* Testimonials *

Here is what I was talking about last week Thursday in class with regard to my personal experience with yoga...

For me, life ceased on Thursday December 10, 1998 when my life went on hold for three years. Prior to that very day, my life went 90 mph all day, every day. Then, I broke three vertebrae -- L3, L4 and L5; I broke my pelvic bones -- superior and inferior rami; I lost a kidney, had my liver spit in half, ruptured my diaphragm and ruptured my pancreas all because a woman ran the red light and t-boned my car. I couldn't eat, walk, or breathe on my own. When I was discharged from the hospital in January of 1999, I was incredibly frustrated at how physically incapacitated I was. I couldn't walk for goodness sake and I used to jog at least 5-7 miles a day, everyday. I literally had to relearn just about everything one day at a time with respiratory therapy and physical therapy. For someone who was once super active, it was spiritually stifling for me to have to move at such an unfamiliar snail pace. Nonetheless, it was imperative that I started somewhere. That was when I started my long journey of recuperating and establishing some sense of normalcy.

Three years after intense physical therapy, I felt as though my physical and emotional progress had reached a plateau; I was not (and realized that I would never be) the same as before the day of that wretched car accident. That being said, I did some research on my own and decided to try both yoga and pilates and forms of therapy. Once fully engaged in these activities and on a regular schedule, I decided to forego physical therapy and that was when I saw the results. It all has to do with breathing, minimal physical movement and maximum results.

As a working business professional and a single mother, I have a full plate of things to tailor in each given day. These days, I can actually see situations with my mind's eye before reacting and taking on what is in front of me. I feel that Yoga has been a key player in how phenomenal I feel both physically, emotionally and spiritually. I breathe, meditate, and stretch each and every fiber of my being and it makes a world of difference in how I live my life and how I feel about my life. I know not where I would be had I not done the research and taken the initiative to my well being. Yoga tailors my entirety and for this I am grateful. There are still those moments that are more challenging than others, but it's amazing to see the dichotomy between my pre-yoga days and my life now. At the end of each day, I feel myself breathe, I am thankful that I can now walk and speak and therefore know that there is certainly hope.

Now I live a balanced life, a real life.

—Irma

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Marianne about friend she brought to class: George

Just got a call from George re: last night

Said he woke up 'stiff and sore' - uh, oh, I thought, not a good sign....

that was quickly followed by how well he slept, first time he slept through the night in 2 mos., etc. He 'soreness' was a pleasant - 'I've used my muscles in a good way" sensation. Yeah! He also said how much he appreciated the attention to detail, learning about the breath, and concentration on a few stretches, learning & executing them well.

It's a new convert!!! I think he 'got it'! Congrats -

C'ya next Monday - providing his schedule holds!

—Marianne

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Dear Lu,

Here is a nice story: Yestereday at your place I took a posture which surprised and delighted me because I could tell that it would benefit my challenged sacroiliac area. I said something to you at the time--"aha, this is the one, this is the stretch I have been looking for." You said yes, this would be great for my back. I was in the posture pretty briefly although you said I could stay in it 20-30 minutes. It actually felt at the time that that posture had done something that I had tried to do myself for some time, with various twistings, turnings, and bends, but for months I had failed at it.

Immediately upon taking the posture yesterday, and ever since then, I have had no difficulty at all with my back/hip on the right side, a companion has fled who has gnawed on me for a year.. It is a phenomenon I have never experienced. The kind of thing chiropractors are supposed to do. It is truly awesome, a product of the wisdom of the body, the wisdom of Yoga, and/or your wisdom. Whatever, even a day of peace has opened my eyes further to the amazing possibilities inherent in yogic practice.

Thank you again!

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Dear Lu & Tom.....I have thoroughly enjoyed taking your classes this past month. Together you have helped me remember what I was missing in my Yoga practice.

Love Courtney

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