After studying yoga for four years at various studios in the Berkeley area, I began to crave a different experience than the regular drop-in ashtanga classes. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, I just knew I didn't feel connected to my yoga practice anymore. Not only that, I didn't have any idea of how to experience the elusive bandha's that all my teachers were always talking about. I felt like I was missing out on something. I felt stuck, both mentally and physically.

Soon after this realization, I had the chance to participate in a 4 hour "how to create a sustainable home practice" workshop taught by Martin. The home practice Martin revealed to us was very short, unique, beautiful, easy to remember and most of all, created a sense of awakening and inner heat that was almost instant and very amazing. I instinctively realized that this is what was missing from my practice. When Martin later opened his studio (Inner Heat Yoga) I followed, ready to embark on what I knew would be a life changing journey.

Through Martin's patient, non-judgmental, informative and intensive teaching of shadow yoga and the use of bandhas, I have since experienced a real sense of awakening both physically and mentally. Through dedication and participation in the shadow yoga immersions, I have noticed a very meaningful shift and deepening in the way I think about/experience myself, my life, my yoga practice and in turn, my ability to face difficulties in my life. I can feel that I am indeed cultivating my inner/core strength because the results have manifested both physically and mentally. There is something very unique and direct about the shadow yoga practice, emotionally confronting yet empowering. Shadow yoga has been the road map, a very strong catalyst for change and opening in my yoga practice and in my life.

Don't take my word for it, try it for yourself and be the change you seek! Come to Martin's studio and start on this journey of self understanding. Your experience at Inner Heat Yoga will change you in some very profound manner for which you may have no words or explanation for.....

Laura

Martin's teaching is bringing me to the next level in my Yoga practice. His passion for Yoga and the philosophical depth of his teaching convince me to get up bright and early to start my day with Shadow Yoga.

Martin has an energy that galvanizes his students into a serious commitment to yoga. It's like, "Come on people, get real about your practice."

Shadow Yoga is bizarre and at first you have to take that leap of faith that it will work. But if you stay with it, you find that it works like a plumber's snake, uncovering and nudging through each of your blockages (and it will find them all). I've not encountered another practice that works at such a deeply internal energetic level.

regular student

I'm a person who spent years with good yoga instructors in a regular class. That was useful, and I've always enjoyed my practice. However, the last couple of years haven't really challenged me. Discovering the immersions at Inner Heat Yoga has been a sort of revelation; I'm now continuously challenged, and am once again learning at a tremendous rate.

I find that the immersions are particularly valuable
when combined with the early morning open practice;
these are designed in such a way that on "off-days"
the open practice reinforces the lessons learned in
the immersions, but without any corrections or discussion. One is free to practice what one's learned by simply following Martin's routine, without any distraction.

Ethan