Testimonials: Justine

Justine’s low back certification has been some of the best training I have done to help students with a myriad of back issues.

Yes, most definitely enjoying the course. I have learned so much new material. You have a fountain of knowledge.

I love Justine. And I love this course. Justine’s organization works the way my brain does. It just clicks. She teaches Yoga the same way I teach. I’ve had several “Aha!” moments in this course. Here is a big one. When Justine goes over Apanasana and Sciatica, she discussed doing one leg at a time, for several reasons. But the light bulb went off in my head. When I do Apanasana with both legs in, one leg hugs much closer than the other… and has for several years now (I know it didn’t used to). I never even stopped to think about how this relates to my back pain. I’m not acute right now, so I can practice all these moves safely. But I realized that this HUGE clue in Apanasana was pointing me to my trouble all along. Now I hug that leg in closer for several more breaths every morning. Then when I bring the other one in, Voila! They match! It’s so simple! I added this to my daily morning practice and I’m eager to see how it develops over the coming months. Thank you, Justine!

The handouts, example flyers, the pacing of the material, the coaching sessions, the one on one interactions, the videos accompanying the specific modules were great! Then the practice video and the interaction with the course creator, plus the online coach and interaction with other course participants – was a great way to learn Gentle Yoga for Low Back Care. I plan to take more training with the folks at Yoga Vista Academy!

I can’t believe how in-depth and complete the material was for the Gentle Yoga Low-Back Care certification program. The videos were wonderful and were a great addition to the written portion of each section. I was able to immediately apply the information from each chapter to the yoga classes I teach. Justine is so amazing in her ability to provide both the lecture and demonstrations in the videos. She is such a great cheerleader. Thanks for an outstanding and fun program!

Mahalo, Justine. I am re-watching your group practice for the knees right now and had to stop and say it is so informative and also brings a smile to my face and heart. I so love you dear one. Thank you again for your contribution to Yoga and humanity at large. You are a joy and make a difference to me.

I recently took Justine’s Low Back Teacher Certification Program. I have been teaching yoga since 1974. I started my career as a physio therapist and I am also a Qigong Instructor. I’m giving some background information on myself so you know Justine, how deeply and sincerely I mean this compliment. In my humble opinion, every yoga teacher should take this course. I have been studying in one form or another most of my life, but this class was a great blessing for me. Your teaching method and your knowledge of the subject matter, not to mention your sense of humour made this course a joy to participate in but more than that, taught me a great deal. I feel that I will be a better teacher for it. What a blessing it was to find you!

I totally loved the handouts and videos and will use them for years to come. I have two private clients right now. She has SI joint instability and he has chronic sciatica! This info makes me look like I know what I’m doing. Thank you!!

Thank you so much for your amazing feedback and suggestions!!! You have no idea how happy I am right now. Your positive and encouraging words give me the confidence to move forward with my teachback class. This course has exceeded my expectations. It is so informative and wonderful. I have learned so much. Thank you both, for the inspiration.

Teaching “on the fly” happens all the time. Yesterday I taught my weekly Yin Yoga class. When I entered the room I had my normal group of students as well as two new students seated in chairs – (Enter YVA Chair Yoga and Yoga for Seniors training). I modified Yin Asana’s for the chair for these students. In addition, I had students with lower back-pain (Enter YVA Yoga for Low-Back Pain) and used certain movements for them. But wait – there’s more! I had a student that is 8 months pregnant (Enter YVA Pregnancy Yoga – STOP – there isn’t one!!), so I modified low-back and gentle yoga for this student. Total student population for this session – 27. One never knows what comes to them and we use the skills that we have learned over the years. THANKS Sherry Zak Morris and Justine Shelton for your teachings and instilling the confidence in us to address each class with a deep breath and confidence. You two R-O-C-K!

I have loved this training! This training has instilled more confidence in working with low back issues, not only in teaching, but in personal practice. In fact, my own sense of self-esteem has strengthened with the empowerment of better understanding the nature of the problems that can involve the spine and how I can personally work with these issues in my spine and feel confident in teaching yoga to others with loads of low back pain. Chronic pain is a drain on life energy, but having the right tools to work with pain is pure gold!

Your dedication to helping all of us become better instructors is amazing and I am so grateful to be a part of this program. The special niche of helping seniors (and really anyone any age) to use Yoga to help us move through the problems of injury and aging and to get such positive results is unparalleled. Not only that but you do it with such grace, accessibility, vitality and fun. ❣️ Five Stars each to Justine, Sherry and Yoga Vista Academy⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I LEARNED SO MUCH from this course! Justine beautifully presents high quality information here that is particularly special because it is infused with her own personal experiences with herself as well as her clients. I am truly inspired and cannot wait to get out there and work with and help people with back pain. I have chronic back pain as well so that was my first motivation for taking the course; to use it for myself. It has made me so much more aware and present in my own body and has definitely helped strengthen my core. Often after a course I might still feel not very confident with the material to start using it, but the homework assignments and teachback final really make sure you are ready with at least a good amount of the material. I am sure I will refer back to it over the years and will always find something new and useful. Thank you Justine, for sharing your knowledge, your humor, and your heart!

THANK YOU so very much for everything – knowledge, info, support. I feel like this course is now one I will keep referring back to – without it being yet another dusty yoga book on my shelf. I know I’ll be dipping into the manuals and talks for a very long time.

I just wanted to let you know I am finishing up my first Happy Back workshop class. It was seven weeks of back education and exercises specific to each persons condition. I start my next one on Oct. 31st and it’s full! I am so happy and grateful that I had the opportunity to do your course. It has given me new passion for my yoga teaching.

Justine’s ‘Gentle Yoga for Low Back’ training is phenomenal. Her in-depth knowledge of anatomy, skillful sequencing, and experience as a yoga therapist shines throughout the training. I came away from this training with the knowledge and confidence needed to teach individuals with low back conditions safely. Highly recommend it!

I have LOVED this course!!! And already have used much of what I’ve learned on myself and on my husband. Thank you so much for another terrific course!!!