Testimonials
Read what Karin's clients have to say...
Nadine, Age 73
When Karin mentioned in one of her yoga classes that she was beginning an online strength training class, I was eager to sign up. I had been diagnosed with osteoporosis and knew that I needed help to strengthen my bones, muscles, and improve my balance.
After two years of Mindful Strength Training with Karin my diagnosis reverted to a better condition and is improving. Just as important to me, Karin sets an example of such a positive mindset and caring encouragement that we all find joy in getting stronger!
Karin creates an environment in which I feel challenged but safe... she also teaches us that each of us is unique in our body structure. Our expression of a skill may look different from another student but have the same benefit.
"I have been studying under Karin since about 2015, starting with beginner yoga. When Karin mentioned in one of her yoga classes that she was beginning an online strength training class, I was eager to sign up. I had been diagnosed with osteoporosis and knew that I needed help to strengthen my bones, strength and balance. After two years of Mindful Strength Training with Karin my diagnosis reverted to a better condition and is improving. Just as important to me, Karin sets an example of such a positive mindset and caring encouragement that we all find joy in getting stronger! Karin’s instruction is excellent, easy to understand and follow, with her expert demonstration and guidance as we work on each skill. Each session is planned with care, with skills to exercise the whole body, and endless variety to keep the mind working as well as the body. Karin takes the time to explain to us why and how a given skill will help us, and I frequently find myself applying them in my daily activities. Karin creates an environment in which I feel challenged but safe. She guides us to pay attention to form for safety and effect, but she also teaches us that each of us is unique in our body structure. Our expression of a skill may look different from another student but have the same benefit. Karin has taught me how to accept and listen to my own body, how to challenge myself so that I will grow stronger, but recognize when I need to adapt until I am stronger. We have been learning about scales of perceived effort to help us gauge when we might need to increase weight for a given activity, and when we might need to back off a bit. When I have difficulty with a given skill, e.g., due to an injury, Karin suggests alternatives that give a similar result. When introducing a new yoga asana, or pose, Karin prepares the class for it, starting with component skills that help you get familiar with what your body needs to be able to do, encouraging a successful experience from the start. Often when teaching a pose, Karin doesn’t just announce a pose name and demonstrate with her perfect execution (which could be intimidating for beginners). Instead, she guides you into the pose with little suggestions about where to start, placing hand or foot, tightening this muscle or that and before you know it, voila, there you are in a pose you didn’t know you could do! Live sessions are the best, with opportunities to ask for clarifications or adaptations, and experience the mutual benefit of interactions with other class members, but Karin supplements her live sessions with a wonderful online library of session recordings for strength training as well as yoga that allow us to keep active and growing between classes. I have an all access membership and it’s the next best thing to Karin herself."
Ina, 69 years young
I started taking classes with Karin back in 2017 when I retired. I enjoyed her classes immediately; they were always surprising and fun. But most importantly, Karin gave me permission and space to accept that my body is uniquely built.
As I get older and have to work harder to remain healthy and strong, Karin’s classes are indispensable. I am more aware of my movements throughout the day, what muscles are being used, how to lessen the impact on my back. I am stronger, more flexible, and have a greater respect for my body.
“I started taking classes with Karin back in 2017 when I retired. I enjoyed her classes immediately; they were always surprising and fun. But most importantly, Karin gave me permission and space to accept that my body is uniquely built. There are things it can and cannot do. My feet turn out, that is what they do. It is OK! As I get older and have to work harder to remain healthy and strong, Karin’s classes are indispensable. I am more aware of my movements throughout the day, what muscles are being used, how to lessen the impact on my back. I am stronger, more flexible, and have a greater respect for my body. Always the student herself, Karin uses what she learns to improve her classes and pass her knowledge on to her students. I read her weekly emails each Monday. Sometimes they make me laugh, other times they bring me to tears, but they always make me think. Karin is thoughtful and kind, with a big open heart. She is a true gift to me and I am thankful for her presence in my life.”
Nicole
One of the many things I appreciate about working with Karin is that she makes yoga and strength training accessible and inclusive.
For those of us who have injuries or limitations in our movement, some exercises seem impossible and that becomes a barrier. Karin has a unique way of removing those barriers and working with the individual so they feel stronger and more confident while learning how to move their body in ways that they didn't realize were possible.
