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I gave yoga a try several years ago because of upper/ lower back pain I had for years. Merry was one of the first instructors I had, and as a beginner, I appreciated her approach, including instruction on how to proper alignment for each pose, breathing, and listening to my body. After each of her classes, I felt… better. Attending consistently brought total pain relief from my back pain. When I became pregnant, she kindly modified poses for me, even in the large gym class setting. Taking some of her group classes was a revelation, and I felt so loved by Merry, as I neared the end of my pregnancy. I practiced pretty much right up until I gave birth. I had a fast, natural labor, and felt limber, strong, and totally in tune with my body. It was easy for me to focus on relaxing and allowing my body to open. My second baby came even easier. I felt like I BREATHED her out, practically!
I highly, highly recommend Merry. I am astounded with how many students she has, that she remembers my name and my children’s names. She is a huge blessing in my life. I see myself continuing to practice yoga, and walking, for the rest of my life, as long as I possibly can, thanks to her solid, faithful, delightful instruction. Her style may be different from other instructors, but she takes the time to teach proper form, and I find that I remember all those tips, even when practicing with another instructor, or on my own. I told my husband, yoga is life-giving for me. Merry cares for the body AND soul, and has a great sense of humor to boot. On a scale of 1 to 10, Merry is a Million, in every way!
Grateful.
—ALLISON L., Art Studio Manager/Mom of Two Exceptional Humans
I met Merry in 2010 in her role as an Imago Facilitator. She was consulting with a marital therapist my ex-husband and I were seeing. That marriage didn’t work out, but I continued to work with Merry, and I flourished. She has truly become a steadfast mentor in my life.
Since 2014, yoga with Merry, once a week, has really improved my life. I suffer from spinal stenosis of the neck, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, stress, and grieving for my beloved sister. I’ve tried other routes and all types of medicine combinations. Now with the weekly personal help and training I get from Merry, medications became my last resort, and I seldom use them. I still have pain but with the yoga moves I can usually make it go away or at least diminish it. Merry keeps track of every issue. We collaborate for effective strategies to lessen pain. Plus, throw in her sparkling personality and her extensive knowledge and you can see she’s a very bright part of my week.
I use various yoga moves every day and I hope to get more and more moves into each day in the future. I’m now in charge of adjusting my whole spine through my yoga practice. Back bends help me to change my mood and all from right where I’m standing. Apart from the pandemic, I drive 80 miles for my Monday sessions, and it is well worth it to me to cultivate a consistent practice. It enables me to use what I learn at home or anywhere I need it.
The less we move, the less we move.
My life has become and will continue to be enriched by Merry’s teaching and caring ways. I’m grateful for her every day.
—JENEAN M, RETIRED OFFICE MANAGER @ TOLUCA LAKE HISTORICS/HEART OF MY FAMILY/FUN FRIEND
“I've practiced yoga since 2003 and originally started in college classes studying both Hatha (Iyengar, specifically) and Vinyasa styles. While I prefer an Iyengar style class, almost every leader in every gym I have ever been to focuses on Vinyasa. Then in 2015 I attended one of Merry's classes.
I could immediately tell she wasn't an average instructor. She knows the body inside and out quite intimately. She is also wields a deep understanding of the connection between body and mind. Her classes focus specifically on using alignment and proper technique to move the body and eventually, the mind.
If you've practiced yoga for a few years and attend classes at most gyms, you're just there for the cueing, amirite? You need someone to get you out of your own head and having other people around is enough motivation to do the work. But learn something new? Receive a key adjustment? Avoid injury? Unlikely on all counts.
Finding Merry's guidance and leadership in a gym is truly like finding a needle in a haystack. I follow her to different fitness locations all around San Gabriel Valley and let me tell you, the same faces keep popping up in those classes - to the point that we've started joking that we should carpool. We know what we've found and that there are few that compare.
I also attended classes at her home studio for a bit and one day when I have unlimited funds, my first splurge will be weekly private lessons with Merry.
