Testimonials

I highly regard Deb Heimann’s yoga classes. They have helped me maintain my physical health, alleviating back pain, while making me stronger and more flexible. Deb has a mastery of yoga. She is a fine teacher who incorporates inner change while guiding the class through a series of truly remarkable positions and techniques that help develop muscles that have never been covered in other practices. I have benefited from her instruction tremendously. Her wisdom and thoughtfulness are a gift.
— S. L.
I loved the new intention series. I found myself using your modifications. This was helpful. One of my intentions is to engage in more self care… and your class made this possible. Thank you!
— L. N.
Your yoga series was a transformative experience, not just in thoughts and ideas but as a physical state of being.
— C. O. M.
I really did love the chakra series. It provided a new way to focus my attention during the practice, and I learned new information about my body, mind, and their connection to the earth. I am guessing that few teachers incorporate an understanding of each chakra into their classes. Thank you for taking our practice to a new level. You get five stars (out of five) from me.
— A. M.
Incredible yoga this morning. I need to work on opening my hips. - very tight. After we started, I realized my neck was stiff, but I feel great now after amazing yoga! You are a wonderful yoga instructor.
— F. F. W.
I’m enjoying my weekly video class! The videos are surprisingly personal.
— J. C.
My wife and I were interested in becoming acquainted with yoga knowing that, in and of itself, it was an ancient, proven, thorough, inclusive, positive, exploratory, complex system. We visited and experienced four Woodstock area yoga teachers and, when we met Deb, we knew we had found the connection that would work for us in every way. Deb Heimann is an engaged, loving, honest, good soul. She has a deep commitment to the practice of Forrest Yoga and she has invested enormous (choose your biggest adjective) time and energy in the practice and the study of Forrest Yoga. Even though many yoga practices claim to focus on the yoking of the body/mind/spirit (yoga) it was our experience that only Forrest Yoga with Deb H. as the teacher was capable of making this a reality. I would highly recommend Deb as a Yoga Teacher regardless of your level of experience or ability in yoga. She is kind, supportive and interactive in her teaching. She honestly cares about the people who are working with her. She is a teacher in the best and highest sense.
— Don R.
Deb introduced me to iRest Yoga Nidra to provide rest and healing as I was trying to recover from a concussion that left me feeling exhausted, disoriented and struggling to sleep. Her guided meditations were such a gift—calming and quieting my mind and body so that I could rest and recover. I still use them most every day!
— Mary H.
In anticipation of transitioning from 10+ years of using Pilates to maintain strength, equilibrium, and flexibility, I began to try out every yoga teacher and yoga modality in the greater Woodstock area. My Pilates trainer had suggested I try Forrest Yoga classes led by Deb but I tested all the other options first. Once I experienced my first Forrest Yoga class led by Deb I knew I’d found my yoga home. Deb’s yoga practices have helped me build my flexibility, equilibrium, and strength. I’ve been enriched physically and in many other ways by her practice of starting each session with an intention and inviting us to keep the intention in our minds, hearts, and bodies as we work on the mats as well as off the mats. In addition, Deb brings a spiritual element into her teaching. By spiritual I mean she connects her teaching and our yoga practices with the energy of the earth and of the universe. This is an integral aspect of Forrest Yoga which clearly resonates with Deb and which I deeply appreciate. Deb is a very special person, teacher, and yogi. We are incredibly lucky she lives and teaches in the Upper Valley.
— Susan I.
A friend and I were talking about how Forrest yoga has improved our lives not just physically but emotionally as well. I love how each of us react differently after class. One class I was energized and empowered and someone right next to me was in tears. We each seem to take exactly what we need from each class. There have been times, 2 days later, I find myself crying for no reason! I think it’s awesome. The biggest change for me has been emotionally. I am reacting to my feelings differently if that makes any sense whatsoever. It’s impossible to explain in a written note, but it’s a great and welcome change for me. I want you to know these things because you are changing people’s lives. Thank you.
— Kathy B.
Forrest yoga is probably the most challenging physical workout I’ve ever had, but Deb helps people of all levels find their way in, so no matter what level you’re at, you can participate meaningfully and reap many rewards. Deb is precise, balanced, caring, encouraging and motivating. I’ve taken her classes regularly and have eliminated middle age “aches and pains” and have kept myself flexible and pretty much injury-free. I tell the intensely competitive athletes I know that Forrest yoga is like an insurance policy against injury. If you have any kind of regular physical activity, you can’t afford not to do this yoga. Deb’s classes are enormously practical, but they bring together the spiritual and emotional as well—and often with a dash of humor. She never repeats a sequence (not that I’ve seen, anyway), and she always opens up some new fertile ground to till, depths I didn’t realize I had still yet to plumb.  Deb is a treasure in the Upper Valley yoga community.
— Carole G.
I am a student of iRest Yoga Nidra with Deb. The 2 programs—the group and the one-on-one—combined have given me a sense of self-change. With Deb’s guidance, I have become aware of what I need in my life at the present and also I have become more comfortable believing that the future will unfold gracefully. I am no longer emotionally triggered thanks to Deb’s helping me to find a balance. Deb is gentle, soft-spoken, caring person who makes the sessions very meaningful.
— Lin T.
I am so happy you were subbing and I got a chance to experience your teaching. It was so challenging, in many ways, but really great. There were some really cool moves I have never done before, and I also really liked following your cues. It did not let me think about anything else...and I really needed that.
— Susan A., Zumba instructor
I’d never taken a yoga class before but had been considering doing so when, just by chance, saw Deb at a local shop. She had just returned from a month-long intensive course and her glow and energy were palpable. She told me she was going to begin teaching yoga and that perhaps I might be interested to come to a class and ‘check it out.’  I did and have really never looked back, although I must admit, I’ve had moments of doubts – can I do this, will I be able to keep up, is my body flexible enough, can I overcome my fear of inversions, etc.  With Deb’s careful guidance and encouragement, her passion, enthusiasm and patience, I’ve been able to accomplish more than I thought possible. She also has a great sense of humor and laughs readily, which make her classes fun!  Coming to Deb’s studio is so easy…everyone is warmly welcomed.  There is no competition only a dedicated yoga teacher who loves what she is doing and shares that love with everyone in her class. I feel very fortunate to have such an accomplished yogini as my teacher.
— Sandra B.
Deb’s classes awoke me to a new way of knowing my body and feeling my strength. What had before remained theoretical—these ideas of feeling deeply into our bodies, opening our hearts—became tangible and literal around the time I started going to Deb’s Forrest classes. At my first class I made my intention breathing into my heart, and I left that evening with a true warmth in my chest, and calm resolve in my heart and mind. With me was a newfound resolution and courage to go home and heal wounds and communication with my mother. This speaks to the incredible power of yoga, and Deb guided me there! Deb creates a safe and loving environment, and it is clear that she genuinely cares about students—that we get the most benefit from each posture—and she offers personalized adjustments. The cues offered in Forrest Yoga are powerful for waking us up to new ways of holding ourselves and understanding/feeling the alignment of our own bodies. With Deb’s classes I know I will find a deep practice that is fulfilling and healing in ways other classes often are not.
— Katie A., meditator and yoga teacher