Karin reminds you that it isn't the amount of weights you use or the reps you can do but the quality of the movement and the strength you recognize in yourself and that
it's important to take time to celebrate what your body can do.
"One of the many things I appreciate about working with Karin is that she makes poses/routines/workouts (IDK the right word here, K. Sorry. Adjust as needed) accessible and inclusive. For those of us who have injuries or limitations in our movement, some exercises seem impossible and that becomes a barrier. Karin has a unique way of removing those barriers and working with the individual so they feel stronger and more confident while learning how to move their body in ways that they didn't realize were possible. So many instructors place an emphasis on increasing weights or reps and cultivate a mindset of pushing yourself to a point that feels like it's doing more harm than good. Karin's instruction is completely the opposite. She reminds you to challenge yourself while always keeping in mind where you are in that moment, that it isn't the amount of weights you use or the reps you can do but the quality of the movement and the strength you recognize in yourself and that it's important to take time to celebrate what your body can do."
Tricia Dimino Pao, Age 60
Five years later and I am STILL an enthusiastic yoga client of Karin Weinstein!
What keeps me returning to “the mat” is Karin’s dedication to the practice, her comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy/biomechanics and her nonjudgmental approach to instruction. During the pandemic, her “live stream” sessions were a lifesaver. Currently, I am thrilled to be practicing in person with Karin at Metro Dance Studio, in Marlboro. During each session, my personal knowledge of yoga deepens, my skills are sharpened, and my overall sense of wellbeing is heightened!”
“Five years later and I am STILL an enthusiastic yoga client of Karin Weinstein! What keeps me returning to “the mat” is Karin’s dedication to the practice, her comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy /biomechanics and her nonjudgmental approach to instruction. During the pandemic, her “live stream” sessions were a lifesaver. Currently, I am thrilled to be practicing in person with Karin at Metro Dance Studio, in Marlboro. During each session, my personal knowledge of yoga deepens, my skills are sharpened, and my overall sense of wellbeing is heightened!”
Carol Fishelman-Rosen, LCSW, FOT, age 70
After studying fifteen years with a yoga instructor whom I adored when she retired I found it very difficult to find a quality new teacher. That is, until I found Karin who is very special and met my high standards.
Each class includes easy to follow technical instruction with a soft, non- judgmental style and rarely do you find Karin without her beautiful and warm, caring smile.
Karin’s classes are clear and thorough and I love the way she weaves in spiritual aspects of yoga as well.
"After studying fifteen years with a yoga instructor whom I adored when she retired I found it very difficult to find a quality new teacher. That is, until I found Karin who is very special and met my high standards. Each class includes easy to follow technical instruction with a soft, non- judgmental style and rarely do you find Karin without her beautiful and warm, caring smile. Karin’s classes are technically clear and thorough and I love the way she weaves in spiritual aspects of yoga as well."
Laura K, age 57
I immediately recognized Karin as an exceptional teacher. She is always well-prepared. Her classes always have purpose.
Karin’s classes are light-hearted, fun, original, and they always leave me feeling proud and stronger. Karin’s offerings fully encompass strength, flexibility, coordination and balance, and purposefully include all major muscle groups with a picture to whole body benefit over time. By participating in Karin’s yoga and strength classes, all aspects of my practice have improved.
Karin’s greatest gift to me is a love and appreciation of self-care, self-love, and a true appreciation of my own capabilities.
