A Selection of Testimonials
A big THANK YOU to all past and present students who have sent sent in their comments and thoughts.
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Meditation & Focused Relaxation Testimonials
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"Sarah’s Meditation & Relaxation Course equips her students with useful techniques to relieve the effects of stress on body functions. I would have no hesitation in referring patients who would benefit from the use of these therapeutic tools in their daily lives."
D.H – General Medical Practitioner
"I came to Meditation & Relaxation classes primarily to try to relax and reduce my stress levels. The classes have helped me immensely and Sarah’s method of guiding you through is firm but unobtrusive. I am hooked!"
A.B – Senior Corporate Administrator
"When I was home at Christmas time I couldn’t believe the amount of compliments I was given from my family they said I looked the happiest that they had ever seen me, relaxed, different and calm (this is not a word I think has ever been associated with me) . I felt really great after the course and I am continually remembering things I was taught. I thought it was amazing that people didn’t know I had been on the course but did notice a wonderful change in me. I can’t thank you enough for teaching me simple & workable life changes that have made me a happier and much more content person.
A few words to say how it has made me feel: relaxing, special, wonderful, achievable, happy, normal, freedom, cosy, cheery, calming, release, change, WOW!!!!"
Joan Hetherington - Company Director
"A perfect solution for executive stress heads, the Meditation & Relaxation Course is a very effective way of lowering your blood pressure when your workload has forced you to breaking point! This is a valid method to cope with the modern problem of stress caused by our hectic lifestyles: give it a go and you won’t be disappointed by the results. I now feel permanently calmer and more able to deal with stressful situations and as a consequence am a much happier human being."
A.R – Senior Manager
"I joined the Meditation & Relaxation course for 2 reasons: 1) to still my mind 2) to further my self development. Not only did the course still my mind, it also gave me a huge source of energy that I have never felt before. I was unsure how the meditation course would further my self development but it has given me sight of a whole new horizon and lots of new avenues for me to explore. This course was excellent, it has more than fulfilled my 2 objectives and I can’t wait to progress to the next level. Thank you Sarah! "
Sarah Purgal – Teacher
"After a day buzzing with programs and meetings in my head, the Meditation & Relaxation classes certainly bring me back to earth, within 15 minutes I find the calm amongst calamity of life and work. We concentrate so much on professional development, but often forget that being human, we get stressed, which often leads to imbalance in work and life and unhappiness. Learning to relax and being mindful has been the single most benefit, I have learnt to bring me back to myself and find calm and peace within everything I do. The techniques are so subtle, yet so beneficial and encourage you to give a little bit of me time for the benefit of all. Most of all, I have learnt to appreciate more of what I have and find in that a certain happiness and confidence."
David Ip – Senior Analyst Developer / Director of Own Business
"Thank you for your Meditation & Relaxation course. These weekly sessions have certainly helped me to manage my stress levels. I have also felt more relaxed during your course and more positive. You are a good teacher of what is not always an easy subject and have inspired us your students to pursue the techniques. Focused Relaxation is something I would like to continue for a more balanced lifestyle."
I.B – Senior Finance Manager
"The course was excellent. I didn’t really know what to expect but it turned out to be fantastic, the perfect remedy to stressful Mondays at work and great tuition on deep body relaxation which is what I was really after. Sarah was wonderful, you couldn’t ask for a better teacher, she provided tonnes of extra material via e-mail and taught the techniques in a very relaxed (no pun intended) and informal way. I can’t wait for the Intermediate level!"
Ollie -Accountant
I had not done Meditation & Relaxation classes before The Spiral Tree and they have helped me to relax and deal with the trials and tribulations of life."
Eileen – Corporate Director
"As a complete beginner to Meditation, I was instantly put at ease by Sarah. Sarah was very professional, but at the same time she did not distance herself from the group. She taught us a lot, but she also laughed with us and took a genuine interest in each of us as individuals. Not only is Sarah very skilled at what she does, but she’s also a jolly nice person and her positiveness is inspiring."
