“I wanted to thank you both so much for the inspirational workshop. It was such a gift to us. Thank you for your passion and dedication to yoga, that naturally overflows from you both and touches your students. Thank you also for your warmth, compassion, guidance and joy. It was truly an honor to spend the time with you both. I know that I speak for peta jenny and myself when I say that your teachings have transformed and inspired all of our practices and our yoga journeys”. Philippa, Zimbabwe May 2009
".....you might be surprised to know that I have probably been practising Yoga longer than anyone else present that day, having started in the early 60's as a student! Even with a couple of breaks over the years, I still have a good many years' practice under my belt. Regrettably, years of backpacking, bad posture and an unsuccessful encounter with an orthopaedic surgeon have left me with messed-up knees, neck and feet respectively. However, in spite of these problems, I really enjoyed the day on Saturday. I felt I was being pushed to my capacity, but not beyond it, and I was in serious need of being reminded of my bad posture. I am now trying to be more aware, and have asked friends to nag me when they catch me slumping! It will have been clear to you that everyone enjoyed the weekend enormously, and those more proficient than I will have learnt a great deal.
David, you have the rare gift of bringing out the best in pupils with just the right amount of strictness, tempered with gentleness and good humour, and with Jurgen seemingly everwhere at once to assist where needed, you make a fabulous team! Thank you both for your kindness and understanding."
Love, Sally-at-the-Back (YYI course in Durban May 2009)
CLOSED - the sign outside the studio, empty yoga studio that had been my practice for many years. No warning. No hint of the reasons behind it The studio shut its doors, scattering a community of students and teachers. What would become of my practice now, without the physical space that housed it?
After my shock subsided, I asked the universe for guidance. The response was clear. Try every studio in the area. Reach out and take every class you can. The practice of your past will not be the practice of the future.
I've been a devoted yoga student, but with the studio's closure, my kind of yoga was no longer available in my town. I had to open up to other styles of yoga, a choice I wouldn't have made for myself. I learned new asanas. I have learned that the true practice is within, that you can be happy and stagnant at the same time, and that you can turn away from new possibilities without realizing it.
A door closes: many others open. Students and teachers from the old studio reconnect in new places and in new ways. I miss my former studio, but since its closing, my practice has expanded exponentially - and along with it, my perception of myself as a yoga students and as an individual in the world. Anonymous
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..... there is very little said about the actual yoga and what others could expect at David's workshops. Well, it is deep yoga practice, with focus on complete and deep movement, gently. Bolsters and supports are used, with thorough and friendly instructor attention. Knowledge is shared freely, and as many attendees are ioistructors too, much is shared and learnt. The perfect definition of workshop. Both Jurgen and David could be describe by a Yidish auntie as "Mensch". I can not ask for a more complete instruction, and will be back." See you in Hermanus! Niel Jonker (January 2009)
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"I would just like to thank you both for the opportunity to have been in the presence of your expertise and your infectious convictions. My experience and knowledge acquired from your workshop have been put into action, and no doubt will benefit the yogi's who come to my classes. The intelligence and refinement you bring to my personal understanding and practice can only come form two such souls who have answered their calling in life!"
Namaste, Sabrina (Lyndhurts, Johannesburg September 2008)
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"Namaskar dear David and Jurgen - just a short note to thank you both for a great workshop at Kerry's Haum of Yoga studio. You're such fabulous people (I'm sure you hear this often) and David, you're such a wonderful teacher - I don't think I would find another whom I could trust so implicitely!!!!! I am in awe and feel most honoured, to say the very least. It was a truly profound experience (and fun in a rather sado-masochistic way!). I learnt so much and will definitely be at the next and the next and the next (hopefully by then with looser hips, an improvement in the sacral area and less fear!) I'm going to try to find "Yoga the Iyengar Way" as you suggested, to use in my self-practice sessions. And with a bit of luck I'll be able to do the wheel without choosing to rather put needles in my eyes instead!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you both all the very best, much happiness and continued health, success and wellbeing."
( Norma Kidson, Haum of Yoga, August 2008)
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"David is a natural born teacher who brings out the best in all his students. He has the ability to get under your skin and make you fully aware of your body and state of mind. He is vigorous, authoritative, and some say relentless. Yet by the same token humorous, extremely perceptive and caring. His workshops are much talked about and for good reason. He generates a feeling of connectedness and group spirit even among large crowds and challenges us to go beyond our perceived limits. Not only do you feel elated and fully stretched in all compartments, but you will walk away having learned a myriad of innovative and creative approaches to improve your own practice or teaching methods. He might even sow the seeds of a life-long yoga practice in you – something he certainly did for me." (Lars Krüger, Iyengar Teacher at Yoga Warrior May 2008)
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Baie dankie vir die manier hoe julle inligting met ons buite die Iyengar groep deel, vir die kennis en praktiese toepassing, die passie, dissipline en manier hoe julle met elkeen in die groep gewerk het en geïnspireer het. Julle toewyding en suiwerheid van die manier hoe julle werk het duidelik na vore gekom en word waardeer. Almal het presies geweet wat verwag word en dat daar nie lyf weggesteek kan word nie.
(Hester Van Zyl, Young Yoga Institute, Nelspruit 2008)
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I just wanted to express my sincere thanks to you both for the two wonderful workshops that I have experienced (so far!) with you - the YYI - La Verna workshop in March, and then our own Nelspruit workshop last month. I found the experience exhilarating, stretching (in both senses of the word..), and learned a lot about my own limitations and frustrations. Not to mention how much I have learned in terms of becoming a better teacher. I am inspired to greatness by your examples. So thanks for the humour, the strength, the sternness, the passion, the gentleness, the eloquence, the intelligence, and the confidence with which you share your teachings. Thank you indeed for being prepare to share. May the fresh mountain air always fill your lungs, golden sunshine warm you, and the ancient wisdom of Africa embrace you.
(Kim Olbrich, Nelspruit 2008)
