Student 2009- Catherine

Coming from a physiotherapy background I appreciated the high standard of training provided. The level of knowledge in anatomy, physiology and application to exercise, with the focus on special needs and injury prevention is meticulous.

The trainers are experienced, knowledgeable and inspirational teachers. They are also exceptionally open and wonderful personalities themselves.

They all have a strong ability to apply functional anatomy to optimise functional movement and stability for safe exercise and to adapt the exercise to suit all body types, shapes and dysfunctions/limitations.

The Yoga philosphy component is enlightening and incorporated well into the course, with the involvement of a wonderful household yogi!

Catherine
Physitherapist
New Zealand
Trained May 2009

Student 2008- Melissa

ATTENTION: POTENTIAL YOGALATES DIVAS/DIVANS

My name is Melissa and I cannot speak highly enough of the Yogalates teacher training in Bangalowm, which I completed Oct/Nov 2008.

I was unsure whether Yogalates and the fusion was the right path for me initially or whether I should do a straight yoga course. I did a lot of research and decided the safety aspects and the qualifications of the tutors in the Yogalates course seemed more thorough (and it was!).

The course was very in depth and covered everything from anatomy, functional assessment, special needs, contraindications and one on one assessment, always with a great emphasis on correct allignment and safety (OH&S).

I was encouraged to be creative and given the confidence to start teaching immediately, which I found very satisfying and rewarding.

The tutors were very helpful, friendly and extremely professional. They took a tremendous interest in each individual student and I can't thank them enough for their time, positive feedback and energy.

I would not hesitate in giving the course my recomendation to any serious Yoga/Pilates student.

Yours sincerely

oxoxoxo Melissa
Yogalates Teacher Sydney

Student 2006- Dominique Solomon

Ever since I have returned from Byron, I have been teaching with great joy both public and private classes in a small studio that I have been renting in the compound where I live. This way, I have been able to handle my classes just the way I wanted to and it's been going wonderfully.

I have had tremendous results with all my students. Yogalates has made such a difference for them. I can see their posture, their alignment, their strength, their stamina, their energy and their state of mind evolve throughout the months. They always come out with more integrity than they got in....it's just so beautiful to witness that! Unfortunately, I cannot provide for all the demand out here and I've got people on waiting list but I have come to realize that I cannot handle more than 6 public classes a week if I want to be really fully present.

The system you have come up with is so finely tuned, it's a perfect balance between the essential of Pilates and that of Yoga, erasing all the potentially harmful practices and it works absolute wonders. It is reliable, safe, gentle and yet deep and very efficient. I am so very honoured and deeply grateful for having met you and having been taught by the fantastic instructors that you managed to gather for us.

There is not a week that goes by without one of them, one pearl they said, one concept they passed on to me, one principle, one technique, one value, one epiphany, one act of support and kindness which I don't pay forward to one of my students. They all inhabit me during every class that I teach and I carry them in my heart always. Please do forward all my love, gratitude and respect to each and every one of them. It's been an honour to have been taught by them.

So I just want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

Yogalates Teacher Shanghai, China

Student 2003 - Mirella Parry

Seriously, I appreciate the care with choosing our teachers…each very unique and gifted in their own special way. I am grateful for the diversity of subjects and all the material covered in the course curriculum. I know I definitely made the right choice to do this course.

Student 2003 - Jessica Moody

First feeling following orientation day was relief! As for most, the decision to do the course was a big one, re: the money, distance and time. I didn’t know much about the course, and after the long drive over (from W.A) was a little apprehensive-all those what ifs..(The course is dodgy!!) However once I saw the organization and professionalism of the course/staff I was put at ease. When we found a place to stay (a very nice one at that) and moved out of the van I was even happier- running water and electricity certainly give you more time!

Student 2002 - Ruth Llewellyn

The moment I read the curriculum for this teacher training course, I knew I had to do it! Here was a course that promised to be good for my own health and give me the qualification to teach others to improve and maintain their own physical and psychological wellbeing. And Louise, this course has lived up to its promise. My arthritic joints have gained mobility; tight muscles in my neck and upper back (from years of computing and marking!) have been released. I also feel longer, stronger and leaner.

I have been involved in teaching and adult teacher education for many years. Louise, I recognize you as an exceptional teacher and teacher trainer of both practical and theory classes. Your calm, warm, encouraging style has been an inspiration. It takes a great talent to develop a concept such as Yogalates. It takes exceptional skill to pass this concept on to others to teach. Thanks for supporting us all through our individual trials and tribulations during this physically demanding and mentally stimulating course.

