Yaja is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel with over 20 years of service in Special Operations. She has been responsible for hundreds of personnel in multi-national affairs, she’s fluent in Spanish, and she has active TS/SCI Security Clearance.

Yaja has a comprehensive background in reviewing and modifying wellness programs, the mind-body connection, physical alignment, and spatial consciousness. Wellness goals planning and implementation, preventing future health issues, and monitoring and modifying client’s/group key developmental goals. National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM), Personal Certified Trainer.

With a proven track record providing tailored training for over 3,000 Special Operations personnel and 200 civilians, she utilizes the principles of NASM Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model, science-based strategies and learning innovations. 

OPT workouts designed to improve imbalances, impedances, and deviations, and to prevent injury while optimizing the standard pillars of fitness: power, strength, and stabilization. Yaja designed and instructs four different programs for the US Army Special Warfare School. She provides yoga programs for injury prevention, performance enhancing and recovery and she’s managed 300 students.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Cardiovascular Training Core and Balance | Meditation Interval Training Stabilization Strength | Power | Adaptive and Modified Yoga Alignment | Speed, Agility and Quickness

FITNESS CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Personal Trainer | National Academy of Sports Medicine
• 200 Therapeutic Yoga Certification
• 300 Therapeutic Yoga Certification 
• Registered Yoga Teacher
• Member of Yoga Alliance
• Warrior at Ease Yoga Certification

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Physical Fitness Instruction

• Led, instructed, and managed group fitness classes with 10-40 participants per class.
• Instructed High Intensity Interval Training, muscle toning, strength, and endurance; assisted clients with proper body alignment, equipment safety, and weight-loss.
• Monitor participants’ progress and movement, evaluating for individuals’ abilities and fitness level, and adapt program or suggest appropriate exercise substitution to facilitate continuous progress.

Yoga Instruction

• Designed and instructed yoga programs for military and civilian clients. Therapeutic and Vinyasa classes.
• Customize programs to prevent injuries, enhance athletic performance and aid in safe recovery.
• Focused on balance, mobility, core strength, alignment, and mind-body connection
• Concentrate on structural body alignment and muscular systems increasing range of motion.

Personal Training

• Trained to provide personalized attention and professional instruction to maximize member’s health, fitness, and wellness goals and to track individual progress.
• Skilled in preparing fitness programs based on client’s goals and motivating clients to get results through individualized goal setting, frequent follow-up, and reassessments to show progress.
• Assessed fitness level with pre-exercise testing and questionnaire and assisted with technique and communicated different cues for understanding.
• Trained to implement fitness programs and performed fitness assessments such as body fat percentage, body mass index, flexibility, strength, and endurance.

“I am passionate about helping people get healthy and empowered. There’s no better way to show self-love.”  – Yaja S.