Monifa Maat known affectionately by her clients as “The Healthy Motivator” is author of the powerful “no excuses “bed exercise routine, Bed Aerobics Fitness Flow: Easy Bed Exercises for the Body, Mind & Spirit. She is a national certified personal trainer for Equinox, fitness therapist, nutrition advocate, performing artist, entrepreneur and emerging new voice on the health & fitness scene in New
York. When Monifa is not conducting weekend boot camps or as she calls them “fitness makeover camps”, she can be found motivating hundreds of New York City residents over the past year with her Emblem Health sponsored Bed Aerobics Fitness classes located in Central Harlem, West136th (Emblem Health Neighborhood Care building, 215 West 125th street 2nd FL.) This Bed Aerobics Fitness class has become so popular, attendees must call in advance to register 1-866-469-0999. Through her book, Monifa tells her own personal story of triumph through pain that caused a transformation in her life that made the bed she didn’t want to leave into the bed that became her fitness “center” or empowerment zone. She emerged from that bed with a newfound fitness discovery that was so unique in its simplicity, yet extremely effective. With encouragement from her mother, Monifa decided she would write a book her transformational experience in creating a fitness system that helped transform her life physically, mentally and spiritually. Her mantra soon became “fitness motivation through aerobic innovation!”
Although she’s not been in the fitness business for quite as long as some of the leading brands in the industry, Monifa is quickly making a name for herself with her unconventional approach to fitness and health. Monifa is certified by National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA). NETA is one of only two certifying agencies in the fitness industry that offers NCCA accredited Group Exercise Instructor certification (NETA-CGEI) and Personal Trainer certification (NETA-CPT) programs. In addition Monifa holds continuing education certification in ABLE Bodies Balance Training (Human Kinetics), the components of which include balance/mobility, posture and core stability, strength, flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance (CRE). Furthermore, Monifa does not believe in the mantra “no pain, no gain” but rather “no pain means you gain better results over time”. Monifa’s passion for fitness began with her love of dance and performing arts --“not so much to be a star” says Monifa, “but to make people feel good inside”. It is this passion which led the multi-talented fitness specialist Monifa to write, produce and star in CRAVE, a hilariously moving theatrical presentation that uses humor, music and exercise to explore the impact that poor nutrition and fitness habits have on achievement of youth and families in urban America. The play would later be sponsored by The New York Public Library and performed at both the Countee Cullen Library Theatre and the Schomburg Center to a standing room only audience. Though never excessively overweight, before discovering Bed Aerobics Monifa’s close friends and family have always been aware of her struggle to maintain a healthy weight and make healthful food choices. Monifa wrote CRAVE to mirror her personal approach to fitness and health, which is that in order to change behavior for the long haul, one has to be deeply inspired to do so. Monifa works to motivate her clients and the public at large to understand that making healthier choices is all about focusing on what you can do to improve your health and fitness, not what you can’t or shouldn’t do. A self-proclaimed “foodie” Monifa’s mission is to make fitness and food a pleasurable and healthful experience so that people begin to crave health, not stress over it. Thus Monifa offers a highly customized approach for individuals and groups that assist them in achieving their health goals not only for the moment but for a lifetime. “My goal is to create other healthy motivators that will inspire someone else to eat well and exercise for a lifetime!” Monifa believes her mission has been completed when her client is so motivated and inspired they no longer rely on her, but on themselves. Finally the “motivatee’s” become the “motivators”! according to Monifa. In 2009 she founded the not-for-profit Healthy Roots Fitness & Nutrition Camp, an 8-week inter-generational healthy lifestyle workshop series based at Mother AME Zion Church in Harlem, NY. Members of the congregation have publicly attributed the workshop series to helping to save their or a family members lives through early detection, prevention and general awareness. In 2012, received a community service Leadership Award by Sister to Sister One in the Spirit Inc., which was cited by City Council of New York for her work in helping to create