Regards Ruth Llewellyn, Yogalates Teacher Sydney

Student 2002- Anna Michel- Bachelor of Physiotherapy, MAPA

In the 21st century, we have access to incredible technology, first class medical knowledge and "miracle" pharmaceutical treatments. Why then are we plagued with alarming rates of heart disease and obesity, debilitating musculo-skeletal conditions, escalating stress levels, wide spread depression and destructive addictive disorders? Perhaps the answer lies in our lifestyle, growing ever more sedentary. Depending largely on the "quick fix" and "band aid" cures, we continue to distract ourselves from the real problem: a lack of personal responsibility for our own health and wellbeing.

When I first discovered Yogalates I was suffering with repetitive strain syndrome in both my wrists. As a physiotherapist working in private practice, I was unable to fulfil my role satisfactorily, and subsequently felt ineffective and purposeless. This feeling predominated not only in my professional existence, but penetrated to my very essence. I hadn't realised just how much my physical injury, had affected my confidence, and sense of Self, and how entwined and interdependent the two were. With all my knowledge and experience, and the number of bodies I had worked with and healed, I still lacked an adequate level of body awareness to maintain my own personal health.

I started a regular Yogalates practice. After each practice, I would come away with something new. An idea, a feeling, an inspiration, a sense of strength, focus and commitment. The benefits amassed from a regular and disciplined Yogalates practice did change, and, continue to affect my life in a profound way. Louise Solomon is an inspiration. Her depth of knowledge and understanding of the human body and its function, have created a truly unique method, which is ever evolving and far-reaching. It has, and does continue to adapt in order to reflect the most recent scientific research, making this knowledge accessible to the general public in a safe, functional and enjoyable way.

Through my personal and professional experience I have found such a large proportion of the public suffer from pelvic and spinal instability. This indeed is the cause of many musculoskeletal conditions and complaints. This instability is more often than not coupled with poor postural habits and a lack of body awareness. Yogalates is very much a rehabilitative practice, a re-education of how the body was intended to function and move. Yogalates places you inside your body. It restores strength, posture and movement systematically, peeling away the layers of years of neglect, abuse and bad habits.

The yogalates journey for me, is one of self-exploration, discovery and development. Not only has it enhanced my strength, flexibility and fitness, but Yogalates has helped to integrate my mind with my body, taking my knowledge to a new level and promoting harmony and balance within my Self. Thinking back to my previous clients, I only wish I had had access to Yogalates then. Certainly this method, would have proven as vital in their rehabilitation as it has in mine. This is where your journey begins. I wish you all the best as you travel the road to holistic health, happiness and wellbeing.

Anna-Yogalates Teacher

Student 2001- Pamela Osterman

Louise Solomon has introduced me to an integrated discipline which is both innovative and dynamic. With backgrounds in both Yoga, and more recently Pilates, I gained an appreciation for both modalities - the flexibility which Yoga offers, and the strength one gains from the practise of Pilates.Yogalates is the fusion of both. I found Louise's teacher training course concise and comprehensive. Louise was very supportive, understanding, motivational - truly inspirational. All of the tutors were thorough in their fields of expertise. The course has enabled me to fully embrace my potential as a teacher.

Pamela, Yogalates Teacher

Student 2001- Anthea Parsons

It was almost exactly this time last year that I decided to come to Australia for a year abroad. While making my plans, I initially concentrated on finding work in the cities -- Sydney, Melbourne, etc. My friend tried to urge me to come to Byron Bay but I was resilient about living outside of a metropolis, unable to further my career.

I have always dreamed of taking a yoga teacher training course as yoga has always been one of the greatest pleasures in my life. My professional pursuits have always prevented me from fulfilling this dream as there never seemed to be a suitable time to take time off from my career-bound city life. I decided to 'surf' the internet to find out what was on offer in Byron Bay and 'voila', I came across Louise Solomon's Yogalates TM website. I could hardly believe how perfectly suited all of the components of the training course were to what I was looking for. Louise Solomon's course offers the ideal combination of theoretical and practical applications of her innovative Yogalates concept set in an ideal location next to the beach in a beautiful big studio.

Once I finally arrived in Byron Bay to meet with Louise in person after much communication via email, I knew I had made the right decision. Louise's kind and warm demeanour encouraged all of her trainees to follow our dreams and stay focused in the most challenging of times. Taking this course has had a profound effect on my life -- I now have an exciting new career and live in Paradise. Thanks Louise!

Anthea Parsons - Vancouver, Canada