Praise
Kind, loving words from my beautiful students.
“I’m in deep gratitude for how you have deeply impacted by life. I often say that there are no words to describe this, but in reality there is so much to say.
I remember when I first was introduced to you in YTT. I had secretly creeped your webpage a few weeks before ( actually several times) and was so very excited to meet you and be in your presence.
In teacher training, you created a safe and brave space where I was able to share some things that I had been holding onto. You took us through inner child work, shadow work, strong asana practices, philosophy and gave us some helpful tools to navigate through our new found awareness.
I had no idea that a few months later I would be rushing to purchase a ticket at a workshop that you were putting on with Andrea at BE Nice Yoga. I knew I needed to be your student yet again –and I had no idea why. After class you approached me and told me that I was ready to be a teacher, but I didn’t believe it yet, nor was I ready to accept what you had told me. A small group of us were standing in a circle and you looked right at me, and said that you have a mentorship program and if any of us were interested to contact you. Were you speaking directly to me? I will never truly know, but it sure felt like it – I heard the call and answered it.
A few weeks later, we had our very first phone call. I was nervous and had no idea what I was going to say. I practiced a few sentences, rehearsed them – but those all went out the window as soon as I answered the phone. I don’t remember exactly what we talked about, but it sure felt good to talk to someone who understood, who had answers to questions that were burning me up on the inside. Was the way I was feeling normal after teacher training? You validated everything and even gave me some helpful tools. You also had stories to share about your own experiences that related to mine.
Over the next few months my tool box grew, I even created my own altar, and started journaling. I was so excited for each phone call and what would I would learn next? a mantra? A ritual? A story about a god or goddess? A story about something you had been through?
At the time these phone calls were taking place, I was making progress and I didn’t even know it. Progress that I couldn’t have done on my own – progress that has left such a tremendous mark on my life and heart and how I honour this practice.
You finally pushed me to start teaching, after weeks of hearing me doubt myself – you always reminded me that I was GOOD ENOUGH, I KNEW ENOUGH, and I WAS READY – were you tired of my negativity? Probably ( I know I was LOL). You set a goal for me, to go my local gym by the end of the week and ask to start teaching a class there. You helped me price out my offerings and I was so fricken scared. But I did it!!! I did it because I trusted that you had my best intentions at heart. I did it because someone else other than me believed I could. You gave me that strength, Kevin, when I didn’t have it in myself.
You have been such a strong guide who has really helped me see clearly, peel away my limiting beliefs and be the support that I needed. You have never once judged me, got frustrated with me, annoyed with me and you always have an open heart.
You have impacted my life in such a profound way. I know I have said “thank you” a million times, but it doesn’t do it justice anymore. I wanted to gift you these words so that you will always have them with you to look back on and to remember.
It is because of you, Kevin, that I am here now. It’s because of you that I teach and dance with the souls of others on their mat. I honour you in such deep, deep reverence. Thank you, dear teacher.”
-Shyla
“When I first signed up for Kevin's Mentorship Program I had no expectations. I like entering into things this way. What evolved and shedded, what transformed in the months to follow and still to this day is a real blessing.
Shadow work. During the training Kevin helped me to face my shadows, the wounded parts of me. He stood with me as I came face to face with my deepest patterns and pain. The shadows did not dissolve or disappear, it was not about covering them, rather allowing them to surface and loving then just as we love our light pieces.
The Mentorship Program consisted of monthly check ins, suggested asanas and mudras and chanting. In my area of work my throat was silenced as I have always been a people pleaser and poor boundary setter, Kevin gave me so many chants and prayers to help me get through this stuck part.
Kevin always seemed to call for our monthly check in right when I was in the depth of my shadows, in the depth of so major transition where I felt completely alone. then, the phone would ring and Kevin would be on the other end, holding space and standing with me. Supporting me. Seeing my shadows and my light.
What I enjoyed the most of the mentorship was Kevin and his ability to share, to be open. In my culture, sharing isn’t so valued and an informal way of learning. Each time Kevin would share pieces of his journey I would see that piece in mine and use it to learn.
