I attended FSY's Yoga and Ayurveda Weight Loss Workshop led by Merrilee last
May. Thanks to classes like this, my relationship with my body and with
food are more healthy and nurturing than frustrating and adversarial. I
lost weight steadily and it now feels natural to maintain a healthy
weight. I reached my goal about 6 months ago and am still losing
weight! Merrilee radiates calm assurance and is an insightful teacher who
provides keen, no-nonsense guidance. I would recommend her class to
anyone who wants to learn about Ayurveda and develop mindfulness, whether or
not they want to lose weight.
I mentioned specifics to one of my classmates who said it was helpful, so if it
would motivate anyone to know, I am 50, 5 foot 3, 130 pounds, lost over 25
pounds (so far!), and lowered my bmi from 28 to 23. I feel great!
Hi Andrea, I'm sure you don't remember me, but I used to take classes about a year and a half ago. I have moved to Carbon Canyon in Chino Hills and I miss your studio so much. I tell everyone about Free Spirit. I haven't taken any classes since I've moved, but I have talked to others about how yoga changed my life...but it wasn't just the yoga... it was you and your staff and the building itself. I have gotten a few people to go and experience it for themselves and they can't believe the difference in how they feel and how they look at life. I just wanted to thank you and to tell you how much I miss being there. I wasn't totally dedicated, but for the time I was there it did make an impression on me.
I just found out that there are yoga classes down at the local community center and I'm looking forward to attending, but a little hesitant....It's just not goign to be the same. :) Please keep sending your emails as I look forward to seeing what's going on at Free Spirit.
Take Care and Bless you all. Sincerely, Kelly Tuggle
I have to thank you for your amazing class, which really did prepare me for laboring naturally; I used my yoga breathing along with music we listened to in class to help me do really well, at least until transition. I will see you in the Baby Yoga class as soon as I feel up to it. --Raquel
Hi Lonne,
My birthday wish was that I could blow out all 50 candles in just one breath. I turned around and filled my lungs and then thought of you. I was able to take yet a deeper breath because of my yoga practice over the past year. In one complete pass over my cake, all 50 candles were extinguished! My guests were amazed and asked "how on earth could you do that?" I smiled and explained that my yoga practice not only greatly improved my health, posture and attitude but also my ability to blow out all my candles. Wait till they see me on my 75th birthday!
There are few people that come into our lives that make an impression on us or become great teachers to us. I want you to know that you are one of those to me. Thank you for all you have taught me so far, but most of all, thank you for all the love you share with those you touch.
Love, Laura
From: Sandi
A sense of community... After Tuesday's yoga session, I wanted to share with you the impact that FreeSpirit's yoga community has had on my life. Every time I walk through the doors, I feel a sense of peace and harmony, which I do not find in other places or spaces of my life. I went through a difficult period after I left Long Beach four years ago. During the time that I was living in Danville, I visited one yoga studio, but I never continued. I was reaching out for an activity that would help me bring focus into my life and alleviate some of my fibromyalgia symptoms.
After I moved down to Long Beach and started splitting my time between an apartment in San Francisco and here, I visited FreeSpirit with my sister, who lives in Vail, Colorado. She actually researched yoga studios in Long Beach and found FreeSpirit on the web. I was hooked the minute I took my first class with Sally on a Sunday morning. Since my first class over a year ago, I have attended numerous types of classes, tried a variety of teachers and traveled to various locations to do yoga. I always come back to FreeSpirit and feel that sense of tranquility and comfort.
My yoga practice at FreeSpirit keeps me focused mentally, physically and spiritually. I made it through a difficult time in my life, and I just wanted to thank you for the friendly community of FreeSpirit and the safe haven I have found within your studio. Thank you,
From: Tim
Just a letter of thanks. I have often passed by your facility and wanted to try yoga. Finally last month I dropped in to try a class and your staff made me feel comfortable and welcomed. Not only has my range of motion improved but my stress level has gone down, my fingers are no longer numb every morning.
This is all thanks to You, Peter, Merilee and Lonne. Each of you have made my experience an enjoyable one.
From: Patricia
This thank you letter is long overdue. I started FreeSpirit almost two years ago. I had been having back and hip problems and was almost ready to start using a cane.
My daughter-in-law suggested I try yoga and since we live in the neighborhood, I saw your sign and thought I would give it a try.
To say that yoga has been a life saver is an understatement. I am almost totally pain free, even when I do yard work. My mental and spiritual health is great. I cannot thank you and your staff enough.
One of my small accomplishments is being able to do an inverison. I have never in my whole life been able to lift my body and now I can do a headstand, I still haven't mastered doing it without the wall, but I am thrilled at what I can do.
In January I will be 60 and I think that I walk like a 40 year old, yoga helps to keep me young. I know that yoga will always be a part of my life. Thank you for what you have done for me and for this community.
