Meet Ava

THE FACTS

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Early in my career, I was an IT business owner in St. Petersburg, Russia. I have a Master’s degree in management from Saint Petersburg State University of Culture and Art.

I have been passionate about fitness for personal reasons since my early twenties. In 2009, a few years after coming to the US, I took on the challenge of starting a new career and became certified as a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. I started with the “Fitness Together” franchise in Chicago, but after moving to Naples in 2012  have been self-employed training and teaching private classes at different locations.

In 2014  I was certified as a Corrective Exercise Specialist and started focusing on functional fitness and working with adults 50+  age group.  “Fitness with Care” has become my trademark. 

As a part of my personal path and in pursuit to assist my clients not only to become physically fit but also to be self-efficient in managing their health and other aspects of life,

I continued exploration in the wellness field and advancing my education. 

To address pain and combat stress, in 2016 a fascia release mentorship was the next step, followed by certification as a trainer for myofascial compression techniques with Trigger Point Therapy. 

Eastern wisdom and body and mind connection was the vocal point of my studies in 2018 -2020 when I explored a holistic approach to health in the course of my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and Ayurveda Yoga Specialist program.  Health and Wellness Coaching wrapped this journey up in 2023.

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THE  STORY

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Though my thirties I had abundant energy and enjoyed my challenging exercise routine. But I had to learn early that “change is the only constant in life”. After I turned 40 things began to shift. I noticed that my body stopped tolerating the intensity of my workouts well. Recovery was taking much longer, and I was sore for days. Persistent pain in the hip joints, restless sleep, and anxiety were new and unwelcomed changes.  

I didn’t want to start taking prescription medications and multiple visits to traditional and holistic doctors didn’t give much relief. I started looking for answers and solutions myself.

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The Journey

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Because of a lack of energy and headaches being exacerbated by the intensity of my workouts, I cut back on weight training and took up yoga. To address anxiety and stress, I began learning about meditation and breathing practices.

An interest in a holistic approach to pain and stress release sparked my curiosity toward fascia release and self-massage techniques. 

In 2016 a local workshop “Your food is your medicine” introduced me to Ayurveda, the Indian holistic medicine. That workshop was truly eye-opening and inspired me to learn more about this Eastern wisdom.

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The Insight

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During my Ayurvedic studies, I discovered something truly unexpected.  My demanding workouts along with my by-all-standards healthy diet (smoothies, salads, fruit, low-fat dairy, etc.) was not what my body needed and benefited from at that stage of my life. In fact, these seemingly healthy choices were making me more susceptible to joint pain, digestive problems, headaches, and other issues.

I learned that disregarding our own physical capacity and pushing mindlessly past limits can do more harm than good. One size truly never fits all. It was fascinating to hear that even the healthiest foods like raw fruit and vegetables in some cases can unfavorably affect one’s physical and emotional state.

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The Key

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Physical discomfort and pain is the only language our body can communicate with us. When we ignored physical distress it has the potential to develop into chronic inflammation, disease, or impact emotional health provoking anxiety or other imbalances.

 

When diet and exercise are considered part of a self-care regimen, it becomes a natural choice, not a struggle. These choices translate into a lifestyle that feels organic and easy, and life becomes so much more enjoyable and satisfying.

 

Ayurveda gave me the answers I was looking for. It taught me that self-knowledge and self-care are essential components of wellbeing and the key to a sustainable lifestyle. 

It became clear to me that very few fitness professionals and enthusiasts knew about Ayurveda and the benefits it offers.

I wanted to bridge this gap and share these unique tools to more people.

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The Avalution

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The change didn’t happen overnight. It took time, multiple tries, patience, and determination. It was my personal evolution, with ups and downs. It took months and months to craft a routine that has become a part of me. 

 

During this journey, I came across several reasons that caused setbacks most often. First, we don’t easily admit to the changes and acknowledge our real needs in the present stage of life. Second, we choose to do something that is not authentic to us and doesn’t suit our body, mind, values, needs, and circumstances. Third, we commit to doing too much too soon. 

 

From East back to West, for myself and my clients, I wanted to learn how to make new habits last long-term and how to maintain a new lifestyle during life-challenging moments. The Health and Wellness Coaching program was the last piece of the puzzle.

This is how Body and Mind AVAlution was created.

 

Health is not merely the absence of disease. They go hand in hand. I want to contribute to making this world a happier place, one person at a time. 

I want to see people genuinely taking care of their physical and emotional health, feeling good about themselves and their lives.

It is worth trying, don’t you agree?

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