Real People, Real Stories

INSIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY

    I had always loved to exercise and been consistent with it, but as a runner/biker, I was always in pain and suffered from poor health. Among my many health problems, I suffered from bowel discomfort, acne, back pain, and depression. Doctors treated each of these problems individually without ever finding the cause. Finally, an OBGYN discovered that I had a 2.5lb tumor in 2002.

A week later, I had the tumor and my right ovary removed. I felt better for a little while, but then the same symptoms reoccurred. In 2005, the doctor found 27 cysts on my left ovary and diagnosed me with Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). After treating it with medication, I still had symptoms and cysts. I started doing yoga regularly at Infusion the summer of 2006. My symptoms decreased significantly. Women with PCOS suffer from increased inflammation, but I found that my joints didn't hurt anymore. I also found that I had less anxiety and depression, two other symptoms of PCOS. I had much more energy. In January of 2007, I returned to the doctor for my yearly ultrasound and discovered that I had only 3 cysts on my left ovary! I had also lost 8lbs! Yoga at Infusion was the only variable!

So many things have improved in my life since I started at Infusion. I still bike a lot, but it never hurts. My depression is not only gone, but I'm more positive and optimistic than I've ever been before. Yoga at the Studio is more than just exercise; it's also a wonderful community of caring people. I feel welcome and supported even though the folks at the studio have never seen me with make-up on or wearing anything more trendy than a beat up pair of faded capris. It really has made a difference in my life, and I look forward to doing yoga forever!

-Polly O

 I have scoliosis and after 6 months of reformer training with Infusion Studio my back felt better and I measured 1 inch taller!
          -Tanya B

      I'll be 64 years young in June 07. I can put the "young" in that sentence because of Yoga. This has been the most difficult time of my life. In November 05, my husband and I quit good paying jobs, sold our home in California and moved back to Utah to be near my aging parents. I didn't expect their dying process to happen so quickly after arriving, but it did. After an exhausting, illusive and confusing journey in and out of hospitals, nursing homes and finally their own home, Mom died in August 06 and Dad followed in November. My sisters and I are selling our family home of 52 years. After that I will end my work as executor of their estate and start to recreate my life.
      I tell you this because I want you to understand how emotionally and physically stressed I've been the last year and a half. The one main thing that kept me balanced dealing with this painful reality was my commitment to Yoga. I joined Infusion shortly after arriving in Utah, determined to keep myself healthy and vowing to practice Yoga for the rest of my life. I don't want to develop the diseases or use the prescription drugs my parents did with prostrate cancer, pancreatic cancer, osteoporosis, heart problems, arthritis, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, anxiety, depression and Alzheimer's.
     Yoga has been a gift from God. I can get up off the couch now without having to take several slow steps to "get my legs under me". I sleep really well. I have an amazing amount of gentle energy, flexibility and stamina to play with my grandchild, animals and work in my yard. My body has changed shape, I've lost weight and I'm in the smaller clothes I've been saving in the back of my closet. My husband is still looking for "the perfect job" that he had in California. Throughout his stressful process of finding work, I've been able to stay supportive, stay away from fear and not "take on" his anxiety. My mind stays calm and positive. I absolutely do attribute my improving physical, emotional and spiritual health to Yoga. I love it. It's a wonderful way to start my days. I look forward to the classes and plan each day around them. The friends I've found at the studio are so caring and gentle. The most "safe space" I have in my life is my yoga mat and Infusion studio. Thank you!
           - Sherri

     Thank you. Your yoga is truly inspiring, I have gained so much confidence in the last 8 months from your instruction. Playing the victim no longer serves me or anyone, and I am done with it.
     Here is the other thing I feel blessed with. So many years I thought running was the only thing to do, and yes it served it's purpose at the time, but even runners can do yoga. I truly never thought I would love yoga as much as running and I do. EVEN MARATHONERS CAN DO YOGA!! (I have actually lost weight doing it, and better on my whole body) I know I have a lifetime of learning ahead there is so much to know but just want to Thank You again for your acceptance and grace. You continue to let your light shine through. Bless You.
        -  Namaste, Michelle

