Testimonials
From a reader of Yoga Magazine (see first letter)
Dear Dorna
I wanted to express my thanks for your wonderful yoga and dance workshop last Saturday. You and Matt brought such a beautiful energy to the room and the programme you lovingly put together was perfect. Everything flowed so well. I loved the music and especially the Persian drums. You are a gifted teacher with a deep understanding of yoga and your sense of playfulness and joy are a delight. I also love reading the blogs you and Matt write and seeing your poetry videos which are really beautiful. I have been sharing them with friends and family and we all look forward to seeing more of them.
Thank you to you and Matt for sharing your light.
With love and gratitude,
Noelle, HERTS
Dear Matt
I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your book and DVD How to Breathe. I love the way you have incorporated the science of breathing and anatomy into the text to show how everything connects. I was amazed at how I felt after doing the breathing exercises. It's astounding how much can change just by changing one's breathing. Thank you for writing such a lovely book filled with life changing exercises and infused with your wisdom and your wonderful sense of humour.
With love and gratitude,
Noelle, HERTS
Matt asked his students six questions, hoping the feedback could help him improve himself and teaching. Below are all of the replies received;
1. What was the obstacle in your mind that would have prevented you from working with me?
Initially when I was told that my mentor was a man I was slightly nervous, especially as he was the only one in our teacher training group. I think our first meeting was probably a little strained but as I got to know Matt I became comfortable with expressing how I felt and how things were going, even if the comments and feedback were not always favourable towards the Life Centre.
2. What did you discover when we started working together?
I discovered common ground with attitudes and opinions on yoga and life in general, but also someone that would offer an honest opinion and make me think about things, that said, perhaps then seeing it from a different perspective.
3. What specific feature did you like most of the service that I offer?
Honesty, no limit on number of silly questions I asked or time spent replying to emails I would send. I know compared to other mentors you went above and beyond what was required of you.
4. What other benefits did you get from working with me?
A yogi friend who I feel I can always ask questions of, even though my course has finished (and I still keep asking questions)
5. Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
Yes. They would have to discovered their own relationship as we are all individuals, I can only say for me, honesty, openness, knowledgeable and made me think differently when I really needed to.
6. Is there anything you'd like to add?
Looking forward to attending the course on 18th April :-)
Lucy Webb
Bishops Stortford, Herts
1. What was the obstacle in your mind that would have prevented you from working with me?
When I participated in the class that you ran in Wesley Hall there was no obstacle in my mind. I wanted to join a yoga class and was glad that there was one so close to where I live. I did not know what to expect and therefore arrived with an open mind.
2. What did you discover when we started working together?
I discovered that I liked your asanas. And that you worked us quite hard in that some asanas were repeated over and over many times. At first I thought this was too much, but then to my surprise I found that I could do them.
Question 3. What specific feature did you like most of the service that I offer?
I particularly liked the way that when we had worked one part of the body, i.e. stretching forward we balanced it by stretching backwards, identical movements were performed on one side of the body then the other side. The asanas flowed, it was fantastic the way you would get the class to go into one asana and then into another . I also liked the fact that no two classes were the same. So one week we might really work the leg muscles and the next week the emphasis might be more on the upper part of the body. I liked the music that you played and very much benefited from the relaxation period after doing the asanas.
4. What other benefits did you get from working with me?
I became physically and mentally stronger. I came out of your class feeling thoroughly relaxed and much happier! I also benefited from your wise sayings and your humour. I noticed that you were 100% in the now. I particularly learned that it was best to do an asana a day even for just 5 minutes then nothing at all. I now try and do something when waiting for the kettle to boil, and watching TV.
5. Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
Yes, I would recommend you to others and have done so. Because I think you are an excellent teacher and your unique, loving, and joyful personality shines through.
6. Is there anything you'd like to add?
My only criticism (and I have thought about this objectively) is that I would have liked it if you would have given a little more guidance to pupils who were not doing the asanas correctly or having difficulty in doing them by coming up to them and positioning their body in a way that feels comfortable for them.
With love and thanks to you and Dorna.
Caroline Lever
High Barnet, Herts
1. What was the obstacle in your mind that would have prevented you from working with me?
I thought that you didn't like me very much
2. What did you discover when we started working together?
That it didn't matter even if that were the case - it was about my practice
3. What specific feature did you like most of the service that I offer?
The focus on the mind-body-spirit connection. And the relaxed and friendly atmosphere you create in class.
4. What other benefits did you get from working with me?
Learning breathing techniques - and awareness - help me a lot
Over the years I have also got to know and befriend my body - I now actually live in it.
5. Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
Absolutely - because I find the way you teach yoga is truly as a tool for life.
6. Is there anything you'd like to add?
Your Saturday class is my favourite of all time! :-)
A bientot
Anon.
Borehamwood, Herts
1. What was the obstacle in your mind that would have prevented you from working with me?
Feeling that yoga was very slow. I had experienced yoga at the Womad festival and found it really frustrating at the time as I wanted something a little more energetic!
