‘I am more at ease when I meditate, and my mind has begun to appreciate moments of peacefulness despite distractions may occur in attaining them.’
I really enjoyed all the meditation sessions that I attended. They helped me to learn about the practice so that I no longer consider it exotic, unusual, or sometimes intimidating. I still remember that the first time I attended the session, I was so nervous that I couldn’t let any tension (felt by facial muscle in particular) go. I didn’t know why I was like this at the time, but later when I reflect back on it, it’s because I was still at the very beginning of the learning path and I wanted to do it right. There’s nothing wrong with such an eagerness, but I just feel that I’ve gone through that phase now. I am more at ease when I meditate, and my mind has begun to appreciate moments of peacefulness despite distractions may occur in attaining them. So, in terms of the meditation session, I think it’s essential that it exists. Everything it contains is fine, great, but what matters most is its existence—and that students know it’s there. The purpose is not to drag people to come, but to make meditation more “normal” so that anyone who feel like coming doesn’t feel shy. I would definitely recommend the session to other students who intend to learn anything about meditation!
YIFAN ZHOU
‘I have become so much more peaceful inside.’
To be honest, I first took yoga only as one kind of body exercise. And I held this idea that yoga was exercise for quite a long time. This idea changed when I realised every time after Gabriella’s integral yoga classes how much they enriched my mental world. I have become so much more peaceful inside. Gabriella is ready to help us at any time when we have questions. She is always happy to share what she knows. I think she is very professional. I’m lucky and happy that Gabriella could be my yoga teacher for last few years!
CECILIA CAO
‘So gentle and fascinating.’
I started to meditate for relaxation because I was feeling under pressure a month or so into the new semester. After attending the meditation sessions, I felt relaxed and was always in a good mood. So, I kept meditating. However, at the beginning of this semester, I realized that the ability of controlling my emotions had improved and my mind was much clearer. I felt it easier to focus and the way I perceive the world was more moderate. And I felt peace and pure love towards the world after meditation, although that was temporary. I love Gabriella and her meditation style. It is so gentle and fascinating. The structure, which consists of theoretical introduction, introducing guide, silent meditation phase, and relaxation, is also fantastic. As for further suggestions, I love the fragrant smell in the room so much, so could you please always provide it in your meditation sessions?
JUNRUI WANG
‘She is super positive, friendly, responsive and caring during classes.’
It has been an absolute pleasure to being able to practice integral yoga and meditation with Gabriella for the past two years. It’s hard to describe the changes happened to me but I’ve become a different person for sure. Probably the main change is the development of self-awareness and the ability to be more focused on the present moment. I’ve learned to notice and enjoy small things in life. I’m feeling enormously happy and grateful to be Gabriella’s student. Her style of teaching is great, she is super positive, friendly, responsive and caring during classes. Her voice during guided meditations and integral yoga sessions is soothing and relaxing. I would never hesitate to recommend everyone 100% to join her classes. It has been a life changing experience for me. She also became my good friend and helped me a lot to understand myself as well as dealing with the difficulties I sometimes face in life. I am feeling blessed to meet someone like Gabriella!
NIKITA NIKITIN
‘Part of the practice is slightly different from the conventional Hatha Yoga I knew from before, which also adds to my understandings of the meaning of yoga practices.’
I have been on and off practicing yoga for years because I felt the benefit of doing it physically and the physical improvement also affect mental status. However, the yoga classes I tried in China are usually more like physical exercise which is too extreme for me. Thus, I had been seeking a class that may fit my physical status so that I can enjoy and feel relaxed during and after the class. Gabriella’s class fit this criteria and that is the reason I had been attending the class when my time allows. The meditation at the beginning sort of helps me reset myself before starting the asana and pranayama practice. It is nice also Gabriella leads meditations in different styles. The asana Gabriella introduces can be challenging but I know I can just try my best and do not have to be perfect. Part of the practice is slightly different from the conventional Hatha Yoga I knew from before, which also adds to my understandings of the meaning of yoga practices. Thus, the yoga class for me is no longer just the physical exercise that makes me feel good and relaxed after each session of practice. I now prioritise the practices as higher than before in relation to work. This is because I see how the physical improvement and mental resetting after continuing with the yoga classes for a while can affect the quality of work and daily activities. Also, the further learning of the philosophy of yoga through practice has positive effect of the attitude of how to lead a good life.
