Read what people are saying about Marleen's Yoga
group classes, prenatal classes, private sessions and
Thai Yoga Massage.
I definitely enjoy your classes and need to go to more. When I leave I feel energized as well as at peace. It makes my whole day more enjoyable.
- Mollie B.
I recently got back in to yoga with my daughter. We love Marleen's no pressure attitude and caring guidance. We just got back from Yosemite and I know the only reason I made it to Nevada Falls was because of yoga!
Sincerely, Kirsten
One of the things I really appreciate about Marleen's classes is that she checks in with everyone at the start of the class to see if there are any specific areas of the body that people would like to work on or have any injuries that they need to be careful about. It's nice to have a personalized class that focuses on the needs of the participants.
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Robin Gallardo
This is the best thing that I do for myself on a regular basis. It has made such a difference in my overall well being. I have exercised all my entire life and yoga has given me the best bang for my buck. Marleen makes the class so enjoyable that I wish I could attend daily. My mind, body and spirt have healed in so many ways. Thank you.
- Catherine Carrier
I started practicing yoga with Marleen about 6 years ago. She is the best! I've tried other yoga instructors because of moving and or travel and still find myself eagerly returning to her classes. She's even worth the proposed $5 Benicia Bridge toll! She explains the movements and postures in clear easy language. I can finally reach my toes in a forward bend. Her classes are challenging, fun and different every time. I've learned so much from her and am a more peaceful wife and mother since starting her classes. I'm hooked for life.
- Sue Doyle
Marleen I am definetly stronger than I was over a year ago when I started doing yoga. Yoga has helped me to learn to relax and destress. I plan on making this a life long practice.
- Deb Ross
Your class has an informal friendly air which I enjoy.
I love it when you let each of us vent our physical complaints at the beginning of each class.
- Nikki Davis
My body feels better than it has in years. I have been taking yoga from Marleen for 4 years and it has vastly improved both my physical and mental well being.
- Rob Jenkins
Marleen's classes have just the right mix of strengthening, stretching, and purposeful relaxation.
- Laura Malik
I really enjoy your class, pregnant or not. I always feel so much better when I leave- physically and emotionally!
–Elizabeth Souza
My plantars fasciitis are practically healed. I love Marleen's classes and would like to go more often.
- Lisa Guerin
You couldn’t have given me a better gift than your yoga instruction. I thank you for helping me stay healthier"
- Kimberlee (breast cancer survivor)
Marleen was my introduction to yoga, eight years ago. Though I've attended classes from other instructors, Marleen remains the best. She is the most caring and in-tune teacher I've had, plus she has a cool accent! I enjoy that she tailors her classes around what her pupils are in need of that day; I never get bored and am constantly challenged. As long as Marleen never retires, I will happily take yoga with her.
-Patrice Sartor
Thank you so much for the wonderful experience of Prenatal Yoga. I think if it wasn't for your class and the girls my pregnancy would have been very difficult. I loved the experience and am sad that it is over.
- Leigh Schlosser
Sure do miss your weekly classes, the peace, community and stretching that you offered! Tell those ladies to appreciate it while they have it! I will come back someday, to visit, introduce the baby, and eventually, to do some yoga!
- Naomi Cooper
"Practicing yoga throughout my pregnancy definitely helped me to relax during labor. In fact, at one point my midwife thought that my contractions had slowed down, but really it was that she was only noticing every other one because I was so relaxed!"
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Katie B.
"Our baby arrived after a very quick labor of 1.5 hours at the hospital and no meds. I attribute how well the delivery went to all your help in yoga class."
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Julie S.
As a 63 year old woman with postural problems, chronic muscle pain and a haphazard attitude toward exercising, I knew I needed some help in approaching old age. I wanted to continue to enjoy and be able to garden and walk for long distances. I had done yoga before and decided I wanted to again but knew I needed to start gradually.
When I began working with Marleen she assessed my body and designed several yoga sets to target my individual needs – to strengthen and realign. As I grow stronger and more able, she gives me more to do, gradually increasing my strength, stability, balance and flexibility. Marleen’s firm grounding in and extensive knowledge of body structure and muscle interaction paired with her yoga practice, gives me confidence and trust in her work with me.
Marleen has changed my life. Since seeing her on an individual basis for the last seven months, my body and my awareness of my body has changed. I know what it is to stand up straight. I am stronger. I am less prone to accidents. I can walk farther than I have been able to in years. I have more energy. I have a more positive outlook. I sleep better. I am mostly free from pain.
In addition to all this Marleen is really nice and wonderful to work with. I always look forward to my time with her and to my continued health and vitality.
