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~ Denise Gamino, Austin American Statesman Reporter I gave my son a quick review of the breathing thing you taught us. He just left for the army July 8.... I told him that when he gets really stressed out to do the slow breathing techniques and that it will help him think more clearly and to perform better. I got my first letter from him. He told me that it works and is helping him as he adjusts. Your info was helpful and practical. I practice it before I go into meetings that I am concerned will be difficult (explosive) and can talk w/o hyper-ventilating. I love it. I was working two part time jobs. One was downsizing I didn't know from one day to the next if I'd still be working there. I was working for a control freak, and my self esteem was demolished. I lost the initiative to go look for another job. I couldn't sleep; I had nightmares. I was uptight and couldn't enjoy life, even away from work. "Becky Ballou felt like she was dangling on a thin thread. Her friends recommended Prozac. She wanted a more natural approach: Yoga gave her a firm rope to pull herself up."It was something that immediately had an effect on me. It works on you from the inside. "I used to get uptight and very defensive in meetings with two certain supervisors. I found myself thinking: these women are so set on their own agendas and playing power games. But one day I calmly brought up my ideas in a thoughtful manner. They stopped dead in their tracks and realized I was right. I knew it was all coming out of yoga practice; I just let go of all my problems and didn't worry about consequences of the future. Yoga teaches you to focus less on what you're doing, and more on how you do it. I find new satisfaction in doing tasks, I've found different ways to do them, and I even smile when I do them.... [On my last evaluation I was blown away. It was the best evaluation I'd ever had there. I felt like yoga was finally manifesting into my life and others were ~ Becky Ballou Personally. I have started feeling much better. My lower back muscles are without any problem at the moment and my walking reflexes (you remember last time I had shared my difficulty in walking) are certainly improving. I am feeling stronger in my balance. Thanks to you for the training and guidance. I feel much energetic after the Monday evening session and my muscles feel supple and strong. I feel light in my body. ~ Shubh Bala Yoga Classes | Yoga Retreats | Writing Retreats | Workshops Yoga & Meditation Retreats
~ Sue Gantz, Corporate Trainer, Yoga Teacher What can I say? The retreat was perfect - amazing. You are amazing, the people-amazing, the weather amazing etc... etc.... Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help facilitate with such a wonderful thing. I do want to help again and will look up the dates today on your web page and pencil them in for the fall. It was pure joy working with you and I look forward to seeing you again. ~ Melissa Tatum, Yoga Teacher - Houston, Texas Charles' yoga retreat at the Margaret Austin Center met all my expectations of a weekend of health and rejuvenation. There is nothing more energizing to me than starting the day by slowly awakening my body and mind through hatha stretches and breath-awareness exercises. Charles is a wonderful, caring teacher of hatha yoga. He is attentive to his students' needs and encourages each student to make the class -- and entire retreat -- a personal learning ‹and enjoyment experience. The retreat also offered a deeper yoga experience, with instruction on meditation, breathing, visualization, tapping into creativity and yoga philosophy. ~ Bonnie Abrams, Physical Therapist and Yoga Teacher in Austin, Texas It was a relaxing, invigorating, renewing experience for me at your weekend retreat at Chappel Hill. This was my first yoga retreat. I cannot express in words how renewed I came away feeling. I look forward to my next retreat under ~ Shirley Rogers The Yoga & Meditation Retreat was one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the breadth and depth of yoga that goes far beyond the asanas, or physical poses.† It was also a time for reflection, learning about and practicing various forms of meditation; a time for rest and self-renewal; and a time for fellowship with a diverse and interesting group of participants, with as much structure (or lack of structure) as one wanted. The Margaret Austin Center is a very peaceful setting for the retreat. I especially appreciated the trees, and the mown paths for walking meditations. Charles and Melissa's gentle and inspiring guidance provided for an uplifting and remarkable weekend. ~ Barb Owens Charles, I had a wonderful, relaxing time at the Mother's Day Yoga Retreat. As a mom, it was one of the best gifts I have given to myself. The retreat was spiritually and physically enriching. Thanks for your generous energy. ~ B.H., Yoga Student from Austin, Texas Yoga Classes | Yoga Retreats | Writing Retreats | Workshops Yoga & Writing Retreats
