“I love your practice and want to thank you for creating such a kind and safe environment for us.
I return to yoga when my body and mind feel close to crisis. Over the last year you have gently guided me and I'm sure others back to feeling stronger and happier in my abilities both mentally and physically.
You have a really lovely skill and I feel so lucky to have found your class!”
Kate ~ March 2024
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"I had dabbled in yoga many times but always felt uncomfortable and out-of-my-depth in the drop-in, mixed-ability classes I took. It was only when I joined Yogabelle's progressive course, at a particularly low point in my life, that I really connected with and started to enjoy yoga. The key was Belle starting with the very basics eg breathing etc before gradually building the skill level so that my competence developed quickly and easily. The other factor in my enjoyment was the deeply soothing and calming atmosphere that Belle maintained in the classes while still keeping it fun. Yogabelle truly changed my life."
Clare Gemmell, Sept 2011 (now in Australia :)
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Oxford Yoga W.E retreat, Dec 2011 :
I've only been at work for 75min and already 3 people have commented on my smile and the fact that I seem so relaxed! Thank you for a great weekend. The venue was great and I absolutely loved your classes. The balance in meditation, asanas, pranayama was perfect.
Thank you also for the treatments which contributed further to the relaxation.
I've not been doing yoga for the past few months, but this reminded me why I kept going after I started and also why I had to get back into it.
Lizanne, London
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"...it was a really LOVELY weekend, wonderful yoga, wonderful company, wonderful venue, really got into the chilled out spirit in time of Christmas!"
Jan, Dec 2011
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Re YOGA DAY workshop :
"Thank you for the Spring-clean workshop! It did not only have the effect of an excellent cleanse, it was also sociable, fun, strengthening and, finally, very very relaxing."
Gonnie R May 2011
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Thank you for Saturday, It was a great day, I felt there was some good energy in the room and I really appreciated the opportunity to step outside the busyness of everyday life. Taking a full day to work through different aspects really lets you feel the benefit, class is lovely but over all too soon. I felt thoroughly invigorated on my way home!
I also found the discussion really interesting, I have been doing a little reading recently - trying to look beyond asana! - and it's interesting to hear about how you, and others in the class, have got to where you are now.
Like many people, I suppose I started out with a gym based class because a) I thought the stretching would do me some good and b) I had been told it was good for relaxation. It's fascinating to understand that it's so much more than that.
Nicola, London re June 2011 Yoga Day Workshop
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"A whole day workshop sounds quite daunting but I took the plunge and have been keen on them ever since, perfect for detox and really sets up a relaxing weekend. The day is split into 3 sessions with the middle session working in depth on a few poses, so you have more time to practice and try different things (and sometimes get a breakthrough on some tricky bit you never through you could try, but only if you feel energetic). And the final session is a completely chilled out yoga sleep, which is a led relaxation and just manages to unwind every bit of tension from the week gone by. Also get to meet lovely people and try Belle's v tasty flapjacks!! Would definitely book on another one"
Zoe, December 2011
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"Just a line or two of thanks for yesterdays fab workshop - Al and I are both aching today but in a good way!
What an inspiration to kick-start my yoga practice again!" Tawney, June 2011
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Jan 2010 - HAITI FUNDRAISER Saturday class - together, we raised a grand total of £336 for Save the Children Haiti Earthquake Appeal, click Save the Children & read for yourself what your contributions will help towards.
"If the spirit of many in body but one in mind prevails among the people, they will achieve all their goals, whereas if one in body but different in mind, they can achieve nothing remarkable." Nichiren Daishonin
So many, many thanks for supporting & showing the power of 'togetherness' at work. (see above quote)
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Fundraiser July 09 - 'Thank You' letter dated 18th Aug from Anita Smith MBE, Bansang Hospital Appeal
"Once again my sincere thanks to you & your lovely students for the continuing & generous support for the patients at Bansang Hospital.
Your gift will be used to help fund our lates project which is the refurbishment of the 7 bed labour ward. This is of vital importance in the fight to reduce the risk of women dying in pregnancy. In the Gambia 1 in 17 women die giving birth: a horrific statistic. To try to reduce the mortality rate we have joined forces with Child Advocacy International who are training traditional birth attendants in rural areas to recognize problems earlier and refer the patients to the nearest hospital as a matter of urgency. Bansang is the nearest referral hospital in the Upper River Division but may be many hours away travelling on foot or by donkey cart. Therefore the sooner a problem is recognized and a referral made the better the chance of avoiding the unnecessary death of mother or baby. The staff at Bansang are well qualified and highly motivated and already involved in the training of traditional birth attendants. The upgrading of the labour ward and the experience and dedication of the staff will put Bansang at the forefront of the fight to reduce the mortality rate.
The project will cost £9,500 and will include all electrical and plumbing installations. The windows will be made larger because more natural light is needed during the frequent power cuts. There will be new toilets and showers for the patients and also for the staff. The labour ward and maternity ward are linked by an open breeze block corridor which is a magnet for mosquitoes. We intend to fill in the blocks and install large windows fitted with mosquito screens. This is where the patient's escorts sleep so we will be doing our bit to help prevent them being bitten and getting malaria.
