“ From a professional perspective as a clinical psychologist I believe that Michelle’s work is invaluable. Learning to use the breath as an anchor, and to notice and acknowledge feelings and to let them be are fundamental skills to deal with the day to day stressors and the more intense times of suffering that is an inevitable part of life. These skills are the basic building blocks of resilience. I have not come across these skills being taught outside psychology (and to some extent I guess in standard yoga classes). In contrast, the message that tends to be passed on by society is that we should strive for happiness and any unhappiness or suffering or anxiety needs to be well managed or gotten rid of to have a good life. In my work as a clinical psychologist I do a lot of this sort of work with clients (adults) who have never learnt anything like it before. Using this sort of mindfulness with self compassion or self kindness can be very powerful. If only my clients could have learnt these things earlier in life! I believe it would have helped them to better deal with the difficulties, disappointments and stressors that life brings, which in turn may have made them less prone to developing all sorts of psychological problems (depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug problems, eating disorders and so on).
”

“When I get upset by something or hurt I have been using my yoga breathe to shift the uncomfortable feeling. My body feels more flexible, stronger and I find it easier to do my school work. My favourite part is the relaxation at the end of the class. Yoga is something I look forward to and I am so happy Michelle is my teacher she is awesome”

“Since my son started Michelle’s yoga classes, I have seen a shift in his awareness of his body and emotions. He uses his yoga breathe that he loves as he has felt it’s magical ability to release his uncomfortable emotions. With this skill he has been since happier and relaxed within himself and can accept and love himself more. I feel forever grateful that Michelle has come into our child’s world as know she is teaching him life skills that will help him for the rest of his life.”

“I have known Michelle for many years and both of my sons have done yoga classes with Michelle at times over the years. I have recently started doing yoga regularly with Michelle and I really look forward to my class every week. I love the small class size and I love being able to hear the waves and to see the sky during class, it really is a beautiful space to do yoga. Michelle has a thorough knowledge of anatomy and I trust her to realign my body after many years of sport and related injuries. I always leave feeling nurtured, supple and balanced in both body and mind – thank you Michelle!”

“Magic Tree Yoga’s unique combination of yoga and mindfulness has given my daughter much increased self-confidence. She has learned to better understand and self-regulate her emotions and to relax in stressful situations. Magic Tree Yoga is a brilliant program and I would highly recommend it to any parent.”

“I had the pleasure and privilege of taking my class of Year 2 children to Michelle’s yoga sessions at our school once a week, across two terms, for 3+ years . The children thoroughly enjoyed Michelle’s classes, participating enthusiastically and enjoying seeing what their bodies were capable of.

As a teacher, I noticed a significant improvement in the children’s concentration, self control and body awareness from doing yoga. I found that yoga also increased their confidence and self-image. I was able to see these skills transfer into the classroom.

Michelle is an excellent teacher of yoga to young children. She has a child centred approach to her teaching, making sure each child feels nurtured, valued and part of a healthy, non-competitive group. Her warm, friendly and kind nature is translated into her teaching and she is a wonderful role-model to her students. Michelle has a wonderful ability to identify the children who may be having some trouble with particular poses and guide them accordingly.

I thoroughly recommend Michelle’s yoga teaching to all primary aged children. ”

“Michelle’s class was not just about Yoga, it also gave my son some valuable emotional and social skills that have been invaluable. It really opened up some great discussions between us on troubling situations he once might not have mentioned. ”

“Over the past five years Michelle has lead yoga lessons with my Year One and Year Three classes. She was able to engage the children, including some quite challenging students and they enjoyed all the sessions.

Throughout the term the children improved their balance, coordination and learnt strategies to calm themselves. This was particularly helpful for the children who have anxiety and behavioural issues.

I would highly recommend Michelle as a yoga instructor in schools.”

“I have been practising yoga with Michelle now for 20 years. When Michelle took maternity leave, I tried out two other yoga practitioners and they were very scary. Neither came and corrected my positioning, or queried my body’s ailments - something that was foreign to me as Michelle was keen and interested in our ailments, so that she could include some positions that would be helpful during the session.

If I hadn’t taken up yoga, my body and mind would be in a bad state. After my first yoga session, I had a feeling of weightless and being ‘different’, very positive indeed! Throughout the years, yoga has been challenging but I have kept with it. I have learnt so much about stretching, our muscle system, the importance of thinking with your heart and not your head and of course how important breathing is to our body and mind.

At times of stress and when you feel unsure of a situation, if you belly breathe then it relaxes you and you can then think a lot clearer.

I believe, that yoga should be practised in schools on a weekly basis from junior school level through to Year 12. If kids learnt how to handle a stressful situation with ‘managing their own bodies’ they would be able to ‘weather the storm’ and get on with their lives, knowing that they handled ‘the situation’ well.

