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''First, let me congratulate you on your wonderful achievement. I've only known you a short time (this year), but your gentle and shining light has drawn me to yoga. I was unaware of the Yoga Alliance, but I can say unequivocally that you have earned the ranking. I send you my blessings as you continue to share your knowledge and love of the practice with others. Thank you for being in my sphere at this time.'' -- Colleen Ramirez
''You make us feel welcome the minute we enter your class. You develop a warm receptive atmosphere with your students, and when new students come into the class, the others automatically make them feel at home. Your instruction is precise and demanding but forgiving to the ability of the student. No one leaves as a failure from your class. I always felt like I had accomplished something each class. I also felt driven to further my practice at home. You don't just give instruction, you give encouragement. You remind us to breathe into the poses and let the poses unfold from the breath.
There is an unspoken reverence for the practice that students can instinctively pick up on when we enter your class; this opens the mind up to the possibility that there might be more here than just an exercise program. I'm not just writing this to compliment a friend. I am writing this to encourage you to keep growing and teaching in the way that you are. You have a unique talent. There is no telling where it will take you if you continue to develop and share it. You are an important teacher. We are all very fortunate to have you near. I am fortunate to have had you as my first teacher. You opened a door for me that I hope never closes. Thank you!'' -- Wayne Bagwell.
"You deserve it and more. I feel privileged to have found a jewel in Woodstock. Thank you for your energy. It has changed my life. I can no longer imagine life without it" -- Anastasia Hudgens
I just wanted to
write you
about the funny thing that happened to me at our last Wednesday night
class.
First, I can tell you that at 53 years old and bad knees from High
School Football
back in the 70's most (at least 90%) of the positions you demonstrate
that we
are going to do make me roll my eyes and say "Yeah Sure...NOT!!!!".
And most of the time (over 95%), I CAN get into the position, which
really
shocks me.
So with that in
mind let's
get to last Wednesday night, you demo 'd where we fold our legs to the
left and
turn to the right and keep moving around until we were facing behind us
with
our legs still folded on the floor to the left. Again "yeah
sure...NOT!!!". Well low and behold I DID IT !!! Yippee. OK, I was
happy
but as always you were not satisfied that we were not tied-up
completely in a
knot so you added a little more. You told us to go back into the
position and
move slowly around and with deep exhalation we can move even deeper
into the
position. Also when we got completely around to lay our left ear on the
ground.
Again, "Yeah Sure...NOT !!!" and again I did it !!!! Yippee !!!
BUT WAIT, what is
that? I
was laying on my left ear looking at something on the floor that I
didn't
recognize. I knew the blocks we were using were charcoal, my matt was
purple
and my blanket was blue.
What was the
beige thing I
was looking at and it looked like it was squished down. And then I had
to hold
back my laugh.....It was the Bottom of my left foot that was behind me.
I could
not believe it, I was looking at the bottom of my foot. It might not be
a big
deal to some but after arthritis in my knee since 1971 and just
limiting
looking at parts of your body, I can't tell you the last time I looked
at the
bottom of my foot, let alone was able to do so.
I have been with
you for
many years and you still continue to challenge me to take my body and
my yoga
practice to newer heights and deeper insight.
Thank you for all
that you
do for me and others.
Namaste, -Dwayne-