Testimonials

Classes: 

The Testimonials below are from Greenwood Yoga Academy's clients and GYA sincerely thanks them for allowing us to print their testimonials.

Testimonial 5: 

I write this letter in my capacity as a Registered Nurse with 30 years experience and as a trainee Psychoterapist. I don't think that anyone can dispute the fact that as a human organism we are made up of many parts. Men of science are now saying what spiritual masters have always said, that we cannot separate mind and body and that they impact on each other.

We are increasingly sophisticated in our modern methods of treating illness and disease, but we are seeing a massive rise in the rates of obesity, type two diabetes, depression and other lifestyle related conditions. Our complex modern world has led us to be increasingly busy and stressed with time pressures being one of the major problems as we try to 'juggle' all facets of our lives.

I have been a practitioner of yoga at the Greenwood Yoga Academy for several years and think that it 'stands alone' in terms of the service that it offers. It is an academy devoted entirely to yoga and therefore has a peaceful ambience. It is a place where people can commune with others and take time out for themselves.

This practice makes us physically stronger and more flexible. This mindful practice makes us centred and less prone to falls and muscular injury. It is exceptionally good for the health of our spine and endocrine system. I see so much chronic back pain in my line of work, with physical and pschological factors involved.

Yoga works on the mind by enabling practitioners to focus inwardly, with the potential to help alleviate stress and enhance mental well being. Meditation, if practiced regularly is known to work on a subtle level and at the very least has been shown to lower blood pressure and pulse rate.

Yoga is taught to a very high standard at the academy. The verbal instructions are always clear, detailed and repeated constantly. The student is constantly observed and the posture is always demonstrated by the teacher. Maximum priority is given to the wellbeing of the students.

I highly recommend the practice of yoga in the pursuit of physical and emotional health.  Jane Wilson RN.

Testimonial 6: 

 As a woman in my mid 50's who came to yoga very late, I'm constantly delighted at how yoga helps me on so many levels. Thanks Marg for the way you've set up the academy and for your wonderful classes.

Every week, its more than just a class. When I entre the academy my heart rate and stress levels drop instantly. Once the class begins, the various asanas and sequences challenge me but I find myself stronger and a little more flexible after each term.

You know each class member's capabilities and problems and despite there being a group, you work with us individually when needed. Certainly in the groups I attend, you've built up trust in all of us. The 90 minute sessions are far more than just exercise. There's a spiritual component (meant in the true sense of the word) to the practice that allows deep relaxation while performing potentially difficult tasks. I always leave feeling so much better than when I entered. Finally, the sequnces give me excellent home practices, helping me to take responsibility for health and wellbeing. Anne Harris

 Yoga Personal Sessions ~ Yoga Therapy:

Presented below is a testimonial from a private client who attended Yoga Therapy sessions. GYA sincerely thanks this client for allowing us to share their testiomonial.

The one on one session was really helpful. One of the main points that I picked up was that there is more to Asanas than initially meets the eye. What I mean by that is rather than just doing the Marjarasan (Cat pose) and arching the back and breathing, you also bring into play the stomach muscles and work the shins. It therefore becomes a more complete action.

I've been taking this approach with all the Asanas in the practice given to me by Margaret (Yoga Therapist), focusing more on including other parts of the body. The position of the body in the pose is more important to me now so I'm looking for these things.

The follow up session was of great benefit as this was an opportunity to refine the practice to suit my needs, but also to check my stance and position in the poses and receive advice on how these could be improved. As well as the Asanas, there was advice and guidance towards other aspects of my Yoga practice including Meditation and study.  John Payne

Teacher Training Courses: 

Presented below are a few testimonials from students who have completed Greenwood Yoga Academy's Teacher Training Course. GYA sincerely thanks the students for allowing us to print their testimonials.

Venue: The venue was superb, resonating the spirit of yoga, being quiet but stimulating and well equipped to facilitate a range of activities. Some of these were spontaneous, as was appropriate for the needs of the class at the time. The atmosphere generated was very supportive as a consequence of the beautiful venue and very inviting for students to explore the yoga way in more depth. Content: The course content was brilliantly selected and compiled, being very substantial but written in a user friendly manner, that is, in simple enough terminology and clever selection of material for beginners to be able to find their starting points. The content was very thorough but at the same time accessible because the logic, structure and presentation of the course notes led in students and the references and recommended readings added extension. Notes were downloaded from the internet for students, which was a kind and thorough approach as some students were technologically challenged. The sessions were well structured with plenty of opportunity for students to interact and feed in their own ideas. This was a crucial component given the need for meaning all students have but particularly so for the adult learner. Students quickly became more confident in their understandings and found the sessions productive and rewarding.