YU-TING TANG, PhD
‘I like the combination of yin and yang in the integral yoga sessions. I feel united and balanced afterwards.’
I have become more disciplined with practice on campus and at home. I have also become kinder to my body and mind. I feel calm and relaxed. I appreciate the time I spend with myself on the mat. I like the combination of yin and yang in the integral yoga sessions. I feel united and balanced afterwards. I love Gabriella’s teaching style! Her instructions are clear; her voice is beautiful and calming; she uses appropriate background music and incense. She motivated us a lot in a gentle way when we were doing some challenging poses. I like that the sessions begin with meditation and an appropriate warm up, gradually becoming challenging. The level is appropriate. I also like a lot the lying down meditations at the end to close the practice for the day. I would recommend the classes because they make you aware that it is important and rewarding to spend some time with yourself at the end of the day – looking after your body and mind on the mat with Gabriella. Gabriella, you’re a wonderful yoga teacher. You’ve inspired me to discover more on the journey of yoga practice. Love you!
ATHENA HAN
‘My favourite part of the session is the little talk at the beginning of each class, helping us understand the magic of meditation.’
I feel more powerful after taking the meditation sessions after just one week. I am now able to control my mind and my body better. My favourite part of the session is the little talk at the beginning of each class, helping us understand the magic of meditation. Gabriella’s word always gave me inspiration on how to be soulful. I recommend this session to all who would like to know about meditation because I had a really wonderful relaxing experience there. Thank you so much Gabriella!
ZHUXIN SHEN
‘After practising with Gabriella for some time I really noticed my confidence growing, and with her advice and encouragement I have become a yoga teacher myself!’
I very much enjoy Gabriella’s Integral Yoga classes. The combination of meditation, gentle postures, dynamic movements and breath work always helps me relax and relieve tension after a long day at work. In particular, I find that beginning the sessions with meditation encourages me to let go of my day and get into the perfect mindset for the physical practice. After practising with Gabriella for some time I really noticed my confidence growing, and with her advice and encouragement I have become a yoga teacher myself! Gabriella has a wonderful teaching style, with clear instructions, a gentle sense of humour, and compassion and inclusivity towards her students. I would recommend her yoga and meditation classes to everyone interested in starting or deepening their practice.
SUSANNA WICKES
‘Her positive and generous attitude to yoga, to work and to life is the most valuable thing I learned from her.’
It was the worst period of my life when I started to attend Gabriella’s Integral Yoga class. With both pains physically and mentally, I joined the yoga class seeking peacefulness in my mind and to help me relax. After I attended the first class, I knew I would continue as I love her style so much. I never attended any yoga class with relaxing music on during the class, and Gabby is such a sweet and warm teacher who is cheerful and friendly to everyone even from when they first met. Her positive and generous attitude to yoga, to work and to life is the most valuable thing I learned from her. I always feel I am so lucky to meet her and join her class at the university. Gabi respects our habits and limitations and is quite tolerate for our adjusted poses if we are not feeling well on a particular day. Besides the music which I really enjoy, the meditation and relaxation parts of the sessions are truly relaxation time for me. I like the timing as I do not feel hurried for anything. I can calm down and feel the time and pace much better this way. The warm-up part and loosening of shoulders practice are really helpful as well, as I think it is fundamental for me after sitting all day working at a desk. Finally, I love Gabi’s voice: her soft and peaceful way to provide the instructions during the session when we close our eyes. This really helps me to calm down and become more peaceful. Although my most greatest impressions are not about the techniques of yoga, Gabi is definitely professional in that area too. After having continued for three semesters with the Integral Yoga classes, I think I finally got used to my yoga practice to an extent that I now feel uncomfortable if I stop yoga practice for a while. My body will tell me it cannot suffer anymore if I do not practice again. Millions of thanks to you Gabby for helping me live a healthier and more positive life.