Vivienne Brown - Teacher
"I went along to each of the 5 evenings with a different mood, never doubting whether to go but sometimes thinking I was beyond help at that point! Each evening succeeded in lifting me out of the atmosphere I was clouded by into a better surrounding, be it more peaceful, more energised, more relaxed, happier (and on one occasion crying with laughter!). Thank you for the tools and the reference material, can’t put a price on it guys!
Alex Fitzpatrick-Nash - Artist
"The Meditation & Relaxation classes were extremely enjoyable – not only from the great techniques and visualizations taught, but the surroundings and the people who were in my class. The atmosphere and the little touches that Sarah brought to the class made it very special. Once the Thursday class had finished I was amazed at how relaxed I had become which just showed how tense I become by Thursday evening. Working in the finance industry as I do is extremely stressful at times, especially when there are deadlines to meet together with high volumes of work, so to find an oasis such as The Spiral Tree is fantastic."
Senior Group Manager – RBC Bank
"Joining The Spiral Tree family has had a huge impact on my life. At a time when I really had to take a step back and take a good look at myself and my own needs, Sarah introduced me to Meditation. What started off as the only hour in my week where I actually allowed myself to relax (and occasionally sleep!) is now an institution – I am even teaching meditation techniques to teenagers in school!
I have met some amazing and inspiring people along my journey with The Spiral Tree – the Tuesday Meditation Group, the Reiki ladies, my new friend and ’guru’ Sarah and Shirley Humphreys-Battie who told me to pull my socks up, make some time for myself and change my life for the better all those months ago!
My life has changed considerably over the last year and I feel that my journey has only just begun..!
Jo Trott – Teacher
"Sarah’s Meditation & Relaxation classes for beginners were like an oasis of calm at the end of a stressful day in the office. By learning about the different methods and techniques, we were given the tools to tailor to our individual needs. Sarah’s teaching skills are excellent as were the handouts for each class. The class was very welcoming and relaxing and I noticed that the dynamics of the group changed as the weeks went on, so much so that all of us are going to continue on to the next level. I think this in itself shows how much we enjoyed and benefited from the sessions."
Cassie Horton – Museum Volunteer Manager
"I just wanted to thank you, the classes have helped me stay calm and put any problems I encounter into perspective. It’s amazing how being in the group for a couple of hours a week can have such dramatic effects on a person’s daily life. It makes you so positive and hopeful."
Clare Hamon – Mature Student
I found The Spiral Tree Relaxation (5 week) course beneficial to me in the following ways: 1) The course was very relaxing, friendly and enjoyable 2) It helped me to overcome tension and stress of the body and mind 3) Going into the different techniques enabled one to look and understand where and what negatives one was holding on to 4) At the end of each session it left one with a sense of well being."
J.B – Artist
"I found the Beginners Meditation Course really helpful. Although I don’t practise it every day, it has definitely helped with my visualisation techniques and also given me a reminder of gratitude. Thank you very much for your excellent teaching, now the biggest lesson is in the actual practice."
Gill Clement - Legal Secretary
"I have found the environment and relaxation offered by Sarah and The Spiral Tree to be fantastic and would highly recommend it to anyone. The atmosphere and surroundings allow you to leave your stresses behind you and then return totally relaxed."
Paul Roper – Senior Manager
Soul Coaching Testimonials
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"It is with great pleasure that I pen a few words about this fantastic, inspirational and life changing course. By taking this course you will have the ability to take control of your life and listen to the truth within. It empowers you to make the changes you have always instinctively felt you needed to make and gives you the tools to do it. This course opens you up to the beauty of the world and the peace and tranquillity within all of us.
Our group was committed and supportive of each other making the experience wonderfully friendly and caring. With the expert guidance and vast knowledge of our Soul Coach, Sarah, each one of the group obtained something from our work together and individually.
Deeper understanding of ourselves, taking positive action, vibrant energy and inner contentment are only a few things we took away with us when we completed this course. Therefore I would recommend the Soul Coaching course to anyone no matter where you may be in life as the rewards to the individual are extremely beneficial."
