“Life of my life, I shall ever try to keep my body pure, knowing that thy living touch is upon all my limbs.
I shall ever try to keep all untruths out from my thoughts, knowing that thou art that truth which has kindled the light of reason in my mind.
I shall ever try to drive all evils away from my heart and keep my love in flower, knowing that thou hast thy seat in the inmost shrine of my heart.
And it shall be my endeavour to reveal thee in my actions, knowing it is thy power gives me strength to act.” R. Tagore
Ivan is in a constant flow between learning, experiencing and teaching. From a work perspective you can say he is a Teacher, Therapist, Trainer, Mentor, Coach and International Presenter.
Internationally he has worked with professional training organizations from the UK, USA, Japan, Spain, Greece & Portugal, as well as several Health Clubs, Hotels and equipment brands. He has been part of management teams, been involved with development & implementation of training programs, teaching classes & coaching individuals, with particular emphasis on holistic training programs, plant based nutrition, mind-body, movement/exercise therapy and application of mental training techniques and energy principles to physical training (both land and aquatic).
He practices yoga for 20 years mainly following the teachings of Krishnamacharya both in yoga and in yoga therapy. His main direct teacher has been Paul Harvey and he recently received a certificate in recognition of his training and work in the field of yoga therapy by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. He is also an experienced massage therapist usually combining manual and energy techniques depending on the needs of the individual. He is part of several educational Yoga DVD’s & publications, holds a Masters in Exercise Science and was part of the Department of Sports & Exercise Science and Sports Therapy (current University of Bedfordshire, UK). Ivan holds numerous certificates in yoga, massage, sports and fitness areas.
From early on in his work he has been involved in bringing ancient knowledge together with current scientific research in a format that can deeply benefit our life today. This path has included several forms of therapy, movement training, energy work and personal development. Currently he lives in Crete, Greece, were he focuses on several aspects of Spirituality, Yoga, Ai-Chi, Movement, Therapy, Science of Happiness and Plant Based Nutrition.
If you would like to know a bit more scroll down to see his CV.
| 2012 to date Center Eleftheria Pagkalou – Bee Yoga Shala Crete, Greece
Therapist, Teacher, Mentor, Coach Responsible for Yoga therapy, Yoga Group Classes, Massage Therapy, Traditional Thai Massage, Fitness Consulting, Well-Being Coaching, Movement/Exercise Therapy. Preparation and delivery of workshops, event classes, retreats and training courses. Clients include general public, hotels and athletes (e.g. Swiss Biathlon team, Boom Festival). In conjunction with Aquatic Health & Fitness professional association delivering workshops & Teacher Training courses in Ai-Chi and Aqua Yoga. |
| 2009 to date Ai-Chi International Trainer International
Trainer of Ai-Chi instructors, prepared by Jun Konno from Japan (creator of this system). |
| 2007 to 2010 Yoga Moves Trainer United Kingdom
Trainer of Yoga Moves instructors for David Lloyds Health Clubs. |
| 2007 to 2012 Mundo Hidro International Presenter & Trainer International
Representative of Mundo Hidro in International Conventions, Co-creator of several specialization courses including, Suisse ball, Functional Training, Body & Mind, Nutrition, Yoga, AquaYoga, Yoga for Children, Ai-Chi and Therapeutic exercise. Part of the organising team for the conventions Convenção Internacional Mundo Hidro (second biggest aquatic fitness convention in Europe), and Mundo Hidro Ruma ao Sul. |
| 2006 to 2012 Massage Therapist-Teacher-Coach Portugal
Yoga teacher (adults, seniors, therapy, children), Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, Fitness Coach and Fitness developer in Figueira da Foz and Coimbra with Kindergardens, Hotels, Public Swimming Pools and Health Clubs (e.g. BioCorpo, Phive, Centro Tao). Fitness classes included Spinning, Aquatic Fitness (pregnant, aqua therapy, seniors, deep, adults fitness, Aqua Bikes), Body Conditioning, Mind Body. Massage included massage therapy, Traditional Thai Massage, Sports Massage and Relaxation Massage. |
| 2005 to 2007 Technogym Kinesis United Kingdom
