Testimonials
Annegret Howe – Colorado, USA: Thanks for teaching me how to find intelligence with my body in order to achieve a level of greater awareness and higher consciousness. I’m excited about my journey and hope that your next journey finds you with complete santosha! Both of you (Nicky Knoff and James Bryan) have ignited a path of transformation. I have been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to study so closely with both of you.
Jane Southwell – Queensland, Australia: Thank you so much for the illuminating Course and for sharing with us so much of your years of yogic knowledge and experience. Especially Nicky, thank you for your unceasing watchfulness and reminders to make sure we walk away not only knowing, but practising the fundamentals! I have no doubt I will be aware of the benefits of your teaching for years to come.
Anick Labrosse – Montreal, Canada: Nicky – It is a pleasure and an honor to be one of your students. Your knowledge of yoga is nothing compared to your kindness and compassion. It has permitted me to go beyond my own expectations of myself. It is a great gift that you have given me and I think all of us, by sharing what is dear to you. James – Thank you for your presence, your sense of humor and the quality of your explanations were a fine addition to the course. Thank you also for all the “unseen” work done to bring us Nicky’s system. It is quite a powerful tool both of you are offering us.
Florian Palzinsky – Sri Lanka: I hope you continue to share your amazing wisdom and joyful love with us and the world! I’m looking forward to continuing this spiritual connection with you.
Emma Norris – Sydney, Australia: I just wanted to express my thanks for a wonderful week of yoga and conversation. I needed some inspiration injected into my self practice and have certainly received that. I have struggled (and continue to I think) to find a teacher(s) in Sydney who inspires me not only through what they are teaching and their methods of teaching, but in the way that they approach life, their students and others in general. Your realism and humility have refreshed my sometimes cynical self and reminded me of the true and always present gift that Yoga is. It’s a shame I don’t live closer to Cairns! I would love to do your complete course, probably not for a couple of years, but who knows… I will see you again.
Julie Stephens – Mermaid Beach, Australia: Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. You are an inspiration to be around. Thank you for your time and devotion.
Kate Hallahan – Earlysville, USA: It is impossible to thank you enough for the wonderful training you created for us all. As I come up against my wall, you were right there with a ladder and I appreciate all of your hard work. The course works was great, but it was truly amazing to learn from the example of the way you taught us. Your light-hearted and approachable manner made studying with you a pleasant experience, and the way you regarded every question as equally important was inspirational.
Crystal Bunyan – Atherton, Australia: It’s been such a privilege to be taught by you – challenged, pushed, encouraged. Thank you for helping me find new depths of strength I didn’t know I had! Thanks for making every class an adventure in itself. What an incredible intense time – something I’ll always carry with me. I really appreciate how holistic your focus was – because that’s where life changes happen – through changing our daily habits. I don’t think there is an area of my life that hasn’t been touched by studying with you.
Katrina Archibald – Wonthaggi, Australia: Your teacher training course has been calling me ever since I connected with Mark Togni (Gold Coast – Australia) many years ago now. Whilst my path has taken me in many directions which I believed were necessary to bring me to where I am now, I am happy that this year, the time has been right and I have finally been able to undertake what I feel I am only now ready for – a culmination of my years of searching. In some ways, there has been a completion and consolidation of these past 9 or so years. On the other hand I am aware of having now moved to another level of being as a consequence of this process. With the completion of the old comes the new… I want to thank you for the major part you and your life have played in my life since meeting Mark (he carried your knowledge) and now in having completed the course. I have learnt so much and feel every part of it has been beneficial for me on so many levels. Thanks for following your truth. You have helped me to feel even more determined to follow mine.
Peter Roberts – Sydney, Australia: After 22 years of playing the piano I’ve finally learnt how to sit properly whilst playing. It goes something like this… outer edges of the feet parallel to middle C, weight evenly spread over the insteps, inner heel-inner knee and inner top of the femur bone all in alignment, peel the hamstring flesh to sit on the sitting bones, (pelvis tilted slightly forward), back ribs back, drop the shoulders, lift the chest, outer points of the shoulders wide, back of the neck long, Uddiyana Bandha engaged slightly, lifting the ribs up off the waist. Finally my playing is effortless, thank you. Will send you CD recording soon.
David Turton – Smithfield, Australia: Thank you for all that you have done for me in these past 4 weeks. Because of you I am able to do some things I haven’t done for several years, without fear of hurting myself. It has been wonderful to work with you once more and I hope to do it again some time very soon. Best wishes for the future wherever that may lead you.