Yoga is calming and breathing (an excellent part of the practise), if taught at a young age would carry a child through to an adult without having to utilise counselling services etc, which are expensive. In yoga, you become more confident and you believe in yourself.
I could go on and on about how fantastic yoga is, well, how great a teacher Michelle is really. She has changed my life forever and my body and mind couldn’t be in a better place. ”

“Thank you, Michelle, for another wonderful term of yoga for both my girls. They love coming and find your sessions such a great way to start the day. Not only has it helped with their balance and muscle development but they take away many of your breathing and meditation exercises for use at other times. Many times, they will say “Michelle showed us this and we can use it when we fell anxious/worried or need to focus” etc. Thanks also for touching base with me so often and letting me know what they are doing and how they are progressing. We could not have asked for more.”

“Having known Michelle for several years now I have no hesitation in recommending her personally and professionally, and in fact I feel very privileged to do so as I know that my recommendation will ultimately enrich the person or organisation’s life, by encouraging them to engage with Michelle.

Michelle is an unforgettable yoga instructor and wellness advocate; her extensive knowledge acquired over the past 30 years gives her work and teaching style a unique authenticity and intuitive insight. I have experience of Michelle’s adult and children’s yoga classes as I attend her class on a Monday evening and my daughter has been attending Michelle’s children’s yoga classes at Quintilian School for the past two years and just LOVES going.

I have had the opportunity to observe Michelle teaching the kids class at Quintilian, and her authentic calm influence makes the kids want to learn from her and engage with her knowledge of yoga and her joy and love for life. She offers clear instructions, has a safe and engaging demeanor and connects with each child individually to allow the children to experience their own growth and development in a supportive learning environment.

Michelle is passionate about emotional intelligence and resilience in children and this passion coupled with her extensive knowledge and intuition makes her a very powerful teacher in this field. My daughter regularly uses breathing techniques learnt in Michelle’s yoga class to regulate her emotions and give herself space to express herself and work out how she feels, which is an invaluable life skill.

I also have gained the knowledge to attain deep relaxation and have experienced improvement in both joint mobility and anxiety regulation from regularly attending Michelle’s adult classes.

Michelle has a very gentle and incredibly nurturing spirit, she lives and breathes yoga and her humility and genuine warm-heartedness bring a great depth to her work that is actually very difficult to describe. She is a truly remarkable yoga and wellness teacher.

I would be extremely happy for you to contact me to ask any questions that you may have or if you would like any further information regarding my reference.”

“I always look forward to Michelle Rodgers yoga classes.

At the end of the day the class starts with welcome moves to de-stress using breathing and which we continue to practice as we do the yoga.

Michelle’s yoga is different from more mainstream classes I’ve attended. The breathing is key. I find my body is more relaxed and that feeling stays with me. It helps me to stay relaxed, be in a better mood and I sleep better. I like to use her breathing techniques to help me to cope better in stressful situations in life.

If I miss too many classes I notice the difference, particularly in the tightness of my muscles.

Michelle’s excellent classes reflect her great knowledge & experience. I regularly recommend her classes to my friends & colleagues.

Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.”

“Monday night yoga with Michelle is my bodies favourite time of the week. No matter how my body feels physically or emotionally when I arrive I always leave feeling invigorated and calm. Michelle’s individual attention ensures all moves are carried out safely and correctly and the importance of breathing technique constantly reinforced. Michelle’s classes are like no other yoga class I have attended.”

“I have been attending Michelle’s yoga/stretching classes for a number of years. The quality of her teaching is exceptional and her nurturing, caring and attentive attitude add to the overall positive experience.

Michelle tailors the experience of the attendee specific to their needs and will spend time adjusting appropriately to avoid injury. Michelle is incredibly intuitive about the needs of her patrons and has a genuine focus on improving patron’s lives. I would be happy to be contacted to verify this testimonial, if required.”

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Michelle my yoga teacher for 2yrs and who now has become my dear friend .
I arrived at her class very broken
but with open arms and a kind heart she guided me thru weeks of focusing within. My body started to feel stronger my breathing more slower and spiritually more together.

What I loved about her classes was that she treated everyone as an individual and focused on each ailment one had ,never pushed but firm in her giving .

Michelle is sunshine that gives her all thru love. ”

“Michelle has an amazing ability to read her students, understand when they are feeling pain, either physical or emotional and crafts her yoga sessions to suit every individual. I am not quite sure how she does it, however it feels like Michelle has a sixth sense when it comes to yoga and spirituality. I have really enjoyed practising yoga, meditation, visualisation and relaxation with Michelle. She has helped me in many ways over the years, and I will continue to enjoy the time I spend in her company.”

“I have been doing yoga with Michelle for many years, and she is an incredibly gifted yoga teacher. She truly understands and targets her students’ individual needs both physically and mentally. Yoga teachers of this ability are very rare.”

“At least 6 years ago our daughter, then a keen surfboat rower, brought us in contact with Michelle and ever since her weekly yoga sessions have become a highlight in our week.
Michelles concern and ‘special touch’ for each participant is striking and highly appreciated.
In a caring wayMichelle pinpoints , and adjusts each and every ‘flaw/ concern in the most effective and gentle way amongst each of us.
And there are always plenty laughs too....
At the end of the sessions we feel so ‘light’ and relaxed, stand up tall and straight and always enjoy the best night’s sleep after the weekly session.
She is an essential part of our lives now.”