Hi Kimberly, I just wanted to send you a personal thank you for supporting my '$30,000 before I turn 30' mission. I'm in crazy mode trying to organize sponsors for my golf tournament and gather great items for the auction, and I know the YAS basket will be a hit.

Your center is amazing and I've loved getting more into spin! Marisa is actually the one that talked me into trying a class and I am going to get my shoes this weekend! She is awesome and the other girls I've taken classes from have been pretty cool, too!!!

Again, your support is very much appreciated. If you're a golfer, I'd love to have you play in the tournament! It will be on June 24th and it should be a lot of fun.

Take care.
-Alex Richardson

I am a believer in what you do there. It's almost hard to put into words, but basically I have struggled for more than 10 years with some major injuries and health issues. And, I have tried EVERYTHING. Bodywork, acupuncture, medications, all different forms of exercise, and even a couple surgeries. Somehow, YAS yoga has been the first thing in years that truly helps me feel better. It is the practice, yes - the specific style of yoga has helped my neck and shoulder issues - but there is also something about the energy you have created there.

I think I'm rambling... so I'll stop now :)

Heather Catalena
Client Services / Outreach Coordinator
NutriFit, LLC

Although I formerly practiced yoga with regularity, I'd gotten away from it for some time, and I used to openly mock my friends and family who like to spin. After a sports injury, a friend dragged me along to YAS and I was immediately motivated by the spinning class I took and, quite simply, became instantly addicted.

Over the last few months, I have transformed my life and my body -- as a former college scholarship athlete who competed in my sport at close to the highest level, I found myself floundering for years as I tried to find an athletic endeavor that got me close to the feeling of satisfaction, motivation, and drive that I lost when my college career ended. YAS' classes have given me that again in the form of spinning and yoga.

Although my schedule hasn't allowed for me to take classes from every teacher at YAS, the ones that I've had are great. I would, however, like to highlight one teacher who has been specifically wonderful -- Gina Heekin. She is caring, motivating, and instructional in a way that is truly rare and unique. Her daily enthusiasm and infectious energy have pushed me to truly transform my life, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

I relish the opportunity to continue my practice in the New Year.

Thanks for everything,
Brin Hill

Dear Kimberly,

Two years ago I was going through some trials and my sister-in-law, Lauren Baker, sent me your YAS dvd as a surprise. She couldn't stop raving about YAS and I thought for sure she's joined a cult! By the end of the dvd, I understand why she loved it so much. Even though I felt as if I'd never sweat so much in my life, I felt strong, centered, calm and rejuvenated.

I've always been an avid runner and athlete, but I couldn't even touch my toes when I first started doing your YAS dvd. I have been so inspired by it, that I have taken up spinning and have signed up for my first triathlon with my family, the Vineman 70.3.

Lauren surprised me again this summer and brought me to your Venice studio where we took a class from your sister Julie. Julie was awesome (I have since begged her to open a studio in West Hartford, CT). Thank you so much for sharing your love for yoga/spinning and truly changing my life! I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,
-Kimberly Baker

First, my name is Wendi Cooper - and I am a 3 year (well almost) Ovarian Cancer (Stage IIIC) survivor, BRCA 1 positive mutated Gene Carrier who chose to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction to limit my chances of breast cancer, an entrepreneur for 17 years with a successful commercial production and direct response television marketing company, a mother of 2 boys - 27 and 17, and now a YAS faithful. Yes another A type!

I just wanted to share that because of YAS Spinning I have started to feel like I did before I was diagnosed I went thru the toxic torture, the aftermath of Chemo and 9 surgeries. It will be 3 years ago tomorrow that I was diagnosed, purely by accident as I was having a hernia surgery which turned out to be a malignant tumor and not a hernia at all. That was the day my life truly began – as crazy as it sounds, I didn’t start to live until I had cancer.

Although I suffer from peripheral neuropathy in my feet due to chemo, I tried everything to get back in shape after gaining 25 pounds due to chemo, meds, and steroids, to find the right mix - workout that would not be too difficult on my feet, yet get me back into shape. I not only suffered with - being bald, being overweight, having nerve damage, but the worst was body image. Of course, I kept going, searching, trying, and smiling..while at the same time, the inner voice was really frustrated.

I didn’t find the answer until a friend of mine, about 5 months ago, insisted I come with her to spin at YAS. It was that day in Tom Marando's class at 6:15 in the morning that I finally found the answer to how to get back my life - only this time it was better than ever before. It is hard to explain to you - but I think you know what I'm talking about.

Spinning next to you today was an inspiration for me - as I've been told I've been for many - you truly set the bar.

That is really all I wanted to say to you today after class. I just wanted to personally thank you for what you have done and share with you how I feel about finding myself again - and feeling better than I have ever felt in my life because of YAS.

