WHY DO YOGA?

Here's what people are saying about our teachers...

TESTIMONIALS


For Rina Jakubowicz:

“I started practicing Yoga in the 80s. I have practiced with dozens of teachers and taken hundreds of classes. The classes that I have found most to my liking are the ones that are challenging and directed. I have benefited from teachers who would work with my limitations and help me progress through constructive encouragement.
In the past two years I have done yoga at least 4 times a week and I have found that I have made excellent progress with Rina. She is knowledgeable, observant, caring, empowering, and fun. With her guidance I have learned what I was doing wrong and what I needed to do to progress in a pose. Rina, even in a fairly busy class environment, is able to offer helpful suggestions to be safe and to progress. In addition, she is adept at sensing the mood of the person and always helps to get the person to progress even on an off day. She also is intuitive and knows when the class needs to be challenged by introducing a new pose. She is empowering in that her energy always seems to enable a class of practitioners to move to that next level and by so doing create within the person a better sense of awareness, accomplishment, and contentment.
Yoga with Rina is fun and satisfying.”
- Tom Pratt, TM Pratt & Company

 

"Rina appeared firmly grounded in her subject and very detail oriented in her approach on my first 2 occasions of meeting her. I saw that she was adept at gathering and communicating information. I asked many questions and her responses were confident across a broad horizon of yoga styles and topics. I liked the fact that she was always willing to share or recommend something from her own experience, and, oftentimes Rina would demonstrate an asana to assist with understanding. Throughout the classes there was a definite sense of earnest industriousness in her work, and I found this to be very inspiring.

She revealed her structural nature in the way she broke down complexity, procedure and method in her efforts to simplify understanding at foundational levels. I found her to be very enthusiastic about yoga as a subject, and equally enthused with her own yoga practice. It was very apparent that she possessed a wholehearted determination to help and instruct others by sharing what she herself had learned and was excited about. This was refreshing, and for me this was the most important aspect – for if the instructor is not on fire about their subject how can the learning between student and teacher be anything but less than optimal.

So I felt very comfortable and appreciative with Rina's enthusiastic presentation, integrity, and professional demeanor. The semi-formal medium of exchange helped to foster an earnest practice and an environment suitable for refinement, and learning. It occurred to me that if I wanted to pursue a disciplined and inspired yoga practice, that it would behoove me to work with Rina and enjoy an optimal path.

With that decision, that's where my practice began to develop and unfold. I have worked with Rina for the past two years. The weekly private class format that I stumbled upon has inspired me to practice 12-14 hours a week, its something I treasure and greatly appreciate.

I began my yoga practice two years ago on my 48th birthday. I was out of shape, but within a year or so I changed my diet and lost 30 pounds. Today, I'm stronger and much more flexible than I was thirty years ago. I really do enjoy my practice and I'm looking forward to another thirty years of flexibility, strength, calm, and sparkles with my new asana eyes!"
- Jeff Sutter

 

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For Michelle Hurtado:

"Michelle has a keen self-awareness that, as a yoga teacher, enables her to intuitively guide her students in the highest possible way. She inspires them to find a complete and profound yoga practice within themselves. Of the various yoga teachers' classes I have attended over the past 5 years, I have found Michelle's classes to be the most dynamic, fun, and engaging on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. As a natural teacher, Michelle exhibits the integral gift of being able to meet her students wherever they may be in their level of practice. Beginners to advanced practitioners can all benefit from her gently-challenging guidance that she brings forth with compassion to best advance their practice or simply support their experience. After attending Michelle's yoga classes for many months now, I truly believe her devotion and dedication to her yoga practice and her students is unparalleled.

Michelle gracefully weaves her natural gifts of song and dance into the yoga practice, creating deeper levels of creativity, inspiration, and fun for all present. I have seen how her magnetic force has led to a following of devoted students all wanting to continue growing their yoga practice in her ever-evolving and challenging classes. The energy and light she shares with her students opens them to share their own energy and light, far beyond the yoga studio."

