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As a newcomer to yoga,
I have been attending classes at Four Directions once a week since last
summer. I was given the opportunity by Paola to try out a class before
joining. Immediately I was impressed and have continued to be very
impressed since then. There are up to 15 people in each class, of
differing ages and abilities, and Paola manages to treat each person as
an individual. Everyone learns a lot, and feels better and healthier.
And almost every time you arrive, there is some little bit of innovation
that says I care about this business and I care about you. Such features
range from offering fresh oranges as a parting gift, to
thoughtfully-chosen related books to buy, to simply the addition of a
new element to the décor. To say nothing of the fact, of course, that
Paola is a wonderful, naturally-gifted and well-trained teacher.
Absolutely first class!
Because the atmosphere
at Four Directions is so people friendly, I --and others-- have also
gotten to know others in our community that perhaps we would not have
otherwise met. So, not only is this business itself setting benchmarks
for service and adding to the quality of life and livability of
Georgina, it is also making people feel more connected.
As a footnote, I feel
that this is also the sort of community service small business that
Georgina should nurture. And I would hope that Fours Directions getting
this sort of recognition might encourage other entrepreneurs in similar
fields. I have seen, from a recent visit to the United States, an
exciting new and rapidly developing industry growing around
connectedness to the environment and natural ways to health. It is
adding value to small towns and helping these towns flourish.
A Slaight
Roches Point, Ontario.
Yoga has always been a
form of physical activity that I wanted to pursue. After taking classes
with Paola for over a year, I am amazed at both the emotional and
physical benefits of this exercise. Different levels of classes are
offered at various times, however, no matter which class you attend, you
can be assured of receiving hands-on personal attention by Paola. Being
relatively new to the area, the classes have also provided me with an
opportunity to meet new friends. I think I speak on behalf of all of
Paola's students, when I say that Four Directions is a definite asset to
our Community.
J. Nelson
Roches Point, Ontario.
I have taken Yoga
classes from London, England to Halifax, Nova Scotia to Atenas, Cost
Rica, drifting from studio to studio over the past sixteen years and
where does the best Studio end up but in my back yard. I am delighted
and privileged to be a student of Paola di Paolo at Four Directions
Yoga. I have never even thought of myself as someone's yoga student
before this. And I often find myself bragging to my Toronto family and
friends about how we have the greatest yoga studio in Georgina. At first
I found myself surprised to see people who had driven up from Toronto to
attend classes. I don't know why that should surprise me though as often
we in Georgina make the trip to the city for something special and that
is exactly why these Torontonians have taken the one hour drive. Paola
di Paolo makes it special, every single class.
I take approximately 8
hours of classes a week from Paola di Paolo since the studio opened. Not
once have I been disappointed. I am amazed at the continual positive
energy that Paola puts into her work and her students. I have never
witnessed an off day nor do I believe there has ever been one. In terms
of customer service - I have never received better - from the minute you
walk in the door you feel Paola is delighted to see you - she knows your
name from the first class you attended and any concerns you might have -
throughout the classes she attends to all the students equally and
fully.
I am truly thankful
for Paola's generosity with her time and I have benefited personally
from this ... I love the fact that we have such a skilled yoga teacher
in Georgina. I love the fact that I can brag to people about our yoga
studio. I love the fact that I don't have to drive to Toronto.
K. Koza
Sutton, Ontario.
I have been taking
yoga instruction from Paola for just over a year now and have been a
student at Four Directions Yoga since it opened in the Summer of 2001.
For me the studio has been a welcome addition to the area and in fact
change my life significantly. I think that this service is a valuable
asset to the community and the residents. I am quite grateful that there
is a facility with this level and quality of service and that Paola has
brought this to Georgina.
Paola has years of
experience and knowledge that allow her to provide up to the highest
level of training. It is quite a privilege to be able to work with her,
knowing that she provides beyond the level of teacher's training. This
means that I have lots of room to grow. Apprenticing teachers assist in
some of the classes and tutor under Paola providing and additional level
of support. The classes reflect her experience with their organized
approach indicating that the lessons have been planned. Each class
builds on what I have learned in the past providing an environment that
never stagnates.
I have noticed
repeatedly her outstanding commitment to her students. She consistently
remembers a person's name after being told only once. I can see how each
student feels important and special in every one of her classes. She
always acknowledges each individual as they come in and regardless of
the number of people in the class, one always feels that they have been
touched by the teacher. Each class is a very special experience that
keeps people coming back.
I could ramble on for
days about how wonderful of an experience it is to go to Four Directions
Yoga Studio but the problem with an experience is that you actually have
to do it, to experience it. Therefore, my suggestion would be that you
come out and try a class. You have nothing to lose because the first
class is free!
Hope to see you at
class soon
R. Hartley
Pefferlaw, Ontario.
Paola di Paolo, owner
and operator of Four Directions Yoga, is a knowledgeable, enthusiastic
and caring teacher. She is mindful of each individual's goals, needs and
limitations and goes above and beyond to provide world-class service. To
best describe her impact, I would say she creates "a delightful,
customized client experience." Paola is skilled at motivating
students to stretch their personal limits in a non-threatening,
non-judgmental and non-competitive manner. Her contributions go beyond
the confines of her studio-- I carry a new found inner peace and focus
which, in turn, positively impacts others in my life and therefore has a
ripple effect, improving the social fabric of our entire community.
Keswick and the Town of Georgina are very fortunate to have a
businesswoman of Paola's caliber in our community.
As an aside, The Town
would be well-served to view the example of Northumberland County (Cobourg/Port
Hope/Brighton area) which promotes itself as a "wellness
destination." As we are a mere 45 minutes from Toronto and blessed
with a natural tourist attraction, i.e. Lake Simcoe, the Town of
Georgina could capitalize on the public's growing appetite to find
natural ways of healing, relaxation, rejuvenation and stress relief by
encouraging/promoting small and medium-sized businesses in these areas.
D. D'Souza
Keswick, Ontario.
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