Testimonials – Bay Area Yoga

"I started yoga about 5 years ago, 63 years old, stiff, weak, overweight, and not expecting any big changes. I came once a week for a while, missing weeks here and there. I enjoyed the stretching and appreciated the acceptance of my limitations... always an alternate way to do the things I couldn't...or didn't think I could...do. Then I started to come twice a week. A big difference! I started to notice small improvements: I could get out of my car easier! I could bend over and tie my shoes standing up! I could reach the cereal box on the top shelf! This was amazing! I thought I was too old to expect much. But the changes in my everyday life are real. I can climb 3 flights of stairs in the subway and walk comfortably for the first time. I have more energy, flexibility, better balance, improved range of motion, and best of all, a sense of wellbeing that I've never had before. I've lost over 50 lbs. in the last 4 years, with yoga as my only exercise. I enjoy the class and the women I've met there. Thank you, Kathleen, for making these years the strongest and most empowering ever."

— Judy Periolat

"On November 7, 2004, I walked very stiffly into the center on the suggestion of a local immune system specialist. At 50 years of age I had a chronic digestive/ immune system illness that caused symptoms that had perplexed the doctors for over 2 years. The toxin overload in my body was caused, in part by food allergies, and in part, by the drugs I had been prescribed for symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia, allergies, excess acid, digestive pains and elimination complaints that I will not describe in detail! 6 different daily drugs! The results were that I could not bend over, stretch up, raise my arms above my shoulders or even grab hold of my bed sheets at night! I had severe facial and body rashes and no energy for life. Kathleen Kelly Hoffman suggested I joined gentle yoga. I attended three classes a week and my pains began to disappear. Slowly my joints began to move again. Within three months I was attending yoga every day. Kathleen gave me advice about my diet and the dual approach resulted in me becoming healthier, stronger and more flexible than I have ever been in my life. Now I’m attending level three classes. I can even attempt the wheel pose! I am convinced that without Yoga I would still be feeling very ill, taking my 6 drugs a day. Now I take no drugs, I am full of energy and practicing Yoga everyday. Thank you, Kathleen."

— Lynda Bentley

"3 years ago I came to the Bay Area Yoga Center with chronic sciatica, very tight muscles in my neck and shoulders resulting from a cervical fusion, and a new diagnosis of lumbar stenosis with referred pain to my back, shins and ankles. Today my sciatic pain is gone, and my neck, shoulders and hips continue to get more and more flexible as I continue my yoga practice. I am not pain-free yet, but I am so much better than I ever expected to be, thanks to the excellent teaching of Kathleen and her fine staff.All the teachers at Bay Area Yoga have modified poses and taught me the correct posture of other poses that allow my continuous progress. Much to my surprise, my blood pressure is also lower. I am a very grateful student! Yoga, for me, is a way to achieve physical and emotional health...and a long life."

— Nancy Kaufman

"I started yoga with Kathleen almost 10 years ago and have been addicted to her from the very start! She challenges me to recognize my strengths so that when I’m ready, she can help me take my practice to the next level.

When a certain part of my body is calling for some extra attention, for example, a muscle I may have pulled over the weekend or, my thyroid needing to be exercised, Kathleen will modify my practice so I can get the most out of each session.

With her ability to correct and tweek my alignment in the various poses, I find myself gliding out of her studio feeling longer, taller and completely restored."

— Christina Toonen