In sum, whether you decide to practice at the gym, in a semi-personalized small group, or in a highly personalized one on one session, Merry is the guide you've been waiting for.”
— Amanda Tendler, Writer/World Traveler
“I have been practicing yoga for over 25 years. When I turned 50, I took a yoga teacher training to deepen my own practice—I know a lot about yoga. Yet Merry knows so much more! Her knowledge of anatomy is beyond that of any yoga teacher with whom I have studied. Her instructions are clear, precise and often quite humorous, making her classes light and fun. Merry’s class has helped me to overcome a hip problem that I have suffered for many years. I would recommend her class to any and all who wish to learn, heal, and grow stronger.”
“I’ll never forget my very first class with Merry. It was March of 2013. As I entered the room—a little cautiously, as I had never experienced yoga before—she clasped my hand vigorously with both of hers, gave me an enthusiastic welcome, and guided me into a legs-on-wall pose next to the rest of her students. It wasn’t long before I realized I was in the presence of a gifted teacher. Whenever she wasn’t gently coaching one of us on our alignment and breathing, she filled the silence with juicy tidbits of anatomy, physiology, psychology, history, philosophy, and poetry, all delivered with sparkling wit and humor in that inimitable, unplaceable accent of hers. At one point, she even sang us an Irish ballad!
I came back, again and again. I’ve been to several hundred of Merry’s classes now. There’s much to admire: her effortless engagement of a room full of people, the beauty and grace with which she models every pose, the creativity and originality of her sequences.
What has affected me most, though, is her light touch. I had come from a training background of “No pain, no gain” and “You’re never good enough.” Following this approach had led me to multiple injuries, discouragement, resentment, and burnout. But as I internalized Merry’s philosophy, my body relaxed and began to heal. “You don’t serve the pose; the pose serves you,” she says. If it’s not comfortable, modify it. Rather than pushing yourself to do what you’re not ready for, acknowledge where you’re at today and go just a little bit further. Listen to your body. Honor your limitations. Take time to recover. Cultivate self-awareness without judgment. Enjoy the process. “Easy does it; stick with it.”
The greatest evidence of Merry’s brilliance may be that, in a fitness culture where only a small fraction of gym members ever use their memberships and most New Year’s fitness resolutions last about a month, her students do stick with it. They follow her wherever she teaches, all over Southern California, week in and out, for years. And I plan to do the same!”
— J. B., biostatistician/saxophonist
“Merry has taught me and shown me how to honor my body and be kind to it. I come from an athletic background that believes, ‘no pain, no gain.’ After being diagnosed with breast cancer, and going through chemo and radiation, that old saying just didn’t fly anymore. I decided to try something more suited to my new reality. My first two weeks, I just lay on the floor at the beginning of class and cried. I was finally able to let go of ‘what was,’ and realize ‘what is’ is okay too! Merry is gentle but firm and has the heart of a teacher!”
— Lynn Green, Wonderfully Happy Grandmother/Christ follower
“Merry is sensitive and joyful with extensive knowledge about mind/body connections. She has a yoga solution for everything that ails us and I feel fitter and stronger after every lesson.”
“I have taken yoga from Merry since 2012. What initially struck me about Merry is that all of her classes were different each time. Up until I went to her class, my experience was that instructors have a set routine that they go through. There might be a little variation from time to time but generally I could expect the same in each class. It is obvious that Merry puts a lot of thought into her classes and what she will be teaching on a particular day. In all this time I can honestly say there has never been a class that is exactly the same as ones I have taken before. Merry often reminds her classes that she does not merely “cue” but actually teaches by sequencing layer by layer how to achieve a specific pose. Merry is exceptionally intuitive to the needs of her students at any given time and is truly concerned and caring about where an individual may be as much as possible given the size of the class.
