Meet Stacey Lei Krauss of The willPower Method in Denver Highlands

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Lei Krauss.

Stacey Lei, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a fitness professional – and I’ve created an exercise program that’s hosted in 11 countries. My instructor manual is translated into three languages. Over the past 20 years, The willPower Method has trained thousands of fitness instructors around the world – and now, I am relaunching the program in a way that will make it more accessible to the masses. When practiced with intention, this program will change the way you think, the way you move. It’s a lifestyle strategy. Later this week, I will launch the program at the most prestigious professional fitness conference in the USA: The IDEA World Fitness Conference. The program is called, simply: CARDIO YOGA.

CARDIO YOGA had an authentic, genuine conception in 2000 as a workout called willPower & grace – and has remained true to form ever since. Soon, the revitalized program will be available to fitness enthusiasts around the world: at a studio or gym near you!

My mom slid my little feet into ballet flats when I was three years old, so basically – I’ve been a mover and shaker my whole life. I progressed to modern dance, (which was mostly barefoot) as I grew older, and continued practicing dance through my University years. However, a degree in fine arts – or a career in dance was not negotiable in my family… I groomed to have a “real job” – something respectable, reliable – realistic.

As a sophomore, I started teaching aerobics in my dorm, (to burn off beer and pizza) and raise some extra cash. When I graduated with a BA in English, and no idea how to use it, I (literally) jumped into fitness gigs. After teaching and training people for five years, I realized, hands down – this would be my career. The fitness industry was blossoming – and I was changing people’s lives. I realized that I had the opportunity to help people feel good about themselves – and for me, that constituted the best career ever. One of my greatest mentors (and my boss), Mari T, reminded me daily to “make it a great day”- so I set off to make this my life.

In 1999, I moved to NYC – where the fitness industry was competitive and intense. When I landed a management job with Equinox Fitness Clubs at their 19th / Broadway location – I had no idea that my career was about to be swept away by something I could have never imagined. Equinox was a creative outlet for the most visceral and passionate movers in the city – the actors and dancers who were trying to pay rent, took the stage in the fitness setting. In New York City, teaching fitness was not so much about squats and lunges as it was entertaining people. The high bar of expectation set the standard for me to develop something wise and unique for the discerning Equinox clientele. The stage was set for greatness.

As I look back at the journey to where I am today – I can tell you that my career path has been altered by three epiphanies.

The first happened one Saturday morning in 2000. That morning, I walked to the gym to teach my class. When I arrived, I realized I’d forgotten my aerobic shoes, and would need to lead the class barefoot. No problem for a barefoot dancer… except that when my students took their shoes off, I realized that they were disconnected from their feet. I heard pounding and slapping – and realized that there was a tremendous opportunity here. Of course, Equinox was intrigued by the idea of a barefoot fitness class with purpose, so once I had their support, it all took off.

I am proud to have been sponsored as a Nike Athlete for 5 years. I’ve sat on the Fitness Advisory board for Vibram FiveFingers. I’ve consulted with and supported VIVOBarefoot shoes and XeroShoes. I’ve given hundreds of workshops and seminars about Foot Fitness and even had the honor to present workshops in India to hundreds of physiotherapists about maintaining the integrity of indigenous feet (see photo).

Other instructors and trainers took notice – they wanted to learn how and why… This began my career as a Foot Fitness Educator. Now I travel the world teaching people how to make their feet strong, coordinated and flexible.
Fit Feet? Yep – It’s the same as a fit core. Exciting and sexy? Well – not so much – but if you want to be a good athlete, if you want to have good balance, if you want to be strong from the ground up – then you need to train your feet.

The next big epiphany happened as a result of one of the most tragic days in US history. I experienced 9.11 first hand; watching from my Greenwich Village windows as the towers fell and my apartment filled with fine white dust.

On September 12, our gym was full, our classes were packed. We all knew that sweating together was healthy, and being together as a community was necessary. But in the days that followed, I found that teaching squats and lunges felt so empty compared to how we were all feeling inside. Empathically, as I watched people cry during pushups, I began connecting movement to emotion. This gave the opportunity to use their body language as a tool to work through what they were feeling. It became a form of therapy. My barefoot class, willPower & grace, had become a place for people to face their dark feelings, and reach for goals, potential, hope, and faith.

My third Ah-ha moment happened years later – in a small village in India, where I’d spent months studying under gurus of ancient knowledge – yogic philosophers. (see photo – this Baba has lived in a cave for 30 years)
As I immersed myself deep into yogic philosophy – I realized that the message that I had been developing for years, the concept of barefoot Emotional Fitness was Yoga.  The philosophy behind the body-breath-thought-emotion.

The MQ + IQ +EQ connection… it is yoga.
Yoga is a lifestyle strategy – it’s a way of coping with the dark feelings, and reaching for the light – the light or spark that makes a person who she is. Consciousness. Self. Physical posture, movement, asana, is merely a medium to help us reach this state.

My third epiphany was that all that is Yoga should be accessible for
everyone – especially fitness athletes who have connected with their bodies.
So – the package of CARDIO and yoga – helps everyone to access this connection. Yoga doesn’t need to happen in quiet meditation – in a dark room – or in stillness. Yoga should be accessed at heart-pumping moments – at powerful moments – at pivotal moments.

Cardio Yoga makes yogic philosophy… emotional fitness… available to Every Body.

Has it been a smooth road?
So many bumps.

For 20 years, CARDIO YOGA has been a passion project – not a product. The concepts behind the program are not mainstream and until recently -not supported by general consumerism.

Although it makes sense to train barefoot – mainstream media tells us that support and cushioning – a “good shoe” is necessary for sport safety. People love their shoes and are not fond of feet. How do you convince someone that something so simple, and cost-effective is GOOD for them?

Not everyone sees the deep value in a fresh new concept.

Also – mainstream media has convinced people that “harder is better” – that competition is key, Consumers love the idea of working out fast, hard and strong… it illuminates their Fight or Flight response. Helping people understand that fitness doesn’t have to hurt to work… that Rest and Digest is critical to overall wellness.

Thought my career, I’ve received a few awards for my program from the most prestigious organizations in my industry. Ive been called a trendsetter, and told that I was “ahead of my time.” Humbling, and kind – but being ahead of the curve can be brutal – when you find yourself forging the way for others. I’ve learned that there’s got to be a compromise.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I moved to Denver after living in NYC and San Francisco. When I arrived here in 2008, I called Denver a Cow Town. I love how much this city has grown up! I love that we were the FIRST to legalize marijuana – and I’m currently working on smart, thoughtful methods to use this medicinal herb to enhance exercise.

I love that we are a forward-thinking community who thrives in progress and upward growth – but are also insistent on getting out into nature and resetting. In other large cities, residents live to work – but in Denver, we work to live. In Denver, we recognize the healing power of nature – the truest source.

What I dislike about the city: CO natives have very little tolerance for our out-of-state immigrants – which feels unusually close-minded. A melting pot can be the source of creativity and inspiration.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.staceylei.com // www.cardioyoga.com
• Phone: 917-763-4499
• Email: stacey@willpowermethod.com

Image Credit:
Katie Andelman Photography – headshot: white background, full body shot (white background), headshot (blue wall background)

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.