XIANG LI
‘Practicing meditation leads me to ask myself more philosophical questions more frequently, which had not previously come to my mind so often before.’
I have practiced meditation with Gabriella for two years now. The practice calms my mind and helps me to be more concentrated during my daily life when I need to be focused. After I attend the meditation sessions, I tend to notice the small details much more than before. For example, I felt more happy with the natural environment around me, the trees, grass, and the river and so on. I love Gabriella’s style of guiding meditations, which is very calming and delightful. I highly recommend the drop-in meditation sessions, because they do make a difference — making me feel more relaxed, concentrated during the rest of the day at least. In addition, practicing meditation leads me to ask myself more philosophical questions more frequently, which had not previously come to mind so often before, such as “who am I?”, and “what’s the purpose of my life?”. I love to see these new changes in myself.
HUIZHE ZHU
‘By seeing progress, I have a greater desire to continue trying and practicing.’
One of the most important aspects I noticed is that I had more energy, and I didn’t feel as much stressed as I usually do. After practicing yoga and meditation I felt very relaxed, usually I get distracted by many things around me but after meditating I was calmer, and didn’t have vast amount of different thoughts at the same time. Mostly I liked how Gabriella pays attention to each student, and asked how sessions was for each of us. Also, everyone could ask Gabriella other questions related to the practice after sessions. Gabriella is very nice and willing to help each student. And by seeing progress, I have a greater desire to continue trying and practicing, so I would definitely recommend classes to those who already tried yoga before, and to those who wants to start, as Gabriella is willing to accept and to help to students with all levels, backgrounds and knowledges.
DIANA BISSEMBAYEVA
‘I would definitely recommend her meditation sessions.’
Gabriella’s meditation workshops are very enriching and inspiring. Deep talks and discussions are carried before and after the meditation which make the session much more personal and helpful. The overall environment is also great, makes people want to come again to such a comfortable space. The meditations are always carried smoothly and I would definitely recommend her meditation sessions to anyone interested in practising.
ZIJUN LEI
‘The classes were like a secret mind place for me to escape from the pressure and work in daily life.’
The changes include that I become more relaxed and chill with my pressure. Also I am more aware of my body condition and I know when to adjust it. After the practice, I always feel relief and light-minded. The classes were like a secret mind place for me to escape from the pressure and work in daily life. My favourite thing about the class is the combination between meditation and physical exercises. It’s not that hardcore exercise nor too static. It’s like an organic combination and balance between the dynamic and static. I love Gabriella’s gentle teaching style. And I would so love to recommend this class to others!
KANG YIFAN
‘Gabriella’s style of teaching is excellent. She is a lovely, passionate and professional teacher.’
The stretching and breathing exercises I have learned from Gabriella’s classes have improved my flexibility. The classes have reduced my anxiety and stress, resulting in better health, better mood and better concentration throughout the day. I feel it is one of the best exercises to stay fit and healthy. I love the yoga music with the yoga practice. I understand that most traditionalists do not listen to music during their practice, however, myself and many of my colleagues here at the university are open to enhancing our understanding of the connection between sound and movement. We want to explore how the combination affects the body, mind, and spirit. Gabriella’s style of teaching is excellent. She is a lovely, passionate and professional teacher. Even my kids have benefitted from what I have learned from her. There are many different paths and I like them all. Thank you Gabriella for introducing me to your wonderful classes, helping me relax, and bringing me power and happiness in my life.
SHARON YAN WANG
‘Her voice makes me feel safe and warm.’
After practising meditation, I notice that I am more energetic. It is easier to feel happy and stay calm in the daily life. I also notice that I am not as sleepy anymore, everything feels fresh again. I can manage my time flexibly and so there is a better chance to meet new people. Gabriella’s guidance is well-structured and her voice makes me feel safe and warm. The whole process works well for me, and I like the ‘breathe in-hold-aaaaaaa’ part most of all. I now wish to share these pleasant experiences with my friends and encourage them to join as well.
YUHAN JIE
‘I feel really safe and inspired in the classes.’
