Testamonies

Dear Friends,

For those of you who know me you all know I am not one to boast about my teaching…I boast about the benefits of
yoga. This is the perfect opportunity for me to say I am just guiding all of you along this path; the changes each of you
experience come from within yourself.

Ruthie I honor you for taking your time to practice with me as well as share your story with all of us.

Namaste!!
Melissa

Ruthie's Story

Dear Melissa,

I have been waiting to write this until I was totally off of medication and clear headed. There are no words to express the
gratitude I feel in my heart towards you. So, instead I will just tell you my story:

When I came to see you that Sunday night (25 minutes late for class) I opened the door and almost had a heart attack.
I did not realize I was interrupting what seemed to be such a sacred event. I quickly closed the door and started to put
my shoes on, that is when you came out to me. I tried to tell you what was wrong with me but the words would not come
out, I thought I was going to cry. At the time I was on such heavy duty medications and in so much pain that I could
barely speak. The physical therapist had told me he did not think he was going to be able to work on me anymore.
That left me with two options – 1) a series of shots filled with steroids, cortisone and God only knows what else (which I
have already had at least 3 times already) or 2) an operation. Neither one of these options appealed to me - I felt so
totally lost – I had no idea what to do.

You told me to come back the next night and something in your eyes made me believe that there might be hope. I cried
all the way home that night. I came back that next night and every chance I get since. The pain is somehow bearable
without meds and I feel so good mentally even when the pain is kicking in full-force. The physical therapists would love
to take credit for this dramatic change in my health (very dramatic change) but I know in my heart that it was you.....All
you.....

Namaste,
Ruthie

Simita's Story

Hi Melissa,

My story as you know, is quite similar to Ruthie's though my pain was not as severe or I didn't need to take pain
medication. Instead I was taking help from Chiropractor for last 10 years or more on a regular basis for my
back problem. It did help me, but it was also expensive, even though Insurance did cover part of the cost. But since I
started Yoga from you in 2005, I didn't need to go back to the Chiropractor. Besides getting a stronger back, I've also
started developing muscles at this age (!) in last few months.

Yoga has also given me clarity of thoughts, increased my awareness about my inner-self and my surroundings. Not to
miss the compliments I get from family & friends who say I look much better these days. I know it's the 'yoga glow'.

And I'm sure you have never heard this one before. Since I started Yoga, my toe-nail infection disappeared. It can't be
anything else, if not Yoga, since I had the problem for last 5 years or so & it only got cured after
you made me do all those toe-stands :-)

Last but not the least, besides your skills (of all those twisting pose), you have something else in your personality, in
your presence that's very comforting which not everyone has. I think it only comes from experience & wisdom.

Namaste.

Simita.

If you would like to share with others what yoga has done to enhance your life please email me at:
balanceyogastudio@yahoo.com