Yoga Instructor Cheryl Champagne Teaches Fitness Is Fun

It’s no wonder that Cheryl Champagne has loyal clients.

The international health and fitness instructor conveys a friendliness and knowledge that speaks to people both new to healthy living and those who want more depth.

She is a total package of spunky, smart and soulful.

The energetic Champagne arrives to the interview with an ease that doesn’t portray the hectic schedule of yoga instructor, personal trainer and coach. Her warmth seems to infuse everything she does and everyone she meets. 

“I've always been a people person,” Champagne said.

Champagne’s intuitiveness and empathy appeared early. At 13 years old, she volunteered to help children with developmental delays. 

“My mom used to drive me to Easter Seals, and every morning, she’d cry on the way there,” Champagne said.

When Champagne confronted her mom, she confessed she felt sorry for the clients.

“I told her, ‘They don’t need your sympathy. They need your acceptance.' "

Champagne sees that everyone has the same basic need.

“We dress ourselves in big cars, fancy clothes. But underneath, everyone is the same. Everyone wants to be liked or be loved,” Champagne said.

"Those children give that love freely, partly for their survival, but mostly because they aren’t wrapped up with all the things that we are."

Her understanding of human behavior led her to a master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology.

She worked for 20 years in corporate businesses: Wall Street, New York City government and nonprofit organizations, including a group home for developmentally delayed adults.

In 1994, a yoga class changed her life when she accompanied a co-worker to a local class.

“I didn’t know anything about yoga, but I thought why not (attend). During the class, the instructor told me that I should be an instructor,” Champagne said.

The surprising suggestion started the ball rolling to a teaching profession. Champagne studied to be a yoga instructor, and her training in subsequent wellness classes grew. 

When a 1996 car accident left Champagne in extreme physical agony, she looked for a holistic solution to the pain. She improved her strength and mobility by continuing her yoga routine, though it didn't relieve all of the problems.

“Every day, I was in pain. In one class, we were in facing downward dog position, and the instructor lightly touched my back (in two places). … The pain disappeared,” Champagne said.

"When she stopped, the pain came back. I told her, ‘I don’t know what you did, but you have to tell me right now and show me how to do it.’ It was the first time the pain was gone."

The gentle touch was a movement of Reiki, an energy technique used to promote healing.

Champagne continued her wellness training to become a Reiki master, national strength and conditioning association certified personal trainer, conscious body method coach and nutritionist.

A faculty member of The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Champagne leads workshops throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Central America.

She also developed a specialized yoga program, The 12 Steps of Yoga. The science and philosophy of the program is based on Champagne’s personal experience in the 12 Step community, intensive yoga training and addiction recovery.

“It helps release the physical tension and free the mind of past experience,” Champagne said.

Her local classes take her all over Pinellas County and include , Stretch and Flex Yoga and Nutritional Classes. She also teaches private class for those who want to focus on a specific physical need.

In group classes, she tweaks her planned routine based on the overall need in the room.

“I don't go into class with a plan and say, 'This is what we're doing; I don't care if you're 80 and can't do a headstand,' ” Champagne said.

"I can tell if people need to work on their neck and shoulders, lower back or arms. I intuit what students need."

Her Clearwater Yoga Sunset on the Beach class attracts regular students from as far as the University of South Florida area, Wesley Chapel, Westchase and Oldsmar. During tourist season, the class draws people who want a Florida twist on a healthful activity.

Regardless of the venue, Champagne combines caring and commitment with a heap of comedy. You’re almost guaranteed to have a good time. 

“It’s about sharing what you really love. It’s transforming. You better laugh, you better have fun,” Champagne said.

For information about Cheryl Champagne’s group classes and private training, visit her websites:

Cheryl Champagne

The 12 Steps of Yoga

Tampa Bay Yoga Meetup Group

Cheryl Champagne Yoga on Facebook