Now I just have to figure out how to do Yoga with shoes on...as I just can't have my feet exposed to the air...:)

Thank you.
Best,
-Wendi Cooper

My name is Mark Thomas and I am a former international professional rugby player and world championship bobsledder. I retired from competitive sports eight years ago and over the last few years the old injuries and wear and tear of such physical sports came back to haunt me. I started Kimberley Fowler's Yoga for Athletes two years ago and quite simply it changed my life. No more lower back pain, hamstring tightness or stiffness, it even helps relieve the stress of work. My flexibility began to improve almost immediately and my body changed, the yoga has leaned me out, rebuilt my core strength and given me a posture and body any athlete would be proud of, especially one who is no longer competing and I have suffered no muscle injuries from running in years because of my flexibility. I only wish I had discovered yoga sooner when I was playing and would encourage anyone competing seriously in whatever sport to incorporate it into their schedule. The benefits are enormous.

-Mark

I have been coming to YAS Venice regularly for nearly five months now and I just have to share with you how amazing it has been. After having four kids in seven years, I have had more false starts with 'getting back into shape' than I can count. When I finally dedicated myself to the cause and started running, my friend suggested I also try spinning and took me to Revolution (Montana Ave.) for a class. Although the intent of this email is certainly not to disparage another business or individual, I will tell you that after less than a month at Revolution, I was having considerable pain in both knees (i have NEVER had that before). By chance, a friend's husband suggested YAS and I immediately went to check it out - I've been coming from 3-5 times a week ever since, and I am totally hooked! (I also brought my Dad along and he now does spin and yoga both and is even more obsessive than I am!) All of the instructors are absolutely fantastic, the music and environment are inspiring. I am so thrilled to know that I can be in really good shape at 36 - and deeply enjoy the process of getting fit, while not ever have to go to 'the gym'. I am so excited to start doing YFA regularly and continuing to challenge myself. THANK YOU to the marvelous staff and instructors at YAS!!

Best,
-Candice Rosales

For someone who participates in surfing, skiing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, mountain biking, racquetball, basketball and running the Yoga for Athletes class at YAS in Venice, Ca. was the perfect way to improve my flexibility and strength for those sports. My only problem was that because I now live in Houston, Texas the commute is a little too far!! Fortunately with the release of Kimberly Fowler's Yoga for Athletes' DVD I am able to continue to train wherever and whenever I like. I have been taking yoga for over 15 years but the Yoga for Athlete's program is more suited to my style of training since I've never been a fan of the chanting, earthy, crunchy type yoga that many Yoga instructors teach. You don't have to be a contortionist and there is no attitude from an elitist instructor. The days when I begin my morning workout with the Yoga for Athletes' DVD I can feel an increase in my energy level and my mental awareness. The flexibility in my shoulders, knees and lower back has been an exciting result in training with the DVD.

Yoga for Athletes ROCKS!!!!

-Chris Mannery

I can't thank you enough for introducing YAS to my friend Linda and I, We were there this morning we didn't ask for Kimberly we just went and took the class and paid which is fine, it was worth every penny!!! I was all the way in the back corner uncertain of how I was going to manage I've never done Yoga in my life and I'm the worst inflexible person on earth so I was very nervous but there was something about Kimberly that I just went with it and did as best as I could. She is an amazing human being so beautiful WOW I'm still blown away can't stop thinking of it all day.. My friend Linda also loved it we both got teary eye at the end it was so weird I have never experience anything like it. We then had brunch at Shutters in Santa Monica all we talked about was our experience at YAS we are both so interested in continuing this routine we both fell in love with YAS and Kimberly!!!

After the class we both went up to her and introduce ourselves =)

Thank you again for telling me about this place, Kimberly is such an inspirational person and her story is just amazing. How was your adventure at the Santa Monica Mountains? I hope you had a great time.

Thanks again I'm so giddy still thinking of today!!!

-Li

I have a few yoga DVDs that I use when I can't get to a class. The problem is, those same DVDs can get boring. But Kimberly Fowler's Yoga for Athletes surprised me. It has continued to keep me challenged and interested after the fourth and fifth time. Kimberly Fowler is confident, calming and clear enough that you can follow her instructions without watching the screen. The poses are challenging, but unlike many super-charged yoga DVDs, this one gives you enough time in each pose, with the opportunity to take the poses further than you have before. Fowler offers ways to make each pose less or more challenging, depending on your level, and explains the benefits of the poses for athletes who may be particularly stiff in certain areas. For inexperienced yogis or first-time users, this DVD may be a bit challenging, but you'll find yourself more and more comfortable with each time you use it.

-Jenn Coonce, Creative Director Weight Watchers

I just got your video last week and I absolutely LOVE it! I teach yoga in Calgary, AB, Canada, and have just recently started working with triathletes out of a triathlon store, and I just think what you are doing is wonderful. Thanks for the inspiration! Namaste,

-Sara Schwarz

Hello Kimberly!

Hope all is well...We exchanged messages several months ago. I wanted to follow up.I recently purchased the Yoga for Athletes DVD and after several viewings, completed the class last night. WOW! What a workout! I have been practicing yoga for about two years with the primary focus knee injury recovery and secondarily on the mind-body relationship in health, personal outlook and job performance.

My practice has been extremely successful and your approach has added a completely new dimension to my yogic studies. I was sore in places this morning after your workout last night. I discovered my strengths and weaknesses. Those discoveries will help me further develop my practice.

Thanks so much for your novel approach and news ideas.

-Bill