Before I started to practice yoga with Marjorie, I suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome, along with other physical ailments, and was a bit of a mess.Everything hurt, even the smallest daily activities including brushing my teeth and writing. I was constantly in pain, and every activity in my life was a struggle. I saw a number of doctors and was told surgery was inevitable. One doctor said I would have to give up my job, since my workday is spent at the computer. I didn't realize until AFTER I began practicing yoga just how much pain I'd been living with.Shortly after I began to work with Marjorie, I started to experience pain free hours, and then entire days. Today, I'm free of pain most every day, even with a busy schedule, which includes my full time job, which I got to keep, thanks to yoga! Plus I was able to return to my studies and continue my education.Due to yoga, I'm also now able to live without the fear of pain, because I am empowered with the tools to help myself through any painful periods through the practice.Abigail Werwath - student since 2006Yoga with Marjorie has helped increase my body awareness. Through yoga, I can feel myself literally settle down, which helps me during the day, and helps me to sleep more soundly at night. There are other surprising benefits to yoga, one in particular convinced me it really makes a difference. Last winter when I arrived for our weekly semi-private evening session, I was starting to come down with terrible cold, and felt awful. After the yoga session with Marjorie I felt 100% better and never got the cold after all!
Mary Connelly - student since 2007
Before starting yoga with Marjorie, my body felt weak, and I often experienced pain in my knees. I felt tentative when moving too quickly or hurrying down the stairs to catch the subway in New York City, because I was scared at any moment my knee might give way beneath me. I actually felt old, even though I'm under forty. Yoga has given me greater strength throughout my entire body. It is definitely easier to maintain my weight, and I feel younger and more alive. I no longer feel tentative when I have to hustle around town, as my legs are now stronger, and the pain in my joints has decreased.
In addition, as a professional opera sin ger, the yoga and breathing has been very helpful for my voice. My voice teacher has been very impressed with the prog ress I've made in the way that I use my body.
Yoga has become a source of spiritual enrichment and community as well. Quite simply, yoga makes me happy, and taking yoga class with Marjorie is something I love to share with friends.Cherry Duke - student since 2007Since practicing yoga with Marjorie, I have more stamina throughout my work day. As a dentist, I'm on my feet constantly, and hear Marjorie's voice reminding me to soften, and hold my posture more optimally so I'm not so fatigued at the end of the day.As a mother of three small children, ages 3, 5 and 7, I also use the breathing with the kids before bed, especially with my seven year old, as it helps relax him at bedtime.I've always been a runner, and the hip pain which I'd experienced in the past no longer bothers me. Recently I returned to horseback riding after five years, and was jumping in just two lessons. My instructor remarked how open and balanced my hips were, which I attribute to the yoga.
Cyndi Fazekas Young, DMD - student since 2007Three years ago I wandered into Marjorie’s therapeutics class in search of some way to keep up my yoga practice despite painful shoulder problems. At that point my shoulder inhibited me from doing most yoga poses, which meant the rest of my body couldn’t get the relief it needed. I was in search of a way to do yoga in spite of my shoulder.
Much to my surprise, what I found in Marjorie’s class was guidance on how use my shoulder to do yoga in ways that didn’t create pain. There were many months when the only times I was free from pain were after Marjorie’s classes. Rather than irritating my condition, Marjorie’s classes helped me develop an understanding of what aggravated my pain -- and the painless alternatives that were available to me. They allowed me to create a safe path to work with my injury and be able to use my shoulder in new and liberating ways. And while helping me create more space around my injury, the rest of my body was freed up.
What more ringing endorsement can I give than that I continue the therapeutics classes now even while attending more physically challenging yoga classes. There is so much to learn from Marjorie!
Jill Danzig - student since 2006
Seven years ago, after I began to experience severe pain in both knees, I consulted a prominent rheumatologist at NYU Medical Center. After studies and x-rays, he recommended both knees be replaced promptly. I made the decision to try other options before agreeing to surgery. The physical practice I chose was yoga, and I began to study with Marjorie, working together on poses to strengthen my legs and to optimally align my walking patterns. The knee pains diminished almost completely, and I continue to practice poses I learned with Marjorie, including the "toe yoga" she emphasizes for healthier feet and a balanced lower body.
Needless to say, I do not plan to have knee replacement surgery! Thank you Marjorie.
Martin Leo, age 83
Increased strength and balance
When I was first introduced to Marjorie's class by a friend, I had been practicing with different yoga teachers over the years. What Marjorie offered seemed unique. Since the class I take is a therapeutics class, her attention to individual issues is heightened more than usual. My particular issue is a torn ACL for which I chose not to do surgery. What I continue to learn from Marjorie is a real understanding of how the body moves and what is done habitually to cause pain, and how to work with individual conditions. I’ve learned to feel and find my back and side ribs in breathing...amazing and such a credit to her hands-on approach. It’s thrilling to internalize her teachings and make them a part of my own consciousness.
This all became so apparent when I was commuting between LA & NY and unable to go to class. I was out of touch with my body, and falling too frequently. Now that I’ve been back for over a year, my increased sense of strength and balance is a tribute to Marjorie and her teaching. Also, I returned with a new problem centered on my shoulders. Much work was done to improve this impingement and Marjorie always offers alternative positions.
I recently taught some friends toe yoga...one of Marjorie’s basic teachings and one of the best things you can do for yourself. It really does speak to establishing the basic foundation. I’ve learned that it all starts with the feet.
The light within truly honors the light within Marjorie.Jeany Wolf - Student since 2007
It's easy when walking alone in New York City to let my mind become distracted with planning, remembering or judging. Now that I'm practicing Anusara yoga, that mental chatter is often replaced with moments when I remember Marjorie's instructions to make more space and align my upper body... then I become more aware of my breathing. Even if this awareness only lasts for two blocks, it is a beautiful heart opening interlude. I trust that those interludes keep adding up.
At age 56, it was a surprise and joy to discover that I'm 1/4" taller than I've ever been before...at an age when I "should" be shrinking! I attribute this entirely to Anusara yoga.Marjorie shares her knowledge and passion with her students, and makes a difference in the world one body at a time.
Nicole Young - student since March 2008
Three years ago I fell while ice skating. Months later I began to experience shooting pain in my head. The neurologist found no cause of the pain, but my massage therapist noticed some irregularities and sent me to the chiropractor who found that I had three muscular and alignment injuries. What I was experiencing was referred pain in my head, yet no pain at the actual sight of the injuries.
Unhappy with the thought of chiropractic treatments to correct my alignment, I looked to yoga as an alternative. Fortunately, I found Marjorie at Equinox. At the beginning of each class she would ask if anyone had any issues or injuries. When I told her about my situation, she was able to observe and evaluate the alignment of my entire body, and through her teaching I was able to realign my body from the inside. When I was finally free of the pain, I went back to the chiropractor for a follow-up. He was amazed and told me that I was now in perfect alignment and incredibly strong. My massage therapist, who is also a physical therapist and acupuncturist, now recommends Anusara Yoga to his clients. He has seen firsthand how one’s body can heal as it returns to its optimum alignment through Anusara yogic principles.
Marjorie is an amazing teacher. She thoughtfully creates an environment that is inspirational and nurturing. I am so grateful to Marjorie; it is because of her teaching, dedication and support that Anusara Yoga has become an integral part of my life.
Jane Cytryn - student since 2008
