TESTIMONIALS

What they think of Ashtanga Yoga Manchester

I’ve been practicing with Vicki for the past two years. I turned up as a raw beginner to Tuesdays Mysore class of experienced yogis as it was the only one I could get to. I was instantly welcomed into the fold and have been on my journey ever since. When I started I was the least flexible person in the room. Still am. Vicki is an amazing teacher, she brings a sense of humour and a wealth of knowledge. There’s no dogmatic approach, we’re encouraged to make the practice our own, there’s always a version of the pose to make it accessible to you. To suit your body.

I didn’t  start the classes to begin any particular journey, but what I ended up getting out of them was simply amazing. If you’d told the very cynical me about how I’d feel, I’d never have believed you.

I was looking for something that would help me escape for an hour or so each week. Long story short, my wife had breast cancer and had just started chemo. The emotional fallout of dealing with young kids and a very sick wife was taking its toll. I was falling apart whilst trying to hold family, work, everything together. I’d been beating myself up in the gym and that wasn’t helping. I started the yoga classes with no expectations beyond doing something different, and instantly found some peace and contentment. It truly saved me at a time when I really needed it.

I love these classes. Come and try them, it could change your life. 

TIM PHILPOTTS.

“Sammy-Jo is a wonderful teacher and all-round excellent human being. From her live classes to the fantastic sessions she's been hosting online during lockdown, everything she does is thoughtful, considered and, most importantly, makes a genuine difference to the way you feel. She's very calming and relaxing and always helps me fulfill my full potential in every class. No matter how stressed I am before a session, I always feel comfortable being there and never fail to come away feeling peaceful. Thank you".

LAYLA.

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After a few years of Ashtanga, I discovered Vicki’s Saturday morning Mysore classes and now after 2 years of making myself get up; there is no better start to the weekend! You feel so rewarded and balanced after a focused practice with subtle, yet deep adjustments. Having established a steady primary series, Vicki continues to add layers of improvement to certain poses and is guiding with great knowledge through the intermediate series. You feel very looked after and she gives each student attention as if it was a one-to-one

KERSTEN GROEBER.

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"I’ve been attending Sammy-Jo’s classes for the past three years and I love them, she creates a warm relaxed atmosphere where you feel supported and always has a smile on her face.  Ashtanga was a real physical step up for me at first, Sammy-Jo was encouraging, she gives you options and clear instruction so you can always find your own level as you progress".  

KAREN MYERS.

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I love the pace of Vicki’s self-practice classes. She is a skilled and intuitive teacher and so tuned in to each of her students that when I am there I feel like I am in a one to one session. With her expert guidance I discovered that I was able to move beyond where I thought I was, and beyond what my body thought it was capable of! If you’d like to raise your self-practice to the next level, I suggest you drop in to one of Vicki’s classes and discover what’s possible for you.

STEVE BARNES Founder, Feeling Current.

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I have attended yoga sessions with Sammy-Jo both prior to and during lockdown. In the face-to-face sessions offered, Sammy-Jo has always encouraged me to push myself further into positions and has assisted with adjustments. Whilst physical adjustments haven’t been possible via Zoom, Sammy-Jo continues to be offer verbal guidance on how to best support us into the deepest position. Sammy-Jo’s sessions are extremely relaxing and are something that I look forward to each week. Her understanding of the yoga sequence and how to support people with different levels of flexibility is extremely reassuring. 

JESSIE-MAE.

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Ashtanga yoga has changed my life. Before yoga I was so nervous, angry and getting upset very quickly for different reasons. I just was angry with people too. I tried different type of activities to get the stress/angriness out of my system but nothing really interested me so much and did not stick to any of it. I thought of doing yoga but always thought it's not for me as I'm not very calm person. And then I found your classes  by accident really and I thought I give it a go and that was the best thing I ever did. Finally I found something where I could relax, calm and stop my thoughts and just became peaceful. I'm calmer and more peaceful person I don't get upset that quickly anymore and started to appreciate more things that I have in my life. The most important thing I'm happier than ever. I learnt to just let go things and not pay unnecessary attention to it. I still have a long progress to go but I'm just glad that I found your classes and will continue to practice yoga as it gives me the benefits I need. So thank you Vicki you are great teacher and I like the way you talk to us and teach us.

