Focus On: IntenSati
Hey Fitnessista readers!
This is Missy from MissyMaintains and I am incredibly honored to be writing a Focus On post for Gina’s blog! I am a long time Fitnessista fan and always love to write about favorite workout, intenSati. I discovered this fitness class last year and have been hooked ever since. This workout not only changed the way I view exercise, but also made me a more positive person in everyday life. Because I feel so passionate about this workout, I decided to do something beyond my comfort level and take intenSati leader training last November. I now teach this class in NYC and love every minute of it.
What is intenSati?
IntenSati is a revolutionary workout, fusing high-energy aerobics, martial arts, dance, yoga, and strength conditioning. Combining spoken affirmations with simple choreography, IntenSati provides a heart-pumping, exhilarating workout that builds physical, mental, and spiritual muscle. "Inten" derives from "intention", and "Sati" is a Pali word which means mindfulness. Each class begins with a share from the leader about how they are using intenSati in their own life and how they are feeling at that present moment. They may discuss the class series and ask their students to relate parts of it to their own lives. Next, there is a a warm up to get the heart rate going before getting into the intense, high cardio section. Eventually the series begins with different kickboxing and dance like moves such as kicking, punching, or even shimmying! Every movement has an affirmation that goes along with it. The exercises are named for the attitude that one is embodying to help train the mind and body. For example, the move Strength might comprise of a punching action and an affirmation like "I am strong now!" The class ends with a lower body portion consisting of exercises such as lunges and squats. There is also a relaxing stretching and meditation portion to finish off the class.
What to expect?
- To think that the affirmations are super weird for your first couple of classes. I did not start saying them until about three months in!
- To burn a lot of calories! I typically burn 500 to 700 calories in the hour.
- To have the affirmations stuck in your head all night after one class. I always find myself singing things like, "I believe I will succeed!"
- To become addicted. The amazing workout and positivity that I experience from every class makes me crave it all of the time!
What to Wear?
Comfortable fitness clothes and sneakers. You may find several people from the class wearing clothing with hearts and peace signs. This is because Patricia Moreno, the founder of intenSati, partners with a company called PeaceLoveWorld which makes clothing with positive symbols and sayings on it.
Pros:
- Amazing cardio workout. I never thought I would find a class where I burn more calories than I do in spin and actually have a blast at the same time! I am always in a pool of sweat by the end!
- Incredibly fun. I actually look forward to going to the gym because I enjoy this class so much. Sometimes it turns into one big dance party!
- Positivity: The positive affirmations really have changed my way of thinking. I am definitely a much happier person since starting intenSati.
- Community: We are encouraged to introduce ourselves to one another before every class and support each other in every day life. I’d say about 75% of my friends are from intenSati which has been so helpful for me since I am not from New York.
- Life Changing: This class and spiritual practice truly has changed my life. I have more confidence, I have more friends, and I now teach fitness!
Cons:
- Some people may think the affirmations are annoying and simply want to be there for the cardio aspect.
- Limited locations: IntenSati is exclusive to Equinox gyms in New York. I was forced to invest in a super expensive gym membership for this class. It is epecially tough to find if you do not reside in NYC.
- Lack of strength training: I am so hooked on this class that I barely take weight classes anymore. I do miss the extreme soreness I used to feel after a good strength class like Core Fusion or Total Body Conditioning.
Want to see more about intenSati? Check out the video below:
Have you tried intenSati before? What did you think of it?
Check out satilife.com to find a class near you!
42 Comments
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I’ve definitely never tried intenSati before but it looks amazing!
I have never heard of this workout before. At first, I thought it was Insanity – like the Beachbody one. Thank you for sharing this fun workout!!
Wow this looks like so much fun! I tend to get bored with yoga-only classes I think I’d enjoy this because of the mix, and the cardio component too. I’ve never tried it and sadly don’t live in NY but will keep it in mind if I’m ever in the area!
I haven’t heard of this before — sounds interesting and I can see myself thinking the affirmations are pretty hokey, although I’m sure they’d probably make me feel good!
wow – I tried an Equinox spin class but had no idea about the details of intensati. I’m definitely going to look into it. It seems so fun and while I bet I wouldn’t say affirmations at first either, I can see how they would be awesome for your insides!!
You should check it out if you are in the area. I find it much more enjoyable than spin! Shoot me an email if you every want to get on the guest lists at Equinox!
They have IntenSati also in Los Angeles at Equinox! Such a fun class!!
I’ve never seen/heard of this workout before so this is by far a new one for me! It looks..different haha 🙂 I love the workout and moves their incorporating, but I’m not much of an affirmation mid-workout type person. I like the idea of it though!
I have heard such good things but cannot wrap my head around equinox’s prices! Holy Moly!
Tell me about it! I am teaching some free intenSati classes this summer! Check out my schedule here:
http://www.missymaintains.com/intensati/
Incredible review — you nailed it all. I am so happy you introduced me to IntenSati, Missy! It really is amazing and I love how much it has done for you.
Ah, I have to admit, after watching this video I am contemplating moving to NY!!
