WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT LIFE YOGA

We'd love to hear it from you! Click here to send us your testimonial and, for a limited time, we'll thank you for doing so with one week of unlimited drop-in classes for a friend who is new to Life Yoga for FREE!

"Graceful, I am not, but last Wednesday night I went to Life Yoga's Power Ballet Barre class to try my best at a little introduction to one of the most challenging dance practices. I approached the barre intimidated, but Carly's light-hearted and encouraging approach made it easy to relax and learn the moves. The class was full of energy, great music, and some laughs as I made my best attempt at ballet barre. As a runner, I thought my legs were fairly strong and I am in good shape, but I woke up the next morning with the satisfying feeling of having seriously worked my muscles the night before. I had no expectations going into the class and was pleasantly surprised with the results. Similar to the yoga classes at Life Yoga, Carly was able to challenge everyone in the ballet class through balance, posture, and strength, forgetting your stresses of the day and leaving with a smile on your face. I love it." (Krista)

"I can't help but think of the movie Julie/Julia when I think of Life Yoga. I had attended yoga classes on and off for 3 years with various instructors, with what I thought were good results and varying degrees of expertise. Then I went to Life Yoga. Originally I had wanted to attend family yoga, and it was convenient for us location wise. So we worked out a price and found it in my favour to become a member. So, why do I think of Julie/Julia? because these instructors aren't just leading yoga classes. They are helping me to Master the Art of Yoga and Whole Living. Through breathing instructions and the tiniest micro-adjustments, I am gaining more than I thought possible every time I attend. I had read that yoga could help with inner clarity, but until I became a member, I had not known that it would help this much. Some days it feels like I really can't get it together. Those are the days I am most thankful for everyone at Life Yoga." (Loni)

"I love that the second I walk through the doors to Life Yoga, I instantly feel life slowing down and myself letting go of my day and all of my 'to do' lists. I begin to feel calmer not only from the atmosphere, but also from the wonderful yoga instructors who guide me through my yoga practice. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful yoga studio right in my neighbourhood and appreciate all the efforts of everyone who has helped bring Life Yoga to where it is today." (Laura)

"Erin has an amazing ability to put herself in the shoes of her students so that she can offer them many ways to explore postures. This is why most people are able to go so much further in her Core Power class. Erin will have you balance on your arms doing headstands and plenty of other insane things just like if it was the most natural thing to do. In one word, if I had to describe Erin's classes, I would say: FUN! (Frederique).

"I have been doing private classes and regular classes with Erin for few years now and I can honestly say, I have never met someone as diverse and talented as she is. She is a fabulous teacher with a wealth of ideas that seem to be never ending. You will never be board while Erin is teaching and you will be safe and challenged also. Whether it is personal training or yoga classes you could not find a better teacher! Her Thai Yoga massage is therapeutic, realizing, but also invigorating; it is a weird combination, but true. You have to try it!" (Pam)

"Let me start by sharing that I never expected to be excited about yoga, of all things. The concept of mindfulness meditation is a tricky one for me as someone who always has some thought or emotion in process. A few years ago, I took my first yoga class at another local studio and ended up more frustrated than relaxed, and certainly less confident with my own flexibility than I has envisioned. I had substantial difficulty understanding the instructions of the yoga teacher (what was that about transition to Dead Bug Pose?) and left the studio without any real motivation to continue with yoga. Fortunately for me, Life Yoga has been able to show me a whole other side to yoga practice. I first came to the studio to support its grand re-opening. After a few weeks of weekly classes, I find myself looking forward to the pleasant teachers and feeling comfortable throughout the space before, during, and after class. I am a happy yoga convert and enthusiastically recommend initiating or expanding your practice at Life Yoga. Whether you come to an occasional class to unwind from your work week or faithfully attend six classes during your week, your yoga practice is entirely your design with the guidance and support of the Life Yoga community." (Katie)

"When I first noticed that a new yoga studio was opening in the East end of Kingston, I was beyond excited. Life Yoga exceeded my expectations. I had practiced yoga a handful of times in university and had enjoyed myself, but always felt a little out of place with the hard-core yogis hardly braking a sweat next to me. At Life Yoga I always felt welcome and accepted. Jen Leeder opened her arms and her heart to all of her members and Carly Stong has filled those big shoes wonderfully. I have always felt valued at Life and this has translated into focused practice that has propelled me further than I had ever thought possible in my physical abilities." (Deb)

