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Judith is a natural, one of
the most gifted teachers I have ever experienced in any discipline.
Her approach to yoga engages body, mind and spirit, and encourages a
deep understanding of the practice. This is not competitive,
gym-at-lunch-hour yoga. This is not teacher-showing-off yoga. Judith
is compassionate, spirited, funny, keenly attentive to her
students and intuitive about their needs. She breaks down each pose,
explains its benefits, and makes sure our bodies are in proper
alignment, using a gentle hands-on approach when necessary,
so that I don’t have to worry about hurting myself. I leave each class
feeling restored, energized, centered, cheerful, and grateful.
-- Kim Church
Yoga, with
Judith, has improved my posture, increased my flexibility and
my balance. Yoga also improves my ability to
concentrate. -- Martha, Job
Counselor
When I went to the advanced class I really
worked my muscles. I liked that vigor. I love the
humor. You are one of the best yoga teachers I've had
because the class makes me feel so happy. I feel
great. -- Chris
Tonight’s
class was so powerful for me. I felt
successful and strong. Every cell of my body
was woken up and singing "thank you"! I’m constantly amazed at the
variety of combinations you put together to make each class a rich,
meaningful experience. -- Kay, Teacher
Judith was the perfect person to start my practice and learning of
yoga with. She has a wonderful way of guiding you through what can
seem pretty daunting in your first class. She made it so worth it and
I have been hooked for a year and a half. She taught me to
stay focused in practice, which was something I never thought
I could do. To be able to spend 90 minutes just for yourself
and on yourself is a gift! I have now taken classes with over
6 different teachers and while each has a unique way, Judith has
something no one else has...her calm, soothing voice and wonderful
sense of humor go a long way to making each class enjoyable and
something to look forward to! -- Suzi
Shaffner King
I have been taking this class for almost
nine years. I not only find it relaxing and centering,
but it helps improve my balance, flexibility, and physical
strength. Helps with my outlook on the world
too! -- Jon, Manager, age 50
I come to yoga class after a long day of teaching and advising,
and suddenly I’m given the opportunity to create an intention
for MYSELF. It’s extraordinarily CENTERING
after a day of giving it all out and away.
-- Sarah, Professor
Dear
Judith,
thanks for the classes. They are the best thing I do
for myself most weeks. After class I am incredibly
calm, clear and serene. Regular yoga has relieved chronic
back pain. -- Nancy, Business Manager
I think I started taking yoga with Judith about two years ago—and
I had never practiced yoga at all. From the very first visit, she made
me feel welcome and took time to make sure I understood the poses.
Judith is great at not only explaining how to do the yoga poses, but
she also tells you what parts of your body are benefiting from
each position. She has a soothing voice and accent—she
makes me want to do my best and forget about the world while I’m in
class. I haven’t been with any other yoga instructors, but I’ve done a
few yoga classes while watching TV and it wasn’t nearly as satisfying
as her classes. She is great about letting you make up a class you
miss by attending any of her other classes and the other ones I’ve
attended have been good as well. She is a great teacher and a person
who I think would make a fun friend. --
Ginny Fountain
During this past week, the practice of
balancing while closing my eyes twice saved me from injury: once, when
I skidded on mud at the State Fair, and once when someone knocked into
me while I was walking. I'm grateful for the practice. Thank you.
-- Barbara, Student
I have
always been very driven and hyper. The yoga classes have helped me
CALM DOWN, do things in more relaxed ways and SLEEP BETTER. I’ve
always been very anxious . The yoga has allowed me to feel
safer, stronger and more competent. My back has stopped hurting and my
posture has improved. -- Sandra,
Sales Manager
JV Yoga offers students a unique
opportunity to experience the complete art of yoga far more
comprehensively than as a mere physical practice. Each class presents
yoga poses, breath work and relaxation in a manner that encourages
attentive movement and body awareness. JV’s distinctive style supports
students of any level in building an accessible practice for the
present moment and beyond. -- C.C.,
Student
Yoga gives me permission to
stop and slow down. It gives me the sense of
empowerment over my own body. --
Jennifer, Teacher
I recently experienced Yoga for the
first time by taking a series of classes with Judith Valerie as the
instructor. It was a delightful experience and I would highly
recommend Judith. She is well organized, thorough, and explains things
well. She describes the various poses in a way that is easy to
comprehend and she also mentions the parts of the body in terms of the
benefits realized by doing the particular poses. She truly has a mind,
body, and spirit integrative approach and has wonderful energy that
permeates and creates a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. From my
recent and brief experience, I feel more balanced, flexible, and
mindful and am grateful to Judith for her help, patience, and gentle
nature. I look forward to the next series of classes.
-- Marty
More in tune with
my body and surroundings… more flexible and relaxed…more
focused. -- David, Systems
Engineer
I will be 68 years old at my next birthday. At
my recent annual exam, my physician remarked at my flexibility
and strength, at the healthy “plumpness” of my spinal
discs and my good blood pressure and exclaimed --- “it must be the
YOGA that is keeping you in such good shape for your age”. Thank you
Judith. who teaches and inspires us to learn to be present and
mindful, balanced and centered, strong and flexible – in body, mind
and spirit. Every day I give thanks for my good health and my strong
body. -- Namaste, Penny
No
matter what’s going on with me I ALWAYS FEEL BETTER AFTER CLASS.
Judith’s instruction, in that beautiful British accent, is firm yet
gentle. I like her attention to detail in the poses and I enjoy her
SENSE OF HUMOR! -- James, Accountant
I started Yoga with Judith because I couldn't do the stretches of
my youth and would cramp up sitting in my sea kayak. Yoga solved those
issues. What amazed me was that yoga also cured my digestive issues,
improved my posture and gave me the lower-back strength to once again
comfortably do push-ups! -- Greg,
Software Engineer, age 5l
I am so thoroughly impressed
by the peace the class brought me. The relaxation =
the safest experience I've ever had. It made a big
big difference... The best part was your singing at the end. Thank
you. -- Sarah
My teacher,
Judith, has studied with teachers in the States, Canada and Europe.
