Hi, I’m Denise.
An Intuitive Fitness Trainer, Yoga Teacher and Wellness Warrior.
My mission is to simplify the process for you. Exercise can be fun, invigorating and uplifting. It doesn’t have to be complicated. I will put you at ease. I combine elements from all my experience to create a thoughtful workout plan. Through a series of mindful exercises, you grow stronger both physically and mentally.
I’ve been working with a myriad of diverse clientele for over 28 years. My forte is working with those individuals who are at the ripe young age of fifty plus. It is never too early or late to begin. Results are easy to attain. All that is required is continuing to show up for yourself.
I believe we all hold the capacity to transform; not just our physique, OUR exterior, but also our interior selves. Who you are now, is a result of all your past experiences. Who you desire to become, takes shape as you transform who you are today into who you dream of becoming tomorrow. We are more powerful than we could ever imagine. With consistency and commitment to self, anything is possible. What we believe we surely can become.
Most recently, I completed a course in Lifestyle Medicine. It is called, “Health and Wellness, Maintaining a Sustainable Nutrition Plan. Nutrition is the foundation of wellness. Read more about the 6 Pillars here
I am available for speaking engagements, writing and events. Please contact me for inquiries.
Testimonials.
Susan R.
Denise is a very knowledgeable, sensitive, empathetic and insightful trainer.
In addition to her extensive awareness of physiology and exercise methodology, she is always highly aware and adaptable to my specific situation and needs in terms of health and conditioning. She has adjusted our training routine as various injuries, surgeries and other matters changed my physical condition.
She always brings a positive, creative approach and helps me to make the best of my current situation on a given day.
Susan Unger
What I love about Denise is her ability to intuitively tailor each session based on my physical and emotional needs. Regardless of how we approach the workout, I always feel that I have accomplished a goal. Denise's expertise, guidance and motivation keeps me on course, which is why I see results. Her extensive knowledge and personal approach makes each session effective and enjoyable.
She has a genuine passion for health and fitness, and brings a customized and thoughtful program in helping me achieve my goals.
Bennett Lindenbaum
I started working with Denise 6 years ago when I was 55.
At first we trained with weights, but one day she asked if I wanted to try Yoga and I was hooked. I loved how the Yoga increased my flexibility, but I also loved the physical challenge of mastering the different poses.
Denise was a patient and expert guide always encouraging me that with time and repetitions I could master the poses (and I also learned that you don’t get extra credit points for pushing yourself too hard 😊) . After struggling to get up at all, eventually I was doing head stands on my own in free space!
Beyond the physical aspect of yoga, she also helped me to appreciate the spiritual and psychological benefits as well. Practicing yoga has made me stronger, more flexible, physically confident and psychologically grounded – thanks Denise!
Steve A., Public Relations
I've never been an athlete and my goals weren't simple. Building muscles and gaining strength while enhancing flexibility in a body that was anything but flexible. Building cardio performance and preventing injuries in someone who started running half-marathons in middle age; improving physical idiosyncrasies and perhaps most important, understanding what we were doing and why.
Denise's knowledge is based on extensive training and a breadth of experience that enable her to combine disciplines and create programs that are specific to the client. Whenever I was in the gym without her, other regulars would come up to me and comment on the interesting workouts I seemed to be doing with my trainer. It's been more than a decade since we first met and I'm still running, still working out, still doing yoga and still improving them all.
Jackie M
I have spent over a decade working with Denise. During that time, I have found her to be diligent, intuitive and thoughtful. Her wisdom as a trainer always impressed me. She is a skillful instructor and motivator who consistently elicited clear focus and movement from me. It was apparent that her instruction was rooted in a comprehensive understanding of anatomy as well as having a deep foundation in Eastern movement and yoga.
Additionally, she has always been receptive to inevitable changes in energy levels and unexpected stresses and strains which had cropped up over time. She has always been flexible and highly inventive in finding the best ways to work together. She always arrived at the best possible modality of movement on any given day. Finally, her sincere concern with my physical and psychic well being was a constant. Denise's commitment to personal growth and development was always infused through her teaching style through the years...
Lori Kaplan, Owner and Maven at Bratenders Nyc
Denise is a spiritual warrior who brings her heart, passion and knowledge to each workout session. Whether strength training, or helping me to rehab an injury, Denise's insights and intuition helped me achieve my wellness goals. She knows when to push and when to be gentle, and uses a variety of training modalities, including yoga, that make every workout interesting and meaningful.
Dan S. Sternberg, Legal Counsel
I was almost 60 when I decided to start to practice yoga. I was fit but stiff, and intimidated at the prospect of joining a class as a complete amateur. Denise introduced me to yoga practice and worked and practiced with me individually for eighteen months, before I left NYC to liven the country. It was simply a wonderful experience on every level-emotional, physical and spiritual.
Denise was my teacher and guide and became, almost inevitably, my close friend. As a teacher, she is clear, careful and precise: demanding but gentle. I made great progress and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Her approach was a balance between the physical activity and the spiritual underpinnings of the practice-a perfectly measured balance for an open-minded but not entirely unskeptical newbie. It's been two years since we have practiced together but I still hear her voice reminding me just how to place my hands in down dog.
Laurie Meisler
I've known and worked with Denise Brandi for more than a decade. She's an incredibly knowledgeable and super-talented personal trainer and yoga teacher. But what I like most about her is her intuitiveness and dedication to working with the whole person.
She not only got me looking great for my daughter's wedding, but she also used yoga to lower my anxiety level. She adapts our workouts to my mood and energy level, gently coaxing me along on difficult days and challenging me when she senses that I need a push. She's kind, funny and interesting, and a totally terrific person.