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TESTIMONIALS
"Michaelle has been a passionate yogi for years and her love for teaching guided her to a genuinely effective and healing yoga technique...YogAlign" Mariel Hemmingway h h h h h "Michaelle's teaching offers inner and outer alignment in harmony with the beautiful island of Kauai. A practice with mana and prana" Shiva Rea h h h h h "Yoga has been a
useful tool in keeping my body and spirit balanced. I appreciate Michaelle
Edwards showing me a safe and effective way to h h h h h h h h h h "In search of healing for your body and mind? Kaua'i is chock-full of massage therapists, yoga teachers and alternative healers. Unfortunately most are only mediocre lightweights geared toward undiscriminating tourists. On the North Shore, experience true rejuvenation at Michaelle Edwards' Mana Yoga center and accommodations. At her private, rustic home studio southeast of Princeville, Edwards combines yoga, massage, and spinal alignment into YogAlign, an effective, no nonsense therapy for folks of all levels. While trained in traditional yoga methods, Edwards now strives to perpetuate the body's natural alignment rather than to contort it doing strict poses. A warm, perceptive and practical instructor, she analyzes posture and breathing and provides a body "tune-up". Accommodations available and you can arrange a personal retreat for yourself or your group. Longtime Kaua'i resident Edwards is also a professional singer and guitarist." Lonely Planet Hawaii Guide Fall 2007 h h h h h "Michaelle has discovered something innovatively beneficial in the yoga world that many teachers over look—spine alignment. This is a crucial part of one's being to grow spiritually and maintain correct body posture for balance, happiness, and energy. What I discovered from studying with Michaelle's is that her method – Yoga Align – is applicable to all. It not only benefits yoga practitioner's, but it can also correct anybody's body posture. Once I started to apply her method to my own asana (yoga) practice, not only have I noticed my own practice deepen, but I also found myself carrying out this method in my everyday routine, which helped to correct my standing and sitting posture. I now experience more happy states of mind and less body aches and pains." Anthony P. Biduck, founder of Anahata Healing h h h h h "Michaelle Edwards is one of the
finest yoga teachers I have crossed paths with in my 56 years with her expertise
being posture and body alignment. I have had a mild case of scoliosis since I
was a child. I remember being in discomfort since my teen years. I never had
stamina and I certainly couldn’t stand up straight.
My life changed when I met Michaelle. I have worked with her for 4 years and I
look like a different person. My posture and core strength changed dramatically.
I always wondered in my twenties if I would ever feel ease of body. Yes it is
possible.
I recommend Michaelle to all. I would travel around the world to study with her
for body transformation. h h h h h "This year I have been working hard on healing and changing my life and my daily habits. Michaelle, your yoga has been the best style of yoga for me and certainly more healing and effective that any other style of yoga I have so far encountered – and I have tried many of them. Your emphasis on strengthening the muscles, all the muscles, especially around the joints ( in my case) has been an incredibly new and important approach for me. It seems I have been overstretching for so many years and not protecting my muscles, tendons, etc. and as a result I have been injured many times in yoga due to my lack of proper training. I thought that I was weak but did not realize that many yoga poses were actually doing me more harm than good. When I was younger I know I felt pain and had a few injuries at that time, however, I healed and recovered – that was then – not any more. Four years ago, I did an ashtanga workshop and injured my hip pretty badly and still am attempting to heal this hip, as you know. Your yoga, Michaelle, helped more than anything – I am still amazed at how great I felt at the end of my week with you. You showed me how to decompress my hip and spine and to learn how to integrate psoas and breath work to keep space in those areas. There are not enough teachers teaching yoga with the proper warm ups and especially the the self massage techniques that you use. I can now feel my psoas and am breathing deeper into my diaphragm and ribs than I ever thought possible. Even after all of the yoga classes I have taken nobody but you had ever really taken the time to analyze my breathing patterns and help me undo the upper shoulder breathing that was ingrained in my nervous system. You helped me understand what proprioception is and how