"I began my yoga journey about 10 years ago, and started with a larger studio and was lucky enough to have exposure to many types of yoga and a great variety of teachers over all that time. And I was fortunate enough to have Karin as a teacher! I immediately recognized Karin as an exceptional teacher. She is always well-prepared. Her classes always have purpose, both in the short-term for the immediate class and long-term as her classes cover all types of exercise and address the entire body over time. Karin is phenomenal at offering a goal for each class, with an educated break down of some of the more complex yoga moves and postures into smaller skills so you left each class feeling accomplished. Over time, my strength, flexibility, coordination and balance were most obviously improved. As my yoga abilities improved, my class requirements became more clarified, and when Karin began her own studio with on-line classes and I was able to make use of her intelligence and skills as a teacher and guide. I am certain I was one of the first people to support her effort! Karin’s classes are light-hearted, fun, original; never boring or repetitive, and they always leave me feeling proud and stronger. After many years and many teachers, my practice is more holistic under Karin’s tutelage. By participating wholeheartedly in Karin’s yoga and strength classes, all aspects of my practice have improved. Karin’s offerings fully encompasses strength, flexibility, coordination and balance, and purposefully encompass all major muscle groups with a picture to whole body improvement over time. I am grateful to Karin all the time for the effort she puts into her classes and attention to her individual students, as well as her deep knowledge of yoga, the body, overall health, and appreciation for the science of exercise, body mechanics and well-being. Karin’s greatest gift to me is a love and appreciation of self-care, self-love, and a true appreciation of my own capabilities. She offers me fresh challenges all the time, with curiosity and fun that keeps me coming back and surprised every week."
M. Elizabeth Holmes
If I am to give myself over to someone to guide my mind and body, and my even my very breath, there has to be certain degree of, trust. I find that the occasions when I have been consistently engaged in the practice, I experienced that connection with the instructor - the connection with Karin was immediate.
Taking yoga classes with Karin helps to keep me grounded in the importance of experiencing my body and mind connection and learning to tend to its needs in the moment.
Practice in staying present has helped increase my physical and psychological strength and my appreciation for how much of my well-being is in my hands.
Over the last 30+ years that I have been practicing yoga (on and off) I’ve had maybe a dozen+ yoga teachers in the US and abroad. Over that time, I have stayed consistently engaged on only 2 occasions. The first time it was for 10+ years and ended only when I moved to another state. My introduction to yoga was with an instructor I found to be pleasant and caring, but not particularly inspiring. I took a few classes but did not feel compelled to continue. A friend convinced me to try her yoga class and I had a totally different experience. From the moment the instructor greeted me I felt an immediate connection. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but upon reflection, I have come to identify as ‘trust.’ I continued with that instructor (about 10+ years) until I moved back to the east coast. Yoga is a practice that focuses on getting the mind and body to work together to strengthen both as we navigate our life journey. If I am to give myself over to someone to guide my mind and body, and my even my very breath, there has to be certain degree of, trust between me and the instructor. I find that the occasions when I have been consistently engaged in the practice, I experienced that connection with the instructor. On both occasions the connection was immediate and continuous. When I started my search for an instructor here in NJ, I went through 3 different instructors before I attended Karin’s class. Again, the connection was immediate. Taking yoga classes with Karin helps to keep me grounded in the importance of experiencing my body and mind connection and learning to tend to its needs in the moment. She provides uplifting “musings” as food for thought, and inspirational excerpts from a wide variety of mind-body connection thought leaders. Practice in staying present has helped increase my physical and psychological strength and my appreciation for how much of my well-being is in my hands. If you are just starting to search for an instructor, or you’ve tried it a few times and didn’t ‘like’ it. It may not be that you did not like yoga, but that you did not connect with the teacher. Look for that and you will have the best chance of sticking with it, until it sticks with you.
Rachelle P., age 61
I have been practicing Yoga for Back Care with Karin for over two years now. As a person who suffers from severe Scoliosis, I was thrilled to find someone who offered a yoga class that takes back issues into consideration and created a yoga class that is inviting and safe for people with back problems.
Her style of teaching is different from other yoga instructors I have had... the class each week is different, keeping things fresh and focusing on different body parts.
I feel physically and mentally refreshed after I finish one of her classes with a mindset that we must take time to slow down, practice our breathing and channel our inner connection with our bodies. The meditation part of the practice is wonderful!
I look forward to practicing yoga with Karin.
"I have been practicing Yoga for Back Care with Karin for over two years now. As a person who suffers from severe Scoliosis, I was thrilled to find someone who offered a yoga class that takes back issues into consideration and created a yoga class that is inviting and safe for people with back problems. Her style of teaching is different from other yoga instructors I have had in that the class each week is different, keeping things fresh and focusing on different body parts. I feel physically and mentally refreshed after I finish one of her classes with a mindset that we must take time to slow down, practice our breathing and channel our inner connection with our bodies. The meditation part of the practice is wonderful! I look forward to practicing yoga with Karin."