~ Peggy Yelapa, the writing, the yoga, Los Naranjos together brought us closer to our own hearts than words, even brilliant ones, can tell. I loved this retreat, the moments of fear, of sadness of exquisite magic – all. ~ Kathryn D. The Yelapa retreat is a unique blend of mentorship and encouragement… that allows us to grow individually and as a group. It is a magical experience that has to be lived to be believed… A total Tamale! ~ Lydia ... I have never had a more loving, giving experience with a group. Thank you from the essence of my heart. ~ Caryn Markson The mind set that the retreat promoted and created stayed with me during subsequent weeks, making me more open to others and myself, encouraging me to write more freely and share my writing willingly. ~ Carol Mackay, Professor of English at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas My writing aperture opened up in the clearance provided by this workshop. My self consciousness and inexperience with yoga did not matter a whit. I found a quiet slow pleasure in the movements. ~ Gayle Miller, Poet In February of this year I attended a yoga/writing retreat that Charles MacInerney was co-teaching. It was at a beautiful retreat centre in Yelapa and was the perfect combination of structure and play. Charles is a warm and caring teacher who combines his sensitivity and smile with his years of yoga expertise. I am hopeful that I will be able to reconnect with Charles and Patricia soon to attend another of their wonderful workshops. An aside: I found this workshop on the internet and trusted my intuition and was not at all disappointed. ~ Susan Geddes, Participant Spring 2000, Yoga and Writing Retreat As an M.D. Having practiced Medicine for 25 years, I have become acutely aware of the critical importance of integrating body, mind and spirit if one is to achieve wholeness and lasting health. This body-creative mind experience was a wonderful opportunity for me personally to work toward that goal that I have long tried to stimulate in my patients but have often not been able to achieve myself. This workshop was for me a magical experience and indeed a Sacred Endeavor. ~ Don Charles Wukasch - Thoracic Surgeon, Houston Texas The Body/Mind/Writing Retreat was a wonderful refreshing experience for me. Combining Yoga and Writing techniques boosted my creativity in a natural, inviting way. I’ve loved to write for years but had never tried Yoga before. Even with no experience, I felt completely at ease in the same room with others who had been involved in Yoga for years. I left the weekend with confidence, energy, and a new group of friends! ~ Ruth Kline This is the perfect balance in a writing workshop keeping the body active insures that the mind will be as well. The mind engages at much deeper levels when the body is energized by Yogic movement, and Springtime at Stonehaven is heaven. ~ Kay Elmore I shall forever draw pleasure and reap benefit from what I experienced and learned at the Mind/Body Creative Writing Retreat. The exercising and nurturing of the body was balanced with the same consideration for the mind and soul. The structure commanded respect for self and others creating a safe environment in which to let your hair down, take off your masks and work, relax and play - or just retreat from it all! ~ Jan Rasmussen Yoga Classes | Yoga Retreats | Writing Retreats | Workshops Workshops
~ Nurse, Montessori Teacher, Trainer/Facilitator Kept me so interested I forgot about wanting a cigarette - This is significant in that he enabled me to literally put mind over matter. ~ Participant As a public speaking professor and communication analyst myself, I can attest that Mr. MacInerney’s public speaking skills are of a high order ... the response of audience members... have been strong and positive. I was impressed with this ability to establish strong and deep audience rapport ~ John Rodden, University of Texas, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Speech & Communication Everything that comes out of Charles MacInerney’s mouth is totally original and life changing, and comes straight from the heart. ~ Kay Briggs, President of Blue Heron Speaker’s Bureau Participants are still talking about their own paradigm shifts, and how they’ve been able to use techniques and anecdotes you related with family, co-workers, and friends. I look forward to working with you again ~ Nancy Cherwitz, Assistant Director of Motorola Wellness Program On several occasions I have invited Charles MacInerney to share his remarkable gifts with my class in drawing and design. In 34 years of teaching I have not witnessed such an exponential leap in creativity in such a short period of time.... I was personally surprised that after years of teaching my vision was immensely expanded. In essence Mr. MacInerney nurtured each individual, encouraged the process of individuation and infused the group’s collective potential with a new synergy ~ Vincent Marriani, University of Texas, Professor, Department of Art
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I have recommended his classes to everyone I know, and will continue to do so as long as he chooses to teach.
I just returned from his December Raja Yoga Retreat at the Margaret Austin Center and have to tell you that it ranks among the best of retreats that I have attended. He has a wonderful way of setting people at ease and creating an environment where participants feel safe expressing and exploring new ideas. I was able to find a deeper understanding of my own spirituality during his retreat, and am still enjoying the high almost a week afterwards. I found that he presented concepts in very simple terms and brought them to life with great examples from all walks of life, including his own
I met a twenty something year old on the retreat who told me on our last night that this week was the best, most powerful experience of her life. I could understand that in 20 years, but here I am at 55 and I echo her words....What develop between us all in one week – a bond of family, surpasses relationships I have at home that span decades.
Profound, life-changing experience! Provided tools and insights that I began using immediately, as I walked out the door; as well as ideas and seeds that served as catalysts for short-term and long-term goals in my own life, and in the presentations I share. Thank you for opening yourself to this audience!
