June 2008:  What People Are Saying About Darlene's Classes

My experience in Darlene's class was invigorating and well instructed. I recommend Darlene's yoga class for beginners and advanced yoga enthusiastic. 
  - Sharron Rowlett, Nashua, NH

For me, yoga is more than a great physical workout, that tones and strengthens my body - it is a mental one as well. Each and every time I step on the mat I face my toughest competition, my greatest tormentor and biggest critic. I face myself. My greatest challenge in class is blocking out the competitor, tormentor and critic. I, like many, have a hard time accepting who I am. When I am focused on my breathing I can block out the negative thoughts I may have about myself or the memories of a tough day. Taking Darlene's class pushes me to try things that, in the past, I would have balked at. A tripod? A headstand? The pre-yoga me would never have thought about trying those. Now I feel like I can try things - and it does not matter if I succeed or fail. It isn't going to haunt me for the rest of my life if I fall out of a pose. When you are on the mat, it is only you, the poses and the breathing. To excel in yoga you need not be the strongest or most flexible, you need only to breath and be true to yourself. Do what works for your body, for that day, and focus on yourself - not what someone else in class can or can not do. There are days I struggle through class and days I float - but either way I walk away feeling lighter in spirit. 
  - Melissa Donahue, Chelmsford, MA

If you’re into spin, kickboxing and any other aerobic class and are looking for a HIGH-energy workout with non-stop emphasis on strength and personal growth for body, mind and soul then try one of Darlene’s yoga classes.   I’m grateful for the tools and encouragement provided to us. Besides the great workout you may gain a renewed self-image and find a sense of community and develop some long-lasting friendships!  Namaste.
   - Jim Burke, Chelmsford, MA

You have changed my life. That does not begin to express my gratitude.
   - Paulie Miller, Nashua, NH

Darlene is one of the finest yoga instructors that I’ve had the pleasure of working with.  She has a unique and special ability to combine all aspects of yoga – the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual together – achieving what yoga is meant to do – bringing Union (yoga – to yoke together), balance, beauty and joy into the practice of life both on and off the mat. Her joy, spontaneity and genuine passion for her teaching and for yoga make taking a class with Darlene an energizing and illuminating experience.  When you leave her classroom you will truly glow inside and out! Thanks for being an integral part of my own journey to Union. In gratitude
  - Amethyst Wyldfyre, Nashua, NH

Every time I leave Darlene's class, I feel a sense of calmness - like a weight has been lifted off of me. She pushes the worries and fears of the day out of my head.
- Sarah Brown, Chelmsford, MA

You push me to find my edge - Thanks! 
 - Emily Strong, Nashua, NH

You the woman who bares her soul to reveal her amazing energy...
The woman who trustingly raises her arms towards the heavens and with unwavering faith brings them back to her heart in prayer...
The woman who cares enough to touch, to help, to support, to feed the need...
The woman who seeks up and compassionately sends out acceptance, without judgment...
The woman whose soul shines in her face.
Gratefully acknowledge the gift that you are.
- Cindy, Nashua, NH

Playing baseball as a 40-something requires the same skills as playing as a youth. However, reaching the physical condition to have those skills is something new. Working mostly at a desk all week means limited body movement. Playing baseball requires sudden quick body movements in sometimes unexpected directions. Tight muscles result in either inability to move as you are intended or a strained muscle.  Yoga is a great cross training exercise to strengthen muscles unused for too many years and stretch muscles that will be tested during weekend competition. I have found specific benefit in the full body movement required in batting. Yoga feels as if it has loosened my lower back and leg muscles to allow the quick turning of my torso necessary when batting. In the 2007 season I batted .515- the second best batting average in New Hampshire’s 38plus men’s league
  - Dennis Hogan, Nashua, NH

Darlene's classes are awesome.....simply awesome.  There are no other words to describe her class.
- Patti Schippani, Merrimack, NH

In football, a hard hitting player is said to "bring it".  In yoga, Darlene "brings it".
So if you are looking to get leveled, try her class. Your spirit will rise.
- Joaquin Otazo, Chelmsford MA

 PAST EVENTS:  TEACHER TRAINING IN NEW YORK

Returning back from Baptiste Power Yoga Teacher Training Bootcamp in the Catskills, NY, it took a week for this experience to sink into my bones.  Just when you think you have evolved spiritually to a point where you are "self-actualized" the universe will send you on a path or expereince that will remind you that there's more where that came from.  I made a lot of new friends, ate the best food of my life, and reached a new level of strength that brought my practice to a place I could have never done on my own without the guidance and support of those who held space for me to grow.    Thank you Baron Baptiste, his entire staff, all the yogi participants and the Menla staff.  Most importantly, that you GOD for guiding me every step of the way.  With GOD in my life, I know  who I AM! 

This is the house I shared with six other women (and only ONE shower)

This is us chilling out in the kitchen.

This is the long road we had to walk from our house to the Menla cafeteria.  The walk from the house to the kitchen is about an eight minute walk. Getting there was easy because it was all down hill. Coming back up was the killer. 

This is me stopping for a drink on my hike back to the house.

This is a photo of the folks walking into the yoga room for our morning session.

This is me in Triangle pose. 

This is me in Downward Facing Dog. 

This is me in side plank.  This pose took me years to get into.

This is the gang getting ready for Baron to lecture and demonstrate after our morning yoga class.

This is Baron talking about alignment in Shoulder Stand.

These next two photos shows Baron assisting a yogi coming out of Wheel and into a standing position.  He makes it look so easy!

This is Baron going over in great details, some alignment issues with Triangle.

This is Gregor, a Master Baptiste Instructor, giving us the bad news after class that we only have 1/2 hour to shower, eat and then meet again in the conference center. 

This is a photo of me in side angle.   It was later in the week and it was a nice to practice with the candles glowing.

This is my roommates heading into the conference room.

This guy in the white bandana was from Texas and he was a hoot.  I dined with him and a few others and he had me laughing so hard I could barely chew my food.  We did a lot of heavy work in that conference room so his humor was greatly appreciated.

This is another shot of my roommates (I wish I had all of them in this photo).  This was our last day together.

This is the Baptiste crew on our last seminar day.  What a great bunch.

This photo below was taken many years ago.  This was Baron's book signing after a yoga bootcamp weekend in Boston.  This was actually my very first yoga class ever and went into body shock and later became a yoga junkie.  Thank you Baron Baptiste.  I had no idea what I was getting into and if I had known, I probably would have resisted.  I'm so glad I just jumped right in. Sometimes, there's really no other way.

Namaste

Darlene