STUDENTS' CORNER
What some of my students say about me
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The definite and distinct rhythm of Iyengar practice has had an anticipatory and calming effect. Jacqui’s precise pedagogy and ordered prompts have directly aided a cumulative and perceptible progress. I am not the person I used to be and I have to remind myself I probably never will be. I am the person I am meant to be now.
One of the most unexpected outcomes of the yoga classes has been a growing sense of community fostered by Jacqui. The support has been humbling and has buoyed and sustained me beyond the positive flow of energy that I absorb during class.
Savita
Iyengar yoga was a constant during the journey – first in Singapore with Jacqui, whom we were fortunate to meet more than 6 years ago. We were fortunate to find another dedicated Iyengar yoga teacher in NYC, who was only a 5-minute walk from where we lived. On our return to Singapore, we were back in Jacqui’s terrific hands and back with the great community she has built and nurtured here.
In the last 6 months, I have developed one of the many possible post-transplant symptoms – in my case, a significant amount of muscle stiffness and limited range of motion. Jacqui & her yoga community inspire me to work through this new challenge (tolerating my grunting & noise cheerfully!) and I am confident that with sufficient effort and dedication, this issue too will disappear one day – soon I hope!
Iyengar yoga has always amazed me with the quality, expertise, and dedication of the teachers – Jacqui epitomizes all this & more because of how much she invests in & cares about all the students. Her perseverance to overcome some of her own challenges are very inspiring and I feel blessed to be a recipient of these gifts.
Ramesh
I think it was in Jacqueline’s classes that I came to understand what yoga could do for the body. When my body aches as a result of class while I am carrying on with daily life, I understand what muscles are activated regularly. When parts of my body ache which I never knew could, I understand how much more there is to exercise than just training up the main muscle groups.
Her explanations of which muscles to focus on and how to align the body would help me understand where my posture has been wrong and how I may have been using the wrong muscles to compensate for other weaker ones. I also developed faith in her eagle-eyed supervision to catch us making dangerous mistakes (not that it excused us to be reckless).
WeiLong
Along this journey, I am very thankful for an awesome and experienced teacher whom I chanced upon really early on in my yoga journey (I think by my 3rd or 4th lesson!). Jacqueline has guided me for most of the way and continues to do so, with her gently challenging me to step out of my comfort zone(s);
Lyn
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It was there I met Jacqui.
She was formidable. Stern. Slightly scary.
But damn she was good. (And still is!)
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I wanted to continue my practice with Jacqui because not only was I a sucker for punishment, but I also love to learn and I knew I had found the right teacher for me. Thankfully, she let me continue classes with her 😊. There was also something about Iyengar yoga that appealed to me. Its focus on precision and alignment was something I knew my body needed. Jacqui always made small adjustments which made huge differences, and this appealed to my OCD mind. (And don’t we all know and love Jacqui for her OCD-ness!).
10 years ago, I started to develop back problems. It wasn’t as pronounced as it is now, and I was still able to run 10ks and half marathons. Throughout that time, Jacqui worked with me to ensure my lower body was properly stretched. From the glutes, to the hamstrings and hip flexors, I was able to develop a better understanding of what I needed, thanks to Jacqui.
Over the years, Jacqui moved from Bodhi to other studios and subsequently taught out of her different homes. I faithfully followed her and kept up my practice. I was improving and felt great! Then at one point, Jacqui stopped teaching for several months or maybe a year, due to personal reasons.
I felt like a lost sheep. I wandered unwillingly into a few studios, tried them out. Hated all of them. The classes were either too large for my liking, or instructors were sub-standard. By catering to the masses, these commercial studios do not focus on helping students progress. My yoga practice suffered.
Thankfully, Jacqui resumed teaching and 15 years later, I am (still) a happy camper and enjoying Monday night classes. Together with my yoga tribe, we have improved our standing and sitting poses. We secretly rejoice when it’s restorative week.
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Hui-E
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