"Body Beautiful Me" Workshop - Body Yoga Berwick
Thank you to all the beautiful women who attended our workshop today. We feel very honoured to have shared 3 incredible hours with you on what was a very special afternoon. You all have so many precious gifts to share and today you broke through the blocks holding you back on your own personal journey. We “rocked” the studio, laughed on each others tummies, got out of our comfort zones, swung our hips, “ditched” our “stuff” and managed to empty the tissue box! For many of you, today is the first day of freedom and to living your life ON PURPOSE. I thank each and every one of you for entering Body Yoga’s Sacred Space and for feeling safe enough to express your inner-most feelings and fears. Thank you for contributing your beautiful energy.
…and as if we didn’t receive enough confirmation today, on arriving home and emptying my car, what did I find? ……..a white feather of course!
Maree, a very special thank you for being my “gift”. It was very unexpected and amazingly beautiful. xo
Love and Light to you all,
Namaste
Mary xo
What you had to say……….
“Mary and Luanne…… Wow! What a wonderful 3 hours… Came straight home for a sleep… Very powerful and moving….Must have been all the dancing, TEARS(yes I’ve stopped now… Haaa) and energy…I left floating and feel blessed to have shared the experience with you both and the others….. I loved hearing AS IT IS! Thank you, thank you, thank you….xxxxx ” Emma – Berwick
“Excellent Workshop” Maree – Carrum Downs
“What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I have enjoyed every minute of it. It is nice to know we are not alone.” Sue – Cranbourne East
“Thanks for a lovely day of like minded people. I felt very comfortable and will be back at the next one” Jody – Berwick
“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and are so grateful to you both for offering this to people” Nadine – Berwick
“Enjoyed the time for me and being with a great group of women” Paula – Endeavour Hills
“Fantastic learning day – hopefully the start of something new for me” Vicki – Carrum Downs
“This is something new for me and I would like to explore this option more” Judy – Mooroolbark
“To bring 16 women from all walks of life and have us connect, share, laugh, dance and cry, what a freeing, powerful experience. Thank you.” Emma – Beaconsfield
Being Me, Living Free Community Event – Beaconsfield
Yesterday, we held our “Being Me, Living Free” Community Event at the Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre, Beaconsfield. We had a wonderful show of people join us making the event a huge success. “Being Me, Living Free” was for anyone who has ever struggled with weight, body image, self esteem or confidence issues. With insight and personal stories from our guest speakers, attendees discovered tools for dealing with some of the everyday problems facing most people at some stage of their lives. Our aim was to transform how people see themselves and empower them to make healthy life choices.
What participants had to say about the event:
“Excellent spekers, liked that is wasn’t commercialised, genuinely aimed at empowering people to “be me, live free” Karen – Narre Warren
“Enlightening, heart felt and open experience. Done with LOVE” Sarah – Berwick
“It is great to see people wanting to do something about being who they are. Its great!” Siua – Mount Waverley
“Very interesting and has given me motivation to look positive towards my future” Sue – Narre Warren
“Very informative for everyone -no matter what the problem manifested by each person is” Sue – Narre Warren South
“Made me aware that you are not alone and the only one who feels the way you do” Tracey – Beaconsfield
“Well spoken, inspirational women” Mary S – Berwick
“Well done on a great community event!” Tamara – Berwick
“Enlightening, informative, uplifting” Megan – Narre Warren South
Yoga and Spinal Health at Body Yoga Berwick
Scott has been a student of yoga for many years and with severe spinal problems has found yoga the best form of therapy. (more…)
Yoga for Weight Loss at Body Yoga – An Inspirational Story
I call this “An open hearted sharing of a life story” from a lady that I believe is a true inspiration. The change in Kelly both physically and emotionally in the 2 years she has been a student of Body Yoga is transformational. Kelly not only looks fantastic and is much healthier but most importantly, she has set an example for her three gorgeous girls that anything is possible if you are dedicated. Kelly has not only embraced the true teachings of yoga but she has fully implemented into her life and now the lives of her family. This is a family of yogis that value their health and wellbeing on every level. Kelly has found her own “inner happiness” and now she shines from the inside out! (more…)
Testimonials – Body Beautiful Classes
“I first came to Body Yoga to add something new to my fitness training, WOW little did I know it would change my whole outlook on life! Yoga has taught me so much that I could write for hours but the biggest thing is the connection between mind, body and soul. I am the type of person who is always thinking about tomorrow and yoga has taught me to be in the “NOW, THIS PRESENT MOMENT”. So when my mind starts to race ahead, I often just stop, take a deep breath and remind myself to “JUST BE!” I walk out of yoga every single week feeling calm, positive and inspired in one way or another. I also feel very lucky to be able to share the gift of yoga with my children, Tayla (8) and Ava (5), who attend the kids classes. I believe my kids have been given a wonderful gift that will stay with them for life. A big thank you to Mary, Alex and Jo for your inspiration, knowledge and kindness. Both myself and my children look forward to many more years of yoga shared with you all.” Cassie -Garfield
“Combining 2 Body Yoga classes during the week has given me a great understanding of yoga and how to bring it back into my lifestyle. It helps me deal with life in such a more positive way! Thanks Body Yoga.” Frances – Narre Warren South
“I Love Body Beautiful @ Body Yoga! I love the dynamics of the Body Beautiful class moving from pose to pose with no long pauses in-between. We have a brief rest time & then it is back into another pose – I LOVE this continuous energy flow. My body perspires, my muscles stretch, every fibre of my body is energy, is happiness, I am one with the energy flow. Body Beautiful class releases any negative energy & toxins that I may have built up over the week & re energises me for the week ahead. From the warm up to the last pose, slipping under a blankie, eyes closed as we surrender to the bliss of relax/ meditation time. I have been doing yoga on & off for 25 years, I am not the most disciplined of people but Saturday mornings when the rest of the family are all snuggled up in bed I am up & eager to embrace the high energy, demanding poses of Body Beautiful. Pushing yourself to your own personal limits – no ego, no competition – we are all at varying stages of our yoga journeys, like minded people coming together to bend & stretch, perspire, grow & breathe, breathe, breathe. Thank you Body Yoga for sharing your passion for Yoga.” Megan – Narre Warren
Boost Your Immune System – Workshop at Body Yoga Berwick
Today a group of like-minded women from as far as Endeavour Hills, Devon Meadows, Dandenong South and of course our locals from Berwick and Narre Warren, gathered in Berwick at the Body Yoga Studio to enjoy each others company whilst also gaining an insight into their own health and well being.
Thank you to everyone who attended and a very BIG thank you to Nicola from Thrive Health and Wellbeing for being our guest today. Nicola presented an informative session with plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions. Nicola gave us an insight into the energetics of the Winter season and how this affects us emotionally and physically. She also provided information on how we can better support ourselves during this introspective time of year and we left armed with recipes and tea to make anyone feel warm and vibrant! Thank you Nicola!
A great way to spend a cold, wet morning with a great group of ladies. This is what some of them had to say:
“I loved this Satsang. I learned lots and am going away armed with information to help make a few more changes to the way I live – keep the Satsangs coming.” Jeannie – Belgrave South (I sure will Jeannie! )
“Very informative, friendly atmosphere, positive messages – a pleasure as always.” Deb – Endeavour Hills
“Love Body Yoga!” Hillary – Berwick (…….me too Hillary 
)
“Very informative. I am inspired to try some new yummy recipies to increase my family’s immune system.” Nerine – Harkaway
Testimonials – Kids Yoga
Yoga eases kids fears during the storm
I recently had one of the Mums share a beautiful story with me about how her girls used what they have learnt in their Body Yoga Kids classes to calm themselves during the recent storms we had. This is their story – written by Tayla (8-12yo class) and Ava (5-8 class).
