Ivan Pagkalou Branco do Amaral

Professional Experience

2012 to date – Heaven on Earth Centre Therapist & Teacher – Crete, Greece

Responsible for Yoga therapy, Yoga Group Classes, Massage Therapy, Thai Massage, Fitness Consulting, Fitness Coaching, Exercise Therapy. Preparation and delivery of workshops, event classes, retreats and training courses. Clients include general public and athletes (e.g. Swiss Biathlon team).

2009 to date – Ai-Chi Trainer – International

Trainer of Ai-Chi instructors, prepared by Jun Konno from Japan (creator of this system).

2007 to 2010 – Yoga Moves Trainer – UK

Trainer of Yoga Moves instructors for David Lloyds Health Clubs.

2007 to 2012 – International Presenter and Trainer Mundo Hidro – 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 (yoga & fitness) – Portugal

Yoga teacher (adults, seniors, therapy, children), Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer, Fitness Coach and Fitness developer in Figueira da Foz (BioCorpo) & Coimbra (Phive). Fitness classes include Spinning, Aquatic Fitness (pregnant, aqua therapy, seniors, deep, adults fitness, Aqua Bikes), Body Conditioning, Mind Body.

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.

 

2001 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. European Journal of Sports Sciences.

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.

Amaral I. (2013). What is Yoga. Anatoli. Agios Nikolaos Daily Newspaper.

 

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 – 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)

 

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’.

 

Education

2002 to 2005 – University of Bedfordshire – England

MSc (Research) Exercise Science

1996 to 1999 – University of Luton                                                   

BSc (Honours) (2:1) Sports & Fitness Science.

Personal & Professional Development Highlights

Spinning Clinic – Dino Pedras -2010

Hidro Bike Teacher Training – Roxana Brasil – 2010

Hidro-Therapy Training – João Douglas Gil – 2007

Ai-Chi Teacher Training (Accredited by Aqua Dynamics Institute Japan, Mundo Hidro & Aquatic Exercise Association USA)- Jun Kono (creator of this system) – 2007

Yoga Bugs Teacher Training (UK) (children’s yoga) – 2007

Summer Immersion Yoga Teacher Training – Shiva Rea & J. Bailey (60h) – The Life Centre – 2007

AEA Instructor (Aquatic Exercise Association) (international association for aquatic fitness professionals based in the USA) – 2006

Referral Programme Consultant UK – The WRIGHT Foundation – 2004

Advanced Therapeutic Thai Massage & General Thai Massage – Wat Po Thai Traditional Massage School Thailand (were Thai massage was first developed) – 2004

Anthony Robins – Mastery University (Life Mastery, Wealth Mastery, Date With Destiny, Unleash the Power Within) and Leadership Training

Association for Yoga Studies Teacher Training & Yoga Therapy (Certified by the British Wheel of Yoga and Union Européen de Yoga) – Paul Harvey – 2005 to 2011

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training – David Swenson – 2001

Pathway to Yoga Teacher Training – 2000

Body Massage & Sports Event Massage – Inter. Insti. of Health and Holistic Therapies – 2000

D32/33 City and Guilds Vocational Assessor Award – 2000

Reiki Level 1 – 1999, 2007

Coaching Level 1 Volleyball – The English volleyball Association – 1997

Transcendental Meditation – initiation in 1997

 

Personal Highlights

Ranked 7^th in Portuguese National tennis rankings (junior) – Fire Walker – Oxfam Trailwalker completing 100km leading a team in 26 hours and raising £2000 – Ironman Triathlon in Karnten (Austria) in 15h 29min – sky diving in New Zealand – my little sister’s hug – Being a father – Marrying

 

Other Skills

Fluent Speaker and Writer in Portuguese and English; Understands Spanish and French; currently learning Greek.