Bali Fitness Expert Amy Buck helped singer John Legend and Chrissy Teigen get their fit bodies back, when they stayed at one of our favourites luxury wellness retreats COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali.

Teigen called Amy “The most patient human in the world”..

“We had the most beautiful, wonderful time in Bali. Como Shambhala, my body and mind have never felt so clear. Thank you for getting me to move again (first time since I was 8 months pregnant and Luna is ummmm 15 months old) and giving me some much-needed body and nutrition schooling!” said Teigen in an Instagram post.

Bali Fitness Expert Amy Buck dishes her secrets:

What are your top 5 tips for staying active on a daily basis?

1. Consistency of time day to workout – make sure have at least one rest/mellow exercise day.
2. Any extra movement counts – ex: taking steps instead elevator/walking the escalator/distant parking space/walking to water cooler to take a break to stretch and hydrate.
3. Variety. Mix up the workouts and add as much ‘play’ in as possible so it doesn’t feel like working out. Ex : Dancing, walking book club, social sports.

4. Visualisation – think how you want to look and feel. It is important to visualise then act. Aids in motivation.  Make sure have at least one mind/body modality ex: Pilates/Yoga/Tai Chi/ Qigong/Gyrokinesis etc….
5. Rewards – set up a plan when a physical goal is met to treat yourself. Ex:  new pair tennies, day at the spa, buy some new music to workout to , new workout clothes (amazing what that can actually do for motivation.

Amy we heard your Pilates classes focus on training your mind and helping improve the symmetry and coordination of your body. Do you find that most guests are out of alignment?

Unfortunately yes. With todays modern, fast paced lifestyle and dependency on computers/ cell phones people have adapted poor posture habits and patterns of daily living that work against gravity versus playing with it. A private session at COMO Shambhala Estate includes a postural analysis and recommendation of exercises to help rebalance the musculature.

What daily tips can you give for those stuck to a desk all day?

The most important thing is to move our bodies as much as possible. If you have a job that requires a lot of sitting it is best to try to get up at least once an hour to simply move around. At COMO Shambhala Estate we get many guests whose jobs require seated desk work so we find it helpful to teach functional movement exercises and stretches using a chair for balance; calf raises, squats , spinal roll downs. Any movement that encourages blood circulation and fresh O2 to the muscles.

Is Pilates for beginners too?

Most definitely and encouraged. Pilates is for anyone who desires a strong, aligned body housed in a connected, peaceful mind. Pilates is not only good for strength and stretching, but a fantastic form of moving meditation. Our Pilates classes at the Estate cater to the never ever beginner to highly advanced practitioner.

What can guests expect in a private consultation with you?

A private consultation with me at the Estate would be a discussion of physical goals, past injuries, discuss ADL’s (activities of daily living), what is current regime, whats working for them and whats not, is weight loss a goal, discuss what type of workouts they enjoy, indoors or outdoors. We ensure that each guest will leave with a plan to carry on the momentum once at home.

In the consultation we also discuss options at the Estate that are unique such as the Estate walk everyday to gauge endurance and strength, vast variety of options on the activity schedule, what to expect in a private fitness / Pilates /TRX / specialised stretch class, the rock climbing wall and jungle gym.

We would discuss our guided challenge options and the effectiveness of interval training benefits of hiking/biking and surprising the body with activities that disrupt the body natural path of least resistance.

Together we would create a workout plan to experience while they are here. An emphasis would also be on the importance of rest, hydration, nutrition and listening to their body.

As a Bali Fitness expert, what is your favourite indulgence?

Movie theatre buttered popcorn (: ….so bad, but so good!

Thanks Amy!

If you’d like to train with your own Bali Fitness Expert, then simply drop us a line and we’ll create something with you in mind!

email info@soul-sanctuaries.com