“Last Wednesday night there was a big storm, we were very scared and we were crying. Mum thought we should do some savasana in bed to calm down. We hopped into Ava’s bed together, mum put on our meditation cd and then we asked mum to tell us a storey about putting all our bad thoughts into a balloon, holding the string tight and then letting it go so that the balloon would float away with all our bad thoughts in it. Then we imagined a beautiful rainbow and now we felt happy and calm so we could go to sleep! ” Tayla and Ava - Berwick
October 2010 Kids 8-12 year old yoga class
When asked what yoga meant to them, this is what some of the replies were:
“Yoga means to me patience and relaxation. It calms me down whenever I am stressed or worried about something. When I come to yoga all the problems or things I am worried about go away. What I like about yoga is experiencing the poses and getting to share anything that is on my mind that I need help with. I love yoga! It’s the best!” Caitlin 10 yo – Narre Warren
“Yoga means to me nice and relaxing. I have improved by going to sleep at 2.00am and now I am getting to sleep at 9.30pm.” Shaylyn 8yo- Pakenham
“Yoga is very fun and relaxing. It helps me with my breathing and if I have a problem yoga calms me down. In yoga you do lots of poses that are fun and the relaxing at the end of class is really beautiful” Sarah 10 yo – Narre Warren
“It means to me I can sleep better. My favourite thing to do is play games for example playing on the ropes!” Tess 8yo – Upper Beaconsfield
“To me, yoga is my time to relax and just be myself. Yoga is very special to me and it helps me a lot, seeing that I play a lot of sports. It relaxes and soothes your muscles and most of all I LOVE IT! “ Grace 12yo – Berwick
Testimonials
“I first came to body yoga to add something new to my fitness training, WOW little did I know it would change my whole outlook on life! Yoga has taught me so much that I could write for hours but the biggest thing is the connection between mind, body and soul. I am the type of person who is always thinking about tomorrow and yoga has taught me to be in the “NOW, THIS PRESENT MOMENT”. So when my mind starts to race ahead, I often just stop, take a deep breath and remind myself to “JUST BE!” I walk out of yoga every single week feeling calm, positive and inspired in one way or another. I also feel very lucky to be able to share the gift of yoga with my children, Tayla (8) and Ava (5), who attend the kids classes. I believe my kids have been given a wonderful gift that will stay with them for life. A big thank you to Mary, Alex and Jo for your inspiration, knowledge and kindness. Both myself and my children look forward to many more years of yoga shared with you all.” Cassie -Garfield
“My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed.” Amanda – Berwick
Testimonials – Beginner Yoga Classes
“Yoga is a journey – A journey that allows you to attain a balance between body, mind and spirit. Body Yoga provides the perfect infrastructure for this. Mary and the team provide an idyllic setting, which allows for independent development, mentored guidance and a sense of belonging. As you continue along this journey, you come to the realisation that no two people share the same path or destination. Yoga is a highly individual practice and this is reflected by the high level of attention provided to each student. Mary is highly experienced, passionate and knowledgeable. She is dedicated to enhancing YOUR yoga experience. Immersing yourself in her positivity, energy and enthusiasm allows you to enhance every yoga practice. She is simply amazing! On a personal level, yoga has been a form of renaissance – A chance to start again. To approach life with a new-found attitude, perspective and resolve. To learn to live in the present, and not burden myself with events of the past or future. Yoga has also allowed me to discover the notion of contentment – Of being satisfied. In a society where government propaganda, bias media and cunning marketing continuously bombards us, this can be difficult to attain. I do not believe I have experienced this in its fullest form, however I do believe yoga is taking me on a journey towards it. Finally, from a physical perspective, yoga has proved to be challenging, revitalising and calming. Having a background in strength training and physiotherapy has not made the workouts easy – Mary definitely knows how to get the blood flowing! With every pose comes a surge of positive energy. The variety of poses, use of props and fine tuning of technique ensures all levels of ability are catered for. I leave class feeling rejuvenated in body, mind and spirit. I can’t thank Body Yoga enough. I am so fortunate to be able to engage in such an enlightening experience.” Mitchell – Endeavour Hills
“I joined Body Yoga with a friend to support her desire to ”give it a go”, little did I know how much I would enjoy it, and how transformational it could be. Mary and her team provide a purpose built environment that is welcoming, and truly designed for every body. From my initial 8 week session, I found I had increased flexibility and was able to try things I never imagined my body could achieve. It aided my weight loss and helped me become pain free after years of pain in my back, hips and knees. I have tried other places but never felt as welcomed and at home as I do at Body yoga, the teachers are amazing. With ongoing involvement, I’ve found an increase to my overall health and wellbeing and amazing increase in flexibility and core strength, muscle definition I couldn’t achieve with weights. I also have a level of balance and I’m learning the skills to managing stress in both my home and work life. Highly recommended kids Yoga classes too!” Kelly – Berwick
“I would highly recommend Mary’s yoga class to everyone. The only way for me to properly de-stress from a hectic day is to visit Mary’s peaceful studio and leave the world behind me. Mary puts a lot of energy into understanding each and every students needs and guides you every step of the way. I personally have really tight hamstrings, which have loosened easily and effortlessly with Mary’s guidance. It is truly incredible how something so soothing as yoga practice can tone and strengthen your body and re-energise your thoughts whilst having such a great time. My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed. I have been a member for over 2.5 years 
” Amanda – Berwick
“Thank you for last night’s Yoga session. I really enjoyed it. Sometimes I get frustrated when my knee or my hip don’t work the way I want them to and I do appreciate the way you always accommodate for those of us who have body restrictions. Last night I could pretty much do all the positions which was great and some of them were quite difficult. I am feeling that my body is becoming more flexible as I do try to do some of the positions at home, especially if I’m feeling stressed.” Joanne – Berwick
“Body Yoga is fantastic. After years in a desk job I have found yoga to be the key to unlocking all the built up tension which has caused me much pain and suffering. As my body has become more flexible so too has my mind and this has had positive effects on all aspects of my life. As a mum to two small children the studio has become my place to come and have some “me” time and I saviour every minute! The teachers are very passionate and knowledgable about yoga which I find very inspiring. The studio is purpose built with ropes on the walls for supported poses and all the equipment such as bolsters, blankets, mats, chairs etc. is provided. Highly recommend.” Lisa – Narre Warren
“I have been attending Body Yoga for over 2 yrs now…and found it t be the best yoga workshop I have ever been to, a bit sceptical on trying it out as I had tried yoga before and found it very slow and boring, however with Body Yoga it was a complete surprise at how much I enjoyed it!….Let’s just say I have a new found love of yoga and love the fact that each class is so different from the last class, variety is my fortei as it keeps me interested and it is definitely delivered with Body Yoga, my aches and pains have disappeared and my flexibility and body tone, and muscle strength has been amazing. I love the atmosphere at Body Yoga as it is very warm and inviting, somewhere you feel completely comfortable and a feeling of belonging! I thank Body Yoga for the amazing gift it continues to give me!”
“I am a Personal Trainer who always loved the ‘runners’ high. I could never tear myself away from a good cardio session. As I have gotten older and started a family of my own, I desired a calmer option to go along with all the ‘hyperactivity’ in my life. I had been to a few different yoga studios but I just couldn’t find the one that was right for me. I had almost given up on the idea of yoga until I decided to try a class at Body Yoga. To my surprise, I left that class feeling tall (which is great considering I am short!), refreshed and challenged all at the same time. I don’t think I had ever felt so peaceful and I went home on a different kind of high. After that class I was able to tackle my duties for the day with a clear mind and a calm body. As a result, I did what I had to do with more clarity which gave me better results. Now, I look forward to yoga every week. It’s MY time and it’s the one time I don’t have to be anyone. When I am at yoga, I just am.” Wendy – Berwick
“I have tried a few different yoga teachers and schools but Body Yoga is by far the best. The teachers are caring and passionate about Yoga, the studio is customised including ropes for supported poses and the ambience is peaceful and tranquil – my little escape from the world!”
“Yoga has been a god send – no more siatic pain (or if there is I know how to fix it), even my arthritic toe is not troubling me. Thank you so very much for your enthusiasm and energy in classes.” Lyn – Berwick
“Over the last few years I’ve been on a journey. A journey to health and well being that I never would have imagined would have led me to where I am today, but I suppose that is why I always call it my journey, I wasn’t sure of the destination, I just knew I had to head somewhere different to where I had been for so long. I often joke that I was born 11 pound 9 ounces and never had a chance! i was overweight as a child, throughout my adolescence and into adulthood. I had times of strict or crash dieting, but I never focused on health. Ironically I’m a health professional in my career, but I never related my state of un health to that of a patient I had cared for or the knowledge I’d obtained throughout the years. After the birth of my second child I considered many drastic measures to control my weight, I tipped the scales at 145 kgs! I lost 10 kgs by starving myself but that wasn’t fun, I love food! All of the options I considered required surgical interventions and rapid lifestyle changes. With this in mind I decided to give diet and exercise one last go. I committed whole heartedly to the Weight Watchers program, but focused purely on being healthier, I didn’t call it a diet, but a new lifestyle. As the kilos dropped off I started to look at doing things that I hadn’t done before. I tried water skiing, running! and became more involved in life. After losing 40 kgs we found that we were having a gorgeous third child (due to my healthier lifestyle) after her birth I was right on track and heading towards a healthy weight range. When I had about 20 kgs to go, a close girlfriend suggested Yoga and I had a chuckle. I thought it was for skinny girls and fit people but decided with my “try new things” focus, I shouldn’t say no. I was amazed at how welcoming Body Yoga was, there was people of all shapes and sizes there, and it was so non competitive and non judgemental. I signed up for 8 weeks and thought I’d support my friend and give it a go. Each week I learnt something about myself, how my body responded to the movements, how I could focus on nothing at all, and really take a moment just to be. I was amazed at how vibrant and healthy I felt and I could see myself improve each and every week. Mary helped me to put things into perspective with her wise words about patience and ego, I I feel I’ve learnt more about myself in the two years I’ve been attending yoga than the 38 years that came before it! I made it to goal and have maintained my weight loss for over 12 months (over 56 kgs gone). I have three gorgeous girls who now have a healthy Mum that role models health and well being, and yes they all go to yoga too! I even convinced my husband to join in and he’s seen a reduction in back problems. I feel my body has aligned itself and I no longer regularly suffer from back and hip pain, in fact I’m pain free every day. My journey of weight loss became a journey of health and well being through the guidance and support of Body Yoga, I never expected the added benefits of a clearer mind, positive thought and patience. I always say I’m a calmer Mummy because of yoga and I’m always so keen to tell anyone who’ll listen the wonderful virtues of Body Yoga and the benefits I’ve gained from being there.” Kelly – Berwick
“I personally feel very privileged to have had such a good grounding to yoga over the years. You have brought a whole new perspective to the way I feel about myself and my outlook on life, which seems to have been a natural progression to how I physically benefit.” Cathy – Beaconsfield
Testimonials – Gentle/Restorative Yoga Classes
I have a chronic illness which causes debilitating pain both physically and mentally, that is until I went to Body Yoga at Berwick. I can’t believe the relief I have experienced under the guidance and care of the Body Yoga teachers. I was born with this disease and I am now 50 yrs old and this is the first time in my life that I have experienced relief and more movement. I truly believe that the care and attention that the Body Yoga Teachers provide is giving me a new lease on life. For the first time I feel excited about my health and the better quality of life that Body Yoga are offering me, I know I now have a choice. These women are truly gifted and extremely dedicated to improving our health both physically and mentally. I cannot express to you the peace ones experiences during a yoga session and afterwards. My body and mind feels renewed. Now that I am experiencing more movement and less pain I find I feel more motivated in life in general. I can highly recommend Body Yoga at Berwick for those of you who need special care and attention. Come along on a Tuesday morning at 11.am and experience relief for yourself, you will know who I am because I will be the woman with a huge smile on my face Hope to see you there. ps: You will love Mary’s yoga room, it’s warm and very comfortable, and you feel like you have just entered a space just for yourself, its true time out……. Naomi – Pakenham Upper
“I am forever grateful to Body Yoga. After years of suffering sciatic pain I have been set free!! After only 12 months of Yoga I have many more pain free days. On the days of pain I know what stretching works to relieve it. It has also relieved the pain in my arthritic joints (old age is a terrible thing). Never think you are too old for yoga – if a mid 50s woman can do it – anyone can. I have also discovered an inner peace and if I get too tense I just go to the breath and then things don’t seem so bad. I have renewed energy and am now embracing all the things I have put off while raising my children. Thank you so very much.” Lyn – Berwick
Body Yoga Berwick – Yoga for Bunions
Yoga can help so many common foot complaints just by “waking the feet up” and being more aware of how we stand. As this Body Yoga student discovered, years of living with painful bunions is now a thing of the past! (more…)
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Being Me, Living Free Community Event – Beaconsfield
Yesterday, we held our “Being Me, Living Free” Community Event at the Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre, Beaconsfield. We had a wonderful show of people join us making the event a huge success. “Being Me, Living Free” was for anyone who has ever struggled with weight, body image, self esteem or confidence issues. With insight and personal stories from our guest speakers, attendees discovered tools for dealing with some of the everyday problems facing most people at some stage of their lives. Our aim was to transform how people see themselves and empower them to make healthy life choices.