I am more aware of what I really need to be relaxed. I have a softer body and a clearer mind after yoga. I like the meditation time although I can’t always stay fully conscious, but I get more peace after that. Also enjoy the relaxing period and I can clearly notice that my body is more capable to sink into the floor and so I am totally focus on the present moment. I like Gabriella’s teaching style, I feel really safe and inspired in the classes. I like all the twisting postures and that we would work on different parts of our bodies every now and then. I definitely think people could find balance and peaceful feelings from the class.
MI MAO
‘Her sessions became an important way for me to turn off from work or other daily stresses and re-centre myself.’
I began Gabriella’s classes in 2017, having had very little previous experience of yoga. I was immediately struck by her warmth and the welcoming atmosphere she created for novices such as myself. Through the use of music and routine, she created a clear structure to her classes that allowed me to learn the ropes without feeling pressured or out of my depth. As the weeks passed, I noticed a clear improvement in my focus and coordination, and her sessions became an important way for me to turn off from work or other daily stresses and re-centre myself. If you’re considering trying out yoga for the first time, then I think Gabriella’s classes would be an excellent place to start!
James McPherson
‘I would definitely recommend Gabriella’s classes to all as she is knowledgeable and well-prepared with a soft voice for meditations.’
Since meeting Gabriella, I have been inspired. She is extremely motivated and driven yet in her life yet teaches us the importance of yoga, meditation and reflection. I can learn a lot from her outlook as I strive to be the best I can be, and have to cope with the typical daily stresses many of us have with work and family. Since practicing Integral Yoga with Gabriella I have felt more energized and balanced. I enjoy the mix of yoga she includes in classes, especially the integration of Kundalini Yoga. She is a kind and patient teacher who gently encourages us in holding poses correctly and keeping going when we are energizing in faster movements. I would definitely recommend Gabriella’s classes to all as she is knowledgeable and well-prepared with a soft voice for meditations. I am sad she isn’t in the city at the moment as I’d really like some more classes!
DAWN CARTERBOAST
‘Her instructions are clear and gentle and the movements flow naturally.’
I never really liked yoga before I took Gabriella’s classes – I found sitting and doing stretching for a couple hours quite boring. Gabriella completely changed my mind. I love the beautiful and soothing music she uses with the candles and incense, they really help you to find the calm space in yourself. Her instructions are clear and gentle and the movements flow naturally. After finishing her classes I always feel very refreshed and the stress of daily life fades away. I’ve been practicing with Gabriella once a week for two years now and I’ve definitely noticed I’m now more flexible and healthier than before.
ADA YU WANG
‘She is a knowledgeable and conscientious teacher who puts the whole class at ease and is so warm and welcoming to students of all abilities.’
I have had the wonderful experience of being able to practice Integral Yoga with Gabriella over the past two years. I joined her classes as a relatively experienced yogi having practiced Ashtanga for around eight years prior to that. The difference I found in Gabriella’s integral yoga classes was much more integrated meditation and relaxation compared to what I had practiced previously, yet her classes still include physically challenging postures allowing me to go to my edge and deepen my practice. The increased meditation elements have helped me to remain balanced through busy periods at work and to have more patience as a mother and a partner! Her classes have also introduced me to additional workshops and retreats either run by Gabriella herself or by guest teachers and guides and have opened up new avenues of inner work that I had not experienced before. She is a knowledgeable and conscientious teacher who puts the whole class at ease and is so warm and welcoming to students of all abilities – I highly recommend attending any of her classes or workshops! She is a beautiful soul!
LOLA KNOWLES
‘Her enthusiasm and true passion for yoga makes people want to commit to her classes.’
Gabriella has delivered a very extensive programme at the university for several years now, both coordinating up to 10 classes per week, as well as teaching in some of them too. Gabriella’s sessions attract various staff, from people who love exercising to people who are just getting into it for the first time, which makes it a welcoming experience for all involved. Gabriella’s yoga classes, and her efficient organisation of all the staff yoga and meditation classes, has made it super simple for people to attend. Her enthusiasm and true passion for yoga makes people want to commit to her classes. she truly deserved the 2019 ‘UNNC Sports’ award and the recognition for all the work she does to support better physical and mental wellbeing on campus.