- Christian Ewton, Financial Analyst, Yogi



Michelle's class is deeply rejuvenating. I have been a yoga student for six years and feel that my recent transition to being one of Michelle's students, absorbing her deep and flowing asanas, has greatly increased my flexibility and strength. She approaches her class with such sincerity and joy, it is always a pleasure to practice with her. There is something unique about the way she channels a student's energy from beginning to end that allows me to go deeply into each asana, phrase, or pose and always get a lot out of each class.

- Jonathan Gans, Writer, Teacher, and Yogi

 

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For Luana Hervier:

Luana brings a spiritual and physical understanding to the yoga practice and has expanded awareness to my practice.
Thru pilates with her subtle training style she has worked with my bodies limitations and has increased my strength and flexibility. Thanks to Luana I am in the best shape I have ever been.

- Jorge Nuche, Architect


Luana’s class offers a great variety of different poses focusing mostly on breathing, doing the pose and holding it for a few breaths, and being very intuned with your body. Her Vinyasa class is a great challenge to the mind and to the body. The way she teaches the class makes the poses flow almost like if it’s a spiritual dance. The music in the background always flows smoothly with the pose. I also enjoy spending some time doing some arm balances and some different inversions!

-Melissa Roman


Luana = Energy

This is what she transmits in each of her classes...pure energy. There is a certain "fear of approach" in a yoga class for those who have never practiced. I believe this is because of the ego and its perceived sense of competition that exists. This was my case, the difference was
in having Lu. She made the detachment of the ego possible, which allowed me to enjoy the class. I will always remember her words when I finished my first class "Welcome
to Yoga". For that, thanks Luana....

I reiterate, Luana to me is pure Energy.

-Jesus Martinez



 

Frequency Asked Questions

Q: What is Yoga?
A: Yoga is a holistic system that promotes good health and self-realization. It originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The literal meaning of Yoga is “union” referring to the mind, body and soul. In Yoga, the practitioner is meant to go through a form of purification process by relieving tension in the body, eliminating the distractions of the mind and properly breathing in conjunction with the body.
What is commonly referred to as "yoga" in the west can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.
Asana is only one of the eight so-called "limbs" or types of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well being than physical activity. Today, however, the words asana and yoga have become almost synonymous.

Q: What are the benefits of Yoga?
A: There is a long list of benefits from doing Yoga. Stress reduction, better circulation and digestion, increased flexibility and strength and a larger lung capacity are just a few. You will immediately feel the benefits for yourself.

Q: Can anybody do Yoga?
A: Absolutely. Yoga is designed for all shapes, ages, genders and sizes. There are different levels so begin with a basic class and find your own comfort level.

Q: Am I going to be put into a pretzel?
A: Of course not. Yoga is meant to calm the body and the mind, not agitate them. Therefore, the positions are meant to lead a practitioner to health. No discomfort is intended in Yoga.

Q: Is Yoga safe?
A: Yoga is very safe under the guidance of a qualified instructor and the use of your own common sense. You need to choose a level of difficulty that is suitable for you and your current limitations. The most important thing to do in Yoga is to listen to your own body.

Q: What should I look for when trying to find a Yoga class?
A: There are several elements to finding the right place and class for you. You want to practice where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Also, decide what you want out of your class. Do you want a workout, something more relaxing or a nice balance between the two? Therefore, ask about the different styles of Yoga. Choose one that complements your needs.

Q: How often should I do Yoga?
A: The amount of times a practitioner does Yoga completely depends upon his or her needs. Ideally, to get quicker results, one should do Yoga two or three times a week. But, you may find a passion for it and want to do it more.

Q: What should I wear to a Yoga class?
A: The clothing worn for Yoga depends on the taste of the individual. But, for the most part, it should be comfortable and flexible. Yoga is done barefoot and jewelry should not be worn.

Q: Should I eat right before class?
A: No, one should never eat at least 1-2 hours before a yoga class. If your bellly is full and you are twisting and moving through postures, you might not feel good. It is best to work on an empty stomach. Also, try not to drink water during your practice because that tends to cool down the body abruptly, which is not ideal. Also, the water in your stomach will move around as you practice.

305-799-7059 2490 Coral Way, 2nd Floor, Miami, Fl 33145