What Students Say
Real experiences from real people. No cherry-picking - these are the stories that keep me teaching.
Hatha Yoga
"The Yoga Den is the one time and place a week where I can just let everything go - it's like carrying a suitcase which I just leave at the door! Viv is the best teacher you could ask for, and a wonderful person. 10/10" — Mimosa Percy
"I'm new to yoga but I think the balance between physical and relaxation is just right. The meditation takes me to places that are very pretty indeed! It's making me eat less, sleep better and it's helping me to deal with the negative people in my life. I can also see an improvement in my posture and physique. My climbing has improved, not just due to flexibility but the ability to control my mind. It's an all round winner!" — Lindsay
"Practising Yoga with Viv at the Yoga Den is like finding an oasis in a desert, real sustenance to a parched soul, I love it!" — Maria
"I have been practicing yoga for many years and found the Yoga Den by chance. What a find! My practice has improved considerably since attending. I am stronger and more flexible physically but also more at peace with myself than I have ever been!" — Anonymous
"The Yoga Den has been an amazing aid to help me relax and clarify my thoughts, away from life's everyday stresses. Everyone should experience this yoga practice, if they're looking for peace of mind and a greater wellbeing." — Sarah Graham
Pregnancy Yoga
"It was an incredibly long labour but I never felt it was that long and I genuinely think it was down to you and yoga that I remained really calm and happy throughout. It also really helped my baby because they were constantly monitoring his heartbeat and it remained steady and they said he was happy throughout." — Helen
"The breathing techniques we learnt were a brilliant tool for managing labour. I was delighted to find I only needed gas and air for the last few hours of a very long labour, and then nothing for 'The Big Push.' Five months later, I still find the relaxation invaluable for unwinding after work." — Liz
"As a Mum already, the classes were the only me and baby time I had. Viv taught us to manage the discomfort of early stage contractions and the breathing techniques were invaluable - they were all I had in my birthing toolbox for the last hour." — Kate
"I started at 5 months pregnant. Viv is a fantastic teacher and adapted the classes to suit our needs as we got bigger! It was relaxing, fun and helped enormously with my pregnancy. It was also a chance to chat to other mums to be and have a giggle!" — Nicky
"I just had gas and air and before it got too horrendous I managed to use the alternate nostril breathing. I also used it a lot in the few days before to calm myself which really did help and have been using it since." — Sophie
Sound Healing & Gong Baths
"The gong took me to a dark, quite scary place but I wasn't afraid. When thoughts came, the gong sounds brushed them away. During the silence at the end, I felt my body continue to completely relax."
"I don't get more than an hour of deep sleep but last night had 1.5 hours. Colours were brighter the next day - trees greener. Driving through traffic felt surprisingly content and peaceful."
"Driving home I felt like a different person, calmer - even when the car behind me jumped the lights. My mind did wander but kind of got stuck before I actually carried on with the thoughts."
"I felt like I was floating above and yet sometimes sucked to the floor. I had a cold on arrival - part way through I could breathe through both nostrils. The sound seemed to be everywhere."
"After going home I was much more relaxed. Looking at my to-do list didn't panic me. At bedtime I fell asleep straight away. When I checked I also had more deep sleep than usual."
"I had an overwhelming feeling of lightness and tranquility. I would say I felt calm but really don't feel that word goes far enough! I slept a solid and deep 8 hours."
Meditation Course
"I signed up because I sometimes become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. Two blocks of CBT hadn't worked for me. Nothing could have prepared me for the impact this journey has had. I truly understand why I felt so anxious and feel like I have control over my own mind again." — Hannah, Sutton
"I'd been suffering with Crohn's/colitis for 7 years, in and out of hospital taking 36 tablets a day. During week 2-3 of the course, with no medication, I had nothing: no flare up, no cramps, pain or discomfort - something I hadn't experienced in 7 years. My nurse and consultant were amazed." — Dawn, Wallington
"I arrived at The Yoga Den when I felt my whole life had fallen apart. Booking the class was one of the hardest things I'd done. This course has changed my life - I look and feel different, and my family and friends have noticed too." — Trudi, Surrey
"After ten weeks I can say that it has helped me far more than the three years' counselling I received a few years earlier. I have learnt a lot about myself and now have a clearer perspective of life, but most of all I have discovered the joy of inner peace." — Janice, Wallington
"The most surprising and valuable thing about this course was the ethical teaching - something so sadly lacking in today's selfish society. Viv's teaching was clear and non-judgmental and authentic: it was clear she herself has lived through the issues that came up." — Susan L, Wallington
"Having spent my entire life keeping busy, dealing with losses by just carrying on regardless. The benefits are too many to list: increased focus, concentration and efficiency, sounder sleep. This creates more time in your day, so the handy excuse of not having time to meditate soon disappears!" — L Sweetman, Carshalton
Mother & Baby Yoga
"Going to Yoga Den Mum and Baby classes has been such a joy for us. It gives me and baby the opportunity to do something together and have fun too in a relaxing environment. Viv is amazing and adapts the poses for my three months old baby. It also gave me a chance to meet other mums and share our experiences." — Leila Elliee
About The Space
"The studio has been thoughtfully designed to create the perfect atmosphere for practising Yoga. Viv is the jewel in the crown - a highly professional and motivating instructor who has created a warm and friendly atmosphere." — Sue
"I loved the Yoga Den from the minute I stepped inside. Viv has created a blissful oasis of calm where I know I can come to feel relaxed, and yet be revitalised after the practice." — Helen
"The Yoga Den is a wonderful environment with a true, authentic appreciation of yoga. The studio has a very relaxed feel. I wholeheartedly recommend The Yoga Den." — Stacy Wells
"The den is beautifully decorated with calming colours. Even the walk down the garden is a little journey to peace!" — Dawn Henderson
For Those Who Almost Didn't Come
"Vivien's Yoga Den is the perfect sanctuary. After living locally for years and always meaning to find out more, I finally got around to taking a class. I only ask myself why I didn't go sooner." — Emma Pynce
"When I moved areas I left behind my truly wonderful Yoga class and was adamant I would be unsuccessful in finding a local yoga class that compared. After trying many, many local classes I almost gave up until I stumbled across The Yoga Den... and thank goodness I did!" — Stacy Wells
These are just a selection of the feedback I've received over the years. If you're nervous about trying a class, I hope these stories help you take that first step. Everyone started somewhere.