     This year I will be turning 40. I am healthier at 40 than I was at age 30! When I was 30 I had just ended an eight year relationship with the father of my three children. My children and I moved from North Carolina to Utah, where my parents lived. I weighed 160 pounds and was a size 14. I am only 5' 2" tall, so I was quite out of proportion.
     When a six week course of yoga ended at the school district 4 years ago, my husband and I were able to continue our "date night" with the Infusion Studio, and have continued our practice ever since.
     I did not see the benefits of yoga in the beginning, but I felt them. I was able to run and play tag with my children again. I was able to sit in a cross legged position without pain. I wasn't so stressed and tired at the end of the day from teaching sixth graders. I also found I had more patience with my own children. I was even able to build enough muscle and lung capacity that I started mountain biking! Because of my yoga practice my balance, my stamina, and my flexibility have improved significantly. I use the breathing technique I learned in yoga when I bike, or when I am dealing with stressful situations. Through my yoga practice I have also been able to heal from childhood traumas as well as adult traumas. I have also gained enough confidence within myself now that I no longer look in the mirror and wince. Because of my yoga practice I made a lifestyle change. I lost the weight and inches slowly, so now I am able to keep the weight off and still be able to eat desert every so often. I now weigh 125 pounds and am a size 8. The changes on the outside can be seen now, but I think it is because I have changed so much on the inside. I shed tears of gratitude.
          - With love and thankfulness, Cindy Gieber

     I was introduced to and have been practicing yoga for 2 years at Corena Hammer's Infusion Yoga and Pilates Studio. I'm very thankful to Corena and the amazing teachers at her studio who have opened doors for me to receive changes that I love in my body and mind.
     I've never had a flexible body or a strong upper body. Now, at almost 50 years of age, I'm the most flexible I've ever been. I actually have muscle contour on my arms and upper body. I feel stronger and rejoice in my body as it helps me fill my purpose in life.
      For me, yoga has been a "gentle on the body and mind" form of exercise that has blessed me with long, strong muscles. I feel I'm being kind to my body as I practice yoga. I can feel how my muscles work for me and how to exercise them while protecting my joints at the same time. My breathing is deep and enlivening. My mind has become more clear, flexible, and open both on and off my yoga mat.
     When I am practicing on my mat I am connected with my soul. I no longer compare myself to my "neighbor" and their abilities (which are usually much greater than mine). I feel where body wants to work or rest that day and then choose the level at which I'll practice each pose. The teachers are great at offering ways to modify or advance the poses and to guide me individually in working with my body.
     I've grown to love and feel connected with those I practice with. There is a lot of love, joys, sorrows, and even recipes shared among us.
          - I LOVE YOGA! Lorene

     I look forward to our yoga practice every day. I always leave feeling relaxed and revitalized. It seems to strengthen my confidence and coping skills as well. Now I know I can handle whatever comes my way!
          - Jeanne M.

     Yoga at Infusion has opened up to me a real sense of life. Not just living day after day, come what may. But to enjoy every day as a gift. Every day has a purpose, everyday is real.
          - Paula K.

     This Studio has been a place of awakening for me in a physical, emotional and spiritual way. It is a safe space where I've come to know others I enjoy connecting with. Thank You Corena!
           - L. Roberts

     Yoga at the Studio has helped me heal and transform my life. I lost weight, firmed up and I now better handle the stress in my life. I am very grateful for all of the doors yoga has opened up for me. It has been a wonderful journey for my body, mind and spirit!
          - Angie B.