What participants had to say about the event:
“Excellent spekers, liked that is wasn’t commercialised, genuinely aimed at empowering people to “be me, live free” Karen – Narre Warren
“Enlightening, heart felt and open experience. Done with LOVE” Sarah – Berwick
“It is great to see people wanting to do something about being who they are. Its great!” Siua – Mount Waverley
“Very interesting and has given me motivation to look positive towards my future” Sue – Narre Warren
“Very informative for everyone -no matter what the problem manifested by each person is” Sue – Narre Warren South
“Made me aware that you are not alone and the only one who feels the way you do” Tracey – Beaconsfield
“Well spoken, inspirational women” Mary S – Berwick
“Well done on a great community event!” Tamara – Berwick
“Enlightening, informative, uplifting” Megan – Narre Warren South
Yoga and Spinal Health at Body Yoga Berwick
Scott has been a student of yoga for many years and with severe spinal problems has found yoga the best form of therapy. (more…)
Yoga for Weight Loss at Body Yoga – An Inspirational Story
I call this “An open hearted sharing of a life story” from a lady that I believe is a true inspiration. The change in Kelly both physically and emotionally in the 2 years she has been a student of Body Yoga is transformational. Kelly not only looks fantastic and is much healthier but most importantly, she has set an example for her three gorgeous girls that anything is possible if you are dedicated. Kelly has not only embraced the true teachings of yoga but she has fully implemented into her life and now the lives of her family. This is a family of yogis that value their health and wellbeing on every level. Kelly has found her own “inner happiness” and now she shines from the inside out! (more…)
Testimonials – Body Beautiful Classes
“I first came to Body Yoga to add something new to my fitness training, WOW little did I know it would change my whole outlook on life! Yoga has taught me so much that I could write for hours but the biggest thing is the connection between mind, body and soul. I am the type of person who is always thinking about tomorrow and yoga has taught me to be in the “NOW, THIS PRESENT MOMENT”. So when my mind starts to race ahead, I often just stop, take a deep breath and remind myself to “JUST BE!” I walk out of yoga every single week feeling calm, positive and inspired in one way or another. I also feel very lucky to be able to share the gift of yoga with my children, Tayla (8) and Ava (5), who attend the kids classes. I believe my kids have been given a wonderful gift that will stay with them for life. A big thank you to Mary, Alex and Jo for your inspiration, knowledge and kindness. Both myself and my children look forward to many more years of yoga shared with you all.” Cassie -Garfield
“Combining 2 Body Yoga classes during the week has given me a great understanding of yoga and how to bring it back into my lifestyle. It helps me deal with life in such a more positive way! Thanks Body Yoga.” Frances – Narre Warren South
“I Love Body Beautiful @ Body Yoga! I love the dynamics of the Body Beautiful class moving from pose to pose with no long pauses in-between. We have a brief rest time & then it is back into another pose – I LOVE this continuous energy flow. My body perspires, my muscles stretch, every fibre of my body is energy, is happiness, I am one with the energy flow. Body Beautiful class releases any negative energy & toxins that I may have built up over the week & re energises me for the week ahead. From the warm up to the last pose, slipping under a blankie, eyes closed as we surrender to the bliss of relax/ meditation time. I have been doing yoga on & off for 25 years, I am not the most disciplined of people but Saturday mornings when the rest of the family are all snuggled up in bed I am up & eager to embrace the high energy, demanding poses of Body Beautiful. Pushing yourself to your own personal limits – no ego, no competition – we are all at varying stages of our yoga journeys, like minded people coming together to bend & stretch, perspire, grow & breathe, breathe, breathe. Thank you Body Yoga for sharing your passion for Yoga.” Megan – Narre Warren
Boost Your Immune System – Workshop at Body Yoga Berwick
Today a group of like-minded women from as far as Endeavour Hills, Devon Meadows, Dandenong South and of course our locals from Berwick and Narre Warren, gathered in Berwick at the Body Yoga Studio to enjoy each others company whilst also gaining an insight into their own health and well being.
Thank you to everyone who attended and a very BIG thank you to Nicola from Thrive Health and Wellbeing for being our guest today. Nicola presented an informative session with plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions. Nicola gave us an insight into the energetics of the Winter season and how this affects us emotionally and physically. She also provided information on how we can better support ourselves during this introspective time of year and we left armed with recipes and tea to make anyone feel warm and vibrant! Thank you Nicola!
A great way to spend a cold, wet morning with a great group of ladies. This is what some of them had to say:
“I loved this Satsang. I learned lots and am going away armed with information to help make a few more changes to the way I live – keep the Satsangs coming.” Jeannie – Belgrave South (I sure will Jeannie! )
“Very informative, friendly atmosphere, positive messages – a pleasure as always.” Deb – Endeavour Hills
“Love Body Yoga!” Hillary – Berwick (…….me too Hillary )
“Very informative. I am inspired to try some new yummy recipies to increase my family’s immune system.” Nerine – Harkaway
Testimonials – Kids Yoga
Yoga eases kids fears during the storm
I recently had one of the Mums share a beautiful story with me about how her girls used what they have learnt in their Body Yoga Kids classes to calm themselves during the recent storms we had. This is their story – written by Tayla (8-12yo class) and Ava (5-8 class).
“Last Wednesday night there was a big storm, we were very scared and we were crying. Mum thought we should do some savasana in bed to calm down. We hopped into Ava’s bed together, mum put on our meditation cd and then we asked mum to tell us a storey about putting all our bad thoughts into a balloon, holding the string tight and then letting it go so that the balloon would float away with all our bad thoughts in it. Then we imagined a beautiful rainbow and now we felt happy and calm so we could go to sleep! ” Tayla and Ava - Berwick
October 2010 Kids 8-12 year old yoga class
When asked what yoga meant to them, this is what some of the replies were:
“Yoga means to me patience and relaxation. It calms me down whenever I am stressed or worried about something. When I come to yoga all the problems or things I am worried about go away. What I like about yoga is experiencing the poses and getting to share anything that is on my mind that I need help with. I love yoga! It’s the best!” Caitlin 10 yo – Narre Warren
“Yoga means to me nice and relaxing. I have improved by going to sleep at 2.00am and now I am getting to sleep at 9.30pm.” Shaylyn 8yo- Pakenham
“Yoga is very fun and relaxing. It helps me with my breathing and if I have a problem yoga calms me down. In yoga you do lots of poses that are fun and the relaxing at the end of class is really beautiful” Sarah 10 yo – Narre Warren
“It means to me I can sleep better. My favourite thing to do is play games for example playing on the ropes!” Tess 8yo – Upper Beaconsfield
“To me, yoga is my time to relax and just be myself. Yoga is very special to me and it helps me a lot, seeing that I play a lot of sports. It relaxes and soothes your muscles and most of all I LOVE IT! “ Grace 12yo – Berwick
Testimonials
“I first came to body yoga to add something new to my fitness training, WOW little did I know it would change my whole outlook on life! Yoga has taught me so much that I could write for hours but the biggest thing is the connection between mind, body and soul. I am the type of person who is always thinking about tomorrow and yoga has taught me to be in the “NOW, THIS PRESENT MOMENT”. So when my mind starts to race ahead, I often just stop, take a deep breath and remind myself to “JUST BE!” I walk out of yoga every single week feeling calm, positive and inspired in one way or another. I also feel very lucky to be able to share the gift of yoga with my children, Tayla (8) and Ava (5), who attend the kids classes. I believe my kids have been given a wonderful gift that will stay with them for life. A big thank you to Mary, Alex and Jo for your inspiration, knowledge and kindness. Both myself and my children look forward to many more years of yoga shared with you all.” Cassie -Garfield
“My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed.” Amanda – Berwick
Testimonials – Beginner Yoga Classes
“Yoga is a journey – A journey that allows you to attain a balance between body, mind and spirit. Body Yoga provides the perfect infrastructure for this. Mary and the team provide an idyllic setting, which allows for independent development, mentored guidance and a sense of belonging. As you continue along this journey, you come to the realisation that no two people share the same path or destination. Yoga is a highly individual practice and this is reflected by the high level of attention provided to each student. Mary is highly experienced, passionate and knowledgeable. She is dedicated to enhancing YOUR yoga experience. Immersing yourself in her positivity, energy and enthusiasm allows you to enhance every yoga practice. She is simply amazing! On a personal level, yoga has been a form of renaissance – A chance to start again. To approach life with a new-found attitude, perspective and resolve. To learn to live in the present, and not burden myself with events of the past or future. Yoga has also allowed me to discover the notion of contentment – Of being satisfied. In a society where government propaganda, bias media and cunning marketing continuously bombards us, this can be difficult to attain. I do not believe I have experienced this in its fullest form, however I do believe yoga is taking me on a journey towards it. Finally, from a physical perspective, yoga has proved to be challenging, revitalising and calming. Having a background in strength training and physiotherapy has not made the workouts easy – Mary definitely knows how to get the blood flowing! With every pose comes a surge of positive energy. The variety of poses, use of props and fine tuning of technique ensures all levels of ability are catered for. I leave class feeling rejuvenated in body, mind and spirit. I can’t thank Body Yoga enough. I am so fortunate to be able to engage in such an enlightening experience.” Mitchell – Endeavour Hills
“I joined Body Yoga with a friend to support her desire to ”give it a go”, little did I know how much I would enjoy it, and how transformational it could be. Mary and her team provide a purpose built environment that is welcoming, and truly designed for every body. From my initial 8 week session, I found I had increased flexibility and was able to try things I never imagined my body could achieve. It aided my weight loss and helped me become pain free after years of pain in my back, hips and knees. I have tried other places but never felt as welcomed and at home as I do at Body yoga, the teachers are amazing. With ongoing involvement, I’ve found an increase to my overall health and wellbeing and amazing increase in flexibility and core strength, muscle definition I couldn’t achieve with weights. I also have a level of balance and I’m learning the skills to managing stress in both my home and work life. Highly recommended kids Yoga classes too!” Kelly – Berwick
“I would highly recommend Mary’s yoga class to everyone. The only way for me to properly de-stress from a hectic day is to visit Mary’s peaceful studio and leave the world behind me. Mary puts a lot of energy into understanding each and every students needs and guides you every step of the way. I personally have really tight hamstrings, which have loosened easily and effortlessly with Mary’s guidance. It is truly incredible how something so soothing as yoga practice can tone and strengthen your body and re-energise your thoughts whilst having such a great time. My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed. I have been a member for over 2.5 years ” Amanda – Berwick
“Thank you for last night’s Yoga session. I really enjoyed it. Sometimes I get frustrated when my knee or my hip don’t work the way I want them to and I do appreciate the way you always accommodate for those of us who have body restrictions. Last night I could pretty much do all the positions which was great and some of them were quite difficult. I am feeling that my body is becoming more flexible as I do try to do some of the positions at home, especially if I’m feeling stressed.” Joanne – Berwick
“Body Yoga is fantastic. After years in a desk job I have found yoga to be the key to unlocking all the built up tension which has caused me much pain and suffering. As my body has become more flexible so too has my mind and this has had positive effects on all aspects of my life. As a mum to two small children the studio has become my place to come and have some “me” time and I saviour every minute! The teachers are very passionate and knowledgable about yoga which I find very inspiring. The studio is purpose built with ropes on the walls for supported poses and all the equipment such as bolsters, blankets, mats, chairs etc. is provided. Highly recommend.” Lisa – Narre Warren
“I have been attending Body Yoga for over 2 yrs now…and found it t be the best yoga workshop I have ever been to, a bit sceptical on trying it out as I had tried yoga before and found it very slow and boring, however with Body Yoga it was a complete surprise at how much I enjoyed it!….Let’s just say I have a new found love of yoga and love the fact that each class is so different from the last class, variety is my fortei as it keeps me interested and it is definitely delivered with Body Yoga, my aches and pains have disappeared and my flexibility and body tone, and muscle strength has been amazing. I love the atmosphere at Body Yoga as it is very warm and inviting, somewhere you feel completely comfortable and a feeling of belonging! I thank Body Yoga for the amazing gift it continues to give me!”
