home >> tools & tips >> class testimonials

class testimonials

The opinions of our community are important to us. Here are some of the things past participants have said about our wellness programs.

Maximize Your Potential (class)

Keli Ballinger

In this program I learned valuable and easy relaxation techniques and gained greater insight into the ways I cope with stressful experiences. My group leader was very attentive to each person in the class, and took genuine interest in all of our personal experiences that had led us to enrolling in the class. Also, beginning each class with a short relaxation exercise was very helpful. The Center for Wellness is wonderful! I've had massages, reiki, and have now taken the Maximize Your Potential course. The Center for Wellness is a fantastic resource, and everyone should take advantage.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 1 - 2 years

Adult and Child CPR (class)

Steve Dudley

The instructor took us through the material. He was informative and succinct. It was very helpful. He is also sending my certification card in the mail. He showed us the technique and then encouraged us to practice while he observed.
- Female, Harvard Staff, First Time Participant

Infant and Child CPR (class)

Steve Dudley

The infant and child CPR class was exactly what my husband and I needed. The class material was clearly presented. And, there was a lot of opportunity for hands-on practice, which gave us the confidence to believe that we could handle an emergency with our infant. As first time parents, this was highly important to us.
- Female, Harvard Staff, First Time Participant

Core Strengthening (class)

Michael Schreiber

This was a highly enjoyable class,  great workout,  and the instructor has a wonderful attitude and professionalism . This class is my weekly stress reliever and I organize my spare time around it. He is attentive to details; sensitive to personal needs and direction; as well as dedicated and motivated.
- Male, Harvard Staff, Participant for 3 - 4 years

I benefitted from improving muscle tone and strengthening; increased flexibility; overall physical and spiritual well-being. The instructor understands the needs, strengths and limitations of each class participant, he attends to those qualities individually while building class solidarity and well-being. He pushes us hard, but knows how to stretch out our muscles so that we never feel pain afterwards With Michael Schreiber as an instructor, I feel I have found all I need to maintain and build strength, good humor, and a sense of calm. The wellness program in this sense provides all I need.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 1 - 2 years

This class improved the strength of my core muscles resulting in improved posture. I learned new exercises that targeted muscles I was not working on my own.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 1 - 2 years

Shiatsu

Karlo Berger

My therapist stands out from all of my previous therapists (which have been at least a half dozen) in 2 ways: (1) he finds the energy points on my back very accurately, (2) he changes his routine according to my needs, which center on my back, since I have chronic back pain. I think the Wellness Programs are providing a very useful service to the community.
-Female, Harvard Staff

Dynamic Movements (class)

Rochelle Wolfe

This class was beneficial because it allowed me to move and stretch to release stress. The instructor was engaging and made me want to move with her.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 1 - 2 years

I feel so much better taking this class. Although it's only my second session, I have noticed a great improvement in my strength and stamina. It is also a lot of fun. The instructor constantly modifies the class for mutual optimum benefit. She asks for feedback and it's obvious that she cares a lot about what she's doing. I've loved all of the classes I've taken at the Center for Wellness. I've get a lot out of them and have found all of the instructors to be fantastic.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 4 - 5 years

Life Conditioning (class)

Michael Schreiber

I feel much stronger and more in shape now. I also enjoy the camaraderie of the group. The instructor pays attention to each individual and he cares about our progress as a group.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for more than 10 years

Excellent!! The instructor focuses on each of us as an individual instead of a class. Allowing some of us to do more than others. I really enjoy the class and the time provided. It is the only time I have to workout.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participants for 1 - 2 years

Massage Therapy (1 hour appointment)

Farris Ajalat

Excellent!! The experience was professional and comfortable and the results were easy to feel. I would highly recommend this therapy to others. My therapist was relaxed and professional and addressed my needs before the session began and also during the treatment. He also discussed the treatment with me in a gentle and informative way. I have been so pleased with programs at the Center for Wellness that I list it as one of the major benefits of working at Harvard. I have taken advantage of your programs for the last 5 years and feel that they are an important part of living and working in the university environment.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 4 - 5 years

Judy Partington

I have benefited by reduced physical pain, greater freedom of movement, improved well-being, and the satisfaction from making an effort to take better care of myself. My therapist is fantastic. She listens, she explains what she's doing, she'll try new things she thinks might help. She is one of the few on staff who will do deep tissue work. I've also taken a few classes this calendar year, and I'm impressed with the quality of the programs and the care of the instructors. The staff at the Center for Wellness is always very helpful and polite when I call.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 5 - 10 years

Massage Therapy (1/2 hour appointment)

My therapist’s expertise in identifying where stress and tension was held proved extremely helpful. I benefited from relieving muscle tension helping relaxation. The programs complement prudent health care, and are extremely beneficial. I have taken nutrition, attended the Mind Body Institute classes, and meditation along with massage - all with tremendous benefit.
- Male, Harvard Staff, Participant for 4 - 5 years

Meditation (class)

Begabati Lennihan

I began to practice meditation every morning after this class. I found out that my life is going to a higher level. The instructor is very patient and warm-hearted. Thank you so much!
- Female, Harvard Faculty, First Time Participant

This class helped me to practice calming myself. The instructor used a variety of meditation techniques so we could all choose which worked best for us. They're great!
- Female, Harvard Graduate Student, First Time Participant

I learned how to meditate and the instructor explained the fundamentals.
- Male, Harvard Staff, First Time Participant

Perfect Pilates (class)

