testimonials

“Share yourself in ways that impact others.”
–Baron Baptiste

“Although I have only been practicing yoga for less than a year, I honestly can’t remember my life before yoga. It has become such an important part of my life that I often find myself planning my day around yoga. Many of the YBS teachers preach the importance of staying in a pose and not reacting to thoughts or feelings you have. At first, I didn’t really fully grasp how powerful ‘not reacting’ truly is. My “ah ha” moment came several months after I started yoga, off my mat, as I was put in a tough situation and wanted to react a certain way but didn’t and this turned out to be the right decision. I attribute this change in behavior to yoga. Yoga has changed many aspects of my life. Physically I am more flexible, stronger, more athletic, and have greater endurance. Mentally, it is easier for me to focus for longer periods of time and achieve a greater clarity of mind. Emotionally, I feel calmer, don’t sweat the small stuff as much, and am overall a happier person. I take much better care of myself, eat healthier, make better decisions, invest more time in self-improvement, and I could go on and on 🙂 “

–Rian S

“At the time I found yoga, I was lost. I didn’t know who I was. I was struggling with internal demands that were taking over my physical wellbeing. I was not eating properly, and I was not sleeping well at all. I did not like the physical appearance of myself. I had a very hard time staying focused and setting goals. It was a challenge for me to process my thoughts. I have had many “ah ha” moments. It seems like for me every day is an “ah ha” moment. Every day I find that I can give a little bit more of myself in my yoga practice. I can bend more, I can breathe deeper, I can focus better. The “ah ha” moments to me are when I realize I do not need to rely on someone else to encourage me to bend more, breathe deeper, I can tell myself that. I can encourage myself and push myself because I know I can. The biggest change for me since I started yoga is that I know have a huge social network with the yoga community. I may not interact with these people outside of the yoga studio, but they are all very much of my everyday practice. Attending yoga daily after work has become the norm for me. Every day I pack a bag for yoga and make every effort to attend a class. My first priority is getting to yoga after work. I sleep better, I am eating healthier and I am able to control my breathing. I am able to focus and meditate on my own will. I have the learned the skill set on how to heal myself and how to treat myself to a better wellbeing. I am much stronger and more flexible. I have lost a few pounds and have toned up much more than I ever have with other workout programs. I want to become a better version of myself. I do not need to be a better yogi; I need to be a better me. I am using yoga to help me and guide me to become that better person. “

— Tina S

In the Fall of 2017, I returned to yoga to try and make my thirties better: to live the life I always imagined for myself. Yoga has always meant that to me – a door to possibilities that are yet unknown. I was just starting to get to the point of taking my practice to a new level, when in May 2018, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31. With no family history, or any warning what-so-ever, I was blindsided. For several weeks after the diagnosis, I continued to go to yoga and was determined that I would practice as long as I physically could. Yoga would continue to be that door leading me into something new. After round one of chemo, I was in Owego the next evening at one of Claire’s (amazing) classes. However, I disappeared for a few months through treatment. I returned in May 2019 and have been doing yoga ever since. To me, yoga is church. It has really surprised me to see how each year of the practice is different, and how growth is possible. It has encouraged a deeper love for nature, myself, and those I encounter on a day to day basis. It balances out the worst negative thoughts within me and makes me realize that my strength is not just for myself. It is something to share for those who need it. Yoga keeps me strong. It is hard to say what will happen next, but as I search for new work and am finally able to enter into a new phase of life, forever impacted by the shortness and preciousness of life, the wisdom of age, the gift of clean water, fresh fall air, respect for living beings, spiritual meditations, the beauty in a perfect song, and the resolute power of political justice. As I enter a new phase of life, I know that my yoga practice will be at my side, forever a tool to center the real things in life that matter.

— In my Tadasana, Victoria B.

After my first yoga class, I thought “OMG! That was the first 75 minutes I have only thought of myself in decades.” Since I started my yoga practice, I am much less anxious. I sleep better and have learned how to take deep breathes before I react. I really don’t react anymore. Also, it taught me to value my health and well-being. Through yoga, it is possible for me to put myself first, love myself, to be physically fit, and have more energy. I am committed to Yoga Teacher Training and all the possibilities that will open up through the training.

— Christina O.

Breaking Barriers Yoga
765 Harry L. Drive
Johnson City, NY 13790

607.595.0659