Chris Fried – Peregian, Australia: You know, I hope one day letter writing comes a little easier to me. I’ve been wanting to write this one to you for such a long time. A day doesn’t go by when I don’t think about you, your teaching, you opinion, knowledge, stories, practice, life experiences and just the sounds of the words as you explain things or talk about a subject. Those four weeks made such an impact on my life; in fact it was probably the best four weeks of my life. Nicky thank you so much for everything. I think the teacher training you offer is the best by far that I know of in Australia. I feel so good that I did it with you, you’ve made changes in me that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thank you also James, you have so much knowledge, you’ve inspired me to learn and keep on learning. You know Nicky, I can’t help myself sometimes, sneaking a look at a bent knee or someone with their body or legs out of alignment or a half-hearted attempt in a pose, while I’m attending a class at home or somewhere around the world, and I think to myself why are they getting away with this? If there were more teachers like you Nicky, I know this world would be a better place to live.
John Fleetham – St Paul, USA: Thank you… wait, how can I possibly thank you for what you have given me? The truth is – I do not know how. For the first time in my young life, I feel as though I am acting from my heart with ever more pure intentions… this you have guided me towards. I feel for the first time a renewed sense of purpose and love for life in general… this you have guided me towards. I feel for the first time that I know where God is and how to approach him/myself… this you have guided me towards. I understand that “my garden is never finished” and that this life is an organic process that will benefit me as long as I put the time, care, attention and love in… this you have helped me to realize. Nicky, I know you will say that I have done the work… and I thank myself. However, you (as a teacher and friend) showed up in my life at precisely the right moment. I am the luckiest of persons to have crossed paths with you and I would like for you to understand how wonderfully you have impacted my life and the life of so many others. You have taught and instructed me in techniques that will keep me aligned with my purpose and path… I cannot imagine a better gift in the world. Thank you and I wish the two of you peace and happiness for all time.
Linda Trubridge – Havelock North, New Zealand: I wanted to thank you for all the benefits that I have had from your teaching both at the weekend in Gisborne and what Doris Blum has passed on to me since her workshop with you in Wellington. Suddenly the familiar is new all over again and a new start is made to go further still in this wonderful practise of yoga. Thank you. I wish I could be there on this course but hope there will be some possibility for me in the future. You are so generous in your teaching and also sharing some ideas that have helped us with our classes in Havelock North. Looking forward to the November workshop here. It is a wonderful space to be in and I’m sure it will be successful.
Jacinta McBurnie – Melbourne, Australia: I wanted to send you a wee card to say thank you for all your energy and love-of-yoga in Cairns. I think it is only now that it is all beginning to hit me about how much I learnt and discovered about yoga from your teaching. I’m working with a teacher in Melbourne who is, in a sense, doing some mentoring with me and we co-teach a class. It’s what I wanted for the next step and I’m learning more (and will learn forever), but what’s great is how much I am teaching here as well. Lots of great ideas that you showed us when trying to work through the postures. It has brought it all to a new level. Thank you again.
Kelly Fisher – Wellington, New Zealand: As for feedback on the course, I thought it was a fantastic foundation from which to grow. I think I went into the course thinking that within 4 weeks I would miraculously transform into a vastly improved version of myself. How naïve! Instead of undergoing a huge transformation, I feel like I was taught how to use tools to transform myself over the long haul. The real work started when the course ended. It’s so much easier to do the work with the right tools though! I am deeply grateful that I had the opportunity to work with you and James. It was a gift.
Reg Whittome – Melbourne, Australia: It was amazing to come back home and be able to really talk to Jacinta about Yoga and particularly what a profound effect you and James have on people’s lives. Jacinta has raved about her Cairns Yoga experiences since she completed her first Course with you and now I am able to fully participate in this experience.
Susan Busch – Christchurch, New Zealand: I have been teaching around 4 classes (level 1) a week and loving every minute of it - there are constant challenges and overcoming these is enormously rewarding. Sometimes there are things that a student does (or doesn't do) and I so often find myself asking "what would Nicky do in this situation" other times it might be going into a class after some personally disturbing news or an upsetting day and feeling satisfied afterwards that I have taught a good class because I have had to dig a little deeper and teach from a place in my heart rather than a place in my head. Nicky, I reflect almost daily on the time I had on your course, and on a regular basis different things seem to fall into place. Sometimes I will find myself in front of a class, and almost unbidden an instruction will pop out of my mouth because I've seen a particular need for it in a student, and I think "gosh, I had completely forgotten about that" or maybe I haven't even been doing it myself, but suddenly it makes sense.
Lara Pearce – Beechmont, Australia: I’m finding that as I relax with my teaching I’m seeing more in the students and understanding more. The Principles of Practice are entering my teaching more now rather than just my own practice and I’m experiencing the benefits of the Foundation Level Asana syllabus in my practice. It really is a wonder and effective sequence. I must admit to being a little shocked at just how difficult most people find just the Squat Sequence… there is certainly a lot of work to do here.
