testimonials

If you have something to share please email us your story at one@yogapod.com

Stu : recovering from a traumatic injury

"Hi my name is Stu Loewen, I have been practicing yoga for 7 years now. I started yoga to reduce stress and improve my fitness and flexibility. However I quickly discovered a dramatic improvement, not only in my physical and mental health, but in spirit as well.

In July 2005 I had a severe mountain biking accident which burst my C1 vertebra into 3 pieces, twisted my C6&7 apart, knocked out most of my top teeth and gave me a nasty concussion. In one instant I went from flying high on my bike, to struggling to breath. Although my recovery has been a long struggle, I feel very blessed. I am improbably alive, I can breathe without a machine, I can walk, and dance, bike, and I continue to practice yoga. I credit my remarkable recovery to some great people and in no small part my yoga practice. I was amazed at my first yoga practice some 3 months after my neck was bolted back together. I was ready to lay in meditation the whole class but to my surprise, halfway through the class I found myself in dancer's pose! I discovered my body remembering, returning to a place of wellness it once knew. Yoga has given my mind tools to overcome chronic pain, it has given me friends and a community who sent me unwavering, healing energy. It has made me strong and flexible and allowed me to return to a life free of suffering, something I didn't think was possible for almost two years.

My traumatic injury allowed me to learn that all of us are struggling with something or another. The classes are filled with amazing people who use their will to become stronger, flexible, more open, and more beautiful in spirit and body, more loving in nature. I look forward to practicing beside you someday. Namaste."
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Lisa : in search of wholeness

"I have always been a seeker. The search for wholeness and a sense of belonging outside of myself created disorder in my life. Lacking hope, I began a healing journey inward. I discovered Yoga at this time which has become invaluable medicine. Yoga continues to bring me back home to the deepest parts of myself which I am either afraid to embrace or unable to express and now I have become open to receive the grace to do so. Each day I practice, I am humbled by a new lesson whether it is the recognition of a closed and critical mind; a surprise of a new found strength and its Divine Source, or a feeling that needs some loving attention. The awakening into finer details never ceases. Yoga brings to my life order where there was once chaos, choice where there was once indecision, wholeness where there was once emptiness and a place in my heart to call home. For this I am grateful."
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Miriam : finding love and acceptance

"I faintly hear the padding of our teacherís feet as she softly travels around behind her circle of students, leaving a trail of intoxicating incense the essence of which pierces my nostrils and tingles my brain. The feeling is all the pain and sorrow, happiness and tragedies, challenges and milestones in my life swirling in harmony within my head and heart. Peace in my being, not loving myself, not hating myself just accepting me, who I am and where I have been, being authentic. Something like finding that sweet spot in a yoga asana where everything is aligned physically and mentally and it is delicious.

If someone had told me ten years ago that one day I would be at a yoga retreat in the wilds of a Costa Rican resort I would have called them crazy. I was a career focused mother, a runner, hard core aerobics teacher, get out the boxing gloves and turn up the music type of person, yoga seemed so easy and bland. But life happens and I could not keep running away from those personal demons that were catching up to me, stealing my breath and creating an anxiety that had taken over the person who was always in control. Then I found Yogapod. I took my first yoga class and it was hard, very humbling for a person who many thought was on steroids and who assumed yoga was not really a work out. The seed was planted and I rediscovered my breath. I now face my demons daily on the mat, having found the courage to laugh and cry with them. I embrace the physical challenge, appreciating the sweet breath that currents throughout my body and I cannot imagine life without yoga. Yoga hasn't changed my life; it ís done better than that.It has made me appreciate my life and those I love, particularly me. My teachers and the philosophy that lie behind the practice has made me realize how I feel about myself and my loved ones. It has given me the internal confidence to break away from those whom were focused on chipping away at my authenticity; the ones I kept trying to change for, to meet their expectations, and who would not cradle my heart carefully in the palm of their hands, but rather treated my soul like silly putty. What a gift this ancient practice. That is the essence of yoga."
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Lauren : thank you

First of all, I wanted to thank you for my one year of unlimited Yoga! I must say, that I still feel quite shocked that it was my name picked out of the hat. I have to catch my breath at times when I think of all the amazing changes I have made in such a short period of time.

When I went to Yogapod for my first class I must admit that it was mainly for esthetics. I was looking for a form of exercise that I could do so that when and if I quit smoking I could get into shape again. I had been a heavy smoker for as long as I can remember and the only time I had quit in the past 20 years was during the pregnancies of my two daughters.

Anyways, after my very first hot class I was absolutely hooked. I remember going home and saying to my husband "Wow, I think that was the most exhilarating, powerful experience of my life."

So, as you know I went for it - I asked if a beginner could try the 30 day challenge and into it I ventured. On October 1, I started a smoke free life and a journey into the world of Yoga. I feel like I could write a book about the different feelings I have been experiencing. The no-smoking has been unbelievably easy with the assistance of a daily yoga class for my nicotine replacement. Yoga has given me the ability to think about myself. I am exploring thoughts and parts of my brain and body I never realized existed. I feel that's what I mean -- I FEEL -- I have been so numb for years - I am responding to my loved ones differently and amazing and wonderful things are happening to me!!

If any of your clients are smokers I definitely recommend the 30 day challenge for nicotine replacement therapy. It is so much better than most of the common alternatives available on the market. We are most familiar with - The patch and gum etc. which are usually ingesting more nicotine into an already nicotine addicted system. Believe me, I have tried them all. I know that my yoga practice will only benefit now that I am a non-smoker!

I really want to thank you both, all the staff at Yogapod and also, the energy and motivation from the other participants in each class - for directing me towards a rewarding and healthy lifestyle.
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