Testimonials

A Mysore Student

It is really dark outside at 5:45 in the morning. The air is still and quiet most mornings. And there are almost no cars on the roads. The atmosphere in the studio for the Mysore class is the same – calm and serene, hushed and even reverent as we all stagger in and get started. My family and friends think I have gone completely insane – getting up at this hour every day. What in the world can be so good about this early morning routine?

I have been practicing yoga a little more than 2 years, starting out in Bikram, then adding power classes last January. In early September, I was able to go with John Allen and 12 other students on a retreat to West Virginia (highly recommended!). We did early morning meditation followed by the primary series each day. I had done Ashtanga only a few other times before that, and never through the entire sequence so this was a special experience for me, and I felt it very deeply. John Allen suggested I try White Orchid when the Tampa studio opened, so I took a couple of weeks of the 6 pm Guided Ashtanga classes when he steered me to the Mysore class.

I did not yet know the sequence, and did not know much of anything about the depth or details of the postures. It was definitely intimidating at first with all of the advanced students and teachers in there. But Heather and Jessica keep an eye on everyone to make sure we are on track, and it is amazing how quickly the sequence can be learned with practice and with their support. Now, if I forget a posture, it feels wrong and I stop myself to figure out what I have missed.

I have injured myself already, too. I was not keeping my quads contracted or bandhas engaged in all of those seated hamstring stretches. I was relaxing too much into the stretch, and subsequently really strained the heck out of my hamstring origin sites – very painful. Heather and Jessica have been diligent with me as I have worked hard on my technique and I am slowly getting better. It is a good lesson in the Virya Paramita category of joyful perseverance!

So what is so good about the morning routine of practice? Once the sequence is learned, it becomes you and your yoga practice. You can spend more time in a posture on which you are working and really feel some of the details. There is still the shared energy of other students in the room, but you can go at your own pace. For me at this point in my yoga journey, I have truly lost all self-consciousness by practicing in this method. Since we are all moving at different rates, no one is doing the same thing at the same time – so now, I really have no self-awareness while practicing. And I think this is a step on the path of liberation from the idea of a separate self. Anyway, it feels great!

The inward connection fostered by the Mysore setting enables a sustained meditative experience that is rarely possible in a group class. My ability to abide compassionately with the suffering I encounter in my work has greatly improved since starting a morning practice. It is the best way to start the day!

Now, this is not to say that every morning I jump out of bed all yippy-skippy to go practice yoga. I sometimes think I am physically ill-suited for Ashtanga. I am very scrawny, have bad hamstrings, and ridiculously big feet. I am also a lot less flexible in the morning which makes the whole deal more challenging. On those reluctant mornings, I remind myself of words from a wise and wonderful teacher: “Do Your Practice. The best gift you can give your teacher and your fellow students is to simply Do Your Practice. Your practice generates gracewaves of compassion that have unseen effects. So, Do Your Practice.” And then I do get out of bed, and am always glad that I did!

When we leave the studio after practice, the sun is up, the traffic is whizzing by on MacDill, and we are off on another day. There is a beautiful quote from Hafiz:

Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth: you owe me.
Look what happens with a love like that – it lights the whole world.

Maybe after practicing morning Ashtanga yoga, we can better shed our own love and light into the world of our day ahead. We are so grateful to everyone at White Orchid for making this opportunity available to us in Tampa – thank you!

Aaron Whitaker

In December of 2010, I got back into the practice of yoga, and after 5 months of mixed results (and some unstable karma) at another studio, was referred to the White Orchid by Maria. I checked out the website, and because of my size (5’11″ and 225 pounds), age (over 50), and unfamiliarity with the Ashtanga practice, emailed White Orchid with several questions.

My email was immediately responded to by Jessica who invited me to come visit the facility that afternoon. Jessica greeted me with a mega-watt smile and very welcoming attitude, and proceeded to answer all of my questions, give me a thorough tour of the facility, and invite me to the level of a class that she thought appropriate for my level of fitness. I attended the 12:00 Vinyasa Flow class on the following Monday and the rest is history. I have been attending on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays religiously since the first week in June of 2011. I have had the pleasure of being taught by Jessica, Sharon, Calley, and Ally and every one of these teachers has bravely worked with the ‘big, sweaty guy’ to ensure I am in the proper position in the asanas to get the maximum benefit. I was even more pleasantly surprised with the acceptance by the other students and their continuing encouragement. I leave every class tired, but feeling alive and positive, and just want to hug somebody on the way out the door.

I am so appreciative of the work and the warmth of the White Orchid and the instructors, that I schedule my business appointments (I am retired, but also self employed) around my classes. I will not miss a class unless I am out of town or have a court date that I just can’t move. I might add that, as a large man and a golfer, the benefits of my practice are evident in my flexibility and ability to hit the ball better than most men of my age or many of a younger age.

To anybody considering a place to practice or getting into a practice, you can’t do better than the White Orchid. To Coni, Sharon, Jessica, Calley, and Ally ………….. thank you so much for what you do for me! Namaste …

Todd Scott Abrams

After twelve dedicated years working with at-risk kids teaching high school in NYC, I was completely burned out. I gave my students everything I had and my well was dry. After my resignation, I found myself displaced and without a career. Shortly after I left teaching my good friend and mentor of the past fourteen years died suddenly of a heart attack. I felt a profound sense of loss for my friend and the life I once knew. I was lost. I was drawn to yoga and bodywork for much needed healing of mind, body & spirit.