“I am a Personal Trainer who always loved the ‘runners’ high. I could never tear myself away from a good cardio session. As I have gotten older and started a family of my own, I desired a calmer option to go along with all the ‘hyperactivity’ in my life. I had been to a few different yoga studios but I just couldn’t find the one that was right for me. I had almost given up on the idea of yoga until I decided to try a class at Body Yoga. To my surprise, I left that class feeling tall (which is great considering I am short!), refreshed and challenged all at the same time. I don’t think I had ever felt so peaceful and I went home on a different kind of high. After that class I was able to tackle my duties for the day with a clear mind and a calm body. As a result, I did what I had to do with more clarity which gave me better results. Now, I look forward to yoga every week. It’s MY time and it’s the one time I don’t have to be anyone. When I am at yoga, I just am.” Wendy – Berwick
“I have tried a few different yoga teachers and schools but Body Yoga is by far the best. The teachers are caring and passionate about Yoga, the studio is customised including ropes for supported poses and the ambience is peaceful and tranquil – my little escape from the world!”
“Yoga has been a god send – no more siatic pain (or if there is I know how to fix it), even my arthritic toe is not troubling me. Thank you so very much for your enthusiasm and energy in classes.” Lyn – Berwick
“Over the last few years I’ve been on a journey. A journey to health and well being that I never would have imagined would have led me to where I am today, but I suppose that is why I always call it my journey, I wasn’t sure of the destination, I just knew I had to head somewhere different to where I had been for so long. I often joke that I was born 11 pound 9 ounces and never had a chance! i was overweight as a child, throughout my adolescence and into adulthood. I had times of strict or crash dieting, but I never focused on health. Ironically I’m a health professional in my career, but I never related my state of un health to that of a patient I had cared for or the knowledge I’d obtained throughout the years. After the birth of my second child I considered many drastic measures to control my weight, I tipped the scales at 145 kgs! I lost 10 kgs by starving myself but that wasn’t fun, I love food! All of the options I considered required surgical interventions and rapid lifestyle changes. With this in mind I decided to give diet and exercise one last go. I committed whole heartedly to the Weight Watchers program, but focused purely on being healthier, I didn’t call it a diet, but a new lifestyle. As the kilos dropped off I started to look at doing things that I hadn’t done before. I tried water skiing, running! and became more involved in life. After losing 40 kgs we found that we were having a gorgeous third child (due to my healthier lifestyle) after her birth I was right on track and heading towards a healthy weight range. When I had about 20 kgs to go, a close girlfriend suggested Yoga and I had a chuckle. I thought it was for skinny girls and fit people but decided with my “try new things” focus, I shouldn’t say no. I was amazed at how welcoming Body Yoga was, there was people of all shapes and sizes there, and it was so non competitive and non judgemental. I signed up for 8 weeks and thought I’d support my friend and give it a go. Each week I learnt something about myself, how my body responded to the movements, how I could focus on nothing at all, and really take a moment just to be. I was amazed at how vibrant and healthy I felt and I could see myself improve each and every week. Mary helped me to put things into perspective with her wise words about patience and ego, I I feel I’ve learnt more about myself in the two years I’ve been attending yoga than the 38 years that came before it! I made it to goal and have maintained my weight loss for over 12 months (over 56 kgs gone). I have three gorgeous girls who now have a healthy Mum that role models health and well being, and yes they all go to yoga too! I even convinced my husband to join in and he’s seen a reduction in back problems. I feel my body has aligned itself and I no longer regularly suffer from back and hip pain, in fact I’m pain free every day. My journey of weight loss became a journey of health and well being through the guidance and support of Body Yoga, I never expected the added benefits of a clearer mind, positive thought and patience. I always say I’m a calmer Mummy because of yoga and I’m always so keen to tell anyone who’ll listen the wonderful virtues of Body Yoga and the benefits I’ve gained from being there.” Kelly – Berwick
“I personally feel very privileged to have had such a good grounding to yoga over the years. You have brought a whole new perspective to the way I feel about myself and my outlook on life, which seems to have been a natural progression to how I physically benefit.” Cathy – Beaconsfield
Testimonials – Gentle/Restorative Yoga Classes
I have a chronic illness which causes debilitating pain both physically and mentally, that is until I went to Body Yoga at Berwick. I can’t believe the relief I have experienced under the guidance and care of the Body Yoga teachers. I was born with this disease and I am now 50 yrs old and this is the first time in my life that I have experienced relief and more movement. I truly believe that the care and attention that the Body Yoga Teachers provide is giving me a new lease on life. For the first time I feel excited about my health and the better quality of life that Body Yoga are offering me, I know I now have a choice. These women are truly gifted and extremely dedicated to improving our health both physically and mentally. I cannot express to you the peace ones experiences during a yoga session and afterwards. My body and mind feels renewed. Now that I am experiencing more movement and less pain I find I feel more motivated in life in general. I can highly recommend Body Yoga at Berwick for those of you who need special care and attention. Come along on a Tuesday morning at 11.am and experience relief for yourself, you will know who I am because I will be the woman with a huge smile on my face Hope to see you there. ps: You will love Mary’s yoga room, it’s warm and very comfortable, and you feel like you have just entered a space just for yourself, its true time out……. Naomi – Pakenham Upper
“I am forever grateful to Body Yoga. After years of suffering sciatic pain I have been set free!! After only 12 months of Yoga I have many more pain free days. On the days of pain I know what stretching works to relieve it. It has also relieved the pain in my arthritic joints (old age is a terrible thing). Never think you are too old for yoga – if a mid 50s woman can do it – anyone can. I have also discovered an inner peace and if I get too tense I just go to the breath and then things don’t seem so bad. I have renewed energy and am now embracing all the things I have put off while raising my children. Thank you so very much.” Lyn – Berwick
Body Yoga Berwick – Yoga for Bunions
Yoga can help so many common foot complaints just by “waking the feet up” and being more aware of how we stand. As this Body Yoga student discovered, years of living with painful bunions is now a thing of the past! (more…)
Want to Use any Articles belonging to Body Yoga?
Yoga for Weight Loss at Body Yoga – An Inspirational Story
I call this “An open hearted sharing of a life story” from a lady that I believe is a true inspiration. The change in Kelly both physically and emotionally in the 2 years she has been a student of Body Yoga is transformational. Kelly not only looks fantastic and is much healthier but most importantly, she has set an example for her three gorgeous girls that anything is possible if you are dedicated. Kelly has not only embraced the true teachings of yoga but she has fully implemented into her life and now the lives of her family. This is a family of yogis that value their health and wellbeing on every level. Kelly has found her own “inner happiness” and now she shines from the inside out! (more…)
Testimonials – Body Beautiful Classes
“I first came to Body Yoga to add something new to my fitness training, WOW little did I know it would change my whole outlook on life! Yoga has taught me so much that I could write for hours but the biggest thing is the connection between mind, body and soul. I am the type of person who is always thinking about tomorrow and yoga has taught me to be in the “NOW, THIS PRESENT MOMENT”. So when my mind starts to race ahead, I often just stop, take a deep breath and remind myself to “JUST BE!” I walk out of yoga every single week feeling calm, positive and inspired in one way or another. I also feel very lucky to be able to share the gift of yoga with my children, Tayla (8) and Ava (5), who attend the kids classes. I believe my kids have been given a wonderful gift that will stay with them for life. A big thank you to Mary, Alex and Jo for your inspiration, knowledge and kindness. Both myself and my children look forward to many more years of yoga shared with you all.” Cassie -Garfield
“Combining 2 Body Yoga classes during the week has given me a great understanding of yoga and how to bring it back into my lifestyle. It helps me deal with life in such a more positive way! Thanks Body Yoga.” Frances – Narre Warren South
“I Love Body Beautiful @ Body Yoga! I love the dynamics of the Body Beautiful class moving from pose to pose with no long pauses in-between. We have a brief rest time & then it is back into another pose – I LOVE this continuous energy flow. My body perspires, my muscles stretch, every fibre of my body is energy, is happiness, I am one with the energy flow. Body Beautiful class releases any negative energy & toxins that I may have built up over the week & re energises me for the week ahead. From the warm up to the last pose, slipping under a blankie, eyes closed as we surrender to the bliss of relax/ meditation time. I have been doing yoga on & off for 25 years, I am not the most disciplined of people but Saturday mornings when the rest of the family are all snuggled up in bed I am up & eager to embrace the high energy, demanding poses of Body Beautiful. Pushing yourself to your own personal limits – no ego, no competition – we are all at varying stages of our yoga journeys, like minded people coming together to bend & stretch, perspire, grow & breathe, breathe, breathe. Thank you Body Yoga for sharing your passion for Yoga.” Megan – Narre Warren
Boost Your Immune System – Workshop at Body Yoga Berwick
Today a group of like-minded women from as far as Endeavour Hills, Devon Meadows, Dandenong South and of course our locals from Berwick and Narre Warren, gathered in Berwick at the Body Yoga Studio to enjoy each others company whilst also gaining an insight into their own health and well being.