Merry teaches yoga in a way that has also influenced other aspects of my life. Primarily I feel that I have gained confidence and am more accepting who I am and where I am in my practice because she stresses the importance of being “non-judgmental” of ourselves. I look forward to Merry’s classes because without a doubt I feel better both physically and emotionally afterwards. The pace of the class is perfect for me. I have been to classes where it feels like a race to keep up—jumping from one pose to another. Merry teaches with lightness and humor. I appreciate her knowledge of anatomy and her ability to spit out the Sanskrit names of the poses is pretty amazing—I love it! Merry is a gift teacher and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to be one of her students.”
— Laura, Occupational Therapist/Traveler and Lover of family, friends and my two huskies
“The beauty of having Merry as an instructor is that she focuses on the foundations of yoga. She constantly enlightens everyone on rebuilding from the ground up and achieving a truly balanced state mentally, physically and spiritually. I know that there’s a reason that my sciatica vanished. I know there’s a reason that week after week, new students keep showing up to take Merry’s class. I know there’s a reason that I’ve never felt this young in my life. That reason is Merry. She’s the sole cause of all of these things. It comes from her constant drive to learn, analyze, and teach others, fueled by her genuine desire to help them. I can’t thank Merry enough for helping me enjoy the things I love in my life, again.”
— Shinji Furuya, soundEngineer at disney animation/Avid Snowboarder
“Merry’s yoga classes are invigorating and inspiring to me. The physical benefits were wonderful. But even more, her holistic approach and care for our bodies as well as our spirits help me each time to let go of anxiety and be at peace with whatever God was doing in my life.”
“Merry was the first instructor to really walk us through the movements of yoga. Learning these skills and practicing often have prolonged our ability to participate in our favorite hobbies: soccer and salsa dancing, which should have ended some time ago due to knee problems. Thank you, Merry!”
— Brian and Angie Sheridan, Bad Asses/Salsa Dancing and Soccer
“I had practiced yoga on and off for several years but never felt motivated to continue practicing for long periods of time. After noticing that I was gaining weight and also having difficulty managing stress, I decided to give myself another chance at yoga. I am so glad I did! I felt comfortable and motivated that very first class with Merry. She made everyone feel welcome and at ease. I have been attending her class for almost a year now and always look forward to yoga night!!
Merry integrates humor in her teaching while also providing clear instructions and variations of poses to accommodate student’s different levels and needs.
Merry’s knowledge and passion is evident. She teaches the class in a fun but disciplined manner, instilling in her students a love and commitment for yoga. She sparks an interest in her students to learn more about their bodies, and to understand how the practice benefits one’s physical and mental health. I feel grateful and honored to be one of Merry’s students.”
— Norma Palacios, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Gardener and Painter who loves Home-Entertaining, friends and my dogs.
“I appreciate Merry’s expert knowledge of the body and the way she uses her skill in our yoga practice. She takes the time to ensure we are using proper technique in our poses as well as restoring after each pose. The result is a revitalizing and relaxing practice. She takes any perceived intimidation factor out of her classes and encourages all yogis to make it “their” practice. I love the class!”
— Jeannine, Blissfully Retired Sr. Executive Assistant/Wellness Hobbyist
“I can’t say enough about Merry’s class. She intuitively assesses the class yogis and directs her techniques to their needs with an in-depth explanation of why or how and on top of that, with a little humor! This is a recipe of a true, caring, insightful, soulful and professional instructor.”
“Merry is a serious student of yoga and she shares this with her students. It’s not only the poses, which she demonstrates with expert precision, but also the spirit of the ancient ritual. Merry is an example of a healthy joyful life for us all. I am 89, and I am active in sports and many civic clubs in Sierra Madre. I just got elected ‘Senior Citizen of the Year 2017’!”
— Jay, Computer Trainer/Bicyclist and Sailor
“In 2009, at the age of 69, I was suffering from a chronic back condition. I went to a chiropractor to get some help for it, but it didn’t work for me. Then I heard about a yoga class here in Altadena. Merry was my first teacher. As she worked with me through the years—I’m 77 now—the back pain lessened. I stuck with it, and now my back is straight, and the pain has left me. I couldn’t walk very well before, but now I walk the three-and-a-quarter miles at the Rose Bowl. Merry’s an excellent teacher; she makes me feel good about myself. That’s why I continue to come. I take Merry three times a week. I’m faithfully coming to yoga practice because it’s helping my body, it’s helping me, as I age. Merry’s been a blessing to me.”
