Yoga teacher MaryAnn Jones once said "I love teaching yoga because yoga attracts the best people, the cream of the crop" This could not be more true of the Yoga For Living Kula or community, where students are more than just customers, they are truly friends. As instructors, we continue to learn each day, from our students and for this we are grateful. We invite you to email us and share your personal yoga story. We love hearing how yoga has changed your life. Melinda Downing, Yoga For Living.
'"At Yoga For Living, we believe yoga is about challenging the breath. We do this by putting the body in various poses and remembering to breathe. It's not so much about flexibility of the body, but rather our ability to relax and breathe when we feel challenged in a pose. When we walk out the door and are faced with stressful situations in our day to day lives, we can use that same relaxed breathing to get us through any situation.For all of us no matter what our goals or accomplishments, the next thing for all of us to do...is breathe." Michael Downing, director, Yoga For Living
I did my first handstand this week (not headstand!) I felt so powerful all week long.
Gail Pifferini, Fresno
How has yoga changed my life? One of the goals of my sabbatical this fall semester was to get my body back into shape. One of the ways I chose to accomplish my goal was to join Yoga For Living. I had done tapes at home and was ready for more. I began going twice a week to the basics class and later added the restorative class. After only three months, I feel taller, stronger and more open. I think my posture has improved! I feel calmer. I am able to use the yoga breathing techniques to help me fall asleep at night. The more classes I attend, the more I want to come back because yoga makes me feel good. I find that when I feel good I take better care of myself outside of class. Class is time for me to put aside my worries and anxieties and just focus on myself and breathing. I like the calm, loving feeling of the YFL staff. The studio has a good vibe and is a pleasure to go to. I also enjoyed the recent Chakra workshop. YFL provides many opportunities to grow physically and spiritually. Thank you!
Monica Fusich, Clovis
Yoga: It changes my energy and awareness all through the day. Thank you!
Ana Mendoza
I have suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since I was 15. After doing yoga with Michael, I am now able to sit with my legs crossed, something I have been unable to do for over 30 years.
Holly Marquez, Fresno, CA age 46
What a great stress relief for everyone in our firm. We love it!
Sondra Dennison, Wood/Patel Engineering
I'm not very good with goodbyes...but I must say that coming to the yoga studio will be one of the things that I will miss the most about living in Fresno. Your studio offered me a place of safe refuge during one of the most difficult times of my life, I grew and learned a lot about myself during my practices with you. Your classes gave me hope, courage and most of all self empowerment. I still find it amazing that freeing myself to have the courage to do a headstand pours over into the other aspects of my life. The courage I found in this class gave me the tools I needed to take this huge leap of faith and move all the way across the country. Thank you for the priceless gifts you have given me through your love and passion for yoga. I will miss you and my fellow yogi's. Thank you Michael for the impact that you have made on my life, I am a better person for it.
Andrea Mekalian, Florida
Yoga has been beneficial for me in ways I never thought it could. I have learned how to use my breathing to stretch, relax, and get stress out of my body. yoga has helped my back and bladder pain very much and I also feel like my arms and legs are getting stronger. I tried yoga before but did not care for the instruction. I really like Kristen's class - her patience and positive attitude. I recommend Yoga For Living to everyone I know.
Bertha Rodriguez, Lemoore
Yoga has not only increased my flexibility and leg strength but has increased my height. I've grown one inch in the short amount of time that I've been practicing. I've learned to breathe in a relaxing way & have been able to incorporate it and yoga in general into my workout routine. Thanks Yoga For Living!
Brittany Growdon
I started yoga after an 8 year gap from any form of exercise. I was 57 years old, that was about 18 months ago. I have spent 40 years working at either a typewriter or computer and, consequently, have very tight neck and shoulders. Additionally, as a result of a car accident and a broken back 30+ years ago, I have been unable to sleep on my stomach without pain within a very few minutes. Since doing yoga, I have seen great strides in my neck and shoulder flexibility. I am also able to actually fall asleep on my stomach WITHOUT PAIN. Finally, the Yoga For Living staff are a huge part of the reason I have continued yoga. Encouragement, individual direction (that you don't get with video tapes) and friendships.
JoAnn Coviello, Fowler
I always recommend Michael's classes as he is the most caring yoga teacher I have ever studied with.
Daniel E. Georges-Abeyle, Ph.D.
Director of Zen program at Calm Village Buddhist Temple
I daily reap the benefits of yoga through a more calm and quiet mind as well as small but steady increases in body flexibility. I must tell you of an amazing physical change which I just noticed several weeks ago. For the last 30 years I have been aware of a 1 inch difference in the length of my legs. After practicing yoga for more than a year I suddenly noticed while sitting on the floor that my legs are now the same length and while standing my hipbones are now the same height. I now rarely have the back discomfort which has been a nagging constant most of my life. Yoga has definitely brought positive change to my body, mind and spirit.
Jessica Barrett