Ellen Hardwick ~ Human Resources Professional
"I began the course with no defined intention in mind but more than a little curiosity, however, this quickly changed after the first class. I found the size of the classes just right and rather than being a little shy about meeting with a group of strangers very quickly we all developed a rapport assisted by Sarah’s skills.
The provided coursework and recorded materials for daily practice were superb. I quickly and easily slipped into the pace. The changes, subtle for me at first became noticeable and very powerful. Not being one to find making personal commitment easy I was surprised at how comitted I became to the programme. I guess deep down I wanted to look at getting the most out of my life.
It is easy to sound overstated but this course has been fantastic to me and has literally changed my life, helping me understand myself, helping my personal and creative development and supporting the notion that we can take back control of our lives.
The only disappointment.....was when the classes finished!
Soul Coaching is a powerful way of helping us tap into our own resources to help us get the best out of life and help us make of it what we want. You will even make friends along the way...Thank you!!!!"
Tudor J.Moore ~ Musician
"I attended the Soul Coaching Course with an open mind as I didn’t know what to expect. To say I was blown away is an understatement. It has been for me the most enlightening thing I have done in a long time. In the busy life we lead it is so easy to go through each day without taking the time to reflect and generally stop to wonder and ask some questions. The course is constantly making me stop in my tracks in wonderment, I feel so positive for the future and ready to take on whatever it holds for me. I loved meeting the very special people I hope will always remain in my life in some capacity. The beautiful feeling of calm and peace as soon as I entered Stonewall keeps me going on a daily basis. The course is for everyone and Sarah is a wonderful person who has an amazing gift and ability to teach and make you feel so special. I will take the last six weeks with me and treasure them forever."
Geri O’Brien ~ Company Owner
"I have enjoyed so much about the soul coaching. It was amazing take the time to focus on myself and my life for a change. I feel it has made a real difference in my outlook. I feel so much more positive about everything and in control of how I am feeling. I will treasure the time I spent with the other people on the course and will continue to use the daily cds. Thank you so much Sarah you are an inspiration. I would recommend your training to anyone."
L.K ~ Manager, Jersey Women’s Refuge
"Over the last few years I have taken several meditation courses Sarah has taught and each has been an inspirational experience which has produced a positive effect in my life. Sarah is the perfect teacher- gentle and supportive, creative and challenging. Having just completed the Soul Coaching Programme, I find this is her best ever yet.
I took the Soul Couching course because I was confused and frustrated by what I was experiencing in my life and hesitant about my way forward. This course has been like making an interior journey, voyaging into the unknown, or seeing the "known" in very new ways. At times the journey was filled with sunshine and birdsong; on other days it was rather darker with a chill breeze. But this journey was never a solitary one. Sarah was our wise and weekly guide and my fellow students were also on their own journeys into the less known. We inspired and supported each other in our separate but joint journey.
I find at the end of my month’s travelling, I have not returned to my starting point. The course has changed who I am and where I am heading. Since taking the course I am calmer and more joyful, more focused and vibrant. Rather than having arrived at a final destination, this course is a beginning for further journeys. Now I have the soul journey passport and walking boots- and explorations are all around!"
IB ~ Teacher
"Sarah Taylor is an amazing person who has found her true vocation in life in the courses offered from the Spiral Tree. I have attended many courses with Sarah on her truly wonderful journey from when she set up The Spiral Tree...her latest and by far the best is the Soul Coaching Course which I recently completed. There are simply not enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe how fantastic this course is, it is simple, easy to do, immensely enjoyable and amazingly affective. For me personally, I have had trouble in dealing with change most of life and Soul Coaching has shown me how this came about and how to resolve it. I now know and understand why I hate change, and when you know and understand something, it is not so scary. I cannot recommend this course highly enough to anyone who wishes to improve their life in not only small and major ways".