more awareness and empowerment in her community concerning fitness & health. Monifa Maat’s Bed Aerobics Fitness Flow is sponsored by and affiliated with two of the largest health organizations in Emblem Health and Healthfirst. Monifa has also worked with Wellcare Inc. Currently Monifa conducts a Bed Aerobics Fitness class every other Friday at the Emblem Health Neighborhood Care building in Harlem, New York. Classes are twice a month and are free and open to the public. People from all cultures and backgrounds attend these classes based on Monifa’s unique approach to stretching and strengthening the body from the inside out (Learn more at: www.TheHealthyMotivator.com). Over the summer 2014, Monifa debuted her new Bed Aerobics Home Fitness Weight Loss Challenge sponsored by her local Foodtown supermarket in the Bronx. Based on the camp’s success, Monifa recently launched the Bed Aerobics Fitness Makeover Camp in Harlem, NY located at the James Varick Community Center on West 136th Street 6:30pm – 8:00pm on Monday evenings. Each camp session is 5 weeks (Learn more: www.TheHealthyMotivator.com). On Saturdays at 10am in the Bronx, Monifa also created a fun, strength/aerobics/core drilling non-traditional “boot camp” she calls the Mo’ Burn Fitness Makeover Camp where calisthenics and aerobics are expertly combined with dance intervals set to burning hot music that women absolutely love! (See testimonials: www.TheHealthyMotivator.com)
Currently Monifa is developing a Bed Aerobics Fitness Flow tutorial class/video for home health care aids, hospitals, and even as part of wellness programs at schools for busy, stressed out teachers and parents that need a fitness plan they can stick to that will leave them feeling more relaxed, yet re-charged and ready to take on the awesome responsibility of educating and inspiring our nation’s youth. Monifa has been a guest speaker/fitness expert at numerous health festivals and special events including the NYC Healthfirst Summer Health Festival series, Parkchester branch of NAACP Health Festival at St. Paul’s church in Bronx, and other local church and community based organizations throughout Bronx and Harlem. Monifa Maat received her undergraduate degree at Pace University’s Dyson School of the Arts, and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Keller Graduate School of Management. Monifa has been a featured health expert on New York 1 Television News Health Report, Manhattan Neighborhood Network and Bronx Net cable’s “OPEN” live with host/DJ Dr. Bob Lee; as well as featured health and fitness expert on numerous local radio stations including WBLS-FM, WBAI-AM, WWRL-AM,WLIB-AM and WHCR-FM. Monifa lives in Bronx and practices her fitness training at various locations in Bronx and Manhattan, with plans to branch out to the all of the boroughs of New York City by the end of the year. Her home gym is Equinox (Blink Fitness) in Parkchester and has just recently acquired space in Harlem at the James V. Community Center. For more information, email: Monifa@TheHealthyMotivator.com
What is Bed Aerobics Fitness Flow? Bed Aerobics Fitness Flow (BAFF for short) -- is a “no excuses” bed exercise system specifically designed to be conducted on the surface of a bed. It engages every inch of the body through 18 sequenced exercise steps all linked together in a smooth continuous flow of motion. Each step has multiple repetitions, actually making BAFF a moderately intense workout routine that builds strength, increases flexibility and burns fat –from the privacy and convenience of one’s very own bed. BAFF is comprised of callisthenic, flexibility and body weight resistance exercises that progressively tone and strengthen the entire body with emphasis on core muscles. Best of all BAFF contains all 4 categories of exercise: flexibility, strength, balance and endurance –recommended by the American Heart Association for inclusion in a well-rounded exercise program. BAFF’s invigorating eye and facial exercises, concluding with brief meditation rejuvenates the body, mind & spirit. “I feel like flying”, says one BAFF class member when asked how she felt immediately following the exercises. “…I don’t have to get out of bed to do these exercises and the results are amazing”, says another member. BAFF is for people of all ages, sizes and fitness backgrounds and intended to be practiced in the morning and/or evening while in bed as an optimal fitness solution for most people with “not enough time to exercise”. BAFF may also assist people recovering from certain injuries or undergoing various forms of physical therapy to progressively improve their strength and range of motion. Monifa Maat teaches Bed Aerobics Fitness Flow classes to New York City residents at Emblem Health Neighborhood Care building located in Harlem, New York. To register call 1 (866) 469-0999.
