Testimonials
It is with gratitude that I dedicate this page to my students and their testimonials. Thank you!
Gemma R.
I have been attending Henrietta’s yoga classes for over ten years and she’s absolutely the most caring, wonderful teacher I’ve ever had. Henrietta takes the time to understand each of her students’ needs and supports them through nurturing their bodies through the yoga practice which will benefit them the most.
I have fibromyalgia and as such my muscles and joints have weaknesses; through attending Henrietta’s classes I have continued to manage my strength and endurance. My physiotherapist and osteopath are both incredibly impressed with the progress I have made with Henrietta’s guidance and care.
She is the kindest and most caring of people whose professionalism and knowledge can not be questioned.
I had major back surgery 8 years ago to remove a herniated disc; my surgeon Mr Haddad was able to discharge me from hospital the morning after my surgery because he was so happy with my flexibility and joint health which was all due to Henrietta’s pre surgery care. Following the surgery Henrietta had provided me with very gentle exercises to keep my joints nourished, which my surgeon was very happy with.
- Gemma Rowley
Felicity C.
Just briefly, I’d like to thank you enormously for your wonderfully therapeutic Yoga classes, which I’ve been attending for around four years now!
I used to have regular Chiropractic sessions with Grant Henderson (Active Chiropractic Clinic) for low back pain. However, since attending your classes, I no longer need any treatment, and whilst having a check up with him recently… he said how much stronger my whole body is, and therefore easier for him to work with .. should I do something stupid!
All that is very reassuring, and thanks to you, my quality of life is much improved too. ( also my wallet!)
With best wishes,
Felicity Cole
Helen Y.
I spent several years seeking a suitable yoga class and almost gave up until I came across Henrietta’s classes! The nature of my job had changed with more hours sitting at a desk, which resulted in weight gain and a very stiff body. I have always suffered with a weak back but I found with the increased hours at the desk the painful episodes in both my back and knees were becoming more frequent. Within a few months of attending Henrietta's classes I noticed a vast improvement. I also suffer with anxiety attacks and found by doing some simple sequences and breathing exercises I manage to gain more calmness and control (trust me, for anyone suffering with anxiety, this is priceless!).
Henrietta's method of teaching suits most people’s needs, regardless of age and ability. Her instructions are clear and concise, she takes an interest in everyone as an individual, if you are struggling with a particular exercise, she will come to you discreetly and show you an alternative exercise. During the classes she invites each student to feel the sensations in their body, to do this whilst protecting the joints, and invites you to become at one with your mind and body. Henrietta’s classes instill calmness, strength, confidence, and the added bonus of a few laughs!
A few years ago, I never envisaged that I would have the confidence to book myself into a yoga retreat, but I have already been on a couple with Henrietta and a group of ladies and look forward to more in the future. The retreat I attended is in Andalucía, Spain; a beautiful, peaceful retreat in the mountains run by the most amazing people, we arrived as strangers and departed as friends. The accommodation is individual en-suite rooms set around a courtyard. The lovingly prepared food was interesting, plentiful, and delicious! Richard who does most of the cooking even offers cooking classes. We had a choice of wellness treatments, lots of interesting walks, a swimming pool and sunbeds to relax and enjoy the sun. Daily yoga and meditation in a studio with incredible views and occasional outdoor yoga sessions. There is also a whole day where you have the choice to experience interesting sites and sample Spanish cuisine and culture. A wonderful week of rejuvenation!
Thanks again Henrietta x
Pieter K.
Henrietta's somatic awareness classes increase your responsiveness to physical sensations. We enjoy the flowing movements. It creates a feeling of lightness and ease, and has developed our strength and balance. The flowing sequences enhance our body alignment, and through the step-by-step progression (or vinyasa karma as she sometimes calls it) builds our flexibility, stamina, and concentration. The movements are coordinated with breath, bringing your body and mind in sync. It is a special experience.
We experience this practice as mediation in action with Henrietta's voice as the guide throughout. The practice becomes conscious movement with intelligence: one breath at a time, one thought at a time, one action at a time.
Anita L.
Henrietta has been my much loved teacher for nearly 6 years and each week she has taken me a little further on my personal Dynamic Yoga and Embodied Resilience journey. She is an inspirational leader: knowledgeable and authoritative and I trust her implicitly to guide me and help me grow. Her gentle discipline and quiet determination that I am capable of following her instructions, has brought me (now in my late 60s), the physical stability and flexibility I had hoped for and a roadmap towards inner peace of mind and strength of purpose. The 60 minutes I spend in her company – in the past, in person at my home, now over Zoom or on one of my own recordings of her lessons, are simply an indispensable part of my day. I am a long way from being able, through movement, effortlessly to rest my mind and body together in the present moment but if anyone can get me there, I know she can.
