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"Inspiring You to Lead a Healthier, More Fulfilling Life"
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yoga news: featured teacher
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Meet
Carol Sprafka
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| Carol making an adjustment |
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"Carol imparts great strength by having her students hold postures at length, breathing deeply all the time. More importantly, she gives every student personal, hands-on attention, correcting posture and alignment. She seems to have magic hands that bring her students the realization of a completely free body, one that is in harmony with the individual emotional self." Helga Noice
Here's more about Carol in her own words...
Yoga is a natural extention of what I feel I do best--teaching. Almost everything that I have ever become involved with, I have ended up teaching. My primary job is as a middle school librarian teaching love of reading and research. When I got breast cancer in 1998, I started to do yoga because the doctor told me that the aerobic dance that I was teaching was too stressful for my body. I really liked yoga and tried classes in various traditions, until my first Forrest class. After that class, I was hooked! I found in Forrest a practice that helped me to explore more deeply not only the tightness in my body from years of aerobics but also a way to deal with all the trapped emotions from the my cancer and my everyday life. Forrest yoga taught me to be more aware of my body, mind and spirit. Although that is said about all of yoga, for me Forrest yoga really took me deeper and challenged me more physically, emotionally and spiritually. I remember one particular class that left me weeping during shavasana. I released so much that day, and felt so much more peaceful and powerful than I ever had after that experience.
In my classes I try to bring both warmth and energy to my teaching, offering an intense and mindful practice as well as a safe and nurturing space for students to explore their own physical, emotional, and spiritual edges. This is why I pay special attention to adjustments for my students because the adjustments help them to go deeper. My wish for all my students is that they experience the same heart opening and removal of emotional blocks that I experienced as a Forrest student. My greatest joy is to see my students discover that they can go beyond the limitations that they have placed on themselves.
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Here are what students have said about Carol’s classes!
" Forest Yoga is a very challenging practice and Carol makes everyone, at all levels, feel good about what they've accomplished in class. Her teaching style is very hands on, as she constantly walks around class helping students and properly adjusting their form. She is a quick study on getting to know her students and encourages them to challenge themselves, but be mindful of their bodies. She also gives everyone the attitude of "I can." When students leave Carol's class, they feel empowered, and have had a great workout both mentally and physically. " Christina Maggio
"Carol's teaching is indescribable. It is like no other teaching! I recommend her class to all my friend's." Teresa Polson
"I have practiced Forrest Yoga, in addition to Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga, for years. One of the reasons I have continued is due to my teacher, Carol Sprafka. She understands Forrest Yoga, offers clear instruction, adjustments as needed, and creates a welcome environment. An environment where all can practice at their own pace, yet be challenged." Toni Diorio
"As someone that worked out exclusively in the past with weights and running I found that I had hit a wall physically until I got into Forrest Yoga. After a few classes I was mentally and physically prepared to move beyond my previous weightlifting goals and was able to do more cardio activities as well. Carol is a great instructor and she works each student at their own pace but encourages you to go deeper than you think you can." David Jones
"Carol is a true teacher and student of Forrest Yoga. She has a unique ability to motivate her students through a challenging class. Her classes are well thought out and she has an exceptional talent for working with each student individually to help the student maximize the benefits of each pose." Kathy Schrepfer
"I love Carol’s classes. I always emerge from them feeling refreshed, energetic, and ready to take on whatever challenges come my way. Carol imparts great strength by having her students hold postures at length, breathing deeply all the time. More importantly, she gives every student personal, hands-on attention, correcting posture and alignment. She seems to have magic hands that bring her students the realization of a completely free body, one that is in harmony with the individual emotional self." Helga Noice
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