Since December I’ve been taking IntenSati at at Ellie Herman’s 4th Street Annex (Wednesdays at 7:15, Friday at 6:45AM and Saturday at 2:30PM).
I am now, officially, really hooked. Taught by Chantall Brachmann-Scott, it’s one hell of a workout and worth its weight in therapy. I mean, I walk out of there feeling like a million bucks. $20 bucks a class – no problem.
IntenSati is a fairly new exercise method that combines yoga, martial arts, aerobics and new-age affirmations. A high-energy cardio workout created by Patricia Moreno, author of “The intenSati Method, 7 Principles to Thinner Peace,” the technique is based on “mindfulness, positive psychology and the law of attraction.”
The vocal affirmations required of the participants, is, in my experience, what gives intenSati its added kick.
A year ago, Chantall Brachman-Scott, a popular local Pilates instructor at Ellie Herman, completed the intenSati leader training with its founder and decided to bring this body sculpting workout and method of creating awareness and intention to Park Slope.
The music, a key element of the experience, included vintage hits like Queen’s, “We are the Champions” and Olivia Newton John’s “Xanadu” with more contemporary sounds from the South African inflected soundtrack of “Invictus.”
“I like bringing awareness to my clients, students,” Brachmann-Scott told me. “Awareness of how wonderful our bodies are, how they function and that we can truly be in control of this body physically and mentally.”
Every month the routine changes. January’s was called Champion and it consisted of a kick-boxing inspired routine. We shout out phrases like: “Yes, this I must achieve. And I will not rest until I succeed” as we jump kick dance and sweat. Lots of sweat. February’s will be based on the serenity prayer ( I can’t wait).
About the affirmations, apparently that turns people off when they hear about it but it actually helps you remember the routines and helps with the breathing. So bite the bullet folks and come on down.
Weight Watchers: I’ve been doing Weight Watchers since just after Thanksgiving and going to meetings at the Montauk Club on Sundays at 9AM and 10:30AM.
So far I’m 5 pounds down. Yay me.
Melanie, the leader, is one of the most empathic, friendly, smart and FUNNY leaders I’ve ever had at Weight Watchers. She is seriously gifted at public speaking, teaching the program to newcomers, and keeping the crowd motivated to keep going. The day I restarted Weight Watchers was the day they switched to the new points plus system, which is a much improved approach to weight loss with a long list of healthy, fresh power foods that are encouraged over all. I have NEVER heard Melanie even mention the Weight Watchers frozen and packaged products (though they do sell some interesting WW snacks at the meetings).
Melanie lost something like 65 pounds on the program but it’s hard to imagine her with all that weight. But that’s the point. She continues on the program to maintain her weight loss and to inspire others.
And boy does she inspire me. Yay Melanie.
Melanie and Chantall: It’s a power punch.