— Miss Irene, Retired Minister/American Patriot
“Merry is THE BEST yoga instructor I have come across! Her classes motivate me to work out. Her depth and breadth of yoga knowledge is impressive, every session is guaranteed to be different, exciting and fun. She stands out from other instructors for many reasons. She pays attention and respects her students, actually checking to see if poses are in correct form, adjusting alignment and encourages modified poses to prevent injury. Her instructions are clear and easy to follow with classes perfectly paced to suit beginners and experienced yoga practitioners alike. Merry is a natural teacher, she has the ability to read the energy level of a class and adapt accordingly. True to her namesake, she teaches in a lighthearted manner making for a more engaging experience. After coaching from Merry, I definitely saw improvements in strength and flexibility. I leave every class relaxed and mentally refreshed. Merry is a well-rounded teacher.
—Karen C., Registered Nurse/Foodie, Sleep Enthusiast
“Merry has a unique way of teaching techniques for yoga. It’s very easy to understand and follow ideas of how body and mind are working together. I feel my body a lot stronger and have a very good balance pose that I was not able to do before. I feel very calm after class, and I was able to continue with my very busy schedule. I’m not afraid of anything after my yoga class with Merry.”
— Rotchana Sussman, Meditation Teacher/Culinary Adventurer
“Merry is the best yoga teacher that I ever had! She has extensive and in-depth knowledge in various aspects of the mind-body work. Most importantly, she knows how to teach each student according to his needs and levels. She facilitates the process of my mind-body work in a highly supportive way. I am a stronger person physically and emotionally as a result. I appreciate Merry because she helped to improve my abilities to perform my day job in a more efficient and meaningful way, as well as enhancing the quality of my relationships to others.”
— Dr. Teresa Ku, Biomedical Researcher/Mentoring, Classical Music Lover
“Merry is personable, expert, and has high integrity. She’s the best yoga instructor I have worked with.”
“Merry has helped me both appreciate and understand yoga. As someone who loves to learn, I have gained so much from Merry's explanations regarding mindfulness, anatomy, physiology, and the many other random things she knows. And her charisma and jokes keep me on my toes and smiling throughout my practice! I am thankful for all she has done for my practice, brain, and body.”
— Sarah Davidson, Behavioral Therapist/Comedy
”Merry is the rare person in my life who combines yoga, emotional intelligence, ‘relational intelligence’, nutrition, physical well-being, higher learning, compassion for others, strong self-discipline, and mental awareness. Absolutely amazing. For me, what makes her stand out is the mental practice she embeds within the physical practice, her knowledge of how our bodies react to certain stimulations and how to counteract negative feelings. Besides being an engaging teacher, she has an inspiring and uplifting charisma which resonates with energy. She’s a total yoga geek—which I absolutely adore, admire and respect! So thankful she is part of my life, helping me reaching new levels of personal growth and self-awareness.”
— M. L. Healthcare Planning Specialist/Avid Surfer
“I find that yoga is a total mind and body experience. I’m learning how to take my practice and use it the whole day. I really feel that yoga has helped me know myself and stay emotionally as well as physically fit. A BIG thank you to Merry for being such a caring and knowledgeable yoga instructor.”
— Julia W., backup singer for Neil Diamond/member of the waters band
If you are looking for a nonpareil yoga instructor, you need look no further. While her practice is deadly serious, she’s has a delightful sense of humor that will have you rolling on the floor. She has her students’ best interests at heart, and if you’re doing something inaccurate or that might cause injury she will correct you in a heartbeat, but never make you feel bad about it. In our collaboration, I went from 257 pounds in August 2016 to 182 pounds in May, 2018--that's 75 lbs!