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It’s Official. I am Cooper Trained™

Yoga For Weight Loss Specialist
Yoga For Weight Loss Specialist

Yay! I am now officially a Cooper Trained™ Fitness Professional!

Last night I received my certificate of completion in education and testing in the Weight Management Leadership course from The Cooper Institute. Founded in 1970 by Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, the “Father of Aerobics,” The Cooper Institute, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated globally to preventative medicine and to helping people live longer, healthier lives. The Cooper Institute is an esteemed organization recognized for customized training and courses for health and fitness leaders, including law enforcement, the military, and firefighters, and now, me!

My personal history with successful weight loss (and healthy weight management) through yoga has been a 17 year ‘one day at a time’ journey into a deeper relationship with myself,  my behaviors, and my environment. The completion of this CI training has provided me with even more tools, methods, and vocabulary to help others tackle overweight and obesity and the behaviors and choices that contribute to it.

And just like with yoga, there is not one right way for everybody. Successful weight management – which is a trinity of not gaining weight, losing weight, and keeping lost weight off – is a blending of the three keys in a combination that is unique for each person.

I feel blessed and called to offer client-oriented, customized, one-on-one sessions  that combine yoga with weight loss leadership skills learned at the Cooper Institute.

Super Happy Day!

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The Spin Den

Spin Yoga is a one-on-one private session offered exclusively by Melanie Buffett. Melanie has been a certified Spinning instructor since 2004 and is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Instructor.

Combining Spinning (indoor cycling) and Yoga is  evolutionary in bringing the BODY, MIND, HEART, and SPIRIT together in a fitness workout. Come explore this 75-minute holistic cardio workout that brings all the aspects of being (BODY, MIND, HEART, SPIRIT) into focus to experience your unique Peak Performance.

We begin with 15 minutes of opening stretches and Sun Salutations, a yoga flow focused on energizing the muscles, lubricating and warming the joint structures, and bringing awareness to the mind/body connection. Following is a 45 minute indoor cycling journey set to rhythmic, exotic, world and instrumental music.

During the Spinning ride, personalized attention is paid to maintaining good, strong form drawing into and emanating out from the abdominal core, revitalizing energy centers, using visualization techniques, and breathing patterns. We use a heart rate monitor for biofeedback to keep physical exertion efficient in order to achieve the optimal state of Peak Performance before cooling down properly on the bike.

Releasing negative energy, detoxifying the body, and awakening higher energy fields are key aspects in achieving Peak Performance. It’s totally exhilarating!  A 15 minute yoga sequence follows the cycling. To counterbalance the ‘shape’ of the ride, we stretch and lengthen the quadriceps muscles, open the front of the chest with gentle backbends, and invite a few moments of stillness with a relaxation pose.

In only 75 minutes you can bring the body, mind, heart, and spirit to a harmonious, balanced state- ready to re-enter the world in a more light, graceful, productive, and creative way.

Spin Yoga Combo is held in the new Spin Den at Yoga Birds. This room is designed especially for the unique style of riding that encourages introspection, builds endurance, and facilitates weight loss.

Contact Melanie

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Can Yoga Help Me Lose weight?

The answer is YES!   Align and Flow classes can help you lose weight. The combination of moving through the poses and working with your breath is a great way to increase your metabolism and burn calories. And, practicing Yoga will make you more conscious and mindful of when and what you are eating and how you are taking care of your body.

Which classes are best for weight loss?

Align and Flow Yoga also improves your posture, flexibility and muscle tone, helping you look longer and leaner. For the ultimate in weight loss through yoga, schedule a private Yoga/Spin session with Melanie. More details in Class Descriptions.