Comments from Yoga Ma Retreats in Mexico

"I appreciate the time and effort you put into preparing the sessions, creating the space, holding it, and also for the exercises and group interactive work. It's been a wonderful retreat, Barbara. Thank you so very much for all you have done to make it so. We have gone to other similar retreats before, and this one tops them for sure." Laura E.

"Thank you again for your wonderful way of being. You are a guiding light. Thank you for all the energy you put into the handouts and into the sense of loving support that you emanate. The yoga sessions were all excellent. Barbara, you have a great gift in the words of inspiration you use as well as naming the phases of each evolving pose. Being with you was all and more than I had imagined." David M.

"Thank you, Barbara, for a dream vacation. All the people in the group were so admirable -- unforgettable!" Chloe M.

"The yoga sessions were excellent, especially considering the wide range of experience of the yogis. Your instructions are very clear and precise. You are alert to each of us. This has been a great experience as a help and an inspiration to my practice, and also as a vacation -- an important thing when one may not have time/money for both." Bill L.

"Yoga sessions were wonderful, and I appreciate the challenge for you with a multi-level group. Sayulita is wonderful -- I'll be back. Your thoughtfulness and hard work to create the environment you did was most evident and appreciated." Laura G.

"I hope you will continue to show the world your beautiful and positive presence. Thank you so much for this unforgettable week of self-growth for me. The sessions had great fluidity and variety. The pace was great and everything transitioned so smoothly. Always a welcoming and caring atmosphere. 'A mind stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.'" Caitlin R.

"This week has been a beautiful weaving for me. I have been able to have the alone, contemplative time, and I have had the experience twice daily to come together with a group to live and practice my conscious spiritual journey in community. I am glad I came. Thank you for being my teacher." Kate L.

"Great!" Sally G.

"You really did a great job and obviously put a lot of thought and spirit into it. Thus it was more than a yoga retreat ... it was a spiritual retreat that included yoga. You really walk your talk. Keep that spirit shining! You are a true light in this world. I am joyful to be your friend." John M.

"Really, I would like to write you a love letter! With this retreat you have created a beautiful environment, a safe and open, as well as lighthearted, contained setting in which practicing with spirituality becomes an accessible undertaking. Your yoga classes are rich in variations while consistent in structure. I am ever so grateful for your wonderful example, because it is so amazing to witness how you actually live what you teach." Annette C.

"Yoga sessions were lovely. Cuban musicians were excellent. Galen (our bodyworker, breakfast preparer, and overall right hand man) added a good touch!" Sandy M.

"The yoga was wonderful as it always is. I appreciate your starting more gently and increasing in intensity as the week progressed. I know that these things don't just come together without a good deal of work and care, and I appreciate your efforts. The thoughts and questions generated by the exercises will stay with me long after we have left Sayulita. Your care and thoughtfulness in all aspects of the retreat made for a wonderful experience." Nancy R.

"The yoga sessions were more than I could ever have hoped for -- fit my every mood. Loved the free periods and the small group sessions. I will NEVER forget this week. I look forward to not only next year, but to every morning from here on. I can't wait for the rest of my life to unfold. You are a remarkable woman. A true inspiration." Rhonda S.

"The yoga sessions, as always, were challenging enough and restorative enough. I especially appreciated having the spiritual focus. It provided lots of opportunity for individual and group exploration, which enhanced my practice." Ellen F.

"The yoga sessions -- always, always intuitive and right on with the days as they unfolded. Let's do it again!" Helen H.

"I loved the balance of meditation and yoga and the clarity and honesty of your shared thoughts and focus. You did a terrific job of meeting all different student levels of yoga practice. Really this entire experience has been more than I'd dreamed. The energy you create is so lovely, delicious -- makes one want to continue the journey into the now. Such a gift! And having my daughter here with me was the cream on my birthday cake!" Clare R.