to change it through your yoga system. You have awakened my sensory awareness and I can now feel when my spine is aligned properly without thinking about it. I was so stuck in my head and did not realize that yoga could reinforce my weaknesses and keep me stuck in the mental realm. You have helped me be the witness of my own being and I am experiencing myself in the now through feeling and sensing. All the years I have done yoga, I never felt the freedom and energy that was set free in my being by studying the YOGALIGN method with you." Jane, age 55, after one week of YogAlign with Michaelle h h h h h "Before I learned the YogAlign method from Michaelle I experienced severe shoulder pain almost everytime I went surfing. Many of my friends had tried surgical repairs in an attempt to stop similar shoulder pain. I was skeptical of yoga but leery of surgery. Yoga seemed like a fad where people forced their body into unnatural looking poses. It looked uncomfortable and I had never felt the need or desire to attempt it. Michaelle's knowledge of the human body and it's design interested me plus she assured me that I would just be learning to reinforce the natural alignment of my body and a way of breathing that would empower me to move from the center of my body. YogAlign has nothing to do with eastern religions or running off to join a cult. In just a few lessons, my shoulder stopped hurting and I learned to paddle from my core stabilizing the muscles under my shoulder blade while moving from the psoas and lat muscles giving my arms a secure foundation. I had never really thought about how I moved or breathed until I learned the YogAlign method. Now I am mindful of moving in a way to keep my body in alignment eliminating pain and increasing strength. As a bonus, I can enjoy the shoulder and breathing stretches while I waiting in lines or on my board for the next wave and my shoulder no longer bothers me. Also, I no longer suffer from the asthma attacks and allergies. The best part is that this type of yoga is simple and convenient and I feel greater comfort and strength even though my job requires me to sit much of the day." Chris White, 47, father of 2, surfer, appraiser h h h h h "For the last 5 years, I have received frequent sessions of bodywork with very skilled practitioners. I suffered from migraine headaches and lower back pain. I tried Aston Patterning, deep tissue sports massage, chiropractic, osteopathic, cranial sacral, and an orthopedic physician. I would feel some relief for a few weeks and then the pain would return. After just a few weeks of working with Michaelle to align my spine with the YOGALIGN method, the sciatic pain that plagued me for years was gone! Its now been about 6months of practicing the YOGALIGN method and my sciatic pain and headaches have disappeared. I have attained a level of health and fitness that I have not felt since I was a child. The natural blueprint for alignment has become intrinsic in my body and I feel alive and vibrant. I am doing hand stands, full back bends and splits with no pain. As I learned to stretch with resistance and protect my joints, I was never at any time sore from the deep work. After each session I would feel highly energized and yet deeply relaxed. Michaelle is a very gifted teacher and healer and I feel grateful to her for the amazing YOGALIGN system. The system is very easy to learn and I feel I have been given the tools to be my own healer." John Steinmann, Avocado rancher, entrepreneur, surfer, cyclist, father. h h h h h "For years I suffered from low back pain and neck tension especially after a paddling session. In just one session with Michaelle and the YOGALIGN METHOD, I understood natural spine alignment and how to engage it by using my psoas muscles. Learning how to let go of unconscious tension through the PNF (proprioceptor) techniques gave me a huge awakening about how to experience yoga from within. I felt a freedom and comfort in body that I had not felt in years. I discovered how to feel more economical in my body and experience effortless effort. Michaelle has a deep understanding of alignment and breath and yet the teaching was simple and precise. I can apply the principles to all my activities and other yoga classes and I am no longer in pain or misalignment." Margo Turner, Mother, triathlete , Ashtanga yogi and Hawaiian canoe paddler. h h h h h "When I began YOGALIGN classes with Michaelle, I suffered from plantar fascitis, forward head carriage, and migraine headaches. My posture was stooped and my neck and shoulders were always sore from overworking muscles that were not designed to hold the weight of my head. I was starting to feel trapped in my body and it was exhausting just to be in it. In just a few classes with Michaelle, my pain and misalignment