Feedback from Students

Below are excerpts from student emails I've received over the years.  For brevity's sake, I have only included those examples whose content might most directly support and inspire continued practice for the rest of us.

"I resonate so well with your teachings and although I don't come to class often, when I do, I feel so at home and supported."

"Our time spent togther in yin class and seated meditation has been incredibly potent and life changing.  For me it has been such a safe and beautiful introduction into the art of truly beginning to look upon myself in each moment with loving kindness, which I believe is THE essential healing balm, the answer if you will.  You've taught me how to pause and be here, and that softening my heart is possible."

"In such a crazy world it's nice to feel like there is someone out there who understands on a deeper level.  That someone is you.  Your simple teachings keep me grounded, and I will always appreciate what I have learned from you."

"Coming to your class is so important to me; it is like coming home.  I feel like I do when I am at the ocean; anywhere in the world, the ocean always means home to me - for anywhere in the world it is the same ocean.  The ocean goes through the whole of me, and every breath I take is itself eating, drinking and loving all in one.  Like this, so too does your class; it helps me feel alive.  Thank you so much."

"I don’t know how to articulate this in a way that gets at its meaning, but I want to try to express the powerful effect that you have on me.  In your classes I have moments where everything is stripped away except a simple and happy awareness of how easy and beautiful it is to live as myself."

"Your words so often speak right to the heart of what I am feeling - I've laughed and cried out loud and been challenged and reassured in classes with you - all in the same hour!  I know that the practice is mine, but your teaching has enhanced me on a deeper level.  When I need more than a full-body experience, when I need a more deeply spiritual/emotional cleansing and healing, I go to your class."

"I took your meditation class and just wanted to let you know how wonderful it was.  The experience was very powerful and I'm still thinking about it.  You have a wonderful presence and your spirit shines through - I couldn't help but be touched.  Thank you for creating the opportunity to share the experience."

“As a yoga instructor, I find you to be a wonderful balance.  All of your abstracts speak to me of intellectualism and a philosophical background and yet, you're just heady enough to get me out of mine.  Your balance helps balance my practice.  And I've heard it said a thousand times: when the student is ready, the master appears.  Perhaps you're saying nothing different than what the universe has whispered all along.  But somehow I hear you.  Thank you.  Once again. Right time, right place, right words, who will ever know.  You are doing something wonderful.”

"I've taken yoga classes before, really as a dilettante, and I've never experienced the synchronizing of body and heart in such a genuine, helpful way.  Your encouragement to bring us into the now is unexpectedly healing.  I have to say that in the last couple of your classes, I feel as if you were speaking directly to me, encouraging me (really all of us, of course) to stretch our bodies and our hearts in the here and now.  I'm just dropping this note to let you know how much I appreciate you and your class.”

"I was just remembering what you were saying about tenderness, about allowing tenderness in certain poses and about how we're all so good at being rough when the time calls, but being tender is something that is a little less familiar.  This really resonated with me and is a practice I'm working on in my life right now — allowing my soft side to shine through.   I guess I just wanted to thank you for calling a presence to such an essential quality; so thank you."

"It's probably been said many times over by those who have attended your classes, but it can stand to be said many times more.  Your class inspires me.  I cannot thank you enough.  You are right: breathing is boring; and it serves true that every time I get bored, that's exactly when something interesting seems to start happening.  The superfluous ding of everyday life in my brain starts to melt into the background, and for once I feel like I can rest.   I walk home from your class and the world feels infinite in all directions.  Thank you; everything you give is much appreciated."