"Your 'pre-trip' notes were extremely helpful! I liked the structure of the days -- am and pm yoga, with lots of free time in between. And thank you for helping us with our sleeping arrangements and for looking out for us outside and past yoga." Lainie G.

"Thank you for making us feel so welcome! This has been a perfect beginning for our future in yoga. We will come to Sayulita again!" Kate R.

"As a beginner, this retreat exceeded my expectations for a positive experience. It has encouraged me to make yoga an important part of my life from now on, to share with my wife and new yoga partner!" Forrest R.

"Really enjoyed the Cuban band dancing night! And thank you so much, Barbara -- I sincerely hope the serenity I've cultivated I'll be able to take with me." Melissa M.

Comments from various other retreats with Yoga Ma...

"I had the opportunity to take Barbara Powell’s (aka Yoga Ma) exquisite yoga class at BODY YOGA STUDIO in Santa Fe that she teaches on weekdays at 9 AM and want to take this time to share with you how amazing she is and how you can benefit from her tremendous experience to enhance your own life.

I’ve taken a gazillion yoga classes and I was so touched by Barbara’s presence and style. Her class helped me move something deep inside of me that I really needed support in and I actually experienced a profound healing and upliftment. • She has an intelligence and depth that goes beyond words. • You will experience such wonderful level of grace and support when you come to her retreats that will nourish your whole being and help you in every aspect of your life whether its physical health, mental, spiritual emotional and help you with achieving the harmony in your life that you desire!! She’s a real Yogi in the best and most authentic sense of the word.

And as a healer and facilitator myself, it is especially meaningful to find a teacher where I feel such integrity and knowledge that transcends just the physical awareness of yoga. • She transmits a deep love and knowingness that permeates the whole space to allow healing and renewal of one’s consciousness."
Sarah West

"A great experience. Both Jeni and Barbara are inspiring, capable of carrying the group energy and yet leaving space for the participants to find themselves in the work..." Kerstyn P.

"You are both (Barbara and Jeni) so warm, loving, inclusive and fully of infectious ease. Everything was wonderful! I LOVED the relaxing body mandala meditation,which put me on another astral plane entirely.I also loved the readings. They gave the weekend such exquisite focus." 
Candace W.

"To me, everything was perfect from start to finish. I had an amazing experience inwardly and in my connection to many people. I feel great and look forward to another time." Sati K.

"I enjoyed the retreat very much from beginning to end -- the organization was great, -- classes, fabulous -- didn't join in the pool meditations but was glad they were offered -- same with the hike -- meals were wonderful -- loved the water, though not as much as you, Barbara!" Mary Frank S.

"I've done yoga off and on for 35 years. Your classes and the retreat meant a great deal to me in many ways. #1 is that I can let go and let you guide me. It is restful, therapeutic and health-giving -- many leveled. I loved all organization, food and people. Each of you makes a different and wonderful contribution to the whole."
Participant

"The whole concept of the Pagosa Springs retreat is incredibly delicious...meditation, yoga, spaces were all wonderful."
Louis S.

"Blissful!"
Joan W.

"We felt that all organization, classes, meditation, accommodations, springs, meals, hike and spirit were wonderful, insightful, peaceful, nourishing to body and spirit. Namaste." Jan & Fred

"This was a terrific weekend. I feel the retreat was organized superbly. The two dinners were great. On my hike I was able to connect with nature and saw a fox twice -- he came right up to me when I was meditating. And two deer...I feel truly blessed. Thank you." Helen C.

"I liked the balance of personality of the two teachers. Pagosa Springs was a great idea...this week-end was healing for me." Rose D.

"It is always terrific to go out of town and have yoga, great folks, food and hot springs. Organization A+, Meals A+, Classes A+, Meditation moments A+, etc., etc. A+!" Judith B.

"It was all great! Yoga and delicious dinner in Chama was a great way to start; I enjoyed having to only make very few decisions all weekend. Thank you."
Diane and Tony