As one of the few people in my gym that ever “participates” vocally (i.e. actually responding when the instructor asks “How’s everyone doing?” or “Are you sweating hard?”) I feel like I would LOVE those “corny” affirmations and being around others who are as enthusiastic would push me to that next level of fitness!!
I’ve never heard of this workout before. Love the energy of the instructor in the vid! would love to try it! thanks for posting!
Wow, judging by the sweat in the video, that is a hard workout. Too bad I will have to wait about 8 years for the class to make it out to Utah!
Looks like a fun workout! I love the idea of shouting positive affirmations. 🙂 very impowering
I had never even heard of IntenSati before this post! Sounds pretty amazing and I love the causes that go along with it:)
Wow I have never seen anything like this before! Sounds so cool! I’d love to try a class like this out!
This workout looks like so much fun! I used to belong to Equinox and I now regret not trying this class. Hopefully it will come to Austin!
I have never heard of that before, but it sound like it would be a great class!! I also tbink the affirmations would weird me out at first, but I’m sure you get used to it!
This sounds awesome. I have A.D.D sometimes when I am working out so this sounds like a workout right up my ally. I hope it makes it to the west coast or maybe I will have to try it when I start my travels. Thanks for sharing.
There are classes in California! Check out the schedule here: http://www.satilife.com/schedule.html
I love that you posted this and the Zumba info! You should make this a blogging series of group workouts!
I have never even heard of Intensati!
“high-energy aerobics, martial arts, dance, yoga, and strength conditioning.” = that sounds great!
I have been a certified yoga teacher for 10 years and live in San Diego, the land of super diverse and progressive type fitness classes and still have never even heard of Intensati…but now I want to try a class. Sounds great!
Hi Gina!
This comment is not related to your current post, but as you’ve helped me answer my fitness questions before, I thought I could ask you some other questions!
I recently found out that my hip flexors and quads need a lot of work. I was told that they are extremely weak, and, as I’m training for my second marathon, I truly need to work hard on getting stronger!
Do you have any words of wisdom or any favorite exercises that target the hip flexors/quads? I know that lunges, squats, and step ups help, but are there any others that are better?
Thanks so much 🙂
Bridget
I tried intenSati in NYC last year and it was fun! It was only a 20 minute or so teaser and not a whole class but I liked the approach – the elements of mindfulness, respect for one’s body and one’s physical and emotional state at the time were a welcome addition to an exercise class. At least I thought so. I agree that the affirmations were a bit annoying and defffffinitely got stuck in my head, but I could see where they’d become less glaring as you do the workout more and more. Good stuff, thanks for sharing!
Only in New York! Sigh. Hopefully the idea will catch on and spread especially over to the west coast.
wow, this sounds so cool! it looks amazing, I really wish I could take a class! 😀 im in england and they probably dont have any here, but if I visit nyc you can count on me coming to one of your classes! im so happy that its had such a positive effect on your life…its very inspiring! xyx
I’d never heard of this but it sounds very interesting. I’d love to give it a try!
Sounds like an awesome class, I would love to try it but I live far away from NY (in NC).
Do they ever have plans on expanding this classes to other states/gyms?
Ana
Hi Ana! They do plan on expanding. There is a leader training every 6 months and people from all over the country are welcome to take it! I actually took the training with a guy from NC so he is teaching it there now!
This workout is new to me, too: first time even hearing about it. I’m in TN and am not sure I’m getting out to NY anytime soon, hehe! But if I’m ever out that way, I’d LOVE to try this type of class!
I’ve heard of IntenSati before, and have been wanting to try it for forever! I wish it was offered in more places. Thanks for telling us more about it!
Wow…that looks really neat, I’ve never heard of IntenSati before. Thanks for sharing. It’s always great to hear of new workouts 🙂 Hopefully it will become more available as word spreads about it!
I’ve done this workout before. It was the most intense workout session I’d even been to and I loved it!
I LOVE intenSati!!! Unfortunately, the class I used to attend no longer exists, but the instructor, knowing I would go through withdrawl, gave me a DVD of Patricia Moreno so I can get my fix at home.
Peace!
fran
I’ve never even heard of this class before! I’m jealous of all the cool classes that are available in big cities. We pretty much only have the basics, like spin and step class. 😛
This class sounds awesome!! Just went to the intenSati website to check it out and saw they have some classes outside of NYC/Equinox http://www.satilife.com/schedule.html
This sounds like something I would LOVE. Hope it comes my way sometime!
This looks like it would take some getting used to… but we could all use some more positive self talk in our lives, right! I hope they expand to more locations!
Thank you so much for sharing this workout. It sounds amazing, I only wish there was somewhere near me where I could try it!
If you live in NYC, there are a list of free classes on their fb page: Free Intensati in the big apple. There is a free class going on at least once a day. Hope that helps!!
[…] A revolutionary workout, fusing high-energy aerobics, martial arts, dance, yoga, and strength conditioning. Combining spoken affirmations with simple choreography, intenSati provides a heart-pumping, exhilarating workout that builds physical, mental, and spiritual muscle. “Inten” derives from “intention”, and “Sati” is a Pali word which means mindfulness. (Fitnessista) […]