M.J. Kenny

This was an excellent class to strengthen muscles to support the back. The instructor is a fabulous teacher! She provides individualized help in a group setting. This was a great opportunity!
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 3 - 4 years

Restorative Yoga (class)

Susan Lawrence

A week's worth of aches and pains went away! I used the techniques at home and always felt better. I became relaxed and not in my monkey chatter brain the rest of the day and sometimes into the next. The instructor’s personality is very centered, light, relaxed, and comfort-making, always reminding us to not compare and not to push - so opposite of most Western culture messages. The Center for Wellness has nice people, great service. I only wish the university would consider “wellness class release time” since it probably prevents calling in sick as much.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 5 - 10 years

I benefitted by improved health and relaxation. The instructor is very good at leading class and explaining technique. I'm happy!
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 1 - 2 years

Simply Yoga (class)

Deborah Cohen

Taking this class has improved my stress management. This is a great class - I have never taken yoga before, and have found this class challenging yet accessible. Taking this class has increased my strength and flexibility, and helped with stress reduction. The instructor works with each student to ensure proper form, and is a very skilled and knowledgeable.
- Female, Harvard Staff, First Time Participant

The instructor is fabulous! She is very conscientious as an instructor and pays close attention to individual needs throughout the session. She pays close attention to whether I'm using proper form; always asks how life/work is going in order to evaluate how to direct the class most effectively. The Center for Wellness is great! There is a broad array of offerings, convenient time/location, reasonable pricing, strong instructors... we're all spoiled :)
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 4 - 5 years

Target Zones: Abs, Glutes, & Arms (class)

Ramona Uritescu

I've been taking the Target Zones class on and off for 2 years and it has been an important part of my exercise regime. The main benefits have been to get more exercise and strengthen my muscles. It has also been great for giving me energy and improving overall health. The instructor’s positive and helpful attitude made the class a real pleasure. In a word, she made class fun! In addition, she usually offered several levels of difficulty for our exercises and was always great about warning us which moves could be dangerous for people with different injuries or health problems.
- Female, Harvard Graduate Student, Participant for 1 - 2 years

I felt that my body was strengthened. I gained much core strength and more flexibility. The class was also a good moment of relaxation from everyday's stress. The instructor clearly explained and demonstrated the exercises. The class was well balanced and followed a regular and clear progression. Everything has always been excellent! Thanks.
- Female, Harvard Graduate Student, Participant for 1 - 2 years

Good targeted workout. As we go through the exercises, the instructor explains the easy, harder, and hardest versions (our choice which to do). She also frequently illustrates good and bad form, to prevent strains or injury.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 3 - 4 years

I gained overall muscle toning, strength, balance – the instructor is terrific! I've never taken a movement class before, but am able to follow her direction quite well. She moves at a good pace and offers alternate moves for both advanced and beginning participants. She is also very good at describing cautionary movements to protect knees and lower back. She has great energy and always keeps the class upbeat and fun. I think that the wellness programs are an excellent benefit for employees. The programs promote healthy living and offer a wide range of choices.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 4 - 5 years

Yoga for Living Well (class)

John Schlorholtz

It is a very rewarding class! I get my weekly portion of joint movement, muscle relaxation, stretches, balances, and I also practice yoga at home, using whatever I learned during the weekly session. The instructor’s pace of exercising is very proper (at least for me), and I like the particular style of yoga he is practicing. We also get a lot of explanation, and last but not least, he has a good humor.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 5 - 10 years

Yoga for Overall Wellness (class)

Michael Schreiber

Ihave gotten enormous contributions to my health, fitness, and overall well-being. I have wanted to continue in large part because the two instructors. They were so compatible. They are both extremely competent, knowledgeable, but also empathetic and sensitive. The Center for Wellness has a good range of program types and personalities to lead them.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for over 10 years

This yoga class is excellent for building strength and relaxation. The instructor is a excellent. The atmosphere in his class is serious yet pleasant.
- Female, Harvard Staff, Participant for 4 - 5 years

Yoga in the Iyengar Tradition (class)

Debbie Cohen

I benefited by relaxation, flexibility, and improved balance and strength. Every class the instructor modifies the asanas for me so that I don't injure areas that are already at risk. She makes it possible for me to continue to participate. I have found the programs and the staff to be excellent and very responsive to my needs. Thank you.
- Female, Harvard Retiree, Participant for over 10 years

I benefited by stretching, in the sense that the instructor made it possible to believe one could do more than one thought. She explained - step by step and suggested alternatives when necessary that worked for me. She mainly gave me confidence to continue.
- Female, Harvard Retiree, Participant for 5 - 10 years

This was a very good introduction, not too strenuous but somewhat. It was described well in the brochure. The instructor provided personal advice, and speaks through the moves very clearly. Most participants are over 40 as opposed to college age – which I preferred.
- Female, Harvard Staff, First Time Participant

The instructor is very knowledgeable in yoga practice. I received very detailed instruction on how to perform yoga poses and the benefit of them which was wonderful.!!!!!!!
- Female, Harvard Staff, First Time Participant

Hatha Yoga (class)

Debbie Cohen

I always feel more relaxed and centered and calm at her words, even when not feeling that way before. It has helped flexibility and balance physically and even given a certain amount of strength. It even helps with psychological balance.

She finds the right level of intensity to be beneficial: not too easy, but also not too strenuous. She explains the moves very clearly, and demonstrates them and adjusts them for each individual, which is very helpful. She is very knowledgeable, steady, and has a calming presence that one feels one can trust.

Primary Benefits: Limitless, helps all my aches.