I can't thank you enough for your help in funding this project which I am sure will help to save many lives which otherwise would have been lost needlessly."
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Fundraiser for Bansang Hospital Appeal - July 08
....Also, to report back on our fundrasier last month in memory of Sarah Dodds, we raised just over £300. So big thanks to all who contributed, by attending & also donations. Know you can make a difference ! Below, passing on 'thank you' messsage from Anita Smith MBE who set up www.bansanghospitalappeal.com.
" Thank you so much for your continued support of Bansang Hospital Appeal and the latest very generous gift aided donation. Please offer my warmest thanks to everyone who took part in your fundraiser workshop and helped to raise such a wonnderful amount in memory of Sarah. Such a sad reason for having a fundraising event but hopefully we can honour Sarah's memory by using the money to help save the lives of some very sick patients at Bansang hospital. (...) Your generous donation will be used in a way that best benefit the hospital, the patients and the community. I cannot thank you enough for the help you have provided."
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"We had a lovely week and have been extolling the virtues of Dahab and Yogabelle to everyone. I have been practicing every morning, for about 1/2 hr." Penny, Dahab, Egypt 2010
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"I met you in Puglia Italy, i believe back in 2008 & i am still on your email blasts...i just wanted to drop you a line and let you know, that the "circular breathe" exercise we practiced with you out there in that great land, was the first and only time my third eye was amazingly opened.
if only i could recapture that sensation again, or more often, i believe it could be a doorway to so many answers.
just wanted to send you many blessings and share this thought with you.
you should know that over 2 years have past, and your "mark" of greatness and knowledge and spirit, is still living in a lil' ol' gal from New York City."
Marie, NYC - Puglia Retreat 2008
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~ Gambia Yoga Hols…
“Thank you for sharing this beautiful part of Gambia with us. The relaxed atmosphere, good humour and wonderful people of Gecko Lodge was exactly what I needed. Have a beautiful year ending and a brilliant 2008. We hope to see you in Sierra Leone!”
Fedor R, Holland – Christmas& NY 07/08
“Thanks very much for everything! The yoga, good company, excellent food and relaxing beaches was what I needed!! Hope to see you all again – we’ll be back. All the best for 2008!” Nicole M, Canada – Christmas & NY 07/08
“Dear Oli, Ancelle, Gabbie and Belle, thank you for a truly fantastic holiday. I have not felt so looked after and spoiled for a long time ! What a wonderful, relaxing and peaceful place to have the joy to find.” Sarah D, London - Christmas & New Year 07/08
“Thank you so much for a truly fantastic holiday. You have really looked after all of us and made us feel truly at home. The relaxed atmosphere and the care you have taken over everything has made my holiday fun, relaxing and luxurious. I hope to be back soon ! “
Hetal S, London - Christmas & New Year 07/08
“What can we say except it’s been a wonderful experience. Have had an amazing time and met wonderful people, eaten fantastic food in a relaxing environment. Belle and Oli have been great hosts making us feel like part of the family. We will be back !”
Geraldine McG, London - New Year 07/08
"I thoroughly enjoyed my first african experience. You provided excellent info in advance...
About the Gecko Lodge vibe, I found it a haven of peace and calm given its location in the local flora and fauna. The close walking proximity to the beach was a boon…. All the people I came into contact with at GL were lovely - it felt like being part of a family…My room was loverrrrrly.. ….I loved the food with its emphasis on fresh fruit, veg and fish. The yoga was great - I particularly enjoyed the breathing exercises which we did. I liked the balance of it with other excursions especially when I could only be there a week (how I wish it could have been longer).
Fiona W, London March 07
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~ W.E Retreats... Symondsbury Manor, Dorset...
Thank YOU both so much...thought it was a lovely weekend and you made it all feel so effortless and made us feel so spoilt. Thanks for all the fab food, yoga and love...
Jenny, Symonsbury Manor, October 07
Thank you so much for a fantastic retreat. I really enjoyed every minute of it... And you said before hand, it was a gresat way to move on in my practice, Its also enthused me to do more. Esther, June 07
Just wanted to say a big THANKS to you ladies for a lovely weekend. Really enjoyed it. Please keep me informed about any other retreats / classes you are running.
Sian B- Symonsbury May 06
"Thanks you both for organising such a great Yoga retreat. It was fantastic and you're right, the benefits carried me throught this week feeling relaxed and smiley ! I look forward to the next one!"
Isla, Symondsbury July 05
"Thank you for a wonderful weekend, it was fantastic and I felt very relaxed. Also I was impressed with how smoothly everything ran."
Alison, Symondsbury Nov 05
I just wanted to say how good the weekend was, I really enjoyed it and learnt lots of interesting stuff and ate some really nice food."
Liz, Symondsbury Nov 05
"Just wanted to say thanks for a great weekend in Dorset. I really enjoyed the yoga classes, in fact it feels strange now not to be doing yoga every day!! The meals were delicious too and it was really nice to have such an interesting group of people together."
Sarah T , Symondsbury Nov 05