"Life Yoga is a space where I feel calm, comfortable, and happy. Coming back to my mat at Life Yoga has helped me to ease stress, increase my self-awareness and acceptance and build strength both inside and out. I would recommend taking yoga classes at Life Yoga to everyone! There are so many benefits to a regular practice and I am so thankful to be able to share and explore in such a beautiful, welcoming space with others. Life Yoga is a wonderful place to be!" (Rebecca)

"Life Yoga: a hidden gem in Kingston's east end. Since joining Life Yoga, my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being has truly been improved. The different types of practices in this welcoming space are guided by super friendly yoga teachers, who just want the best for their students. I am honoured to say thank you to everyone on the Life Yoga team for making my husband and my life better practice by practice. Namaste." (Steffi)

"My son was immediately at ease and comfortable in the Life Yoga studio with Carly for his first Kids' Yoga Class. He was so proud to be going to exercise where Mom had been going! The children were quickly intrigued by the animal aids brought in ans the activities that were thoughtfully tailored to their ages and abilities. Afterward, I was amazed to see the children demonstrate what they had already learned in just one class! Carly was able to transition so smoothly between the active and quiet portions of the session. On our way home, my son informed me that he wanted to return "for a hundred days". Yoga has now become a fun shared activity for us at home, taking turns to lead the next position to try and he enjoys encouraging me to reach as far as he can! With his keen interest, I'm looking forward to bringing him back." (Angela)

Workshops

"Curiosity made me take my first Aerial Yoga class at Life Yoga in April, 2011 and this is when I met Erin. Today, I can say that she has changed the way I look at things (more than just looking at them upside-down). I am no longer scared to try new things and I am having the time of my life because of it. If only there were more days in a week. First, I was scared to get on those Aerial Yoga swings. I thought I would make a fool of myself. But, as soon as I sat in one of them comfortably (yes, they are really comfortable - it feels like being in a nest), I was hooked. Erin makes you feel really safe in those devices. She is so passionate about demonstrating a pose that you have no choice but to go ahead and do it too. She is really in touch with her students and does not hesitate putting herself in their shoes when someone doesn't feel comfortable in a certain pose (or, for me, ends up all tangled in the swing). She always has another way to get you into a posture that has twisted you up, so I have never seen anybody "stuck" in a pose. This is one of the reasons that Erin is such a great teacher and why most are able to do more than they thing they could in her classes. Her Aerial Yoga classes are bursting with excited gasps, laughter, "WOW!!!"s, and "I can't believe I just did that!"s. Once you get in those swings, your inner child takes the front seat. It's like hanging from a tree at the park on a sunny day when you were 10." (Frederique)

For Groups

"If you haven't already thought about yoga to start off your wedding day, I highly recommend it. I gathered with my mom, my wedding party and our inspiring yoga teacher Carly. I gave Carly very specific directions around the type of class I wanted her to teach and the time we had before our hair appointments - she created the most amazing relaxed environment and, because of our yoga experience, the entire day didn't fly by and we were all able to stop and appreciate every single minute because we were so present. Thank you Carly, you really helped make our day special." (Ashleigh)

Treatments

"My soul reading with Carly clarified an otherwise wide, strange, lonely, and transformational life moment for me - reflecting a language of clear themes and active language full of light and love. The reading gave me a comforting sense of vision, trust and faith in the changes that were occurring so quickly and so boldly around me - a reference point in the return home to myself." (Michelle)

"I am not going to lie, at first I was skeptical about Reiki and what it could do or had to offer. However, once I began doing sessions, I noticed that I became far more relaxed and at ease with myself and my surroundings. The sessions themselves are extremely relaxing and the euphoric feeling it gives you will follow you around for hours! Just make sure you aren't heading to a big meeting afterward because you might even feel so relaxed it's hard to focus! There are a couple of times Reiki has even helped with pain I've felt. Some heat is felt during the session and, afterward, the pain that I had was a little more intense, but the next day I was right as rain. Even if feeling skeptical or timid about trying Reiki treatments, I would strongly suggest giving it a try because you will be happily surprised with this outcome!" (Julia)