Thank you to everyone who attended and a very BIG thank you to Nicola from Thrive Health and Wellbeing for being our guest today. Nicola presented an informative session with plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions. Nicola gave us an insight into the energetics of the Winter season and how this affects us emotionally and physically. She also provided information on how we can better support ourselves during this introspective time of year and we left armed with recipes and tea to make anyone feel warm and vibrant! Thank you Nicola!
A great way to spend a cold, wet morning with a great group of ladies. This is what some of them had to say:
“I loved this Satsang. I learned lots and am going away armed with information to help make a few more changes to the way I live – keep the Satsangs coming.” Jeannie – Belgrave South (I sure will Jeannie! )
“Very informative, friendly atmosphere, positive messages – a pleasure as always.” Deb – Endeavour Hills
“Love Body Yoga!” Hillary – Berwick (…….me too Hillary )
“Very informative. I am inspired to try some new yummy recipies to increase my family’s immune system.” Nerine – Harkaway
Testimonials – Kids Yoga
Yoga eases kids fears during the storm
I recently had one of the Mums share a beautiful story with me about how her girls used what they have learnt in their Body Yoga Kids classes to calm themselves during the recent storms we had. This is their story – written by Tayla (8-12yo class) and Ava (5-8 class).
“Last Wednesday night there was a big storm, we were very scared and we were crying. Mum thought we should do some savasana in bed to calm down. We hopped into Ava’s bed together, mum put on our meditation cd and then we asked mum to tell us a storey about putting all our bad thoughts into a balloon, holding the string tight and then letting it go so that the balloon would float away with all our bad thoughts in it. Then we imagined a beautiful rainbow and now we felt happy and calm so we could go to sleep! ” Tayla and Ava - Berwick
October 2010 Kids 8-12 year old yoga class
When asked what yoga meant to them, this is what some of the replies were:
“Yoga means to me patience and relaxation. It calms me down whenever I am stressed or worried about something. When I come to yoga all the problems or things I am worried about go away. What I like about yoga is experiencing the poses and getting to share anything that is on my mind that I need help with. I love yoga! It’s the best!” Caitlin 10 yo – Narre Warren
“Yoga means to me nice and relaxing. I have improved by going to sleep at 2.00am and now I am getting to sleep at 9.30pm.” Shaylyn 8yo- Pakenham
“Yoga is very fun and relaxing. It helps me with my breathing and if I have a problem yoga calms me down. In yoga you do lots of poses that are fun and the relaxing at the end of class is really beautiful” Sarah 10 yo – Narre Warren
“It means to me I can sleep better. My favourite thing to do is play games for example playing on the ropes!” Tess 8yo – Upper Beaconsfield
“To me, yoga is my time to relax and just be myself. Yoga is very special to me and it helps me a lot, seeing that I play a lot of sports. It relaxes and soothes your muscles and most of all I LOVE IT! “ Grace 12yo – Berwick
Testimonials
“I first came to body yoga to add something new to my fitness training, WOW little did I know it would change my whole outlook on life! Yoga has taught me so much that I could write for hours but the biggest thing is the connection between mind, body and soul. I am the type of person who is always thinking about tomorrow and yoga has taught me to be in the “NOW, THIS PRESENT MOMENT”. So when my mind starts to race ahead, I often just stop, take a deep breath and remind myself to “JUST BE!” I walk out of yoga every single week feeling calm, positive and inspired in one way or another. I also feel very lucky to be able to share the gift of yoga with my children, Tayla (8) and Ava (5), who attend the kids classes. I believe my kids have been given a wonderful gift that will stay with them for life. A big thank you to Mary, Alex and Jo for your inspiration, knowledge and kindness. Both myself and my children look forward to many more years of yoga shared with you all.” Cassie -Garfield
“My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed.” Amanda – Berwick
Testimonials – Beginner Yoga Classes
“Yoga is a journey – A journey that allows you to attain a balance between body, mind and spirit. Body Yoga provides the perfect infrastructure for this. Mary and the team provide an idyllic setting, which allows for independent development, mentored guidance and a sense of belonging. As you continue along this journey, you come to the realisation that no two people share the same path or destination. Yoga is a highly individual practice and this is reflected by the high level of attention provided to each student. Mary is highly experienced, passionate and knowledgeable. She is dedicated to enhancing YOUR yoga experience. Immersing yourself in her positivity, energy and enthusiasm allows you to enhance every yoga practice. She is simply amazing! On a personal level, yoga has been a form of renaissance – A chance to start again. To approach life with a new-found attitude, perspective and resolve. To learn to live in the present, and not burden myself with events of the past or future. Yoga has also allowed me to discover the notion of contentment – Of being satisfied. In a society where government propaganda, bias media and cunning marketing continuously bombards us, this can be difficult to attain. I do not believe I have experienced this in its fullest form, however I do believe yoga is taking me on a journey towards it. Finally, from a physical perspective, yoga has proved to be challenging, revitalising and calming. Having a background in strength training and physiotherapy has not made the workouts easy – Mary definitely knows how to get the blood flowing! With every pose comes a surge of positive energy. The variety of poses, use of props and fine tuning of technique ensures all levels of ability are catered for. I leave class feeling rejuvenated in body, mind and spirit. I can’t thank Body Yoga enough. I am so fortunate to be able to engage in such an enlightening experience.” Mitchell – Endeavour Hills
“I joined Body Yoga with a friend to support her desire to ”give it a go”, little did I know how much I would enjoy it, and how transformational it could be. Mary and her team provide a purpose built environment that is welcoming, and truly designed for every body. From my initial 8 week session, I found I had increased flexibility and was able to try things I never imagined my body could achieve. It aided my weight loss and helped me become pain free after years of pain in my back, hips and knees. I have tried other places but never felt as welcomed and at home as I do at Body yoga, the teachers are amazing. With ongoing involvement, I’ve found an increase to my overall health and wellbeing and amazing increase in flexibility and core strength, muscle definition I couldn’t achieve with weights. I also have a level of balance and I’m learning the skills to managing stress in both my home and work life. Highly recommended kids Yoga classes too!” Kelly – Berwick
“I would highly recommend Mary’s yoga class to everyone. The only way for me to properly de-stress from a hectic day is to visit Mary’s peaceful studio and leave the world behind me. Mary puts a lot of energy into understanding each and every students needs and guides you every step of the way. I personally have really tight hamstrings, which have loosened easily and effortlessly with Mary’s guidance. It is truly incredible how something so soothing as yoga practice can tone and strengthen your body and re-energise your thoughts whilst having such a great time. My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed. I have been a member for over 2.5 years ” Amanda – Berwick
“Thank you for last night’s Yoga session. I really enjoyed it. Sometimes I get frustrated when my knee or my hip don’t work the way I want them to and I do appreciate the way you always accommodate for those of us who have body restrictions. Last night I could pretty much do all the positions which was great and some of them were quite difficult. I am feeling that my body is becoming more flexible as I do try to do some of the positions at home, especially if I’m feeling stressed.” Joanne – Berwick
“Body Yoga is fantastic. After years in a desk job I have found yoga to be the key to unlocking all the built up tension which has caused me much pain and suffering. As my body has become more flexible so too has my mind and this has had positive effects on all aspects of my life. As a mum to two small children the studio has become my place to come and have some “me” time and I saviour every minute! The teachers are very passionate and knowledgable about yoga which I find very inspiring. The studio is purpose built with ropes on the walls for supported poses and all the equipment such as bolsters, blankets, mats, chairs etc. is provided. Highly recommend.” Lisa – Narre Warren
“I have been attending Body Yoga for over 2 yrs now…and found it t be the best yoga workshop I have ever been to, a bit sceptical on trying it out as I had tried yoga before and found it very slow and boring, however with Body Yoga it was a complete surprise at how much I enjoyed it!….Let’s just say I have a new found love of yoga and love the fact that each class is so different from the last class, variety is my fortei as it keeps me interested and it is definitely delivered with Body Yoga, my aches and pains have disappeared and my flexibility and body tone, and muscle strength has been amazing. I love the atmosphere at Body Yoga as it is very warm and inviting, somewhere you feel completely comfortable and a feeling of belonging! I thank Body Yoga for the amazing gift it continues to give me!”
“I am a Personal Trainer who always loved the ‘runners’ high. I could never tear myself away from a good cardio session. As I have gotten older and started a family of my own, I desired a calmer option to go along with all the ‘hyperactivity’ in my life. I had been to a few different yoga studios but I just couldn’t find the one that was right for me. I had almost given up on the idea of yoga until I decided to try a class at Body Yoga. To my surprise, I left that class feeling tall (which is great considering I am short!), refreshed and challenged all at the same time. I don’t think I had ever felt so peaceful and I went home on a different kind of high. After that class I was able to tackle my duties for the day with a clear mind and a calm body. As a result, I did what I had to do with more clarity which gave me better results. Now, I look forward to yoga every week. It’s MY time and it’s the one time I don’t have to be anyone. When I am at yoga, I just am.” Wendy – Berwick
“I have tried a few different yoga teachers and schools but Body Yoga is by far the best. The teachers are caring and passionate about Yoga, the studio is customised including ropes for supported poses and the ambience is peaceful and tranquil – my little escape from the world!”
