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

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