Co-developer of the Kinesis instructor training programme for the United Kingdom. United Kingdom Kinesis National trainer for FitPro (Fitness Professionals) |
| 2000 to 2006 University of Luton United Kingdom
V. Lecturer/Technician/Demonstrator Preparation, delivery & assessment of various course materials within the Department of Sports & Exercise Science and Sports Therapy. Supervise and assist projects undertaken within the laboratories (student and research projects). Deliver and assist the delivery of practical sessions within the laboratories and therapy rooms. |
| 2001 to 2007 The BodyMind Studio Ltd United Kingdom
Co-Director Teaching, development and course administration of the Pathway to Yoga and Core Conditioning Training Programs. Development and delivery of yoga workshops and retreats for a range of population groups. |
| 1998 to 2002 Barnfield College & Milton Keynes College England
Part-Time Tutor Responsible for teaching and assessing various modules within the Sports Therapy/Beauty Therapy Diploma (NVQ Level 2 & foundation year), GNVQ Advanced Leisure and BTEC Sports Science: Diploma in Nutrition, Sports Nutrition, Anatomy & Physiology, Foundation year Massage. Developer, teacher and assessor of M85 Exhibit knowledge of biomechanics of movement. 1994–1997 Health Club Portugal Figueira da Foz, Portugal Assistant Manager Supervise and assist the functioning of all areas of the health club with special attention to reception and services. Bar & restaurant menu development & management. Gym instructing and aquatic fitness’. 1999 to date Publications, Presentations, Classes, TV & DVD´s Smith P., Amaral I., Doherty M., Price M., Jones A.,(2005). The influence of ramp rate on VO2 peak and excess VO2 peak during arm crank ergometry. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 27:610-616. Hughes M., Amaral I., Rose G.,(2005). The influence of recovery duration on blood lactate accumulation in repeated sprint activity. Journal of Sports Sciences. 23(2):130-131. Amaral I., (2003). Peak physiological responses to ramp testing during arm crank ergometry. B.A.S.E.S. student conference presentation. Amaral I., Smith P.,(2003). Peak physiological responses to ramp testing during arm crank ergometry. University of Luton poster presentation. AmaraI I., (2003). Trends in fitness. Presentation for Sport Scientific Exchange Programme ‘Fit & Fitness’ international conference in Gent, Belgium. Amaral I., (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011). Several articles for the AKWA magazine in the USA. International Conferences: Japan – National Aquatic Fitness Conference, 2008-09 – Master-classes Spain – TR3S Fit Aeróbic & Fitness Asociación, 2007 & 2008 – Workshops & Master-classes. USA – International Aquatic Fitness Conference (AEA), 2007 to 2012 – Workshops & Master-classes. Portugal – Boom Festival 2016 (daily yoga Masterclasses) – Convenção Internacional Mundo Hidro, 2005 to 2012 – Courses, Workshops & Master-classes – Convenção de Fitness São João da Madeira 2007 – Convenção Mundo Hidro Ruma ao Sul – Spinning 24h (International Ride) 2010, 2011 – Mundo Hidro AquaRefresh 2012. UK – Fitness Professionals Conferences, 2004 to 2006 – Yoga demonstrations, Lecture on Nutrition –Multitrax International Fitness Conference, 2002, 2003 – Group Yoga classes and Yoga Products support (David Loyds, Dunstable Leisure Centre, Living Well Premier, University of Luton, Henlow Grange Health Farm, John Lewis), 1999 to 2006. TV & DVD´s: QVC UK– Shopping channel – Yoga and Tai-Chi demonstration for Gaiam products (2002) DVDs for instructors – “Yoga Moves 5 – Cultivating the Core” & “Yoga Moves 6 – Back Strength and Heart Opening” – Produced for FitPro UK. ”AquaYoga” produced in the USA with AEA & Mundo Hidro. Video – demonstrations on ‘Pathway to Yoga’ and ‘Pathway to Yoga 2’- produced by Coreography2go (2002) Digital Channel U.K. – yoga demonstrations (2001) |
| 2002 to 2005 University of Bedfordshire England
MSc (Research) Exercise Science 1996 to 1999 University of Luton England BSc (Honours) (2:1) Sports & Fitness Science. |
| Professional & Personal Development Highlights
Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) – The International Association of Yoga Therapists – certification awarded in recognition for previous professional training and extensive work in the field of yoga therapy – 2017
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| Fluent Speaker and Writer in Portuguese and English; Limited understanding of Spanish, French and Greek. |