Virginie Noel - Belgium: What did I like most about the course - definitely the asana practice. Nicky's teaching, the way she gave us all individual attention yet still managed the whole group. Her teaching is great, there's not question about that. I learned a tremendous amount, not only through the adjustments and instructions she gave me, but also through listening to what she said to others. Another thing I really enjoyed was to help during the weekend workshop. I would have not missed this opportunity for hands-on "real-people" experience. What I liked least - is hard to say, I enjoyed it all. But if I really have to pick something, maybe the Sutra study.
Steven Golding – Townsville, Australia: Numbers for my Beginners course went UP this week whereas in week 2 there is usually a drop in numbers - 32 attended in all - I can tell you I am kept very busy attending to all of their questions and ensuring that everyone gets the individual attention that is going to help them progress and keep them coming back.
I receive nothing but positive feedback from people who attend my
classes and every teacher at the Yoga Space has also told me that my
classes are highly recommended and spoken of positively. I thank both
Nicky and yourself (James Bryan) for this, it is through your excellent training that I am able to maintain a high quality of class that people enjoy.
I know when you just read the words sometimes it can sound as if I am
proud of myself, and I am, but most of the time, I am just humbled. I
am so honoured.
Natasha King – Cottesloe, Australia:
What did you like most about the Course?
I think what people like most about the course will depend on what they were originally looking for. For me, I was really wanting a disciplined course that pushed me hard enough, that really got into the fundamentals of yoga practice. My needs were certainly satisfied. I loved the strict routine and the regularity of the timetable. And then within the routine I really appreciated the attention to detail, Nicky’s teaching style and commitment all things yoga. The course really encouraged me to do my own practice, making it easier to do so by following the sequences outlined in the course. The manual was an excellent guide and resource.
What did you like least about the Course?
This is a hard one as I valued all aspects of the course. What I liked least about the course is based on my own areas that need working on, so for example, some days I struggled with doing the breathing sequence after relaxation. However, once I had done it I felt pretty good.
What would you change?
I would have liked more on meditation techniques only really because I enjoy mediation so much. And following on from that some more discussion on meditation.
Would you recommend the Course?
I would definitely recommend the course and have been doing so lately. The reason I give people for doing the course is that it is a very complete and detailed foundation course. It is an excellent place to gain the correct skills and knowledge to deepen your own yoga practice. Every moment in the course is utilised to maximum effect.
Working with a Master teacher is the best way to go and I valued the experience, wisdom and knowledge that Nicky imparts with such a generosity of spirit.
Su O'Carroll - Cairns, Australia: I want to say thank you for the revelation that the purpose of asana is to bring us into the present moment. It seems so obvious and simple. I have known for decades in theory, that of course we are meant to be in the moment, and have sort-of tried to practice this. The message has been reinforced from various sources over the years and after all my years of on again off again meditation and lazy efforts at yoga, one would think I would have realised what we were actually doing. But I never quite got it. When you said at the end of the class that asanas are just like a 'trick', (method?) the purpose being to place us in the moment, it was like a light went on in my awareness. From now on, yoga is no longer just 'right exercise' or something I am drawn to, but a real practice and part of Life itself. And for the moment it is crystal clear that being in the moment is what we are aiming for constantly. Without it we are not in touch with Life or the Divine or whatever we call 'It', and therefore not really alive.
Amanda Johnston - Cairns, Australia: The last month at your School has left me feeling more energised and confidant to maintain my Yoga practice. The learning environment is relaxed, supportive and personal.
Clive and Rebecca Turnbull - Cairns, Australia: Over the years we have attended various yoga classes but we feel very fortunate to have discovered the Knoff Yoga School. Although we are one of a group we know that we are watched individually. The classes are structured so that we can feel a sense of achievement and improvement. We feel respected and appreciated both as a student and an individual. We hope to enjoy many enlightening years with the Knoff Yoga School.
Brenden Rolley - Cairns, Australia: Just a quick note to let you know how welcome I feel at Knoff Yoga and how much I am enjoying the classes. At first I was a little unsure whether yoga was for men, but was very surprised to see a very balanced ratio of men to women in your classes. Even though I have only been attending classes for a short time, I am very happy with the muscle strength and definition I have gained. I am also amazed at how energized I feel after every lesson. I also find your teaching approach very professional and helpful in understanding how each yoga position works and its benefits.
Bob Wilhelm - Cairns, Australia: Your unfailing encouragement of your students is really appreciated and makes for a growth atmosphere. What I am getting from class is more internal awareness that I try to carry with me through the day – working symmetrically, for instance. Getting a sense of fullness in the postures is interesting and really useful. Despite years of Tai Chi, I have never actually had any focused instruction in breathing before. The coordination of breathing and movement seems to have so much potential.
These testimonials and many others are kept on file and are available for viewing.