Yoga online is the perfect antidote to pandemic stress. It's my happy place, warm and quiet; my private time, mindful and relaxed. No traveling, no rushing and with Henrietta's sympathetic guidance to lead me away through my practice and mediation and into pleasure, perhaps…
Eve E.
I have been attending Henrietta’s classes for over 6 years, and more recently I am now finding the embodied resilience online classes incredibly grounding and supportive.
Henrietta’s style of delivery is entirely suited to online sessions where heartfelt and precise instruction is essential to ensure the session flows seamlessly.
I get to still have a regular practice and connect with the class, very much needed during these trying and unprecedented times.
I have also been away twice to Punta de Luz with the Jersey group with Henrietta leading these retreats and I have thoroughly enjoyed them. There are options for all to enjoy alternative therapies, the intensive but thoroughly nourishing yoga sessions build on regular practice in Jersey and delicious vegetarian food along with plenty of relaxation time.
Henrietta always goes the extra mile to ensure all our needs are catered for including arranging excursions, such as trips to Malaga town, seaside resorts such as Nerja, the white washed village of Frigiliana and walks to local villages and a meal out. I am looking forward to the next retreat where we get to visit the Alhambra. The hosts at the retreat centre are very friendly and accommodating, food is delicious and the location is stunning.
Valerie B.
I have been a student of Henrietta’s for the last three years. This has been an extremely worthwhile and enjoyable experience,- and one which I hope to continue.
The classes I attend (in person and online) are organised to the benefit of the abilities of an older generation. Classes are kept to a maximum attendance of 8 students so that we all get personal attention. We work on strengthening and developing suppleness in the whole body in a very gently and fluid manner, whilst staying mentally alert.
I particularly enjoy the relaxation period at the end of each class, a it helps to relax the mind, and to take away everyday worries. I would recommend a class with Henrietta to everyone, she is a very caring and extremely knowledgeable teacher.
Gemma R.
Classes with Henrietta have been incredible in my road to recovery following having a disc removed in my lower back. Throughout my long treatment of seeing the orthopaedic surgeon, physio, chiropractor and osteopath, all of these professionals have been amazed by the flexibility and movement I had…which can only be attributed to the style Henrietta has so patiently taught me. The medical professionals were impressed by the way I understood how to move and the intimacy I had with my back, all of which have been installed in my muscle memory through Henrietta.
Henrietta has infinite patience and understanding of our individual needs, strengths and weaknesses. I have absolute faith that Henrietta will help me to regain my full health. This time last year I could hardly walk, this week I have been running upstairs! I feel revitalised and completely relaxed in body and mind after her classes.
Justin R.
When living in Jersey I practiced with Henrietta regularly and can honestly say that we had so much fun! She is relaxed, playful, always evolving in style, and thoroughly professional. Over the years I have been used to practicing more static forms of yoga, but when I discovered dynamic yoga (now somatic awareness) with Henrietta, I fell in love with it. I find this wonderful feeling of calm and focus during our practice that comes from the constant breath led movements. That’s not to say that I get a great workout at the same time by the way! Another reason I love it, is that I can challenge myself and grow without having to worry about any of the horribly distracting and destructive, “I’m not as good as….” thoughts. My practice is a complete escape from all of those daily stresses and worries and is one thing I can do that will guarantee I come away feeling better.
Oh and did I mention the strength it develops? Seriously, all you men out there who think yoga or somatic awareness is for girls should do yourselves a favour and give it a try! It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or aren’t flexible, you will find with a little time you will be noticeably better in pretty much every other sport/activity you do.
Henrietta clearly and patiently guides you through constant changing flows fluently allowing you to go deeper into your own practice. You’ll be surprised at how good you’ll feel. If you go often enough and pay attention you will come away with quite a detailed understanding of your body as you are guided in learning how to feel the sensations in your body.
So, don’t be nervous about beginning your practice, go and see Henrietta. You’ll quickly realise that you have absolutely nothing to worry about and absolutely everything to gain.
I have continued my practice occasionally online since moving to Spain, and during lockdown. Thank goodness for her classes being able to be conducted via zoom, because if anyone can teach with clarity online, it’s Henrietta.
Colette O.
I met Henrietta nearly a decade ago when I lived in the Channel Islands. Whilst I am a yoga teacher myself I decided to join other classes as an opportunity to meet some local teachers. One of the classes I attended was Henrietta’s. In her class I immediately felt at ease - From the outset her experience and professionalism was obvious, it was clear to me I was in safe hands. The clarity of her instructions was more potent than any class I’d ever experienced.
Henrietta is a seriously accomplished senior somatic awareness educator, Embodied Resilience Presenter, one of only 12 in the world and Yoga Elder.
