONE MORE WEEK to try and get it right! 

Are you WILLING to TRAIN to be the CHANGE in your own life??  Where do you want to see change?  How BIG are you willing to dream?  The bigger the dream, the bigger the fear….but that’s ok, we’re in it together and with some TRAINING, SELF LOVE, and care we’ll BEAT that FEAR this year!

Join me in the training!! Come to class…I may not be moving but I can still lead J

With love and gratitude,

Jolynn

intenSati for Mommies, intenSati for Papis, intenSati for EVERYBODY!!

YES!  I’ve been calling it intenSati for Mommies, but you know what?  LOTS of peeps who don’t have kids WANT intenSati on Wednesday mornings on the Upper West Side SO I’m being flexible in my vision and creating change J

*We STILL have on-site childcare with 24-hour advance RSVP

*We STILL have end of month talks, but focus will be half mommy/half other GREAT stuff!

*We STILL have one hour every week of a$$ kicking intenSati!!

*NEW price…..four class package $60 (must be used consecutively), single class $20 (childcare additional)

Join me on Facebook! intenSati with Jolynn 

Do you have some excess lbs. you wanna lose AND want to practice healthier eating habits?  I just led three lovely ladies through an easy to follow Isagenix 9-day cleanse.  They lost 19 pounds and 13 inches!!  Contact me if you want in on the next group…we start February 1!!