I learned more in an hour from Carol on the tennis court than I have in the past 5 lessons with tennis professionals. Her insight into what the body and mind need to perform at the optimum level is extraordinary.
-yoga student May 2013
I’ve been taking yoga with Carol at Harmony Yoga for about seven months. I have also been studying martial arts for fifteen years and crossfit for two. I never thought much of yoga until I joined Harmony, and in just seven months, I find I look forward to yoga with Carol the most out of all the other classes. Yoga has become a lifestyle for me. It is a workout for the body, a cleansing of the mind, and insight to the soul. It should be a mandatory practice in schools, jobs, and just a part of everyday life! The world would be a better place with yoga, but for now, my world has become a better place.
Namaste.
Dionisios Efkarpidis
Yoga Student April 2012
“Whether you are an experienced yogi, or have never practiced before,
Carol makes you feel comfortable and right at home in her classes.”
HB Yoga Student Feb 2012
Dear Carol: I just wanted to thank you again patience, knowledge and professionalism in helping me on my journey of improving my health.
In late 2008 I was experiencing fatigue, dizziness and difficulty in breathing just doing moderate physical exercise and/or work and my blood pressure had jumped significantly to an unhealthy range. After running numerous tests the diagnosis was a leaky mitral heart valve. The cardiologist doubled the dose of one medicine and advised me to get started on a physical activity program, emphasizing that yoga would be good.
It’s been 2 years since I started yoga and it’s hard to explain all the great changes that I have experienced both physically and emotionally. My blood pressure has decreased to a very low healthy range, I was removed from cholesterol medication, the blood pressure medication has been reduced in half and now I have no limitation on physical activities. In addition, I had injured my back several years ago and I had been given pain killers, went to physical therapy as well as other treatments and 3 years ago I was scheduled for back surgery. I decided I did not want surgery so I cancelled the appointment and elected to go with the pain.
I had given up yard work since any work or exercise that required flexibility, including running. Within a few months of yoga the back problems cleared up and I have not had any back pain since and the flexibility has returned which enables me to participate in activities I long ago had given up for good. Other annoying neck pains and the other “little” pains and aches that seem to come and go are now gone. Yoga puts more “harmony” in your life. I suppose it’s the deep breathing associated with the yoga poses that directs more oxygen into all areas of the body allowing the body and/or brain to “repair” itself. On my latest checkup the doctor said “my breathing” is like an athlete.”
Why did I pick Harmony Yoga? I did not know any yoga schools or instructors or anyone who was in a yoga program. I searched the web and telephone books for a local yoga instructor. I spent a lot of time evaluating the yoga ads and promotions and finally selected Harmony Yoga because unlike most they did not insinuate “instant success” or “instant healing”. How fortunate I was in my selection. I am now doing various yoga postures including handstands with no difficulty.
Carol Shwidock, the director, is so knowledgeable of the body (she worked as an occupational therapist for over 20 years), dedicated, enthusiastic, patient and most of all she just loves what she does. A true professional, you would think that after 30 years she might just want to “go thru the motions”. Not Carol, even after conducting 2 to 3 group or private sessions she is just as excited and energetic about holding another session that same day as she was at the beginning of the day. She really cares about the progress of her students and at every session she has everything planned to take you to the next step. She intuitively knows each students’ limits and she keeps pushing but not until your body and brain are ready to go “higher”. Carol Shwidock is the best and <strong>Harmony Yoga Studio</strong> is the place to go.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I am 80 years old but feeling 50.”
Bud Farris.
written by BLogger Eila Johnson after Restorative Yoga Workshop 1/8/12
I felt like I’d left everything buttoned up at home, so I really could decompress in the workshop. So, I cranked the music up in my car really loud for the drive down there, and belted out Hot Chelle Rae like nobody’s business. The location was nothing to write home about, sort of tucked behind some industrial buildings, but I had a good feeling. Even if it didn’t turn me back onto yoga, the workshop was sponsored by ProMindful, and it was offered to participants for free. So, at the very least, it was 2 quiet hours for free, in my normally not-very-quiet life. But, oh, let me tell you, this was a treat, far surpassing any hopes I had. No, “treat” doesn’t even do it justice. The instructor, Carol, was gentle, thoughtful and uplifting. For two hours, she transcended a packed room into a den of calm. I actually cried when I thanked her at the end of class. It. Was. That. Good. And when I came home to the kids, just about ready to crash and burn after a day if writing, building, gathering, concocting, painting, gluing, stashing and messing, I felt eerily calm and happy. My patience and love were back.