Sincerely,
From: Linda
Andrea, I'm really glad I'm part of your studio. I tell people practicing yoga at your facility has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm pretty sure it was that one Saturday class when I first started, you asked me if I worked out or something like that and I said I was a runner and you said you could tell because of my tightness and that you used to be athletic too and you understood. That was so welcoming, and so important. It was that opening that I latched onto. Since then I've been able to grow internally, and externally. So thank you for that. And congratulations on year two. I am very gratefull to you and your people.
From: Daniel
I just wanted to thank you. I am new to your studio, and yoga, and am enjoying my experience. You have wonderful people working there, including yourself, whose kindness and encouragement blanket me each and every time I attend class. Yoga has already begun to teach me so much about myself. I look forward to many more hours on my yoga mat. Thank you for the gift of your studio and sharing your love of yoga.
Namaste.
From: Peter
I wanted to let you know that becoming a member of the Free Spirit family has meant a lot to me. Your method of teaching and the people that congregate around you truly do embody, what I think of as, the spirit of Yoga.
You and the studio have helped me to re-kindle something in my spirit that I should never have let fall into a slumber. I wanted to let you know what a wonderful thing you do for me and for so many others.
From: Scott
Have you considered adding more yoga for children? My daughter, Allie, is exceptionally smart for a 7 year old. She must take after her mother! When she started second grade, she was bouncing off the walls as her class was at a lower reading level. For fun, she reads a dictionary,writes books, and studies state capitols. My wife and I noticed that she had a short attention span and would not focus when directed to do something. Her little mind was worrying about a science project,writing a book, or finishing an art project she started on her own. This changed after her very first visit to FreeSpirit Yoga. She was more relaxed, more focused, and able to be a child, not a college bound 7 year old. She often will practice yoga at home, instructing her 3 year old sister. I strongly recommend Lonne's class for all children, and commend her for her accomplishment in yoga instruction.
Best regards,
Scott
From: Jane
Andrea:
I would like for you to know how much yoga has helped me. When I started taking classes I had to sit in a chair because I couldn't get on the floor. As of two weeks ago I am now doing yoga on the floor the whole time and as of last week, I can lay on my back. I have been taking the 6:00 AM class since Linda started teaching it and I can't tell you how much I enjoy it! She is a very good teacher and that class really makes my days much better. I look forward to continue making progress with my flexibility so I can move to a level 2 class and try other types of yoga. I tell everyone I know what a great experience yoga is and that they should try it. Thanks!
From: Sarah
Dear Andrea, Lonne, Matt, Merrilee and All the fabulous people I met and practiced with:
I am off for greener (literally) pastures as Monday I leave for Arcata. I'm not a big fan of goodbyes 'cause really, I will see you all later, but I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for the wonderful experience I've had at your studio. I've done pretty much every type of yoga at many different studios over the last 2 years and I found my home with you. You are professionals who care deeply that your craft is taught and learned well. I always believed in the integrity of the yoga that was practiced and taughtand I finally developed a practice because of my experience with you. Each of you have your own energy and style but you all compliment each other nicely. I loved coming in and seeing Lonne's smiling face everyday. I loved joking around with Matt and chatting with Andrea before class. I didn't know Merrilee as well, but she has a calming warm presence that was nice to be around. You have also built a great community of kind, funny people who I will miss hanging out with before class and practicing with. I will miss you all and I hope to see you at the holidays!
Namaste, Sarah.
From: Candice
What a difference a few more practices makes! For the past couple of years, I've been taking one class a week from Andrea & enjoying the increased flexibility in my muscles & joints, as well as the sense of calm that I took home with me after each practice. In January, Andrea opened her own studio & expanded her class schedule to encompass a choice of several daily class level options. With my "unlimited quarterly" membership, I was able to follow through on a suggestion that she'd been giving me for some time. Currently, I take several classes each week, all led by her knowledgeable, caring teachers & I'm amazed at the difference this has made in my body & life. I've lost a couple of pounds (without changing my diet) & have gone down an entire clothing size (which makes me look like I've lost about 10 lbs.) The additonal yoga practices have enhanced my swimming & weight workouts. I am stronger & more toned in my fifties that I imagined I could be! My hips, knees, & lower back are giving me less problems than they have in years. Breathing practices continue to help me get through stressful work-related meetings with a sense of calm focus.
Thank-you Andrea!