“Yoga has been a god send – no more siatic pain (or if there is I know how to fix it), even my arthritic toe is not troubling me. Thank you so very much for your enthusiasm and energy in classes.” Lyn – Berwick
“Over the last few years I’ve been on a journey. A journey to health and well being that I never would have imagined would have led me to where I am today, but I suppose that is why I always call it my journey, I wasn’t sure of the destination, I just knew I had to head somewhere different to where I had been for so long. I often joke that I was born 11 pound 9 ounces and never had a chance! i was overweight as a child, throughout my adolescence and into adulthood. I had times of strict or crash dieting, but I never focused on health. Ironically I’m a health professional in my career, but I never related my state of un health to that of a patient I had cared for or the knowledge I’d obtained throughout the years. After the birth of my second child I considered many drastic measures to control my weight, I tipped the scales at 145 kgs! I lost 10 kgs by starving myself but that wasn’t fun, I love food! All of the options I considered required surgical interventions and rapid lifestyle changes. With this in mind I decided to give diet and exercise one last go. I committed whole heartedly to the Weight Watchers program, but focused purely on being healthier, I didn’t call it a diet, but a new lifestyle. As the kilos dropped off I started to look at doing things that I hadn’t done before. I tried water skiing, running! and became more involved in life. After losing 40 kgs we found that we were having a gorgeous third child (due to my healthier lifestyle) after her birth I was right on track and heading towards a healthy weight range. When I had about 20 kgs to go, a close girlfriend suggested Yoga and I had a chuckle. I thought it was for skinny girls and fit people but decided with my “try new things” focus, I shouldn’t say no. I was amazed at how welcoming Body Yoga was, there was people of all shapes and sizes there, and it was so non competitive and non judgemental. I signed up for 8 weeks and thought I’d support my friend and give it a go. Each week I learnt something about myself, how my body responded to the movements, how I could focus on nothing at all, and really take a moment just to be. I was amazed at how vibrant and healthy I felt and I could see myself improve each and every week. Mary helped me to put things into perspective with her wise words about patience and ego, I I feel I’ve learnt more about myself in the two years I’ve been attending yoga than the 38 years that came before it! I made it to goal and have maintained my weight loss for over 12 months (over 56 kgs gone). I have three gorgeous girls who now have a healthy Mum that role models health and well being, and yes they all go to yoga too! I even convinced my husband to join in and he’s seen a reduction in back problems. I feel my body has aligned itself and I no longer regularly suffer from back and hip pain, in fact I’m pain free every day. My journey of weight loss became a journey of health and well being through the guidance and support of Body Yoga, I never expected the added benefits of a clearer mind, positive thought and patience. I always say I’m a calmer Mummy because of yoga and I’m always so keen to tell anyone who’ll listen the wonderful virtues of Body Yoga and the benefits I’ve gained from being there.” Kelly – Berwick
“I personally feel very privileged to have had such a good grounding to yoga over the years. You have brought a whole new perspective to the way I feel about myself and my outlook on life, which seems to have been a natural progression to how I physically benefit.” Cathy – Beaconsfield
Testimonials – Gentle/Restorative Yoga Classes
I have a chronic illness which causes debilitating pain both physically and mentally, that is until I went to Body Yoga at Berwick. I can’t believe the relief I have experienced under the guidance and care of the Body Yoga teachers. I was born with this disease and I am now 50 yrs old and this is the first time in my life that I have experienced relief and more movement. I truly believe that the care and attention that the Body Yoga Teachers provide is giving me a new lease on life. For the first time I feel excited about my health and the better quality of life that Body Yoga are offering me, I know I now have a choice. These women are truly gifted and extremely dedicated to improving our health both physically and mentally. I cannot express to you the peace ones experiences during a yoga session and afterwards. My body and mind feels renewed. Now that I am experiencing more movement and less pain I find I feel more motivated in life in general. I can highly recommend Body Yoga at Berwick for those of you who need special care and attention. Come along on a Tuesday morning at 11.am and experience relief for yourself, you will know who I am because I will be the woman with a huge smile on my face Hope to see you there. ps: You will love Mary’s yoga room, it’s warm and very comfortable, and you feel like you have just entered a space just for yourself, its true time out……. Naomi – Pakenham Upper
“I am forever grateful to Body Yoga. After years of suffering sciatic pain I have been set free!! After only 12 months of Yoga I have many more pain free days. On the days of pain I know what stretching works to relieve it. It has also relieved the pain in my arthritic joints (old age is a terrible thing). Never think you are too old for yoga – if a mid 50s woman can do it – anyone can. I have also discovered an inner peace and if I get too tense I just go to the breath and then things don’t seem so bad. I have renewed energy and am now embracing all the things I have put off while raising my children. Thank you so very much.” Lyn – Berwick
Body Yoga Berwick – Yoga for Bunions
Yoga can help so many common foot complaints just by “waking the feet up” and being more aware of how we stand. As this Body Yoga student discovered, years of living with painful bunions is now a thing of the past! (more…)
Want to Use any Articles belonging to Body Yoga?
Boost Your Immune System – Workshop at Body Yoga Berwick
Today a group of like-minded women from as far as Endeavour Hills, Devon Meadows, Dandenong South and of course our locals from Berwick and Narre Warren, gathered in Berwick at the Body Yoga Studio to enjoy each others company whilst also gaining an insight into their own health and well being.
Thank you to everyone who attended and a very BIG thank you to Nicola from Thrive Health and Wellbeing for being our guest today. Nicola presented an informative session with plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions. Nicola gave us an insight into the energetics of the Winter season and how this affects us emotionally and physically. She also provided information on how we can better support ourselves during this introspective time of year and we left armed with recipes and tea to make anyone feel warm and vibrant! Thank you Nicola!
A great way to spend a cold, wet morning with a great group of ladies. This is what some of them had to say:
“I loved this Satsang. I learned lots and am going away armed with information to help make a few more changes to the way I live – keep the Satsangs coming.” Jeannie – Belgrave South (I sure will Jeannie! )
“Very informative, friendly atmosphere, positive messages – a pleasure as always.” Deb – Endeavour Hills
“Love Body Yoga!” Hillary – Berwick (…….me too Hillary )
“Very informative. I am inspired to try some new yummy recipies to increase my family’s immune system.” Nerine – Harkaway
Testimonials – Kids Yoga
Yoga eases kids fears during the storm
I recently had one of the Mums share a beautiful story with me about how her girls used what they have learnt in their Body Yoga Kids classes to calm themselves during the recent storms we had. This is their story – written by Tayla (8-12yo class) and Ava (5-8 class).
“Last Wednesday night there was a big storm, we were very scared and we were crying. Mum thought we should do some savasana in bed to calm down. We hopped into Ava’s bed together, mum put on our meditation cd and then we asked mum to tell us a storey about putting all our bad thoughts into a balloon, holding the string tight and then letting it go so that the balloon would float away with all our bad thoughts in it. Then we imagined a beautiful rainbow and now we felt happy and calm so we could go to sleep! ” Tayla and Ava - Berwick
October 2010 Kids 8-12 year old yoga class
When asked what yoga meant to them, this is what some of the replies were:
“Yoga means to me patience and relaxation. It calms me down whenever I am stressed or worried about something. When I come to yoga all the problems or things I am worried about go away. What I like about yoga is experiencing the poses and getting to share anything that is on my mind that I need help with. I love yoga! It’s the best!” Caitlin 10 yo – Narre Warren
“Yoga means to me nice and relaxing. I have improved by going to sleep at 2.00am and now I am getting to sleep at 9.30pm.” Shaylyn 8yo- Pakenham
“Yoga is very fun and relaxing. It helps me with my breathing and if I have a problem yoga calms me down. In yoga you do lots of poses that are fun and the relaxing at the end of class is really beautiful” Sarah 10 yo – Narre Warren
“It means to me I can sleep better. My favourite thing to do is play games for example playing on the ropes!” Tess 8yo – Upper Beaconsfield
“To me, yoga is my time to relax and just be myself. Yoga is very special to me and it helps me a lot, seeing that I play a lot of sports. It relaxes and soothes your muscles and most of all I LOVE IT! “ Grace 12yo – Berwick
Testimonials
“I first came to body yoga to add something new to my fitness training, WOW little did I know it would change my whole outlook on life! Yoga has taught me so much that I could write for hours but the biggest thing is the connection between mind, body and soul. I am the type of person who is always thinking about tomorrow and yoga has taught me to be in the “NOW, THIS PRESENT MOMENT”. So when my mind starts to race ahead, I often just stop, take a deep breath and remind myself to “JUST BE!” I walk out of yoga every single week feeling calm, positive and inspired in one way or another. I also feel very lucky to be able to share the gift of yoga with my children, Tayla (8) and Ava (5), who attend the kids classes. I believe my kids have been given a wonderful gift that will stay with them for life. A big thank you to Mary, Alex and Jo for your inspiration, knowledge and kindness. Both myself and my children look forward to many more years of yoga shared with you all.” Cassie -Garfield
“My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed.” Amanda – Berwick
Testimonials – Beginner Yoga Classes
“Yoga is a journey – A journey that allows you to attain a balance between body, mind and spirit. Body Yoga provides the perfect infrastructure for this. Mary and the team provide an idyllic setting, which allows for independent development, mentored guidance and a sense of belonging. As you continue along this journey, you come to the realisation that no two people share the same path or destination. Yoga is a highly individual practice and this is reflected by the high level of attention provided to each student. Mary is highly experienced, passionate and knowledgeable. She is dedicated to enhancing YOUR yoga experience. Immersing yourself in her positivity, energy and enthusiasm allows you to enhance every yoga practice. She is simply amazing! On a personal level, yoga has been a form of renaissance – A chance to start again. To approach life with a new-found attitude, perspective and resolve. To learn to live in the present, and not burden myself with events of the past or future. Yoga has also allowed me to discover the notion of contentment – Of being satisfied. In a society where government propaganda, bias media and cunning marketing continuously bombards us, this can be difficult to attain. I do not believe I have experienced this in its fullest form, however I do believe yoga is taking me on a journey towards it. Finally, from a physical perspective, yoga has proved to be challenging, revitalising and calming. Having a background in strength training and physiotherapy has not made the workouts easy – Mary definitely knows how to get the blood flowing! With every pose comes a surge of positive energy. The variety of poses, use of props and fine tuning of technique ensures all levels of ability are catered for. I leave class feeling rejuvenated in body, mind and spirit. I can’t thank Body Yoga enough. I am so fortunate to be able to engage in such an enlightening experience.” Mitchell – Endeavour Hills