You see my mentor but really now my dear friend Kevin had the same challenge of being silenced into the people pleaser and poor boundary setter, always putting others before him. Through the mentorship and his sharing I saw him evolve through this and start saying no to people and to things and putting him first, using his voice for him. Through this I started to see it was possible for me.
I have so much content of asanas, mudras, chants, prayers, Goddess and Gods information and many more from this mentorship.
More importantly I allowed myself to walk through dark layers of me, sober, and I did so because someone was there to hold my hand in it and tell me they loved me regardless of what the shadows were.
I recommend kevin’s mentorship to anyone wanting to get real with the depths of themselves, all the layers, light and dark.”
-Rachelle
"Kevin Naidoo represents the new wave of Yogi. Joining the west and eastern practices in perfect harmony. I have been so very fortunate to have attended many of his workshops and classes. His practice is raw, honest and beautiful. As a student I have learnt so much and continue to learn from him each and every day. As a teacher he has been nothing but compassionate, supportive, encouraging and nurturing. Kevin can make even the most challenging pose seem effortless and with his pure presence will transform your day, ironing out the wrinkles, wringing out the bad energy from your body, not to mention the mind.. and through his powerful healing, take away your pain.
Each class is different, some more physically intense than others, but all are an outpouring of pure love.
Prepare to be transformed, taken back in time, to a different dimension and be fully immersed in your practice. Yoga with Kevin Naidoo is a wonderful journey and a sacred blessing. He is such a gift to us and we bow to him. Namaste."
-Emily, Saskatoon, SK
"The river runs not by him, but through him. These words say for me what is hard to define about someone who shares with me a Yoga practice that allows me to grow and change on terms that meet no one else's expectations, but my own. . . and not only to feel confidant that I am on the right personal path, but also to gradually witness changes in myself on many different levels.
I started yoga 17 months ago at 57 years of age and at first it was only about getting the moves. Then came the awareness that there was more to this than just the physical. I am learning by being witness to the practice that is Kevin’s life. This is different than being taught. This is an experience that is hard to put into words, but I shall try.
Kevin offers himself totally as he carries his students through their practices. He is conscientious about his own life and practice. It reflects a wealth of background knowledge and personal training that is evident, but is never the centre of the practice. The centre is always the student. Every time I enter his sanctuary and do yoga I feel that I am the beneficiary of what he strives to become in his own personal journey. He welcomes and openly encourages personal growth without judgment. His vulnerability becomes mine and that is when my best learning has happened. I believe that one of Kevin’s most important gifts, and he has many, is his ability to listen to people. When his students talk to him, he is fully engaged in their voice. He hears and sees with his heart. In the simplest of terms he is first and foremost genuine but also humble, honest, and giving. Now I catch myself saying that "Yoga is what I do" and this is an entirely unexpected place for me to be. Although very much a novice at it, I am happy to be this new person. My journey is beginning and I am grateful for what I have learned and accomplished and what I know I have yet to learn. I want to do yoga as long as I can in this life. Thank you, thank you, thank you Kevin. I see and feel your love and compassion for everyone and everything that enters your world. You inspire more than you know and your students so often get more than they realize. My husband and I are testimony to that.
Loved and supported; safe and protected, here in this space; no judgement.
After a moment of quiet meditation at the beginning of class, these are most often the first words we will hear Kevin say – and they are true. Practicing in his class is to embody mindfulness and to honour where we are each at personally, while he cues our slow, mindful breath so that we may “support each other’s greatness”.
His verbal cues make asanas accessible to all, as he often gives several levels of options to “stay where you are” or to “go deeper”. In some classes we build fire; in others, we connect deeply with a pose to move past places that have been holding us back. Sometimes it is playful and we laugh out loud; other times it is powerful and tears stream down our faces as we move through asanas or rest in Savasana. Regardless, I always leave his class feeling a little more loved and a little more like myself. Sometimes sweaty, sometimes rested, but always grateful."
-Stacey, Saskatoon, SK