Testimonials
I just wanted to send you a quick note and let you know how much I
enjoyed the yoga sessions these past weeks. You are an excellent teacher and I
loved the small intimate group and the relaxing environment.
Sandy Kelloway
After having completed the 4 week telecourse with Melissa, I have made
significant changes to my lifestyle and self care. Having the awareness of my
"trigger foods" and what is really going on when I emotionally eat, has made a
huge change to my daily routine. Melissa's positive approach, and non judgmental
feedback, has put me on a path of healthier eating and making better choices.
Many thanks.
Debbie Deroo
I've been taking yoga for over 17 years and although I've always
enjoyed yoga and felt the physical benefits of the postures in terms of
increased flexibility and strength, your yoga classes provide a whole other
level of learning. You bring a great depth of knowledge about both yoga and the
body to each and every one of your classes. I've been able to transfer that
learning to my home practice and am so inspired by your classes that I'm now
doing yoga almost every day. Other yoga classes I've taken have felt like a
version of aerobics. I simply followed the instructor through a series if
postures without connecting to the meaning behind them, but that's not what your
classes are like. You have classes built around a theme, like the brain or the
spine or relaxation, and you describe what benefits the postures are providing
and how that works. In your classes I'm learning about yoga, myself and my body
and all that it is capable of doing. I absolutely love your classes; they are
truly inspiring, as are you. Thank you so very much.
Laurie
About 2 1/2 years ago I was in a car accident and have since been
suffering from whiplash related injuries. Many people believe this is nothing.
On the contrary, this is a most painful injury; it has affected every part of my
body. I have endured over 2 years of agonizing doctor and specialist visits, as
well as, painful and invasive medical tests and procedures. A few months ago I
found a pain specialist who has started with muscle treatments and has insisted
that without yoga this treatment itself will not reach its full benefit. He
explained that yoga will slowly, and without pain, stretch my muscles which are
extremely tense. Let me explain, my body has felt like its been in a "state of
shock" ever since the accident and nothing has loosened this "knot like"
feeling. It feels like I have had an extreme workout everyday. I was very
hesitant with taking yoga because the thought of moving my muscles and thus
enduring more pain felt overbearing. My doctor insisted that yoga was in no way
intrusive or painful. I decided to jump in with both feet; I really had nothing
else to lose. Nothing else was working. I started yoga with Melissa a few weeks
ago and just after one class I felt like I found home. Home sweet Home! I was
completely unaware that I wasn't listening to my body. My body was yelling out
"I need attention" but my mind had other plans :go, go, go. My life felt like it
was a continuous marathon. There was no time to stop or breathe. In yoga, I
finally was able to connect my mind and body as one. I heard about this but
thought it was a bunch of nonsense. Seeing was believing, right? If I couldn't
see it, it didn't exist. I completely ignored my sense of feeling. The irony of
it all is that I am blind no more. Being in yoga has opened, not only my eyes,
but my entire being. I always thought of yoga as boring but one class with
Melissa has proven me wrong. Melissa has been able to teach yoga with such
clarity and wisdom. In each class there is an explanation of how the physical
movements are benefiting the body. I find this extremely important because a lot
of times people are doing things without knowing why. Through yoga, I feel I am
slowly finding all these scattered pieces and forming one complete puzzle of ME.
Thanks Melissa!
Mary
I just wanted to give you some feedback from yesterday’s class. Everyone
really enjoyed themselves and can’t wait for next week’s class. Cindy, who you
met yesterday and has the neck problem, was so interested to hear your
suggestions. Attendees also mentioned how knowledgeable you are, which is a
great asset to have in an instructor (because sometimes you don’t always get
that).
Alyson
I wanted to drop you a line and tell you how much of a positive impact Yoga has
made to my life since practicing with you! It is also important to note, that
YOU are a big part of what has made my Yoga experience healthy, enjoyable,
spiritual and something that I wish to continue to practice and incorporate into
my life.
THANK YOU!!!
