TeSTIMONIALS
“I started to meditate for relaxation because I was feeling under pressure a month or so into the new semester. After attending the meditation sessions, I felt relaxed and was always in a good mood. So, I kept meditating. However, at the beginning of this semester, I realised that the ability to control my emotions had improved, and my mind was much clearer. I felt it was easier to focus, and the way I perceive the world was more moderate. And I felt peace and pure love towards the world after meditation, although that was temporary. I love Gabriella and her meditation style. It is so gentle and fascinating. The structure, which consists of a theoretical introduction, an introduction guide, a silent meditation phase, and relaxation, is also fantastic. As for further suggestions, I love the fragrant smell in the room so much, so could you please always provide it in your meditation sessions?”
Junrui Wang
On Daily Meditation Sessions
“One of the most important aspects I noticed is that I had more energy, and I didn’t feel as stressed as I usually do. After practising yoga and meditation, I felt very relaxed. Usually, I get distracted by many things around me, but after meditating, I was calmer and didn’t have a vast number of different thoughts at the same time. Mostly, I liked how Gabriella paid attention to each student and asked how the sessions were for each of us. Also, everyone could ask Gabriella other questions related to the practice after sessions. Gabriella is very nice and willing to help each student. By seeing progress, I have a greater desire to continue trying and practising, so I would definitely recommend classes to those who have already tried yoga before, and to those who want to start, as Gabriella is willing to accept and to help students with all levels, backgrounds, and knowledge.”
Diana Bissembayeva
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“The changes include that I become more relaxed and chill with my pressure. Also, I am more aware of my body condition, and I know when to adjust it. After the practice, I always feel relieved and lightheaded. The classes were like a secret mind place for me to escape from the pressure and work in daily life. My favourite thing about the class is the combination of meditation and physical exercises. It’s not that hardcore exercise nor too static. It’s like an organic combination and balance between the dynamic and static. I love Gabriella’s gentle teaching style. And I would so love to recommend this class to others!”
Kang Yifan
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“I have practised meditation with Gabriella for two years now. The practice calms my mind and helps me to be more concentrated during my daily life when I need to be focused. After I attend the meditation sessions, I tend to notice the small details much more than before. For example, I felt happier with the natural environment around me, the trees, grass, and the river and so on. I love Gabriella’s style of guiding meditations, which is very calming and delightful. I highly recommend the drop-in meditation sessions, because they do make a difference, making me feel more relaxed and concentrated during the rest of the day at least. Practising meditation leads me to ask myself more philosophical questions more frequently, which had not previously come to mind so often before, such as “who am I?” and “what’s the purpose of my life?” I love to see these new changes in myself.”
Huizhe Zhu
On Accredited Meditation Course, On Daily Meditation Sessions
“I never really liked yoga before I took Gabriella’s classes – I found sitting and doing stretching for a couple of hours quite boring. Gabriella completely changed my mind. I love the beautiful and soothing music she uses with the candles and incense; they really help you to find the calm space in yourself. Her instructions are clear and gentle, and the movements flow naturally. After finishing her classes, I always feel very refreshed, and the stress of daily life fades away. I’ve been practising with Gabriella once a week for two years now, and I’ve definitely noticed I’m now more flexible and healthier than before.”
Ada Yu Wang
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“I am more aware of what I really need to be relaxed. I have a softer body and a clearer mind after yoga. I like the meditation time, although I can’t always stay fully conscious, but I get more peace after that. I also enjoy the relaxing period, and I can clearly notice that my body is more capable of sinking into the floor, so I am totally focused on the present moment. I like Gabriella’s teaching style; I feel really safe and inspired in the classes. I like all the twisting postures, and that we would work on different parts of our bodies now and then. I definitely think people could find balance and peaceful feelings from the class.”
Mi Mao
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“I really enjoyed all the meditation sessions that I attended. They helped me to learn about the practice so that I no longer consider it exotic, unusual, or sometimes intimidating. I still remember that the first time I attended the session, I was so nervous that I couldn’t let any tension (felt by facial muscles in particular) go. I didn’t know why I was like this at the time, but later, when I reflect back on it, it’s because I was still at the very beginning of the learning path, and I wanted to do it right. There’s nothing wrong with such eagerness, but I just feel that I’ve gone through that phase now. I am more at ease when I meditate, and my mind has begun to appreciate moments of peacefulness despite distractions that may occur in attaining them. So, in terms of the meditation session, I think it’s essential that it exists. Everything it contains is fine, great, but what matters most is its existence—and that students know it’s there. The purpose is not to drag people to come, but to make meditation more “normal” so that anyone who feels like coming doesn’t feel shy. I would definitely recommend the session to other students who intend to learn anything about meditation!”