EWA

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I have been attending Sammy-jo's Ashtanga yoga classes for the past year or so and can't express enough how it has changed me as a person both mentally and physically. Sammy is a great teacher and has helped adjust and correct my positions on a weekly basis which has helped amazingly with my body posture. I have built strength and endurance not to mention the flexibility, my first session I could barely touch the floor. I'm now like a pretzel. Finally my mental state of mind, the practise helps relax me, i've learnt breathing techniques and meditation skills which I can use anytime especially with the stress of daily life. Sammy-jo is a true inspiration and such a fantastic teacher, I can't recommend her class enough!

CLAIRE MALLEY

I am 68 years old and started coming to vicki’s classes 4 years ago as a complete beginner. I now attend Tuesdays 7.30 class and have now progressed to the the mysore (self practice sessions) on Saturdays in Hale.I am getting on in years and suffered one minor injury after another, that was until I started regular yoga practices. I don’t get anything like the number of injuries these days, and my back and knees are greatly improved. I also have chronic heart disease, and the breathing exercises are particularly beneficial in this respect. I recommend these classes because the teaching is unhurried and sympathetic to the individual’s needs. I especially like the self practice sessions, where help and guidance is there as you need it, I find these sessions particularly refreshing, both physically and spiritually. Since starting attending Vicki’s classes I feel a lot better in myself physically and more relaxed mentally. The teaching is first rate, and Vicki modifies the poses to suit my particular needs, which has helped me progress at my own pace. The classes are a very enjoyable experience, which I look forward to each week.

DAVE CLARKE.

"After all the injuries I’ve had over the years from playing contact sport, yoga is the perfect remedy for me, to help me keep my body supple. It also relaxes me greatly taking my mind away from the daily asks of life. All to which is is delivered by an excellent teacher, Sammy-Jo who’s calm and highly engaged with her class. If your looking for a new yoga class or wanting to start Yoga, I’d absolutely recommend Sammy-Jo!"

MATT TOTTERDELL.

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I have been taking classes with Vicki for just over a year, having had her recommended to me by a teacher on a Yoga holiday in Italy (which was my first experience of yoga!). Vicki places great emphasis on focussing on the breath which really enables us all to move deeper into the postures and gain real benefit, both emotionally and physically.The concentration she encourages on breathing in both (Tuesdays and her Mysore classes) – this simple activity which we all do every day without even thinking about it! – really does help the mind to clear, and brings a new level of clarity and focus. I usually arrive at class dashing from work or some appointment, and by the end of the hour and half, I am in a totally different place, and work issues are a million miles away! The benefits from Vicki’s classes are therefore physical AND mental.. a delight!

SHARON.

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"I had taken yoga classes before but I didn’t really get into it until I started taking classes with Sammy. The way she gives options for poses depending on your ability means I always have a good workout. She shows how to do the pose, explains it clearly, and then offers personal directions to improve the positioning. I’ve become so much more confident in my yoga practice thanks to Sammy".

EMILY PAINE.

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Many thanks for the recent yoga/relaxation sessions that you that you ran, as part of our Health and Safety Week. For many, this was their first taste of yoga and talking with them afterwards, everybody seemed to get something from the sessions. The combination of stretching exercises and breathing techniques worked very well. Some of the employees have physical jobs and they found the combination of stretching and relaxing techniques very beneficial, especially on the back, shoulder and neck areas.Some employees stated that the sessions helped them feel relaxed and more able to tackle the rigours of the day. The importance of the breathing techniques and the effects that they can have on your feelings featured high on the feedback.All commented how well that they slept on the evening after the session.The sessions were a great success and your content and approach was just right. Again many thanks for your input and enthusiasm, it was very much appreciated.

ROGER LONSDALE

Health and Safety Officer, M&I Materials,Trafford Park Manchester.

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"Sammy-Jo has the rather wonderful ability to both demonstrate the pose and then appear as if by magic to tweak your positioning and then somehow be back on her mat for the next posture.   When talking through the pose she always seems to be aware in exactly what way you are not quite in the correct position and makes you focus on that area.  Having been too many yoga classes across the country her Ashtanga class is pretty much perfect".

ADAM.