“I joined Body Yoga with a friend to support her desire to ”give it a go”, little did I know how much I would enjoy it, and how transformational it could be. Mary and her team provide a purpose built environment that is welcoming, and truly designed for every body. From my initial 8 week session, I found I had increased flexibility and was able to try things I never imagined my body could achieve. It aided my weight loss and helped me become pain free after years of pain in my back, hips and knees. I have tried other places but never felt as welcomed and at home as I do at Body yoga, the teachers are amazing. With ongoing involvement, I’ve found an increase to my overall health and wellbeing and amazing increase in flexibility and core strength, muscle definition I couldn’t achieve with weights. I also have a level of balance and I’m learning the skills to managing stress in both my home and work life. Highly recommended kids Yoga classes too!” Kelly – Berwick
“I would highly recommend Mary’s yoga class to everyone. The only way for me to properly de-stress from a hectic day is to visit Mary’s peaceful studio and leave the world behind me. Mary puts a lot of energy into understanding each and every students needs and guides you every step of the way. I personally have really tight hamstrings, which have loosened easily and effortlessly with Mary’s guidance. It is truly incredible how something so soothing as yoga practice can tone and strengthen your body and re-energise your thoughts whilst having such a great time. My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed. I have been a member for over 2.5 years ” Amanda – Berwick
“Thank you for last night’s Yoga session. I really enjoyed it. Sometimes I get frustrated when my knee or my hip don’t work the way I want them to and I do appreciate the way you always accommodate for those of us who have body restrictions. Last night I could pretty much do all the positions which was great and some of them were quite difficult. I am feeling that my body is becoming more flexible as I do try to do some of the positions at home, especially if I’m feeling stressed.” Joanne – Berwick
“Body Yoga is fantastic. After years in a desk job I have found yoga to be the key to unlocking all the built up tension which has caused me much pain and suffering. As my body has become more flexible so too has my mind and this has had positive effects on all aspects of my life. As a mum to two small children the studio has become my place to come and have some “me” time and I saviour every minute! The teachers are very passionate and knowledgable about yoga which I find very inspiring. The studio is purpose built with ropes on the walls for supported poses and all the equipment such as bolsters, blankets, mats, chairs etc. is provided. Highly recommend.” Lisa – Narre Warren
“I have been attending Body Yoga for over 2 yrs now…and found it t be the best yoga workshop I have ever been to, a bit sceptical on trying it out as I had tried yoga before and found it very slow and boring, however with Body Yoga it was a complete surprise at how much I enjoyed it!….Let’s just say I have a new found love of yoga and love the fact that each class is so different from the last class, variety is my fortei as it keeps me interested and it is definitely delivered with Body Yoga, my aches and pains have disappeared and my flexibility and body tone, and muscle strength has been amazing. I love the atmosphere at Body Yoga as it is very warm and inviting, somewhere you feel completely comfortable and a feeling of belonging! I thank Body Yoga for the amazing gift it continues to give me!”
“I am a Personal Trainer who always loved the ‘runners’ high. I could never tear myself away from a good cardio session. As I have gotten older and started a family of my own, I desired a calmer option to go along with all the ‘hyperactivity’ in my life. I had been to a few different yoga studios but I just couldn’t find the one that was right for me. I had almost given up on the idea of yoga until I decided to try a class at Body Yoga. To my surprise, I left that class feeling tall (which is great considering I am short!), refreshed and challenged all at the same time. I don’t think I had ever felt so peaceful and I went home on a different kind of high. After that class I was able to tackle my duties for the day with a clear mind and a calm body. As a result, I did what I had to do with more clarity which gave me better results. Now, I look forward to yoga every week. It’s MY time and it’s the one time I don’t have to be anyone. When I am at yoga, I just am.” Wendy – Berwick
“I have tried a few different yoga teachers and schools but Body Yoga is by far the best. The teachers are caring and passionate about Yoga, the studio is customised including ropes for supported poses and the ambience is peaceful and tranquil – my little escape from the world!”
“Yoga has been a god send – no more siatic pain (or if there is I know how to fix it), even my arthritic toe is not troubling me. Thank you so very much for your enthusiasm and energy in classes.” Lyn – Berwick
“Over the last few years I’ve been on a journey. A journey to health and well being that I never would have imagined would have led me to where I am today, but I suppose that is why I always call it my journey, I wasn’t sure of the destination, I just knew I had to head somewhere different to where I had been for so long. I often joke that I was born 11 pound 9 ounces and never had a chance! i was overweight as a child, throughout my adolescence and into adulthood. I had times of strict or crash dieting, but I never focused on health. Ironically I’m a health professional in my career, but I never related my state of un health to that of a patient I had cared for or the knowledge I’d obtained throughout the years. After the birth of my second child I considered many drastic measures to control my weight, I tipped the scales at 145 kgs! I lost 10 kgs by starving myself but that wasn’t fun, I love food! All of the options I considered required surgical interventions and rapid lifestyle changes. With this in mind I decided to give diet and exercise one last go. I committed whole heartedly to the Weight Watchers program, but focused purely on being healthier, I didn’t call it a diet, but a new lifestyle. As the kilos dropped off I started to look at doing things that I hadn’t done before. I tried water skiing, running! and became more involved in life. After losing 40 kgs we found that we were having a gorgeous third child (due to my healthier lifestyle) after her birth I was right on track and heading towards a healthy weight range. When I had about 20 kgs to go, a close girlfriend suggested Yoga and I had a chuckle. I thought it was for skinny girls and fit people but decided with my “try new things” focus, I shouldn’t say no. I was amazed at how welcoming Body Yoga was, there was people of all shapes and sizes there, and it was so non competitive and non judgemental. I signed up for 8 weeks and thought I’d support my friend and give it a go. Each week I learnt something about myself, how my body responded to the movements, how I could focus on nothing at all, and really take a moment just to be. I was amazed at how vibrant and healthy I felt and I could see myself improve each and every week. Mary helped me to put things into perspective with her wise words about patience and ego, I I feel I’ve learnt more about myself in the two years I’ve been attending yoga than the 38 years that came before it! I made it to goal and have maintained my weight loss for over 12 months (over 56 kgs gone). I have three gorgeous girls who now have a healthy Mum that role models health and well being, and yes they all go to yoga too! I even convinced my husband to join in and he’s seen a reduction in back problems. I feel my body has aligned itself and I no longer regularly suffer from back and hip pain, in fact I’m pain free every day. My journey of weight loss became a journey of health and well being through the guidance and support of Body Yoga, I never expected the added benefits of a clearer mind, positive thought and patience. I always say I’m a calmer Mummy because of yoga and I’m always so keen to tell anyone who’ll listen the wonderful virtues of Body Yoga and the benefits I’ve gained from being there.” Kelly – Berwick
“I personally feel very privileged to have had such a good grounding to yoga over the years. You have brought a whole new perspective to the way I feel about myself and my outlook on life, which seems to have been a natural progression to how I physically benefit.” Cathy – Beaconsfield
Testimonials – Gentle/Restorative Yoga Classes
I have a chronic illness which causes debilitating pain both physically and mentally, that is until I went to Body Yoga at Berwick. I can’t believe the relief I have experienced under the guidance and care of the Body Yoga teachers. I was born with this disease and I am now 50 yrs old and this is the first time in my life that I have experienced relief and more movement. I truly believe that the care and attention that the Body Yoga Teachers provide is giving me a new lease on life. For the first time I feel excited about my health and the better quality of life that Body Yoga are offering me, I know I now have a choice. These women are truly gifted and extremely dedicated to improving our health both physically and mentally. I cannot express to you the peace ones experiences during a yoga session and afterwards. My body and mind feels renewed. Now that I am experiencing more movement and less pain I find I feel more motivated in life in general. I can highly recommend Body Yoga at Berwick for those of you who need special care and attention. Come along on a Tuesday morning at 11.am and experience relief for yourself, you will know who I am because I will be the woman with a huge smile on my face Hope to see you there. ps: You will love Mary’s yoga room, it’s warm and very comfortable, and you feel like you have just entered a space just for yourself, its true time out……. Naomi – Pakenham Upper
“I am forever grateful to Body Yoga. After years of suffering sciatic pain I have been set free!! After only 12 months of Yoga I have many more pain free days. On the days of pain I know what stretching works to relieve it. It has also relieved the pain in my arthritic joints (old age is a terrible thing). Never think you are too old for yoga – if a mid 50s woman can do it – anyone can. I have also discovered an inner peace and if I get too tense I just go to the breath and then things don’t seem so bad. I have renewed energy and am now embracing all the things I have put off while raising my children. Thank you so very much.” Lyn – Berwick
Body Yoga Berwick – Yoga for Bunions
Yoga can help so many common foot complaints just by “waking the feet up” and being more aware of how we stand. As this Body Yoga student discovered, years of living with painful bunions is now a thing of the past! (more…)
Want to Use any Articles belonging to Body Yoga?