Yifan Zhou
On Daily Meditation Sessions
“I have had the wonderful experience of being able to practice Integral Yoga with Gabriella over the past two years. I joined her classes as a relatively experienced yogi, having practised Ashtanga for around eight years before that. The difference I found in Gabriella’s integral yoga classes was much more integrated meditation and relaxation compared to what I had practised previously, yet her classes still include physically challenging postures, allowing me to go to my edge and deepen my practice. The increased meditation elements have helped me to remain balanced through busy periods at work and to have more patience as a mother and a partner! Her classes have also introduced me to additional workshops and retreats, either run by Gabriella herself or by guest teachers and guides and have opened up new avenues of inner work that I had not experienced before. She is a knowledgeable and conscientious teacher who puts the whole class at ease and is so warm and welcoming to students of all abilities. I highly recommend attending any of her classes or workshops! She is a beautiful soul.”
Lola Knowles
On Contemplative Practices Workshops, On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“Since meeting Gabriella, I have been inspired. She is extremely motivated and driven, yet in her life yet teaches us the importance of yoga, meditation and reflection. I can learn a lot from her outlook as I strive to be the best I can be and have to cope with the typical daily stresses many of us have with work and family. Since practising Integral Yoga with Gabriella, I have felt more energised and balanced. I enjoy the mix of yoga she includes in classes, especially the integration of Kundalini Yoga. She is a kind and patient teacher who gently encourages us in holding poses correctly and keeps going when we are energised in faster movements. I would definitely recommend Gabriella’s classes to all, as she is knowledgeable and well-prepared with a soft voice for meditations. I am sad she isn’t in the city at the moment, as I’d really like some more classes!” 19
Dawn Carterboast
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“I have become more disciplined with practice on campus and at home. I have also become kinder to my body and mind. I feel calm and relaxed. I appreciate the time I spend with myself on the mat. I like the yin-yang combination in the integral yoga sessions. I feel united and balanced afterwards. I love Gabriella’s teaching style! Her instructions are clear; her voice is beautiful and calming; she uses appropriate background music and incense. She motivated us a lot in a gentle way when we were doing some challenging poses. I like that the sessions begin with meditation and an appropriate warm-up, gradually becoming challenging. The level is appropriate. I also like a lot the lying down meditations at the end to close the practice for the day. I would recommend the classes because they make you aware that it is important and rewarding to spend some time with yourself at the end of the day, looking after your body and mind on the mat with Gabriella. Gabriella, you’re a wonderful yoga teacher. You’ve inspired me to discover more on the journey of yoga practice. Love you!”
Athena Han
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“Gabriella’s meditation workshops are very enriching and inspiring. Deep talks and discussions are carried out before and after the meditation, which makes the session much more personal and helpful. The overall environment is also great, which makes people want to come again to such a comfortable space. The meditations are always carried out smoothly, and I would definitely recommend her meditation sessions to anyone interested in practising.”
Zijun Lei
On Contemplative Practices Workshops
“After practising meditation, I notice that I am more energetic. It is easier to feel happy and stay calm in daily life. I also notice that I am not as sleepy anymore, and everything feels fresh again. I can manage my time flexibly, and so there is a better chance of meeting new people. Gabriella’s guidance is well-structured, and her voice makes me feel safe and warm. The whole process works well for me, and I like the ‘breathe in-hold-aaaaaaa’ part most of all. I now wish to share these pleasant experiences with my friends and encourage them to join as well.”
Yuhan Jie
On Daily Meditation Sessions
“Gabriella has delivered a very extensive programme at the university for several years now, both coordinating up to 10 classes per week, as well as teaching in some of them too. Gabriella’s sessions attract various staff, from people who love exercising to people who are just getting into it for the first time, which makes it a welcoming experience for all involved. Gabriella’s yoga classes and her efficient organisation of all the staff yoga and meditation classes have made it super simple for people to attend. Her enthusiasm and true passion for yoga make people want to commit to her classes. She truly deserved the 2019 University Sports Award and the recognition for all the work she does to support better physical and mental well-being on campus.” 17
Prof. Odette Paramour
On Faculty Yoga Programme
“I began Gabriella's classes in 2017, having had very little previous experience of yoga. I was immediately struck by her warmth and the welcoming atmosphere she created for novices such as myself. Through the use of music and routine, she created a clear structure to her classes that allowed me to learn the ropes without feeling pressured or out of my depth. As the weeks passed, I noticed a clear improvement in my focus and coordination. Her sessions became an important way for me to turn off from work or other daily stresses and re-centre myself. If you're considering trying out yoga for the first time, then I think Gabriella's classes would be an excellent place to start.”
James McPherson
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“To be honest, I first took yoga only as a kind of body exercise. And I held this idea that yoga was exercise for quite a long time. This idea changed when I realised, every time after Gabriella’s integral yoga classes, how much they enriched my mental world. I have become so much more peaceful inside. Gabriella is ready to help us at any time when we have questions. She is always happy to share what she knows. I think she is very professional. I’m lucky and happy that Gabriella has been my yoga teacher for the last few years!”
Cecilia Cao
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“I feel more powerful after taking the meditation sessions after just one week. I am now able to control my mind and my body better. My favourite part of the session is the little talk at the beginning of each class, helping us understand the magic of meditation. Gabriella’s words always gave me inspiration on how to be soulful. I recommend this session to all who would like to know about meditation because I had a really wonderful, relaxing experience there. Thank you so much, Gabriella!”