From: Juanita
Thank you for your incredible gift. You have built a sanctuary in the heart of Long Beach. I cannot tell you enough what your studio has done for me. Life gets tough; at least it has lately for me. On May 1st, I unhappily left a company where I had worked for the last 23 years. I had a body that was knotted and tense from the daily corporate grind; and to that I added a partial loss of my identity. I was on a bad state of being. I knew that I needed to take some time for myself, and I knew I needed some help. I went internet surfing and I found Free Spirit Yoga. You were teaching a class that morning and I drove right over. Through your expert and compassionate instruction, you have greatly encouraged my spirit while making my body strong. Your studio is aptly named Free Spirit Yoga. It is a warm, friendly and healing place. I am so glad that you built it here in Long Beach.
Thank you Andrea! I look forward to many, many joyful years of spiritual, emotional and physical health as your student.
Sincerely,
Juanita
From: Amy
Andrea,
Thanks again for a wonderful yoga class...I'm sore today! I can definitely feel the shift and shuffle of my nerve energy flowing again....thankyouthankyouthankyou...I didn't realize just how badly I was in need of this type of bodywork...
peace and magic,
Amy
From: Sally
Andrea,
I just wanted to thank you for giving us the opportunity to practice yoga close to home and in a really warm and comfortable/friendly environment. I think you are doing a great job!! I find myself really looking forward to the yoga classes. In the past, I've dreaded going to the gym, always having to talk myself into it. Now, I'm trying to schedule my social life around yoga! And I love your sense of humor. You're great.
Thanks again,
Sally
From: Jaimie
Dear Andrea,
My mind continually drifts back to your wonderful yoga retreat at the Zen Mountain Center earlier this month. I can't say enough amazing things to all that ask about my special weekend (Mother's day) with my daughter, Jennifer. Everything about the retreat was fantastic: the peaceful Zen environment (monks included); the pleasure of everyone's company; you, Andrea, as an obvious well-respected leader, Falguni's sessions; Merideth's teachings; the schedule; and the comfortable accommodations. The food was the awesomest veggie food I've ever tasted. I replicated the Swiss chard recipe three times for my husband and I just purchased some seeds so I can grow my own. One of these days I want to attend a yoga class at FreeSpirit and say hi. Thank you for the fulfilling weekend.
Namaste,
Jamie
From: Janice Rea
Good Morning, I just want to say that Yoga has improved my already good life. When I dislocated my shoulder, the AMA folks said that it was probably the year of Yoga that protected me from any break, crack, tear or other long term damage. I am 56, and have been exercising for many years. However, yoga does more for me than the aerobics - all the connective tissues are supple and less brittle. Plus, yoga meets some of my spiritual/mental needs...
Ujjayii breathing precludes thought and for an hour and a half - I end up in a meditative state that focuses on the sound of breath... did you know that we cannot focus on breath and think at the same time??? hooray!!!
At any rate, I am hooked.
Love and laughter, Janice
From: Amy
My name is Amy Moeller. I was in a traumatic car accident in July of 1997. The recovery has been very difficult and will be a lifelong process. Fortunately, with Andrea Testa's help, I've discovered and experienced the amazing benefits of yoga. I hope my story will help lead others to understand and experience that yoga can prepare and nurture and individual in many ways.
Due to the accident I was in a coma for six weeks, and I suffered a stroke due to bleeding in my brain while trapped in the car. Also, from the spinning of my car from being hit, I had a traumatic brain injury. The stroked affected the entire left side of my body, and it also severely affected the muscles involved in speech. The traumatic brain injury affected my balance and fluid control of many of my main muscles. I remained in the hospital for four months doing different types of therapy. I had to relearn walking, any movements with my arms, and I'm still trying to master making my legs perform to simply run. My injuries are no longer obvious, but they still limit me in many ways.
I used to be very active in many different sports; tennis, volleyball, soccer, and running. I aim to return to these activities, but it will take a lot of work to get there. Yoga has been extremely important in allowing me to begin getting back to what I love. In yoga I can stretch and begin attempting the motions involved in many sports. My main struggle has been with regaining my balance, coordination, and strength. Yoga really uses motions which build strength, and challenge your coordination and balance. Yoga also offers you a peaceful and serene arena to challenge yourself, and never asks you to push your body. Andrea helped me challenge myself while providing a safe and supportive arena to attempt new challenges. She would suggest move she felt I was ready to tackle, and her knowledge of what we were attempting to do combined with her knowledge of my limitations, allowed me to push myself while also building my confidence. When I began yoga, I would often be extremely limited in the movements, but with Andrea's guidance and encouragement, I would breathe slowly and focus on what I was aiming to do. Slowly I was able to do almost every movement we attempted, and with this success, my confidence soared. Now I strive to tackle even more, and my experience with yoga allowed me the necessary confidence I needed to attempt more.
My experience with yoga has been one of the most beneficial activities I've done. It is really an incredible and supportive way to attempt all types of movements. Having had a severe injury, and desiring to return to many very physically challenging activities, yoga has allowed me the appropriate arena to build strength and confidence. Yoga has been beneficial for me physically as well as emotionally.
