...I met Mattie socially and found out that she taught an outdoor yoga class. Seeking something new and different, I opted one day to attend.

I was immediately struck by the liberation of practicing yoga outside. The energy becomes infused with a sense of playfulness and joy not always found practicing in studios. I realized very quickly that the tone of the class was not exclusively the space, but the teacher as well. In short, I was converted.

Mattie's teaching style is very inspirational in that she not only has a vast technical knowledge of yoga philosophy and practice, but also an understanding of and sensitivity to what it means to be a student that can be intimidated by challenging poses, be disappointed when you cannot kick up into handstand or worse yet, not even try the pose for fear of failure. She actively encourages us to try challenging poses, but always gives alternatives or modifications which I have noticed people opt for without fearing being the only person in the room not in the pose. The tone of playfulness and joy Mattie bring to the class, combined with her sensitivity and knowledge have renewed my commitment and love of yoga - and for that I am truly grateful to her as my teacher.

Less...

...Her gentle laughter, her precise prompts, her acknowledgment of individual differences - I find myself in asanas previously inaccessible to me, with a smile on my face and an opening of my heart. Her classes are my favorite hours of the week. Less...

...Mattie is very dedicated to her practice and to the persons who attend her class. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and each class feels like a friendly gathering of yogis. From her class, I always walk away with a peaceful mind and a relaxed body. I really like Mattie as a yoga instructor because she always varies her poses and each class is different. I particularly love her outdoor classes and the attention she gives to all her participants. Less...

...She makes everyone feel, not just welcome, but that they can succeed from whatever place they are starting. Every class is different and yet every class feels like a part of a well thought out path that you are taking us on.... I would guess that most of the students who "pass through" have no idea how much continuity there has been in the class over the course of weeks and months and yet I am continually amazed at how widely varied each class is. Some part of every class builds on what we've done before, and some part of every class challenges us in new ways. Her teaching is serious, but part of her gift is that she doesn't take herself too seriously. Mattie teaches with knowledge with compassion, and with humor, which is probably the best combination of attributes for any teacher of anything! Her teaching has been transformational for me in the way that I approach both physical and mental/spiritual challenge. I used to be an athlete and in my mind's eye I envision doing things or moving through space some sense of reality of what I actually can and can't do and I often fear that I'll hurt myself if I push a certain limit. In class I often feel weak and vulnerable and unstable and yet every pose, every effort, lends me a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of strength. I go home feeling uplifted. She has pushed me out of my comfort zone physically, mentally, and even vocally, and I have truly enjoyed the journey. Less...

...She put me immediately at ease by emphasizing the individuality of each person's level of competence and effectively giving everyone permission to be wherever they were in the development of their yoga She explained each pose carefully and completely, including information about the different benefits provided. It helped me particularly that she demonstrated each one as she led the class from one pose to the next. Now that I have been taking classes from different teachers, since Mattie relocated to Tucson, I've come to appreciate even more her caring role and the variety she provided in her weekly sessions. I warmly recommend her as a great teacher and model practitioner. Less...

...Though she would arrive with a plan in mind for that day's class, she was always willing to change the focus of the class if we had special requests. She was also very good at accommodating individual limitations (such as my "bad back" or a co-workers "bad knee") and introducing modifications to postures or an alternative posture. She leads us, individually and collectively, to a place just a little beyond where we thought we could go, offered praise for that accomplishment and then coaxed us on to the next place. Less...

...Mattie's unique and flexible style has helped me to form mind-body connections that allow me to come into postures that I never dreamed I could achieve and have reduced my anxiety about practicing yoga. Mattie's classes are fun, always challenging, and help me to relieve the stress of a challenging work environment. Mattie's approach is uplifting, dynamic and engaging. She is very encouraging and attentive to her students and offers modifications to suit each individual's needs. Less...

...Her classes challenged me to push to my own edge, helping me to discover my own strength both on and off the mat. You see, Mattie's instruction goes beyond the physical postures - she teaches how to apply what I learn on the mat, to my life off the mat. She is a truly gifted teacher, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to practice with her and learn from her. Less...

...Mattie relates extremely well with people and is second to none on the mat. She is also thoughtful and sensitive to the needs of students of all levels. We have both gained strength and flexibility. Less...