Zhuxin Shen
On Daily Meditation Sessions
“Gabriella encourages research and scholarship amongst her peers. She has shared her doctoral research across our department and offered mindfulness training courses across the university. Her mindfulness courses show her awareness of the wider context in which higher education operates, in that this training recognises the importance of positive mental health and relaxation for students and staff. I completed her mindfulness training, and I found her evidence-informed approach most effective.”
Jeanne O’Connell
On Higher Education Leadership and Practice
“I very much enjoy Gabriella’s Integral Yoga classes. The combination of meditation, gentle postures, dynamic movements and breath work always helps me relax and relieve tension after a long day at work. In particular, I find that beginning the sessions with meditation encourages me to let go of my day and get into the perfect mindset for the physical practice. After practising with Gabriella for some time, I really noticed my confidence growing, and with her advice and encouragement, I have become a yoga teacher myself! Gabriella has a wonderful teaching style, with clear instructions, a gentle sense of humour, and compassion and inclusivity towards her students. I would recommend her yoga and meditation classes to everyone interested in starting or deepening their practice.” 18
Susanna Wickes
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“The stretching and breathing exercises I have learned from Gabriella’s classes have improved my flexibility. The classes have reduced my anxiety and stress, resulting in better health, better mood and better concentration throughout the day. I feel it is one of the best exercises to stay fit and healthy. I love the yoga music with the yoga practice. I understand that most traditionalists do not listen to music during their practice; however, many of my colleagues and I here at the university are open to enhancing our understanding of the connection between sound and movement. We want to explore how the combination affects the body, mind, and spirit. Gabriella is a lovely, passionate and professional teacher. Even my kids have benefited from what I have learned from her. There are many different paths, and I like them all. Thank you, Gabriella, for introducing me to your wonderful classes, helping me relax, and bringing me power and happiness in my life.”
Sharon Yan Wang
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to practice integral yoga and meditation with Gabriella for the past two years. It’s hard to describe the changes happened to me, but I’ve become a different person for sure. Probably the main change is the development of self-awareness and the ability to be more focused on the present moment. I’ve learned to notice and enjoy small things in life. I’m feeling enormously happy and grateful to be Gabriella’s student. Her style of teaching is great, she is super positive, friendly, responsive and caring during classes. Her voice during guided meditations and integral yoga sessions is soothing and relaxing. I would never hesitate to recommend everyone 100% to join her classes. It has been a life-changing experience for me. She also became my good friend and helped me a lot to understand myself as well as deal with the difficulties I sometimes face in life. I am feeling blessed to meet someone like Gabriella!”
Nikita Nikitin
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions, On Daily Meditation Sessions
“I have been on and off practising yoga for years because I felt the benefit of doing it physically, and the physical improvement also affects my mental status. However, the yoga classes I tried in China are usually more like physical exercise, which is too extreme for me. Thus, I had been seeking a class that may fit my physical status so that I can enjoy and feel relaxed during and after the class. Gabriella’s class fit these criteria, and that is the reason I have been attending the class when my time allows. The meditation at the beginning sort of helps me reset myself before starting the asana and pranayama practice. It is nice also; Gabriella leads meditations in different styles. The asana Gabriella introduces can be challenging, but I know I can just try my best and not have to be perfect. Part of the practice is slightly different from the conventional Hatha Yoga I knew from before, which also adds to my understanding of the meaning of yoga practices. Thus, the yoga class for me is no longer just the physical exercise that makes me feel good and relaxed after each session of practice. I now prioritise the practices as higher than before in relation to work. This is because I see how the physical improvement and mental resetting after continuing with the yoga classes for a while can affect the quality of work and daily activities. Also, further learning of the philosophy of yoga through practice has a positive effect on the attitude of how to lead a good life.”
Dr. Yu-Ting Tang
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions
“It was the worst period of my life when I started to attend Gabriella’s Integral Yoga class. With both physical and mentally, I joined the yoga class seeking peacefulness in my mind and to help me relax. After I attended the first class, I knew I would continue, as I love her style so much. I have never attended any yoga class with relaxing music on during the class, and Gabby is such a sweet and warm teacher who is cheerful and friendly to everyone, even from the first time they met. Her positive and generous attitude to yoga, to work and to life is the most valuable thing I learned from her. I always feel I am so lucky to meet her and join her class at the university. Gabi respects our habits and limitations and is quite tolerate for our adjusted poses if we are not feeling well on a particular day. Besides the music, which I really enjoy, the meditation and relaxation parts of the sessions are truly a time for me. I like the timing as I do not feel hurried for anything. I can calm down and feel the time and pace much better this way. The warm-up part and loosening of shoulders practice are really helpful as well, as I think it is fundamental for me after sitting all day working at a desk. Although my greatest impressions are not about the techniques of yoga, Gabi is definitely professional in that area, too. After having continued for three semesters with the Integral Yoga classes, I think I have finally got used to my yoga practice to the extent that I now feel uncomfortable if I stop yoga practice for a while. My body will tell me it cannot suffer anymore if I do not practice again. Millions of thanks to you, Gabi, for helping me live a healthier and more positive life.”
Dr. Xiang Li
On Weekly Integral Yoga Sessions