Student Testimonials:

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"With your help, I have regained strength and flexibility that I have not had since my back surgery 16 years ago. ...I would not have known where to find my strength, or how to go about rebuilding without your guidance, your knowledge, and you. The incredible amount of knowledge you have and your teaching ability is unmatched by any other person. I have heard it said by others: "Olena has a great way of explaining how to do a position or Pilates exercise."

Jen (2003)

"Olena is not only a beautiful yoga practitioner, but a beautiful person inside. She embodies yoga fully in every aspect of her life. She is open, loving, non-judging, wise, present, strong, flexible, kind, caring. Her passion for the practice is evident... . She is an excellent technical teacher who also brings with her the light, bright spirit of yoga."

Megan (10/2005)

"She [Olena] is always professional when teaching class. She is prepared, punctual, articulate and personable. Safety and health are two important elements that she stresses in her teaching."

Colleen (2005)

"Olena takes her class through a wonderfully safe, vigorous practice... . I trained at White Lotus in Santa Barbara and safety and proper alignment was really stressed. It was great to see that in Olena's class... ."

Bev (2006)

"I think Olena did a great job paying attention to each participant and "coaching" each person's body alignment & offering various options to progress or modify each pose."

3/2007

"Olena does the best job of explaining poses, keeping people safe and does a beautiful job of adjusting students in a supportive way. A lovely blend of flow and pace."

4/2007

"Olena's class was wonderful. It was a great combination of flow, stretches, balances, and new things to try. I really enjoyed it!"

7/2007

"Olena has a great flow. It's very relaxing yet very challenging."

7/2007

"I really enjoyed Olena's class. She focuses on the pose and how to do them properly. I usually attend faster class but I really liked having the intensity of form and focus in Olena's."

Donna (9/2007)

"Olena is not only an experienced practitioner of hatha yoga but also an excellent teacher. She and I taught a group of about 60 public school teachers in the fall of 2006 and I'd jump at the opportunity to work with her again. From my experiences with her as a co-worker and friend I know that she is a true professional yoga teacher dedicated to personal growth in her practice and life."

Ricky (11/2007)

"Partner yoga is part workout, part intimacy, mixed with balance & strength. Afterwards, I felt closer to my wife & both our moods were lifted. I found that Partner Yoga was more fun overall than going to a yoga class alone."

Jeff (1/2008)

"I felt my own body in a totally new way when trusting it to my [yoga] partner."

Olga (1/2008)

"After having my 3rd baby, using the Pilates Reformer has quickly helped me to connect to my center. After only a few classes, I am already feeling a stronger core."

Doreen (1/2008)

"I was sceptical at first because I did not think I could work out on the reformer but now I find myself anxious to get back to the class & increase my strength."

Kati (2/2008)

"In partner yoga I did not feel stress of the poses because I was focusing on my partner."

Juan (1/2008)

"Couples yoga was fun, challengin, different feeling than individual yoga. Had to trust my husband with my body and push it further than ever before. Good Friday night date!"

Cindy (1/2008)

"Dear Olena, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to learn Yoga. You were very well organized and patient with your students. Mehdi had talked highly about you and now I know & understand him.
BTW I have 2 yoga DVDs that I will use with my daughters back in Iran & will remember what a great Instructor I had in Janelia. Best wishes,"

Mitra (1/2008)

"Olena is a great yoga instructor. She is very encouraging and gently pushes you to do even more than you thought you could."

Dana (2/2008)

"Reformer Pilates has strengthened my abdominals and increased my flexibility. Olena is a very patient and knowledgeable instructor."

Betsy (2/2008)

"Pilates Reformer helped me pay attention to my lower abs. I'm seeing the difference in my abs and having fun."

Lori (2/2008)

"Just wanted to say how enjoyable your classes are, and the good vibe that surrounds you. I cherish good souls like you, for they are hard to find these days. People like you bring the best in others, and help us not to forget who we are and what are the real values in today's busy life. I feel richer knowing you.
Thank you :0)"

Michael (2/2008)

"I just wanted to tell you how much i enjoy your yoga classes! You are the real deal - I can tell how much the art of practicing yoga means to you, it's a way of life, and i think that is very inspirational! I truly look forward to your classes and love to see how much i have improved over time. "

Brenda (3/2008)

"I've been coming to Olena's class for several years and plan to continue. Olena is very knowledgeable and well-trained as a Pilates and Yoga instructor. Teachers of her caliber are not easy to find.
Her classes have greatly helped me work through back and neck pain due to very tight muscles.
She is very attentive to detail and offers individual input to her students. She is very lively and great fun to be with. "

Liz (3/2008)

"Thanks for the [partner yoga] class. Had a great time. Felt like a 14 year old with a new boyfriend. So nice to experience my marriage in a new light."

Namaste, Jen (3/2008)

"Olena’s Pilates class is the perfect break in my week. The combination of core strengthening, stretching, + most of all body awareness leaves me relaxed + refreshed for the rest of my day. My week is incomplete w/o my hour with Olena. "

Katie (3/2008)

"Olena has such a gift for teaching: she not only guides one through correct movement at any level, but also quietly inspires with her awesome command of technique. Her classes are both challenging and fun. My goal is core strength and stability : I see steady progress, and I leave her classes feeling great."

Teresa (5/2008)

"Joshua and I participated in our first couples class with Olena. We're both new to yoga in general, but did not feel out of place in Olena's class. We left the class with our spirits lifted, our souls soothed and a distinct feeling of closeness. We would certainly recommend partner yoga with Olena."

Kelly (5/2008)

"I am so glad that I have been able to learn yoga and Pilates from you. You are such a fantastic teacher! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for being so encouraging! I'm hoping that with more practice, I can become stronger and more flexible."

Kristina (6/2008)

"I truly enjoyed your class and I have to say you are one of the best instructors I have ever had. You have a teaching style which is your gift. I have often realized as intense as those postures are, I never look at the clock... that is your gift, so keep that going! ;o)"

Fatimah (7/2008)

"Reasons for taking a yoga class vary from student to student. Each of us typically is in a different place with regard to our physical abilities to perform specific poses and our readiness to explore the spiritual and mental components of a yoga practice. It takes a truly gifted teacher to be able to relate to students as individuals when in a group situation and to help them to personalize their practice to meet their own needs. I have studied with Olena for four years and feel very fortunate to have benefited from her knowledge, insight, and guidance. She has helped me to grow in my own practice, both supporting and challenging me as I continue on my yoga journey."

Michele (8/2008)