Walk into one of Dr. Desi Bartlett’s classes, and the first thing you notice is how grounded the room feels. Breath slows. Shoulders drop. Movement follows rhythm instead of rush. For more than three decades, Desi has guided women through seasons of change with a blend of modern exercise science and time-honored yoga practices. Her flagship system, The BodyMind Workout, brings the two together in a way that feels intelligent, soothing, and practical all at once.

Desi’s path started with a love of movement. Ballet gave her discipline. Yoga gave her presence. A knee pain in college sent her to the gym, where strength training opened a new door. She changed her major to kinesiology and then continued. A bachelor’s degree led to a master’s degree in corporate fitness, followed by a doctorate in Kinesiology from Concordia University in St. Paul. Her doctoral research explored how yoga and clear education can ease the most common symptoms of perimenopause. That study now informs her daily work with women who seek practical tools for everyday life.

Science You Can Feel

Desi’s teaching never drifts into cold instruction. As a certified personal trainer and experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, she translates science into movement you can actually feel. The BodyMind Workout is her method for uniting yoga, fitness, and meditation in a single session. Think of it as a strength for the nervous system and the muscles at the same time. Sessions build stability, mobility, and breath awareness, then close with quiet practices that help the body integrate.

This approach lives beyond the studio. Desi has created continuing education for respected organizations, including NASM, AFAA, and Human Kinetics. She teaches annually on the staff of the University of Southern California’s Yoga Teacher Training and presents at LMU, UC San Diego, and Concordia University, St. Paul. Her work has reached global audiences through Beachbody On Demand, iFit, DailyOM, and soon BetterMe. Each platform carries the same message. Strong bodies are good. Strong inner lives are essential.

Guidance Through Each Life Stage

Desi has devoted much of her career to the moments that shape a woman’s life most. Pregnancy. New motherhood. Perimenopause. Her books reflect that devotion. Your Strong Sexy Pregnancy offers a clear path for staying fit while growing a family. Total Body Beautiful, featuring a foreword by Kate Hudson, supports women who want to feel good in body and mind after the age of thirty-five.

One of Desi’s favorite stories is also one of her simplest. She recently supported a mother moving through perimenopause while guiding the daughter through pregnancy. Two different bodies. Two different seasons. One shared language of breath and presence. That kind of multi-generational trust keeps her work personal. It also shows why so many students stay with her for years.

Innovation With Integrity

Desi sees movement as circular rather than linear, which inspired her to design the first round yoga mat in 2007. The first release did not match her quality standards, so she made the difficult choice to pull it back. She waited. She listened. Then, in 2018, she relaunched the mat during her time as Community Director for Manduka, this time with sustainable materials. It sold out multiple times, especially during the pandemic, when living rooms became sanctuaries. The lesson was clear. Do it right. Do it with care. The result will last.

Recognition That Points Back to Service

Awards have followed her steady work. In 2025, IDEA named her Fitness Leader of the Year. MSN included her in its annual ‘Health Voice of the Year’ list. Yellow Magazine included her among the fifty most inspiring people of the year. Media features have put her on ABC, NBC, Univision, Hallmark, and more than thirty podcasts. She has appeared on the covers of journals and has written for titles including Yoga Journal, Shape, and the IDEA Journal. Each accolade is a mile marker, not the destination. Desi returns again and again to the same north star—strength from the inside out.

Retreats, Courses, and a Growing Community

Beyond classes and books, Desi creates spaces where women can reset and restore. Her international retreats offer days of movement, meditation, and conversation that feel both spacious and focused. One example is the Radiant Renewal Wellness Retreat, which gives participants a supportive setting to reconnect with what matters most. Online courses and teacher trainings extend that support to women and professionals who want to keep learning at their own pace.

You will also find her sharing practical tools on her website at desibartlett.com, guiding sequences and longer practices on YouTube at youtube.com/@desibartlett, and offering everyday inspiration on Instagram at @mothersintolivingfit. The tone is always warm and clear. Try this breath. Adjust that stance. Listen to how your body responds.

The BodyMind Workout as a Daily Practice

The BodyMind Workout is not a trend. It is a repeatable framework that helps women move well and feel steady. Sessions might begin with a breath to anchor attention. Strength work follows, built around functional patterns that make daily life easier. Yoga postures lengthen what has been strengthened. Meditation and simple relaxation close the loop so the nervous system can settle. Over time, the practice helps with sleep, mood, energy, and the confidence to meet the day with a clear head.

This is especially relevant during perimenopause. Desi’s research and experience show that yoga and mindful movement can ease hot flashes, improve sleep quality, and support a healthier response to stress. The goal is not perfection. The goal is a body that feels like home.

A Simple Promise

Ask Desi what she wants women to remember, and she will keep it simple. Your body is wise. Your breath is a resource you carry everywhere. Strength is both physical and internal. When you combine those truths with consistent practice, everything else becomes more manageable.

That is the heart of The BodyMind Workout and the throughline of her career. Movement that respects the body. Education that respects the mind. Quiet that restores the spirit. It is a complete circle, and Desi has spent her life helping women step into it with confidence.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any health concerns or questions, including before starting any fitness, yoga, or wellness program, always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.