She has a deep commitment to embodiment through her own personal practice. This commitment shines through in her ability to teach her students with a clarity, compassion and knowledge that can only come from personal experience.
Even though I now live in Australia we remain in contact. Our training and learning has evolved in line with this unique time in the world. We collaborate remotely refining our teaching practices, developing videos and workshops as well as co-authoring a book on Kinetic Therapy
If you’re looking for a teacher who has the capacity, commitment and interest to support you to develop pathways of integrity, resilience and love in these unprecedented times, then I highly recommend you make contact with Henrietta.
Jo Ann P.
I have been attending Henrietta’s Yoga classes for many years. Henrietta is a very caring and compassionate teacher. She always helps her students to get the maximum benefit from her classes. She does this by helping them get into the best possible poses dependent on their abilities. Sometimes this might mean using aids (blocks, bolsters etc) and if necessary an alternative pose. She is very patient!
I have recently had back problems and I have found the online classes, which Henrietta has successfully carried on throughout the Pandemic, very beneficial in my ongoing recovery. This has been much appreciated by all her students. She also sends recordings of the classes to those students who cannot attend on a particular day.
I really look forward to the sessions whether online or at a designated venue.
Bill S.
Henrietta is a warm and welcoming teacher, who has established excellent relationships with the students in my class.
She is well aware of our physical weaknesses, and is always watchful that we do not over-extend ourselves.
Sessions are varied in content and built around core movements. New elements are gradually introduced, extending our range of experiences and the understanding of our bodies and the tensions within them.
Henrietta has the perfect voice to help students attain deep mental and physical relaxation by the end of every session.
I recommend her Yoga sessions unreservedly.
Jayne VN.
I started practicing with Henrietta in my late 50’s as I needed to gain more mobility/flexibility in my body safely. I do lots of gym work and that combined with tennis and running has taken its toll on my joints and ligaments. Despite being told I needed a hip resurfacing , with Henrietta’s careful guidance we have managed to ease up the problem and I feel that it will be a few more years yet before I go under the knife.
She is a natural teacher, very intuitive, very knowledgeable and very easy to be with and learn from. The classes I attend are always full with good humoured comradely. She encourages us to be sensitive to sensations, to feel what is actually happening in our bodies as we flow from one position to another, and be comfortable with it, rather than trying to push or bodies into something we perhaps are not ready for. I recommend her highly.
Maureen D.
I have known Henrietta for about five years and been attending her Mindful Yoga Classes both through the adult education system and online. Her classes focus on mind and body awareness and as being in my seventies I do find these classes beneficial to keeping my joints mobile and the breathing techniques certainly help with my mental wellbeing.
I enjoy the way Henrietta teaches her classes. It is clear she is a very experienced teacher, and is very calm in her approach, explaining how the different movements will help and support you and always ensuring that you are comfortable with the exercises provided.
Anne Marie S.
Thanks again Henrietta x
Richa C.
Hello my name is Richa and I need to share with you my continuing journey with the extraordinary Henrietta. I skirted around the concept of yoga for many years always thinking it wouldn’t be hard or intense enough for me, I was a high impact aerobics junkie. I could never have been so wrong in my life. It was destiny then that my first ever session with Hen which came about by absolute chance, came from a most gratefully received (I realise now) recommendation from a work colleague.
In my humble opinion I think Hen strikes a beautiful balance between a dynamic and yet gentle and somewhat spiritual practice. I find Hen incredibly caring and attentive to her students with regards to our level of experience, technique and injuries (be they new or existing).
I appreciate her continual insistence in having absolute respect for our bodies during practice which borders on obsessive (this is a very important and good thing I promise you!!). Hen’s style of practice does not ruthlessly throw your body into positions it isn’t ready for or encourages you to over stretch into painful or uncomfortable positions. ‘Feel the sensations generated by your body as deeply as possible’ is a key mantra.
Hen has a sense of professionalism tinged with an almost shy humour which shines through all she says and which makes attending her practice fun rather than something to be endured.
It would be fair to say that meeting Hen has changed my life. I salute and thank you for all you have given and continue to give me. To all you out there reading this I would say… let this unassuming woman touch and possibly change your life forever as she has done mine.
Mike M-J.
I have know Henrietta now for approximately a decade, she has helped me enormously by providing me with a personally tailored somatic awareness programme for my cardiovascular condition. In view of this I am now a convinced regular yogi
Nancy L.
The Retreat in Spain was fabulous, fun yet very relaxing. The style of yoga l would describe as a moving, fluid form of meditation, gentle but at times challenging. Each day the sequence were added to, and built on and we began to understand the nature of sequencing. Henrietta is an excellent and patient teacher. The food was also amazing. l highly recommend the retreat.