2. What did you discover when we started working together?
That yoga can be physically challenging and very rewarding. I think you have the right balance in your classes- of challenge and relaxation.
3. What specific feature did you like most of the service that I offer?
The above. When I became pregnant I found that I couldn't keep up in your classes but Dorna's classes were ideal. Very relaxing and gentle. If I had more time to spare I would do both yours and Dorna's but unfortunately I don't.
4. What other benefits did you get from working with me?
The benefits I feel are greater ease of movement on a daily basis and a sense of more head space and calmness. I always feel good at the end of a session and especially relish the meditation part at the end.
5. Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
Yes- because I feel I have gained a lot through attending your classes.
6. Is there anything you'd like to add?
I often need reminding about breathing and pelvic locks- sometimes not sure what I'm aiming for there. Also don't know the significance of the out and in breathing within moves. Does it matter? Very happy with your sessions- thank you!
Just a few brief answers to your Qs.
Regards,
Margaret
Potters Bar, Herts.
1. What was the obstacle in your mind that would have prevented you from working with me?
N/A
2. What did you discover when we started working together?
I haven’t worked with matt for a long time now, but am doing one of his workshops in April - I did one a couple of years ago, which was exciting, enlightening, holding and all in all a very beautiful day.
3. What specific feature did you like most of the service that I offer?
All of it
4. What other benefits did you get from working with me?
Working with a fabulous energy is so special.
5. Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
I would recommend Matt, and have done in the past because his classes and workshops are both energising and relaxing
6. Is there anything you'd like to add?
I am so looking forward to doing the workshop in april and seeing Matt and Dorna again and sharing some of their journey with them both.
Many thanks Matt
Love, light and laughter to you and Dorna
Karen Bernard x
Borehamwood, Herts.
1. What was the obstacle in your mind that would have prevented you from working with me?
I can’t think of one.
2. What did you discover when we started working together?
That Yoga is actually fun
3. What specific feature did you like most of the service that I offer?
It’s geared to what I can and can’t do.
4. What other benefits did you get from working with me?
I like the discussions that we have.
5. Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
Readily, because I think you are receptive to what people want.
6. Is there anything you'd like to add?
Only that I look forward to our sessions, even though they’re only once a month.
Anon, Radlett
1. What was the obstacle in your mind that would have prevented you from working with me?
Fear. .....
2. What did you discover when we started working together?
That you had a sense of humour.
3. What specific feature did you like most of the service that I offer?
That you were (and I hope are) living your teaching
4. What other benefits did you get from working with me?
Affirmation of the work I do and the interconnectedness of all.
5. Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
Yes. I do recommend your work to my Alexander Technique pupils as true yoga practise.
6. Is there anything you'd like to add?
I loved coming to your lessons (with my then 17year old son James). My only reason for no longer attending was an acceptance that as yet I am unable to dedicate the necessary time and discipline to yoga that it deserves and that my practise lies elsewhere at the moment. Thank you for what I received!
Wishing you well.
Anon
Hatfield
1. What was the obstacle in your mind that would have prevented you from working with me?
There is no obstacle. I am out of the habit of doing yoga.
2. What did you discover when we started working together?
You transmitted a certain serenity so I became unaware of time and you taught me for twice as long as you said you would.
3. What specific feature did you like most of the service that I offer?
I liked the way you tuned in to me and you seemed to be able to adjust how you taught to what you felt were my needs.
4. What other benefits did you get from working with me?
I just got to like you enormously.
5. Would you recommend me to others? If so, why?
Definitely would and have talked about you to others and am enthusiastic about recommending you. I think you are very experienced in working with many types of yoga and teachers. I like the spiritual quality that emanates from
from you as well as your physical strength. I think that you, above all other yoga teachers I have known, are very committed to continue learning for a deeper knowledge of yourself, which then feeds into how you
understand your "clients" and get on their wavelength.
6. Is there anything you'd like to add?
Yes. you are a very generous person: generous with your time, generous with your thoughts and deeds for others, even for people you don't know personally. you asked for negative criticism too but I can't think of anything.
Love Judy Lepski
Crickelwood
Comment from a recent Private Group;
Hi, Matt Thank you; we all really enjoyed these sessions and I do think that was down to you, as the boys and girls felt they could have fun as well as do the exercise. Hopefully we will be able to sort something out to carry on as I and other parents think it had benefited the younger ones. I will be speaking to my friend as she was very interested in doing yoga so we might be coming on a Friday. Look Forward to seeing you soon, Margaret.
Comment from a recent 1-2-1
Hi Matt, hope you enjoyed you holiday and did lots of diving.
Just to let you know the yoga breathing went down very well with the NLP group! My trainer was most impressed with how I presented it and made the notes, and he has asked for a copy to circulate to the group.
So I just wanted to say thank you for your assistance.
There was another guy who was modelling balance and they were most impressed that I could already stand on one leg with the other leg out straight without falling over! All those tree postures have obviously stayed with me! I also managed to do a headstand!
Thanks again, take care
Helen
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