Testimonials – Beginner Yoga Classes
“Yoga is a journey – A journey that allows you to attain a balance between body, mind and spirit. Body Yoga provides the perfect infrastructure for this. Mary and the team provide an idyllic setting, which allows for independent development, mentored guidance and a sense of belonging. As you continue along this journey, you come to the realisation that no two people share the same path or destination. Yoga is a highly individual practice and this is reflected by the high level of attention provided to each student. Mary is highly experienced, passionate and knowledgeable. She is dedicated to enhancing YOUR yoga experience. Immersing yourself in her positivity, energy and enthusiasm allows you to enhance every yoga practice. She is simply amazing! On a personal level, yoga has been a form of renaissance – A chance to start again. To approach life with a new-found attitude, perspective and resolve. To learn to live in the present, and not burden myself with events of the past or future. Yoga has also allowed me to discover the notion of contentment – Of being satisfied. In a society where government propaganda, bias media and cunning marketing continuously bombards us, this can be difficult to attain. I do not believe I have experienced this in its fullest form, however I do believe yoga is taking me on a journey towards it. Finally, from a physical perspective, yoga has proved to be challenging, revitalising and calming. Having a background in strength training and physiotherapy has not made the workouts easy – Mary definitely knows how to get the blood flowing! With every pose comes a surge of positive energy. The variety of poses, use of props and fine tuning of technique ensures all levels of ability are catered for. I leave class feeling rejuvenated in body, mind and spirit. I can’t thank Body Yoga enough. I am so fortunate to be able to engage in such an enlightening experience.” Mitchell – Endeavour Hills
“I joined Body Yoga with a friend to support her desire to ”give it a go”, little did I know how much I would enjoy it, and how transformational it could be. Mary and her team provide a purpose built environment that is welcoming, and truly designed for every body. From my initial 8 week session, I found I had increased flexibility and was able to try things I never imagined my body could achieve. It aided my weight loss and helped me become pain free after years of pain in my back, hips and knees. I have tried other places but never felt as welcomed and at home as I do at Body yoga, the teachers are amazing. With ongoing involvement, I’ve found an increase to my overall health and wellbeing and amazing increase in flexibility and core strength, muscle definition I couldn’t achieve with weights. I also have a level of balance and I’m learning the skills to managing stress in both my home and work life. Highly recommended kids Yoga classes too!” Kelly – Berwick
“I would highly recommend Mary’s yoga class to everyone. The only way for me to properly de-stress from a hectic day is to visit Mary’s peaceful studio and leave the world behind me. Mary puts a lot of energy into understanding each and every students needs and guides you every step of the way. I personally have really tight hamstrings, which have loosened easily and effortlessly with Mary’s guidance. It is truly incredible how something so soothing as yoga practice can tone and strengthen your body and re-energise your thoughts whilst having such a great time. My 3yr old son partakes in kid’s yoga and he always looks forward to his class! It’s very inspiring when I see him do down-ward facing dog and he doesn’t realize that it is actual exercise. I still can’t believe Mary can get so many 3-4 year olds to lie quietly all at the same time, she is truly amazing!! I can leave my son and go for a relaxing walk knowing that he is having wonderful time learning about himself and exercising all at the same time… Give Mary’s class a go, you won’t be disappointed. I have been a member for over 2.5 years ” Amanda – Berwick
“Thank you for last night’s Yoga session. I really enjoyed it. Sometimes I get frustrated when my knee or my hip don’t work the way I want them to and I do appreciate the way you always accommodate for those of us who have body restrictions. Last night I could pretty much do all the positions which was great and some of them were quite difficult. I am feeling that my body is becoming more flexible as I do try to do some of the positions at home, especially if I’m feeling stressed.” Joanne – Berwick
“Body Yoga is fantastic. After years in a desk job I have found yoga to be the key to unlocking all the built up tension which has caused me much pain and suffering. As my body has become more flexible so too has my mind and this has had positive effects on all aspects of my life. As a mum to two small children the studio has become my place to come and have some “me” time and I saviour every minute! The teachers are very passionate and knowledgable about yoga which I find very inspiring. The studio is purpose built with ropes on the walls for supported poses and all the equipment such as bolsters, blankets, mats, chairs etc. is provided. Highly recommend.” Lisa – Narre Warren
“I have been attending Body Yoga for over 2 yrs now…and found it t be the best yoga workshop I have ever been to, a bit sceptical on trying it out as I had tried yoga before and found it very slow and boring, however with Body Yoga it was a complete surprise at how much I enjoyed it!….Let’s just say I have a new found love of yoga and love the fact that each class is so different from the last class, variety is my fortei as it keeps me interested and it is definitely delivered with Body Yoga, my aches and pains have disappeared and my flexibility and body tone, and muscle strength has been amazing. I love the atmosphere at Body Yoga as it is very warm and inviting, somewhere you feel completely comfortable and a feeling of belonging! I thank Body Yoga for the amazing gift it continues to give me!”
“I am a Personal Trainer who always loved the ‘runners’ high. I could never tear myself away from a good cardio session. As I have gotten older and started a family of my own, I desired a calmer option to go along with all the ‘hyperactivity’ in my life. I had been to a few different yoga studios but I just couldn’t find the one that was right for me. I had almost given up on the idea of yoga until I decided to try a class at Body Yoga. To my surprise, I left that class feeling tall (which is great considering I am short!), refreshed and challenged all at the same time. I don’t think I had ever felt so peaceful and I went home on a different kind of high. After that class I was able to tackle my duties for the day with a clear mind and a calm body. As a result, I did what I had to do with more clarity which gave me better results. Now, I look forward to yoga every week. It’s MY time and it’s the one time I don’t have to be anyone. When I am at yoga, I just am.” Wendy – Berwick
“I have tried a few different yoga teachers and schools but Body Yoga is by far the best. The teachers are caring and passionate about Yoga, the studio is customised including ropes for supported poses and the ambience is peaceful and tranquil – my little escape from the world!”
“Yoga has been a god send – no more siatic pain (or if there is I know how to fix it), even my arthritic toe is not troubling me. Thank you so very much for your enthusiasm and energy in classes.” Lyn – Berwick
“Over the last few years I’ve been on a journey. A journey to health and well being that I never would have imagined would have led me to where I am today, but I suppose that is why I always call it my journey, I wasn’t sure of the destination, I just knew I had to head somewhere different to where I had been for so long. I often joke that I was born 11 pound 9 ounces and never had a chance! i was overweight as a child, throughout my adolescence and into adulthood. I had times of strict or crash dieting, but I never focused on health. Ironically I’m a health professional in my career, but I never related my state of un health to that of a patient I had cared for or the knowledge I’d obtained throughout the years. After the birth of my second child I considered many drastic measures to control my weight, I tipped the scales at 145 kgs! I lost 10 kgs by starving myself but that wasn’t fun, I love food! All of the options I considered required surgical interventions and rapid lifestyle changes. With this in mind I decided to give diet and exercise one last go. I committed whole heartedly to the Weight Watchers program, but focused purely on being healthier, I didn’t call it a diet, but a new lifestyle. As the kilos dropped off I started to look at doing things that I hadn’t done before. I tried water skiing, running! and became more involved in life. After losing 40 kgs we found that we were having a gorgeous third child (due to my healthier lifestyle) after her birth I was right on track and heading towards a healthy weight range. When I had about 20 kgs to go, a close girlfriend suggested Yoga and I had a chuckle. I thought it was for skinny girls and fit people but decided with my “try new things” focus, I shouldn’t say no. I was amazed at how welcoming Body Yoga was, there was people of all shapes and sizes there, and it was so non competitive and non judgemental. I signed up for 8 weeks and thought I’d support my friend and give it a go. Each week I learnt something about myself, how my body responded to the movements, how I could focus on nothing at all, and really take a moment just to be. I was amazed at how vibrant and healthy I felt and I could see myself improve each and every week. Mary helped me to put things into perspective with her wise words about patience and ego, I I feel I’ve learnt more about myself in the two years I’ve been attending yoga than the 38 years that came before it! I made it to goal and have maintained my weight loss for over 12 months (over 56 kgs gone). I have three gorgeous girls who now have a healthy Mum that role models health and well being, and yes they all go to yoga too! I even convinced my husband to join in and he’s seen a reduction in back problems. I feel my body has aligned itself and I no longer regularly suffer from back and hip pain, in fact I’m pain free every day. My journey of weight loss became a journey of health and well being through the guidance and support of Body Yoga, I never expected the added benefits of a clearer mind, positive thought and patience. I always say I’m a calmer Mummy because of yoga and I’m always so keen to tell anyone who’ll listen the wonderful virtues of Body Yoga and the benefits I’ve gained from being there.” Kelly – Berwick
“I personally feel very privileged to have had such a good grounding to yoga over the years. You have brought a whole new perspective to the way I feel about myself and my outlook on life, which seems to have been a natural progression to how I physically benefit.” Cathy – Beaconsfield
Testimonials – Gentle/Restorative Yoga Classes
I have a chronic illness which causes debilitating pain both physically and mentally, that is until I went to Body Yoga at Berwick. I can’t believe the relief I have experienced under the guidance and care of the Body Yoga teachers. I was born with this disease and I am now 50 yrs old and this is the first time in my life that I have experienced relief and more movement. I truly believe that the care and attention that the Body Yoga Teachers provide is giving me a new lease on life. For the first time I feel excited about my health and the better quality of life that Body Yoga are offering me, I know I now have a choice. These women are truly gifted and extremely dedicated to improving our health both physically and mentally. I cannot express to you the peace ones experiences during a yoga session and afterwards. My body and mind feels renewed. Now that I am experiencing more movement and less pain I find I feel more motivated in life in general. I can highly recommend Body Yoga at Berwick for those of you who need special care and attention. Come along on a Tuesday morning at 11.am and experience relief for yourself, you will know who I am because I will be the woman with a huge smile on my face Hope to see you there. ps: You will love Mary’s yoga room, it’s warm and very comfortable, and you feel like you have just entered a space just for yourself, its true time out……. Naomi – Pakenham Upper
“I am forever grateful to Body Yoga. After years of suffering sciatic pain I have been set free!! After only 12 months of Yoga I have many more pain free days. On the days of pain I know what stretching works to relieve it. It has also relieved the pain in my arthritic joints (old age is a terrible thing). Never think you are too old for yoga – if a mid 50s woman can do it – anyone can. I have also discovered an inner peace and if I get too tense I just go to the breath and then things don’t seem so bad. I have renewed energy and am now embracing all the things I have put off while raising my children. Thank you so very much.” Lyn – Berwick
Body Yoga Berwick – Yoga for Bunions
Yoga can help so many common foot complaints just by “waking the feet up” and being more aware of how we stand. As this Body Yoga student discovered, years of living with painful bunions is now a thing of the past! (more…)
Want to Use any Articles belonging to Body Yoga?
Body Yoga Berwick – Yoga for Bunions
Yoga can help so many common foot complaints just by “waking the feet up” and being more aware of how we stand. As this Body Yoga student discovered, years of living with painful bunions is now a thing of the past! (more…)
It would be an honour to have you use any of my article's however, you must use them in full and quote the source as follows:
"Article from Body Yoga, Berwick. Body Yoga offers yoga classes to EVERY Body - Beginners to Advanced, Kids to Seniors. For further details go to www.bodyyoga.com.au "
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