“I need your class to help my legs and my back feel better and when I don’t come to class, my stress levels become very high.” Winter 2005 Linda, a Beginning and Intermediate Yoga student Victoria, Texas ………. Tanya Service Project Coordinator II at Johnson Controls “I decided to start Yoga Class in June 2014. I was fortunate to pick Gail’s Yoga Class @ Wesley UMC. I appreciated the fact that she told us that everyone’s body was different and we were not to compare ourselves to others. With that in mind, I was able to do what I could do and not worry about the others in the class that were more flexible and a lot younger.
During these few months, because of the lessons that I have learned from Gail, I am more flexible than before, I no longer have pain in my lower back nor hips, I have lost weight, I have more energy and my stress level has decreased. I really did not realize that Yoga could improve my health like it has. I’m so glad that I decided to start training with Gail. Gail’s Yoga lessons have improved my physical self and she also has also helped my spiritual self by reading scriptures at the beginning of each class. She understands the importance of body, mind and spirit.” September 9, 2014, Tanya studied with Gail at Monday Yoga class at 6:15 pm at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3515 Helena Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627
Tanya, a Beginner Yoga student Nederland, Texas
………. “I did thoroughly enjoy your prenatal yoga classes–the physical activity was wonderful. Also, I truly enjoyed the community of pregnant women in tune with our bodies and so positive and hopeful about the tiny bodies, minds and spirits of the babies in our tummies. I think attending your classes made the L&D (Labor and Delivery) of my second baby even easier and smoother than that of our first baby.” March 2006 Amy, Prenatal Yoga student Victoria, Texas
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“Gail is one of the most pleasant persons I have ever met. I was excited about my private lessons but anxious about my performance. I work out strenuously most days of the week. I had neglected flexibility which I know is one of the three important kinds of fitness training that also include aerobics and strength training. She set me at ease and helped me make constant adjustments that would help me improve. Before we even started she conducted a detailed interview regarding my health and goals. All lessons were individualized and well planned. Nothing was “canned” or repetitive. I walked away from every lesson with some printed materials to help me in my yoga practice.
I continue to try to make any of Gail’s group classes and plan some more private lessons in the near future. As a nurse practitioner I am familiar with many valid studies conducted by western medical centers that point up the substantial benefits of yoga as both a replacement and assistance with medication. I highly recommend Gail as a wonderful ambassador and instructor for yoga. By the way-I wore my heart rate monitor during many of the sessions and was surprised at the heart rate elevation during parts of the lesson.”
Norma, Private Yoga student Beaumont, Texas
………. “I’d never taken a yoga class before a friend insisted I “at least try” Gail”s Beginning Yoga class. I found it to be a wonderful experience for my out-of-shape condition! I couldn’t do everything the rest of the class did, but Gail set a level of comfort in every class, where I felt comfortable in making whatever accomodations necessary for my particular problems. She assisted and made suggestions, but I was free to make whatever adaptations were comfortable for me. After foot surgery, I wore a walking orthopedic boot to class, and gradually began working back up to where I’d been before I missed a few weeks. After Gail moved, I tried two other classes, same title, but the instructors really didn’t “get” what beginning means. The last time I went, I really hurt my knee. My fault for not accepting my limitations, but the comfort zone was just not the same. If you don’t get to go to every class, you will lose continuity in some classes by having to look at the instructor continually because they abbreviate instructions. Not with Gail! She has a wonderful smooth flowing rhythm of speaking that allows you to totally focus on your own movements. Really miss the comfortable, friendly atmosphere of Gail’s class! Always very professional, Gail makes it fun, relaxing, and rewarding, and always has a smile that says, “I love teaching yoga!” Always made me leave with a smile too, thinking, “I love Gail’s class!” May 2007 Patsy, a 65 year “young” Gentle Beginning Yoga student Victoria, Texas
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“I felt like I needed to purr right after your class.” January 2008 Phyllis, a Fat Burning Yoga student Beaumont, Texas ………..
“Feeling very relaxed after a session and my pain in my back has eased up considerably. I sleep better at night. I feel energized.” Fall 2005 Jane, a Beginning Yoga student Victoria, Texas ……….
“I always enjoyed your Gentle Yoga class because it was excellent for a beginning class and after it I always felt so much better after all the stretching. As a teacher you were so good about offering modifications for difficult poses and with all your class you were so concise about the directions part of the effects of feeling so good at the end was being so relaxed I could always keep my eyes closed and with your instruction still be certain I was able to follow the moves.” Spring 2007 Judy, a Fibromyalgia sufferer and a Gentle Beginning Yoga student Victoria, Texas ……….
“After my first yoga session, I was able to go to sleep without my sleep aid medication.” Spring 2007 Helen, a Free Will Yoga participant Nederland, Texas ……….
“In taking Gail’s class, I don’t miss my Vioxx as much. I’m not having any spasms in my left leg. I can manage my stress better.” Summer 2005 Brenda, a Fibromyalgia sufferer and a Gentle Beginning Yoga student Victoria, Texas ……….
“I was able to do all of the poses, with a few modifications, when I took your ‘back yoga’ class. My back feels so good afterwards.” Spring 2007 Mildred, a Yoga class participant from the YMCA Port Arthur, Texas ……….
“I throughly enjoyed seeing the demonstration of the neti pot during one of our yoga classes.” Winter 2008 From Katherine, a Beginning Yoga student Nederland, Texas ………..
“I really enjoyed all your classes, the beginning, intermediate, and the Yoga with weights. You were very professional, caring, and all knowing of all aspects of yoga. I wish you were still here.” Spring 2007 From Lucy, an Intermediate Yoga participant Victoria, Texas ……….
Yoga with Gail Pickens-Barger in Southeast Texas 
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