Patricia Moreno (center) promotes a mind-body connection in her IntenSati fitness program and book.

We recently had the opportunity to take an IntenSati class at Equinox led by fitness instructor Patricia Moreno, the program’s founder. The name of the practice is derived from “intention” and “sati,” an ancient Indian word for mindfulness, but the class also is intense — a high-energy total body workout that blends elements of dance, yoga, martial arts, aerobics and strength training. It is the philosophy of the class, however, that sets it apart. Each move has a corresponding intention that is spoken aloud in unison, such as, “I am grateful now” or “I believe I will succeed.” The poses and the ideas behind IntenSati are explained in Moreno’s new book, The IntenSati Method: The Seven Secret Principles to Thinner Peace (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2010).

Moreno, a 20-year veteran of the fitness industry, documents her struggle with her weight and quest for happiness, from a 212-pound teenager to a thin, yet depressed, person battling bulimia and working out obsessively up to eight hours a day. The IntenSati Method is designed not only to empower people to make positive changes, but also to be comfortable with and embrace the present. Each chapter in the book is devoted to a different principle; there’s also a chapter on eating healthfully in place of dieting and a detailed breakdown of the workout.

But does it work? At the Equinox class, instructors and devotees — some moved to tears — shared their stories about IntenSati not only changing their bodies for the better, but improving their overall attitude and confidence. Moreno prefaced the class noting that many are resistant to speaking the affirmations aloud at first. Though we were a bit skeptical, once we got the hang of it, we started to say the affirmations. Punching our fists across our body does feel more powerful while saying, “I am strong now,” along with a room full of people. “Feel the words fueling you,” Moreno says. “It’s like being supercharged.”

Saying nice things about yourself isn’t a bad way to start (or end) your day. Do you believe that workouts should be only physical, or do you think workouts are more effective when there’s a mind-body connection?

Photo credit: Fernando Milani

Tags: Alternative medicine, exercise, Fernando Milani, health, high-energy total body workout, Human behavior, instructor, Mindfulness, Patricia Moreno, Simon Spotlight, Strength training