disappeared as if by magic. I had been developing core strength from my pilates classes but Michaelle showed me how to access my psoas muscles in a way I had never been shown. I was never sore from any of her classes and now my posture is perfect. I highly recommend her training to anyone with a spine !!! My tennis game is getting better all the time and I feel relaxed and comfortable in my body. The natural blueprint for alignment I learned in the YOGALIGN method is intrinsic now in my body and I don’t have to work at doing it. I have let go of my old posture and feel youthful and energized." Sherry Latif, pharmacist, artist, pilates practitioner ,tennis player, mother of 3. h h h h h "I have studied yoga with Michaelle for over 5 years and I have attained a high level of fitness and alignment. My hammer toes have disappeared and in my 50’s I developed a waist!!! She taught me to do handstands and showed me how to be comfortable in my body. One of the most profound aspects of her work was the clear instruction on breathing. I was able to discover how to breath more fully into my ribs and release deep emotions and belief patterns as well. We always have fun and her sense of humor and boundless energy made learning pure joy. Thank you Michaelle!" Barbi Clements, mother, body boarder, hiker, traveler, artist. h h h h h "After 5 weeks of YOGALIGN, I cancelled my surgery. Due to a bone spur in my shoulder, I could no longer do many of the things I loved to do (swimming, gardening, putting my arm around my sweetie) without pain. I had tried intensive physical therapy, ice, ibuprofen, even cortisone injections. I was a motivated and compliant patient. But re-aligning my shoulders and the rest of my body through Michaelle’s Yogalign techniques to correct the cause of the pain is the only thing that has brought relief. I am well on my way to recovery. Thank you Michaelle! I’m a believer!" Linda Pizzatola, graphic artist, gardener, swimmer, counselor. h h h h h "I am currently a student of yoga with Michaelle Edwards. I have been practicing yoga for 36 years. I have studied many styles including Hatha, Kundalini, Bikram,and Iyengar with a wide variety of teachers. Ms. Edwards if by far and away the most accomplished teacher I have ever encountered. Her system of alignment serves as a warranty against injury. Michaelle is vigilant about the student’s self-care and consistently advises students not to undergo pain to “achieve” a pose. Her knowledge of anatomy is extensive, and she uses it in class to illustrate the practice. She moves the class along at a pace that keeps the interest.. Although the yoga is rigorous, it is rarely arduous or boring. Michaelle’s manner of teaching works well in the same class for both beginning and advanced students. She is attentive and circulates amongst students throughout the class making adjustments, and giving individual attention. Michaelle’s verbal guidance through the session is characterized by positivity and humor with a non-denominational spiritual direction. One of the unique qualities of her teaching is that she instructs her students to develop their own practice of yoga and to ultimately be their own teacher by experimenting and paying attention to the results via feeling. I would recommend her as a yoga teacher to anyone. Whether suffering from injury or the most advanced student, one could only enhance their practice from instruction by Michaelle Edwards." Merlin W. Ruddell, Mother, commercial real estate investor, writer, and gourmet cook. h h h h h "When I first met Michaelle and started yoga with her over 6 years ago, I had been doing pilates for 3 years. I had reached a certain level of fitness in my core but was not able to feel much flexibility in my spine or hips and I still suffered from various health problems. I had been to some yoga classes but never really understood the concept of it or felt like I wanted to continue. When I began private instruction with Michaelle, she clearly explained to me what I should be trying to achieve in each pose. She taught me pranayama breathing, asanas, and meditation. Her adjustments were gentle yet effective and I have never felt sore or experienced any pain or injuries from her yoga teaching. She has her own method of teaching that is unique which she calls YogAlign. In YogAlign, I learned how to get flexible by working with the science of stretching as opposed to trying to stretch and fight the innate stretch reflexes. Her mastery of teaching is amazing as in just a few weeks I went from not being able to touch my toes to being able to do the full split with one block. I had never even heard of my psoas muscles. She explained to me how to relax and then actively engage my psoas muscles and I had hip flexibility almost instantly. I have played soccer