I am passionate about helping people move more, make healthier choices, and turn those choices into habits.
Welcome! My name is Mirja Pitkin*.
I help people improve their fitness, health and well-being.
personal trainer
yoga instructor
wellness coach
*Mirja rhymes with Lydia. Go figure.
As a personal trainer, I help people be as active, pain-free and vibrant as possible now and for years to come.
As a wellness coach, I help people gain the skills, know-how, and confidence to care for themselves in ways that matter to them.
PERSONAL TRAINER & YOGA INSTRUCTOR
I am ACE-certified – and have been since 1997. I got certified as a yoga teacher in 2000 with YogaFit and bring my understanding of biomechanics to my yoga instruction.
I have focused on rehabilitation and injury prevention from the very beginning of my career when I set out to learn everything I could about strengthening safely and staying injury-free. In addition to exploring Alexander technique, Feldenkrais, Authentic Movement, NIA, Applied Kinesiology, and 5-rhythms, I studied dynamic anatomy and apprenticed with Irene Dowd.
Exercise is only part of the picture. Wellness coaching helps people become healthier overall. I am certified by Real Balance. Real Balance is International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited, the gold standard for coaching certifications. I adhere to ICF core coaching competencies and the ICF Code of Ethics.
In addition to being a wellness coach, I am an ACE-certified Behavioral Change Specialist. This certification teaches a variety of proven methods-including aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and Prochaska’s stages of change, among others–to help people progress from inaction to action and build healthier habits.
While working as a health educator at a local hospital, I partnered with a co-worker to develop a healthy choices curriculum. We led this 12-week class three times a year for three years. The course helped community members get more exercise and make healthier food choices. I have witnessed and helped a lot of people though the process of making positive change.
Another tool I use (and love!) is EFT/tapping. This simple technique can help clear internal obstacles so you get out of your own way, overcome self-sabotage, and change self-talk from negative to positive. I am certified in Gold-Standard EFT.
If you would like to feel good and build healthier habits in creative, sustainable ways, I’d love to help you.