Heather
"Melissa is a great instructor, she's passionate and enthusiastic about what she
does and she transfers this energy and passion to her students. She made
spinning classes fun for me despite my initial negative attitude towards
spinning. With Melissa you do not think twice, you take her class after the
first session and you stay with her ! :)"
Lucy Movsessian
"I always look forward to going to Melissa’s classes after a long day of work.
Whether it be pilates, Hatha yoga, or chakra yoga, Melissa’s classes are a
breath of fresh air. I’ve participated in other pilates and yoga classes before
and find that they are usually repetitive and predictable. Each of Melissa’s
classes is different, fun, and challenging. Since I’ve started attending
Melissa’s classes, I’ve noticed an improvement in my posture and breathing and
I’ve also become more aware of my body. It’s been two years since I started
taking Melissa’s classes and I look forward to continuing with her."
Christie
"Melissa is simply wonderful! Her classes are stimulating and calming at the
same time. She creates an air of camaraderie in the classroom that invites her
students to test themselves without intimidation. Her classes generate a sense
of well-being and calm within you that is a welcome feeling in these stressful
times. Melissa creates a "theme" for each class which keeps everyone interested
to find out what we will explore next. I can personally say that finding these
classes has been the best thing that I have done for myself in years!"
Sherry Keast
"I started taking yoga classes because I thought it would help me to relax
during my pregnancy and I wasn’t wrong, every single time I take a class I feel
so relaxed. The main reasons why I’m able to feel great is thanks to Melissa’s
guidance on the different postures and breathing techniques. Yoga has become a
wonderful experience during my pregnancy because I’m able to connect with every
single part of my body and my baby. I really appreciate Melissa’s help thru my
journey of pregnancy.
Melissa adjusts her instructions in class to the different personal needs and
limitations of her students.
After my baby is born I’ll make sure to continue taking yoga classes with
Melissa."
Irma
Melissa is a fantastic instructor! Her compassionate approach challenges
students to safely explore new poses at their own pace and comfort level. Every
class is different and by focusing on something new each time, students get a
fun and in-depth look at all that yoga has to offer. Her teachings bring about
not only a greater strength and flexibility but also lead to a better body
awareness and self-acceptance.
Melissa is incredibly intuitive. Somehow knowing exactly what the class needs
most, be it an energy boost, time to unwind, a chance to work out kinks and
stresses or just some time to laugh and try something new.
It’s easy to see that Melissa really cares about her students and it shows in
her preparedness & enthusiasm for each class. I look forward to every week
knowing that I will come away feeling calm, refocused and energized.
Carolyn Fiset
Melissa has been one of my favourite instructors at the U of T fitness centre
over the last 22 years I have been a member there. I have attended many of her
classes in various class formats. Melissa is
always well prepared for her class instruction. She has a class routine prepared
before class which usually differs from the previous class routine. Therefore,
Melissa's classes are not a repeat routine every time you attend. Also, her
music changes with each type of session to keep you interested.
I have attended her Palates, All-In-One, Ball, Body Conditioning, Cardio &
Cycle. Melissa knows the human body structure well and it shows in
her very thorough instructions during her classes. She explains how the exercise
should feel & how it will improve our body strengths. This is especially true in
her palates classes. I was originally a skeptic of palates but her classes
really have won me over. I really enjoy all body stretching routines & she has
taken us through some great classes of these. We have a cardio class which often
uses step, weights &
circuit training too. I would recommend Melissa, she is a fabulous instructor.
Kelly Shotlander
Melissa's classes are always fun, informative and never the same twice. She is
always respectful of your "space" and your own needs/level of comfort, and gently
corrects your form so you don't injure yourself. Since starting Melissa's
classes, I've been working on my balance and posture; she is assisting me in
eliminating my "computer hunch". Melissa's teaching style provides an extremely
positive influence both during and outside of class. Many thanks, Melissa.
Colleen Pheonix
“I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy both your classes and you as a
person. This is my 4th session with you and as I said a couple of weeks ago, I
am now starting to feel that I really get it. YOU are a true inspiration. It
doesn’t matter what the weather or the mood of the class, you have us all eating
out of the palm of your hand. I love all the information that you bring and
share with us each week. I can not tell you how much I look forward to each
coming week.”
Sharon Dorcas
Email:
info@melissawest.com