Eileen O’Shea ~ Trust & Company Director
"I joined Sarah’s Soul Coaching course in order to re-establish my confidence and enthusiasm after a particularly difficult period. I have always given myself to others whether it be family, friends, work colleagues or work itself. The Soul Coaching course taught me how to nurture myself, which I am now able to do, without guilt. I now feel happy with myself and calm. I also have strategies in place to remind me how successful and confident I am. So much so that I opened my (much planned) alternative health clinic whilst on the course.
The Soul Coaching course is a truly wonderful programme that works you through your insecurities, through your relationships with your family, friends and the environment; you then work through your fears and you plan your future. After the six weeks you leave knowing that what you have planned is going to come true as you now have the insight and intention to make it come true.
Sarah is THE most wonderful person to guide you through the programme, she is so good at what she does, I think she is a star. You do the work yourself at home, different tasks each day, but Sarah gently guides you each week, she brings out what your need to express, she helps with the hurdles and celebrates the achievements. In addition, the support from within the group is very strong, everyone pulling for each other. I have made friends with people whom I would like to be friends with forever."
Anna Blackwood – Ayurvedic Practitioner
"I have recently completed the soul coaching course and when I began I had high expectations for the course and they have definitely been met. It was a fabulous emotional experience that touches on all aspects of life that we avoid like clutter clearing, and helps us face up to these things and shows their affect on our lives as a whole. I met some wonderful people and couldn’t have asked for a better teacher ... I would recommend this course to anyone and I have said to many of my friends the world would be a much better place if we all took time to do this course and nurture our souls. This course is just the beginning, it plants the seeds.... and then watch them grow!!"
SG
"The Soul Coaching Course taught by Sarah was a unique and life-enhancing experience for me. It seemed to open up new avenues to explore and I feel that I am now experiencing much more awareness and vibrancy in my day to day life than I was before the course. I used to look forward to the weekly sessions as a "treat" and a thoroughly enjoyable evening spent amongst like-minded friends. It was a great way to explore our lives through creative projects using the 4 elements that surround us daily. The work started on the course didn’t finish when the course did...it continues to influence my life on a daily basis. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the course and experience the coaching."
DC – Physiotherapist
"I was feeling very lucky with my life but still had a feeling that maybe something was still missing. Curiosity lead me to the Soul Coaching group. From the first evening I met ten like minded people all wanting to understand themselves more. With Sarah’s enthusiasm, guidance and love each week we undertook tasks that helped us to understand our desires, likes and dislikes. From this I am able to know what is really important in my life and I understand that to feel complete I have to make time to do the things my body craves and not make excuses for time, family work etc. I understand that my life is a miracle and every thing happens for a reason and all is always better when viewed positively. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank my guides for the opportunity I have shared and the benefits I feel. Thank you Sarah."
MH
"Initially I was a little nervous and apprehensive, with what to expect however Sarah is a very warm person and the group that I was with was very inspirational as we were all there for similar reasons. You never felt uncomfortable and you can let out as little or as much as you want. It gives you a good back bone to start delving into you as a person, and gives you many ideas for thought. It is your own personal night to relax, and grab hold of yourself and really figure out who and what you are about. The experience is what you make it and what you want out of it"
CH
"This Soul Coaching Course has been a wonderful experience and put me back in touch with my spiritual path once again. I felt I needed some sort of coaching in my life to ’move me on’ and considered Life Coaching, however, on discovering this course it appealed to me as it encompassed the spiritual aspect of life bringing a deeper meaning from the 28 day programme. Sarah is a wonderful teacher, caring, giving, lots of fun and above all inspirational!"
Tracey Eldred ~ Administrator
"I feel the Soul Coaching Course is a fantastic course and also the correct course for me to do. My life has completely changed from before I started the course to where I am now and I am only just beginning. The course consisted of so much more than I thought it would as well as making you address issues and look so closely at yourselves and I would strongly recommend this course to anyone. The weeks just flew by and I met some fantastic/special people on this course who have become and will remain very good friends."
MB
"I think Sarah is ace – do her course or the giant beanstalks of life will grow and shadow you and you will be lost at the bottom of the garden, forever in the dark!!
LB ~ Interior Designer
"I want to thank you for a wonderful course full of insight, wisdom, knowledge and love. Thank you SARAH!"