- Muriel Freer
After a lifetime of exercise avoidance, Marleen’s introduction to Yoga has convinced me that this is a wonderful way of life. I experienced increased flexibility and well being from the very first hour of her instruction. I’m back to walking more securely and comfortably, and can once again feel my legs doing the work instead of creating lower back pain from incorrect exertion. I recommend Marleen Stam-Gibbs to anyone who feels they need a comfortable and comforting assist with body alignment, strength, flexibility and balance.
- Nancy Richardson
Age 73
As an avid football-basketball-weightlifting-bicyclist, inline skater, I’d always used high intensity exercise to help maintain my health and my weight. Being a naturally big guy it was easy for me to look at food and gain weight. Without exercise and it would have been easy for me to weigh 300-325-350 pounds. Unfortunately, as I got into middle age I found that nagging injuries were preventing me from getting my daily exercise. I’d play basketball for a couple of hours and be laid up for a week or more.
Then my doctor said, “If you don’t quit playing basketball I’m going to be able to pay my kids tuition to Harvard on your surgeries alone.” So I started looking for something fun that I could work into my regular daily routine. I tried lots and lots of things: water polo – too hard to find a game, aerobics classes – yuck, body pump light weight weightlifting classes – good but required a lot of equipment, swimming – boring & cold. The I tried yoga. I expected that I’d hate it and boy was I wrong!
After attending Marleen’s classes for several weeks I realized that I’d found what I was looking for. Something fun that I could do ever day using a combination of individual and class activities. It wasn’t long before I asked Marleen to be my personal fitness guru.
I am very pleased with my results and even more pleased with the way Marleen works with me to set reasonably achievable goals. Since I started working out with Marleen I am stronger, slimmer (down 2 belt notches) and lighter. For the first time in a long time the number on the scale begins with a 2 and not a 3. As in 300+. Thank you Marleen!
- Myles Knapp
Thanks for all your help...I am feeling very encouraged. I had no idea the amount of time you would put into making an individual plan for me and I finally feel like I have hope in this area...but I really am looking long term to reach my final, ongoing goal. I look at people around me and see them work double duty for a short period of time, lose a lot of weight and then gain it back when they can't manage to go that hard later on. I want to take it slow and steady and make changes I can acheive and sustain for the rest of my life. Making progress will keep me going....even if it is just baby steps.
I am telling you all of this because I believe you are really good at what you are doing, and want to encourage you that I am one client who believes you are on the right track for what you want to do (career wise).
- Carleen
As a couple in search of an instructor who could help us develop a partner practice as well as further our individual practices, we are greatly enjoying our work with Marleen. She flexibly tailors sessions that allow us to work on our individual goals, and she creatively provides partner poses that allow us to share the yoga experience while still taking into account each partner's unique needs. Marleen provides us with corrections that leave us feeling helped and supported--never judged. We highly recommend Marleen as an individual and partner yoga instructor!
- April and Allen
Running and strength-training was an integral part of my life, until I suffered an injury. Following months of physical therapy, my therapist suggested I try yoga to help in my recovery and to prevent future injuries. At that point I could not stand on bare feet. Marleen created goal-specific routines with detailed explanations which have proven to not only be very beneficial, but a great deal of fun. I am back to walking on my bare feet and I am even getting back to my normal workout routine with one change... the addition of yoga. Thank you Marleen for helping me get back on my feet (literally).
- Tracy B.
The session was amazing. I felt my body open in ways I haven’t experienced in a long time, maybe years. I felt tremendous amounts of energy move throughout my body. Marleen created a space of safety and openess – her touch was firm yet nurturing. It was an amazing experience. I will do it again soon!
- Lynn Hoyle
My session was like nothing I have ever experienced – particularly because the effects of my session have been long lasting. The session was an enjoyable experience and Marleen quickly alleviated my anxiety. I was in a lot of pain before the session. The following day I woke up and my first thought was : “My hips are different!” And they were. My hips remained much more open in the days following my session. Thank you!
- Barbara Fredericks
This was my second massage with Marleen. She is very gifted and I felt wonderful afterwards. I was quite struck how sadness released during our hip/leg work later reappeared in my heart and throat, along with gratitude and wanting to laugh.
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Allen Johnson
This was my first experience of this type of massage/therapy. It was amazing, the diversity of of feelings and emotions and sensations that occurred. There was some pain when points of pressure were done, but it was welcome pain, because it caused a release. The most extraordinary part was after the facial massage, when the eyepillow was put back on. I saw the most amazing dark midnight blue background with a maze of bright white light, that dissapeared slowly. I left in peace, what more can a person ask for?
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Catherine Carrier