Recently relocated to the Tampa Bay area, my new journey of a thousand miles began with a single step into White Orchid. At that moment, I felt welcomed and very much at home. White Orchid offers me an intimate and safe space for my yoga practice and continued healing. It is truly my sanctuary. The genuine love from the owner and teachers alike is palpable. I am grateful to all my teachers for their continued patience and support. Through yoga, I am finally regaining a sense of equanimity. My journey continues with the 200 Hr Teacher Training at White Orchid.

Anne Mason

I came to yoga for release from a hectic and stressful occupation, and all its manifestations. I found Anala Yoga and Ally and the perfect counterbalance. I was able to practice introspection and both internal and external empathy, and yoga helped me change the course of my career. I followed her core group of yogis around the area but had to let it go when it moved too far away. I was thrilled it came back close to my home. Though I still struggle to find the balance (don’t we all!) my “mat time” at White Orchid is precious. Ashtanga is hard; my career is hard; as we all know, life can be hard. And while I push against that discipline sometimes, White Orchid has teachers and classes that allow whimsy and fun to punctuate and inform my life. I am truly grateful to Coni for opening White Orchid and thank her and all of the special yogis who guide us there, for all of their light, and their wisdom.

Roni Wright

When I think about my initial expectations in taking yoga, I never imagined the effect it would have on my life. I came to White Orchid with little flexibility and little knowledge of yoga or Ashtanga. At White Orchid I feel a part of a wonderful community. The teachers are extraordinary and have taught me patience (something I am not very good at) and encouraged me along the way.

Persistence definitely makes a difference too. With an almost daily practice, I feel a tremendous change in my body both physically and mentally. You may laugh – but I could not touch my toes when I attended my very first class. That in itself was a major accomplishment and a belief in the practice method.

Through my journey I learned about the Mysore style practice and although I was very intimidated, I took the plunge and began showing up very early in the morning. Almost 6 months later, I am amazed at what I can do and quite humbled by the experience.

Dr. Rhonda McDowell

I came to White Orchid with a fairly advanced yoga practice but the knowledge and experience of the teachers, along with the quality of the workshops offered have helped me to deepen my practice even further.

From a medical perspective, the gentle, effective exercise plus the stress reduction from the breathing practices of yoga offer an unmatched combination for those who want to maintain good health.

Practicing yoga at White Orchid has been my best way to improve my practice, maintain my physical health and deepen my spiritual self.

Janie Borrell

From the first day I walked into White Orchid, I knew my life would be forever changed. There I found a safe environment to heal my aging body, feel good about my level of fitness, and most of all to nurture my soul. The teachers are always warm, helpful, but never intrusive. They taught me how to appreciate the practice of yoga when I was merely a beginner. White Orchid and yoga itself have helped me feel content throughout the day.

Calley Masson

For me Yoga became a tool to face a whole lot of un-dealt with emotions and to learn to trust my body again. I’m a cancer survivor. I didn’t even realize it until I got deep into a consistent practice, but on the inside I was a scared little girl. I started to uncover all these leftover feeling and emotions from all that I had been through, and went through with a strong front. What I was finding was that I was scared and fearful, this cancer could come back, I didn’t know it was growing in me the first time, so how could I know what’s going on now. I also started to notice that I had a very negative relationship with my body, it had betrayed me, how could I trust it. Through my practice I was slowly able to feel connected to my body, my feelings, my emotions, my energy. I started to “know” myself! I began to notice subtleties and nuances going on within, and I started to understand that there is some kind of dialogue going on, I just wasn’t listening before. I feel confident, strong, and very self aware now, I no longer feel like something terrible could be going on inside of me without my knowledge of it. I have a much better relationship, a truthful relationship with myself. I honestly don’t think I would feel this comfortable with myself if I hadn’t found myself on a yoga mat one day! I cant thank White Orchid enough – even though I already had an established practice when I started taking classes there and then started teaching there – the community, the support, and the love that just oozes out of White Orchid is simply amazing. It is the perfect atmosphere for discovery, healing, transformation! Love you all, namaste.

Beth Adele Long

I was fresh out of 6 weeks of radiation and 6 months of chemo when I first came to White Orchid on a Yoga Bear pass. I was bald, bruised, and afraid of my own body, with its wounded heart and lungs and fragile immune system. The beauty and calm of the physical space was soothing, but what healed me was the people, the kind instructors who held me like a flower and helped me open up again. I’m not a weepy person, but I get choked up when I think about what an amazing role they have played in my life. Now, several months later, I am strong, confident, and excited every class to see my body reaching further and further into the practice. I love White Orchid Yoga and am deeply thankful to have this haven.

Dr. Mitchell Lowenstein

I began yoga 11 months ago, to increase my fitness level and also to be able to share yoga with my wife who started practice several months earlier.

Because of patient instruction, yoga has helped me physically and emotionally.
My core strength, flexibility and balance have improved.

Since starting yoga, I have lost 15 pounds. I’m now motivated to not eat after dinner and have altered my diet. I am eating more fruits and vegetables and little or no meat.

Early morning “Mysore style” class starts my day peacefully. I leave my house when it is dark and finish my practice just after sunrise. The studio is quiet, candle lit and smells of spice.

The session begins with a dedication of the practice to an important person in my life or an important event. It might be a time to think of a friend who has lost a loved one, or I may think of a world event like the earthquake in Haiti. It may be a time to focus my thoughts away from myself or it may be a time to be thankful for all of the blessings that I enjoy. These thoughts return to me while I practice.

We ask for “good thoughts, good deeds, and good intention.” To only think and say things that are positive and loving, to have only good wishes and good deeds for everyone we meet during the day. These wishes carry me through the day and help to keep me focused on saying and doing the right things in my role as a physician.

As I walk into my office to start work, my body moves freely and comfortably and my mind is peaceful.

I truly appreciate the physical and spiritual gifts that have been given to me at the White Orchid Life Center.