Facilitators: The facilitators were very professional in their delivery, using a variety of teaching aids and creative thoughtful strategies to present potentially difficult ideas and content to beginning students, many new to the theoretical study of yoga. Any difficulties or inadequacies were tackled in an objective manner and the tasks reclarified and students reminded of the goals and ethics aspired to.

Approachability of Facilitators: The facilitators were also very approachable and they treated all students equally which are also important ingredients in a fruitful and fulfilling learning experience. They respond to feedback in a non-detached way, actively listening to students and accommodating their needs at all times. This was a special part of the productive learning environment that was created by these special and gifted teachers. The facilitators were very understanding and flexible and strove to bring out the best in their students.

Cost: I think the cost compared favorably to others offered. It seemed very expensive to me but I am sure it was value for money considering the prices other centres charge.

Administration: The administration of the course was superb. At all times the running of the programme was thorough, on time and always complete. There was a sense of orderliness generated which added the necessary reassurance and creditability for students.

Recommendations: I will be recommending this course without hesitation. It was totally professional but also personal in that it catered for the needs of individual students which only enhanced their learning. I am sure this element would be hard to find in other courses and a reflection of the people involved in the delivery of this course.

Other comments: Well done for an outstanding effort in getting the course up and running. There were few if any hitches. I certainly was not aware of any shortfalls in any area.

Deeper understanding of role of yoga teacher: The course has given me a greater understanding of aspects such as yogic history and philosophy and shown me how to pass on this yogic knowledge to my students. The course has also given me the fundamental understanding of the important elements in a class to do with the foundation, alignment and mind/body integration as blocks on which to build the teaching of asanas (postures).

Ian Harding - Retired from Air Force and Aircraft Mechanical Engineer, Cert IV

Having recently completed the HYTTC run by Margaret Willcocks at the Greenwood Yoga Academy, I would certainly recommend this course to any person thinking about undertaking yoga teacher training.
The venue at the Greenwood Yoga Academy in Wangara and the materials provided for the course were excellent. The materials supplied and the course structure provided me with a sound understanding of yoga, especially how to professionally teach yoga. The course was competency based and although the standards were high, Margaret and the other facilitators did everything possible to assist course members to achieve those high levels making this course well worth the cost. I now appreciate the difference between a yoga teacher and a qualified yoga teacher.
What I have learnt from this course will remain with me for a lifetime.

Jennifer Ranger - Bowen Therapeutic Techniques Practitioner, Reiki I & II, Fascal Kinetics, Color Healing and Metaphysics, AuroSoma I & II, Meditation teacher at North Shore Meditation Centre.

The GYA's HYTTC has been an amazing experience for me. When I signed up for the course, I really didn't know what to expect other than to learn how to teach yoga. But this course has been so much more enriching than that for me. It has been a journey of personal growth, giving me a deeper understanding of the wisdom of yoga and myself. The professional training and knowledge I received on the subject of yoga, and the sound understanding of my role as a yoga teacher, has far exceeded my expectation.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone who would like to gain a deeper understanding of yoga.

Eda Merenda - Dedicated Yoga student. Assistant Yoga Teacher.

Venue: The GYA is ideal for the practical and theory work. All the equipment is supplied. The room is large enough for tables and chairs to be set up for the theory part of the session whilst leaving enough space for the practical to be conducted at the other end of the room. This avoids having to shift furniture around.
During our break we also have facilities for refreshments which are kindly provided by the academy.

Content: Throughout the 18 month course all the information provided was of high standard, allowing me to learn about and understand the subject.

Facilitators: All the facilitators were very professional and were passionate in what they were teaching, and they were also approachable by all students.

Cost: I feel the money I paid for the course was well spent to be educated by professional yoga teachers.

Administration: All documentation was given prior to each unit to familiarize ourselves with the unit.

Recommendations: I would highly recommend the course to anyone who wishes to take their yoga to the next level.

Other comments: Being able to do this course at the Greenwood Yoga Academy was a wonderful experience. It has been hard work and challenging.

As a regular yoga student of Margaret Willcocks I have had the opportunity to work as her assistant in the yoga class which has enriched my yoga knowledge.