Hi Todd, Just wanted to thank
you for helping me overcome my fear of pelvic pain through the use of yoga. Ever since I started yoga lessons through you,
not only has the pain lessened but my fear of the pain has also subsided. I appreciate your ability not only to listen but
understand what I was going through. The total mind body experience has been very enlightening and you have made it enjoyable.
I highly recommend lessons with you. It can truly change your life. A.D.
----
The yoga sessions with Todd are the
most important gift I could have ever given myself. His personal experience with back pain makes him a compassionate
teacher with an understanding of the psychological fear that prevents people from taking a chance. I had knee replacement
June of 2009 and have multiple sclerosis. I was feeling my independence slowly disappearing. I needed to use a
wheel chair when walking distances of a half mile or more and had taken some falls that scared me and my family. Three
months after starting yoga sessions with Todd I walked, pulling my luggage, through the airport! Todd is a skilled instructor.
I always feel encouraged and positive after each session. I’m sure that I am not the most graceful or flexible
student but with Todd’s encouragement I am doing things I never thought I could. Thank you, Todd. Sincerely,
J.Y.
-----
Hi K., my name is M.C. Todd
mentioned that you might be interested in knowing about my recovery from a double mastectomy on 9-05-2008. I was most
fortunate not to require radiation or chemotherapy. I opted for the immediate reconstruction which was initiated the
day of surgery...The process was completed about the middle of June. About 6 wks after the initial surgery it was apparent
to me that the pain and stiffness particularly in my chest wall but also in my left shoulder was not improving with the standard
regime of exercises...I happened to see a flyer for a yoga demonstration at [area fitness club]...I decided to go...I had
never done yoga and didn't really know anything about it...I tried some poses ; but mostly I watched. I thought it might
help me and started weekly sessions with Todd. It is the best thing I could have done for myself. Todd is a very patient,
intuitive teacher. He modified poses to accommodate my level of ability. Because the reconstruction process involves
several surgical steps, each was a "mini set back" mobility wise. Todd taught me to respect my body as it
is on a given day...I am still working on the breathing. At this time I have 100% shoulder/scapular range
of motion. I have achieved greatly improved flexibility. I have no pain. The surgeon and plastic surgeon
have been very impressed with my progress. I take a drug called Arimidex and will continue it for 5 yrs.
The side effects are osteoporosis and joint pain...I am convinced that yoga will help me with these potential problems...I
have much to learn...I practice a little routine daily...I am 62 yrs. old...this is something I can do at my level for
the rest of my life........please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help to you...best wishes, M.C.
-------
My name is C.M., and I have been attending Tuesday morning yoga classes with Todd for the past several months, and I just
wanted to drop you a note of appreciation about that experience. I started attending the Tuesday class in late October, and
I'm happy to say it has more than exceeded my expectations! Todd is a wonderful teacher and very gentle soul. He has
an amazing grasp of yoga (and other mind-body arts that he draws on). He also is very good at managing multiple levels
of skill in the class. The classes are always challenging, yet timed so that everyone can get a break after difficult
or extended poses. I've taken yoga classes all over the world, and I've had my fair share of experiences with teachers
who had high expectations for students and weren't shy about letting you know when you didn't meet them. I am particularly
touched by how accepting Todd is of everyone's level of skill, and his positive regard for all people. He integrates
loving-kindness into his teaching in a way that isn't preachy or overly sentimental. Last week I was speaking with the
chair of my dissertation committee who is dealing with serious pain associated with nerve damage. We were talking about
alternative to medicine for pain management, and I shared with him my experience at yoga. It is something Todd reminded
me of in that practice that I had lost focus of in my own buddhist meditation practice. For me, one of the most powerful
parts of yoga is the testing and acceptance of your limits. When you extend your practice to the point where you can't
hold the pose, or feel discomfort and stop to examine that... sit with it, and make friends with it, you slowly extend your
threshold of acceptance of that discomfort within yourself. I believe the buddhists refer to this as befriending the
Dons. My classes with Todd have helped to remind me of that, and embrace it off the mat when I sit in front of a blank
page of paper and try to write about the situation I experience [in my work]. That teaching is a great gift and I'd
like to thank you for providing the space for it to be taught, and Todd for providing it in such a gentle and kind way. I
wanted to let you know that I am very thankful for the sangha of your studio, and the teaching that is provided there - it
is a blessing to those fortunate enough to be able to experience it. I will be regularly attending the Tuesday class
unless I'm back down [home], where I will take the teaching with me into the field. Sincerely, C.M.
------
Todd - I can't say enough about your concern and your teaching ability. You are a very genuine person and your philosophy
along with the physical part of yoga is exactly what I am looking for. J.M.
----
I think you are one of the best
and most genuine teachers I have ever met!!!! thank you for the gifts that you have given to me!! K.G.
------