for years and although I was very strong, I was also very tight especially after a game of soccer. Her knowledge of retraining the neuromuscular patterning in my pelvic floor was another key to releasing my hips. She explained how to work with the natural alignment principles that keep the spine in its natural curves in all poses. I used to have forward head carriage that made my shoulders and neck sore and I had frequent neck aches. With her teachings, I now have effortless posture and I feel and look much younger than my 54 years. I had issues with vertigo in my life that had always been very disturbing and the notion of going upside down filled me with dread. I have been able to overcome the symptoms of vertigo and I now regularly practice handstands and full backbends without fear or pain. I have dropped the 10 pounds I had tried to lose for years. I am rarely troubled by the nose and throat allergies I have had my whole life. Michaelle has taught me about the benefits of a vegetarian yoga diet and I consume very little alcohol preferring to meditate or take walks in nature. In conclusion, in terms of my overall health, since working with Michaelle my health and well being are as good as I can ever remember it." Simon Potts: former Capitol Records Executive and guest house owner in Hanalei, Hawaii. h h h h h "I have a been a dentist for 27 years and the yoga teaching from Michaelle has helped me in the last few years because I am able to incorporate the teachings into my daily life and functional movements. Back pain and tension in the neck and shoulders is common in dentists and I do not have any symptoms that most suffer from. I stay in natural alignment when I work and I am able to use what she calls "effortless effort" where I only engage the muscles needed for the task. When I started yoga with Michaelle, I never even dreamed I would ever be able to stand on my hands and have the confidence to do it. My upper body was quite weak and I never really felt strong in my shoulders. Under her guidance, I am now able to stand on my hands and balance and I feel connected to my entire body. I was a very shallow breather and I have learned to breathe in a way that has benefited my entire body. Conscious breathing has helped me be more in touch with myself and my patients. In my work, I travel frequently to the mainland and South America and my immune system is very strong from the breath and the lymphatic flow created by the yoga and I rarely become ill. My level of endurance and muscle tone has increased significantly and I even paddled for 7 hours on the Na Pali Coast in a kayak and I was not even sore. I was able to use natural alignment positions from Michaelle’s teaching and I was able to paddle with very little effort. I have recommended her to many of my dental patients and I highly recommend her to anyone at any age as a teacher. She is knowledgeable in yoga asana, pranayama, meditation, and anatomy. She speaks clearly and concisely and is always attentive to me as a student. She is passionate when she teaches yoga and yet she is gentle with adjustments and focused with her instruction. I am now almost 60 and many of friends and clients are feeling the aging process slowing them down and causing aches, pains and many other conditions which affect quality of life. I must say I feel much younger than my years. My energy level is high, I have good muscle tone, clear mental processes and balanced emotions. Michaelle Edwards is a very gifted yoga teacher and I feel immense gratitude for her teachings." Ileana Carreno DDS, Kilauea Hawaii h h h h h "Michaelle has been my yoga teacher since 1994. I had never done any yoga previously. I was completely disconnected from my body. My son was three. I had gained about 100 pounds during pregnancy and I had only lost about 20. I am 5’1” tall and I weighed 220 pounds when I went to my first yoga class with Michaelle. I was very insecure and embarrassed. Every pose was very difficult for me. I could barely hug my knees to my chest, and even mountain pose was difficult. I just didn’t like paying attention to my body. It felt like someone else’s body. Michaelle’s energy, her love of yoga, her confidence that I could do a little more encouraged me. I did not feel judged. I felt safe. After that first class, I realized how detached from myself I had become. I have since begun my own home practice, at least four days a week for the last year. I still attend classes whenever I can. I am still not “thin”, 165 pounds, but I am very in tune with my body, I am stronger and more confident than I have ever been in my life. Yoga has also brought more spirituality and peace in my life." Laura Christine, Mother, computer tech and web designer, bass player. |
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