     I often thought indulging myself in matters of Self-Care was selfish. Now I am reminded the best gift I can give my children and husband is the best and healthiest ME!! Thank you for helping me remember to take time to create, play and renew.
          - Addie

     I enjoyed the first class very much.......It felt clear and relaxing in the space we were in.....it helped me to realize how much I wasn't in the PRESENT MOMENT and this workshop gave me simple examples of how to achieve that, while giving me the ability to center and balance my energies to LIVE LIFE rather than just exist. I am amazed at the simple act of breathing, and how difficult that truly is.And ... oh and the power of choice, we GET to do this and we don't HAVE to do that ... very enlightening!!
        - Barbara

     When I started my yoga training program at Infusion, my intention was to learn more so that I could grow as a yoga teacher. I had no idea that I would transform on a personal level. I loved and learned so much through the training. On the level of meeting my initial intention, I did learn more about the anatomy of the body and it's function in the alignment of yoga postures so that I can teach a safer class. I also learned more about the philosophy of yoga, including chanting, sanskrit, postures, the chakra energy system, and meditation; which I feel added depth to my teaching and what I'm trying to help my students allow to surface for themselves.
     While I was very pleased with all that I learned to enhance my teaching practice, the most profound change for me was the insight I gained into myself. On a personal level I was helped to understand my own past samskaras, or patterns. I became my own student in this process as I allowed myself to go deeper - to release, heal, and function on multiple levels instead of just the physical/surface level that I was so used to functioning on - especially in my yoga practice. Through my learning in the training, I was allowed to go places in my own practice that I never could before. This allows me to go places in my teaching I didn't realize I could go either. I never expected to gain all that I did out of the training. It was an amazing life experience that I didn't even realize I needed until after I started. The Infusion RYT training led me through a process I needed to start my own healing on many levels. I feel as if I grew as a teacher and as a person. Looking back, the training was something I feel as if I was led to. It was an incredible experience. I looked forward to it every month and plan on attending the retreat again this year.
     - Ali

Teacher training with Corena has been invaluable. I've learned so much about how my body experiences yoga
which in turn helps me as a teacher. I look forward to the weekends in the month because
I know I'll be learning valuable skills that I can incorporate into my own practice as well as
enhance the yoga experience I'm offering to my clients. But more importantly, I feel like
the RYT is and has been beneficial in helping me build strength, confidence, and awareness
into my mental and spiritual aspects of my yoga practice by helping me to go deeper, re-trace
old patterns and establish new ones that are more beneficial.
     - Danielle

After being trained to teach yoga in a weekend certification, I realized I had much to learn about yoga. After 7 years of attending classes, workshops and researching yoga I still yearned for more training opportunities. Therefore, I decided to completed a Summer RYT Training course at Yoga Jo's. What a great learning opportunity it was for me!! I was able to experience so many new things. Since completing my 200-RYT Training, I have attended a few of Infusion's RYT Training sessions. Out of the resources and experiences I have had with yoga, Infusion's RYT Training is one of my favorites!! Here's why: Corena is respectful of my time, descriptions of content/poses are detailed and comprehensive, year program allows for proper processing of an enormous amount of content, and the openness of the space/trainees/trainers stimulates opportunities for personal and professional growth.
     - Addie

     Last October I was fortunate enough to participate in the Yoga Retreat. I really thought I would hang out with friends and do lots and lots of yoga. I pretty much thought it was an indulgence. I carpooled with two wonderful women I met at the studio. The drive was full of life stories and laughter. We all stayed in the same room (the 21 yr old and over room). We got up every morning at 6:00 to walk and to watch the sun rise. What a beautiful thing to wake up to. We did lots and lots of yoga, had meals with friends and made new friends. At the end of the day we sat or laid in a circle and shared feelings and realizations with each other. There was no negativity, no judgment, no news media, no outside world. There was, however; smiles, hugs, laughter, tears, inspiration, self-reliance, strength from within and an abundance of love and joy. When I signed up for the retreat I thought it was a luxury. After leaving the retreat I realized it was truly a necessity for my life. It changed my life in such positive ways. My relationships with my husband, family and friends have never been better. My husband told Corena that he couldn't believe the change in me. I just had a birthday and my husband's gift to me was another Yoga Retreat! Thank you Corena for opening my eyes and my heart.
     - Can't wait to do it again!, - Lori

I've loved the yoga retreats I've attended with Corena for the quiet space they've created for me to relax, re-center, and observe where I'm at on my journey. The retreats have been the perfect place and opportunity for me to establish healthy intentions, ways to take better care of myself. And I'm grateful for how Corena and Ron have created the opportunity for me and so many others.
     - Danielle