Testimonials
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Autoimmune Disorder
"Todd, I feel so blessed that you were brought into my life. I had truly given up believing anyone could help. Ten years of chronic burning pain, hospitals and bed had become my life. I was fortunate that my family kept persuading me to try new things. I had been to over twenty-eight different doctors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, pain specialists, etc. When my sister encouraged me to meet you, I didn’t have much hope. I can say for the first time in years, I am looking forward to the future. Your patience, guidance, and calming, non-threatening approach enabled me to learn and incorporate mind-body techniques into my daily life. Using these techniques along with your weekly reminders; yoga, meditation, breathing, and talk therapy has allowed me to be honest with myself and uncover buried pain I had not dealt with or recognized. Thank you so much for this opportunity to continue to grow, learn, and heal. You have changed my life and set me on the road to recovery." ---- Back Pain "In a perfect world, the body wouldn't hurt or experience chronic pain. Unfortunately that was not the case for me after major surgery, followed by herniated and bulging discs along with the onset of osteoarthritis. Having received several steroid shots, exhausting the physical therapy route and facing the possibility of further surgery for pain relief, I was unconvinced yoga would succeed where so much had failed. After being referred to you, your careful assessment of my abilities and exceptional understanding of what was needed to begin healing was unparalleled. Gently incorporating your deep knowledge of yoga and the healing arts you have so greatly improved my sense of well being, posture, flexibility and ability to move, all within a safe, trusted and fun environment! Being able to focus on my specific needs in private sessions has been a great advantage, especially when teaching me how to incorporate yoga into the movements of my daily life. Chronic pain and the medications that went with it have thankfully, all but disappeared. Todd, I am so grateful for your calming energy, relaxed manner and extraordinary dedication, you have given me back a part of my life I thought had slipped away. I will always be indebted for these life-long gifts." ----- Breast Cancer Recovery "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..." ------ Holistic Practice "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." ----- Individual Attention "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!!" ------ Group Classes "Thank you for inspiring classes. I have learned so much from you. Thank you for the gift of your time and the kindness you have shown me." ----- Private Session “Todd, Thanks again for the session. I am excited to try all the new moves. Now I know why [friend] is such a big fan of yours. I too will spread the word.” ----- Thai Yoga Therapy Thanks again for the Thai Yoga [Therapy] Massage. I will definitely be scheduling one of those in the near future. Don't get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle; You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend. --Bruce Lee
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Experiential Therapy: Adolescent In-Patients
"I touched based with the adolescents today and asked them for feedback on how your group with them went. The feedback was very positive and they were excited as they talked to me about the yoga you did with them. It’s nice when they’re offered something a little different and they seemed to get a lot out of it. Just so you know!" ---- Reiki Therapy Session "Todd, Thank you very much for the successful Reiki session yesterday. I felt great afterward, and slept very well last night, (which is a more cherished experience each day!). I forgot to tell you that my daughter called me a week or so ago, very excited because she signed up for a yoga workshop with a guy she believed was you! She got names confused. Well, I told her most likely you were not in Austin giving a workshop at this time. You have left a wonderful and lasting impression on her as well. We will get together again." ---- Reiki Healing Mystery “Todd, I truly am speechless. You felt the lump, it was obvious. I have my own suspicions as to how it disappeared, :) meanwhile thank you for all your hard work with me. It was an awesome confirmation that what you do for me is working, that yoga works, and you are so definitely on the right path.” ---- Pelvic Pain "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." ---- Multiple Sclerosis/Knee Replacement "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." ----- Migraine Headaches "I've been suffering from migraines and I met Todd and he has taught me many things about life and yoga--what I mean by this is I get a headache at least one a week. My neurologist said my anxiety is down and encourages me to meet with Todd at least once per week. Todd is truly my angel that is getting me through these dark days. He develops my practices based on mindfulness, breath and posture and it makes a difference. I just can't say enough about Todd. He made a huge difference in my life. He is a great listener and knows how to help. Thank you Todd, you’re the best." ------- Mind-Body Integration "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." |