Read Our Testimonials

Yoga, Motherhood, and a Few Good Breaths
I began practicing yoga when I was pregnant with my second child in the summer of 2004. A colleague at work was our instructor. We practiced twice weekly in an ROTC classroom, with the chairs and desks pushed to the side. Posters exclaiming “Be All You Can Be” hung on the wall, complete with fighter jet images, marching soldiers, and guns. I remember fixing my gaze on a very patriotic eagle as I balanced in “airplane,” and then, well, “eagle.” Our yoga instructor stressed the importance of breath for every movement. She shared good resources for proper breathing techniques. I practiced them at my desk. I used these techniques and other concepts she talked about, like focus and the power of ones body, during my son’s labor. It worked.
Two years after he was born I was deep in the throws of my old hectic routine and never catching my breath. Work was busy, I was short tempered, stressed out, the house was never quite clean – and neither were my children. I had no meaningful outlet of my own. I married and had children “late in life,” and I was missing that old familiar sense of something that was completely mine. I yearned to regain peace of mind and ease of body.
I began going to Yoga Moves in March of 2007. To my first class I brought with me my new yoga mat, my towel, and my renewed breath. After each time I practiced, I was lighter, happier, steadier, and looser. I decided to carve out time for two sessions each week during times that would work best, balancing home life with a husband, two children, and a full time work load.
I mentioned to Mary Ellen the other day that it was my one year anniversary at Yoga Moves. She asked me what in my life was different after a year of Yoga. Without hesitating and without realizing what I was saying, I responded: “I am a better mother.” I would not have predicted a year ago that that would have been my answer (more likely “better abs”).
A year ago, I was certain that the short term effects of going off and practicing yoga would be a horrible thing for a mother to do: I was abandoning my children for a selfish purpose after all. Now it’s clear that the short term effects do not exist and the long term effects are that I have something that is mine, and something that makes me a better person. Yoga gives me peace (child’s pose), strength (side plank), stillness in a busy day (shavasana), and balance (eagle into airplane). It teaches me acceptance (pigeon), perseverance (crow), to be present (tree), and, on one occasion, triumph (tripod headstand!). And, don’t you know? …all these skills come in very handy and in fact are critical not only as a yogi but as a mother.
Yoga has added much to my life, and I get strength and peace from it as I move and flow in everyday situations. Like the sign on the wall exclaimed when I took my first breath and said Namaste for the first time: Be All You Can Be.
Melissa, Reading, MA

I have always been a very active individual. I came to the conclusion many years ago that one needs to be active to keep the body and mind healthy. I had been a runner for fifteen years and began to experience pain in my knee, back and feet. I started practicing Bikram Yoga without any idea of how powerful it could be if you open your mind and heart to it. I look forward to experiencing more positive benefits and maybe someday even being able to hold my left leg up for 60 seconds! I'd like to thank Mary Ellen for her never ending positive support and welcoming smile.
Donna C. Walsh, FLMI, ACS
Vice President, Operations, Heritage Advisors, Inc.
Stoneham, MA

Bikram Yoga has taught me to stop beating myself up with "should haves" and that someday my forehead can touch my toes!
Heather, Woburn, MA

I've been a student at Yoga Moves since November of 2006. Since having been introduced to Yoga I have recieved dozens of benefits from my practice. One of the immediate benefits that I noticed was a better nights sleep without the tossing and turning that had become the norm. Other benefits include strengthening of my core muscles, flexibility, breathing, weight loss and muscle tone, as well as peace of mind. However, since accepting the YOGA CHALLENGE, it certainly has been a challenge, all of the above benefits have been magnified to a greater degree bringing a greater sense of satisfaction in my yoga practice. For this my thanks go out to my wife for her support, all of my fellow yogi's, Flash, the teaching staff at Yoga Moves and especially Mary Ellen for her encouragement to persevere.
Brian, Stoneham, MA

I have been fairly active and athletic throughout my life. I've spent most of my time at the gym lifting weights and running. Basketball and golf are two of my favorite pastimes. This until I found yoga. Practicing yoga on a regular basis has improved my physical and mental well-being. After being diagnosed with diabetes, my doctor stressed the importance of losing weight. Hot vinyasa yoga has been the answer to my medical needs. Mary Ellen and her exceptional staff have been extremely helpful and patient in helping me transition with this lifestyle change. I cannot say enough good things about practicing yoga at this studio.
Jack, Wakefield, MA

I came to yoga after a two-year period of inactivity. Prior to that time, I had regularly gone to the gym and lifted weights. However, those forms of exercise started to have negative effects on me. My joints and lower back were often sore, and on some occasions the pain prevented me from sleeping. Eventually my desire to exercise ceased completely.
After a few weeks of yoga my lower back and knee pain all but disappeared. Additionally, I started to lose weight and gain muscle tone. Now, after several months of regular yoga practice, I feel better, look better, and have much more energy. But perhaps the greatest benefit that I have realized from yoga is the stress reduction and greater sense of well being that I experience daily.
Yoga is much more than a form of exercise, and I continue to learn more about yoga and myself. Mary Ellen and her staff at Yoga Moves have been wonderful, caring teachers, and I highly recommend them to anyone considering practicing yoga.
Jonathan, Melrose, MA

Bikram Yoga has helped build astounding strength and flexibility in my body. The work done here helps with snow boarding, mountain biking, and every other activity I can think of, while building awareness and balance.
Kent Phillips, Reading, MA

Bikram Yoga has changed my life! No more lower back pain, no more aches in my legs and for the first time in over 60 years I am finally standing up straight! I get so much pleasure and feeling of accomplishment completing each class. Every day is a new and learning experience which allows me 90 minutes to just concentrate on myself, with my mind at ease. Thank you Mary Ellen for your dedication and understanding. "Never too old, never too tired, never too late"
Allan, Stoneham, MA