She weaves it altogether in a satisfying, balanced
way. Each class is a tapestry of strength building and
relaxation. Each class teaches me something new. Each class
helps me grow. -- Elizabeth, Artist
Judith’s yoga class helped me overcome a 40-year
addiction to cigarettes. Yoga added a new dimension of
relaxation that I did not even know existed.
-- Cornelia, Housewife
Yoga
makes me feel good and grounded and peaceful all at the same
time. -- Valerie, Analyst
While studying yoga with you I began doing a little yoga everyday.
I relaxed about my food. I controlled my eating without strain
for the first time in my life. I’ve lost weight, too.
Is this a miracle? -- Liz, Reference
Librarian
After studying with her for more than ten
years, Judith continues to make old poses new. She
encourages us to practice with beginner's mind and
sense how poses feel in our body while she describes new details
learned from her own practice. In advanced classes
students range from hopeful yoga teachers to inflexible men like me.
-- Philip
Yoga makes me
feel like I had 8 hours sleep. I love this class!
-- Molly, Retired
Your
classes have been invaluable. The yoga has all but eliminated
my insomnia. It has reduced the tension and stress in
my body and calmed my mind. I have also found an
increase in body strength and flexibility. I
enjoy being challenged with the new & different poses in the on-going
class. -- Kristen, Accountant/student
I enjoyed the ongoing class because of the
variety of the poses. Thank you.
-- Christopher
Ms Valerie
teaches the details of alignment with exquisite
precision from her many years of experience studying
with Iyengar teachers. She also has the flow and
gentle ease I have experienced with other Kripalu
teachers…best of both worlds. -- Samuel,
Attorney
Judith’s teaching skills are incredible. I’ve
learned so much about exactly how to do each individual pose in a way
I never understood before. I wish I’d started with her 20 years ago.
-- Debbie, Teacher
From
taking your class I have less back pain, more flexibility and overall
physical improvement. I found the things you said very empowering.
-- Robin
A great
improvement in strength and balance. Your teaching
methods are excellent. I am very comfortable in class. You notice and
guide me when I am not doing something correctly. I have improved my
posture. I like the increased flexibility and
added strength. And…it’s improved my golf!!!
-- Dorothy, Office Manager
The yoga class really taught me how simple breathing and
stretches can make my body more supple.
Thank you. -- Marian
I am
more calm, focused and patient. Yoga
has shown me a more contemplative side of my
spirituality. -- Amber, Mom
I enjoy/find helpful….
descriptions of muscles and organs being
addressed in poses
variety of poses each week
quiet & meditative
atmosphere - not a lot of class talking
your personal involvement with
us - checking our poses class is always very "well-rounded" very
fluid. -- Anita, Massage Therapist
I feel so good when I do this yoga… more inner strength
and confidence. I like the non-judgmental,
non-competitive atmosphere. --
Virginia, Policy Analyst
Judith’s yoga is delicious. The
yoga sequences are so satisfying to do - fluid work. The directives
are full of love, gentleness and honest concern not
only for the student but for the yoga spirit.
-- Lynda, Retired
I do yoga
because it feels right. It unifies
me. It takes me inside and lets me be there.
Judith’s teaching complements the yoga that comes from my internal
experience. Her teaching has an integrity to it,
inviting integrity in return. -- Owen,
Data Architect, age 58
I never before realized the
relaxing and invigorating power of stretching. And at
the end of each class I felt very relaxed and always
slept very well. --
Tracy
Yoga has helped me a lot since my accident to
trust my body again. Coming to regular classes I have
made a lot more progress in my healing - both physically and
emotionally. It is so important to be able to go at my own
pace and know I’m supported in that. I feel
more in control and better able to focus.
-- Carolyn
I came into this
yoga session with the intention of increasing my focus and strength to
"win" my quest to (finally) get pregnant. Wow! Somehow the yoga
practice helped me discover and accept that I only have so much
control over my fertility. I released myself from the "quest" and have
realized a baby is a gift. I never thought 8 weeks ago that I could
release this…..Peace of Mind.
-- Christine
Yoga helps me
feel GROUNDED in a fast moving world. It teaches me BALANCE in a
challenging world. -- John, College
Professor
I have an awareness of my feet
and how they influence posture, which influences my attitude.
I love the imagery Judith provides in the poses. She
inspires me to practice the poses at
home. And I always feel better when I do.
-- Brandi, Technical Writer
Yoga maintains
flexibility in my back and joints. I can
move more easily. --
Beverly, Paralegal
Yoga gives me ways to RELAX and
DESTRESS that are NOT TOXIC, but GOOD for me.
-- Janet, Person in Recovery Program
Thank you so much for the gift of yoga which has
so enriched my life. I am so grateful. Yoga is a way
of caring for myself. --
Linda, Project Manager
Yoga has allowed my voice
to gain strength. I absolutely recommend yoga classes
with Judith or Amoy for all performance artists.
-- Diana, Professional Vocalist
When the physical therapist checked out my spine, she said the
flexibility of my thoracic spine was awesome, that
she hadn’t felt such flexibility in a person over 30 since she could
remember. I told her it must be the yoga.
-- C.B., Historian, age 57
When I started Yoga I was
having problems with my asthma. Now I hardly take any medications for
it. All the deep breathing and relaxation has definitely helped! Not
coughing for a month. Feels really great!
-- Emily
The statements above were
compiled and edited by Judith Valerie
from spoken and written comments
of her yoga students.
Since July 2001
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