SS
"The Soul Coaching course has given me much more confidence both at work and in my leisure activities. The 28-Day Soul Coaching programme has been great fun and has allowed me in some part to be open and share my progress with the other people on the course."
IC
Retreat Testimonials
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"Am still feeling the after effects of such a wonderful weekend. Fantastic people, food, surroundings..."
"Thank you so much for a wonderful weekend, your hard work in making the weekend very special is much appreciated. I look forward to many special times in the future."
"I had a wonderful weekend and felt like I’d been there a week after just one day. All the arrangements were perfect and I can only thank you for all your hard work and commitment."
"I had a fantastic time, I wouldn’t have wanted anything different, just wish it had been a lot longer. I would love to come back for another weekend."
"I had a lovely, lovely time."
"A tranquil setting for a lovely weekend, we all felt so welcome and the food was lovely!"
"Such a relaxing weekend."
"It was a beautiful weekend of relaxation, understanding and realization and an opportunity to meet some lovely people. Count me in for coming again."
"Thank you for making it all possible and more of the same please... I think its important not to lose touch with what we were given."
Supper Evening Testimonials
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"A chance to switch off completely and sink into such deep relaxation knowing that a gorgeous supper awaits you...my idea of a perfect evening! A blissful class, delicious food, inspiring conversation and so much laughter! What more could you ask for?"
"I am hooked and the dates highlighted in my diary...the Meditation Supper evenings bring together such lovely people and leave you appreciating all that is truly wonderful in life – the ability to feel at peace, nourish yourself with nurturing food and share stories with like-minded people."
"Thank you so much for a lovely evening yesterday. Our meal was delicious, such a lot of hard work! I really enjoyed the meditations, just the right amount of people and such lovely girls too!"
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Corporate Testimonials
(Top)"Earlier this year, we recruited Sarah to run a series of meditation and relaxation classes for the Webreality team. Sarah quickly overcame initial scepticism and led us through a series of experiences that were energising and relaxing. Running the classes in the office had the added value of challenging the preconception that work is a place of stress and tension. In some cases the changes in the day to day approach to problems have been quite profound. Working with Sarah is an investment in the workforce which pays immediate dividends."
Phil Balderson Webreality, Jersey
"Sarah ran a 5 week Focused Relaxation Programme for a dozen of our staff in September/October 2005. We found Sarah to be an excellent tutor whose fabulously calm voice aided in the relaxation exercises no end. The breathing and stretching techniques we were shown have long since been remembered and re-used when shoulders have got too tense and nerves too frazzled. The staff were definitely appreciative of the fact that as a company, we were prepared to fund a course that was neither technical nor professional, but just about them and their well-being. When we have enough interested attendees we would definitely run the programme again."
J.G HR Manager Equity Trust, Jersey
"Thank you for your Meditation & Focused Relaxation course. These weekly sessions have certainly helped me to manage my stress levels. I have also felt more relaxed during your course and more positive. You are a good teacher of what is not always an easy subject and have inspired us your students to pursue the techniques. Focused Relaxation is something I would like to continue for a more balanced lifestyle."
I.B – Senior Finance Manager
"Sarah’s Meditation & Focused Relaxation Courses equip her students with useful techniques to relieve the effects of stress on body functions. I would have no hesitation in referring patients who would benefit from the use of these therapeutic tools in their daily lives."
D.H – General Practitioner
"When I was home at Christmas time I couldn’t believe the amount of compliments I was given from my family they said I looked the happiest that they had ever seen me, relaxed, different and calm (this is not a word I think has ever been associated with me) . I felt really great after the course and I am continually remembering things I was taught. I thought it was amazing that people didn’t know I had been on the course but did notice a wonderful change in me. I can’t thank you enough for teaching me simple & workable life changes that have made me a happier and much more content person.
A few words to say how it has made me feel: Relaxing, special, wonderful, achievable, happy, normal, freedom, cosy, cheery, calming, release, change, WOW!!!!"
J.H - Director
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