REVIEW FROM Ms GIVEN HUIN, Sabre Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Singapore

I had my first yoga lesson when I joined my company’s organized group yoga classes in 2009. I was the only beginner in class and Kris was very patient in helping me to learn the yoga poses and flows. As time passed, I felt my body become less stiff and more flexible. After seeing these results, I continue and am still practicing yoga today.

Before class commenced, Kris would ask how we were feeling and whether we had any ‘pain’ or ‘aches’. He would then custom the yoga poses/flows to ease and manage the pain area. He also explained the benefits of the different poses eg. build strength, flexibility. I found these info very useful especially during the Covid-19 lockdown where I used specific yoga poses to ease my back and knee pain.

Kris once taught me the breathing and strength building exercises that I could do to prepare for my mountain hiking trip. With his tips, I managed to hike to the mountain top 😊

REVIEW FROM Ms LEONG SOW FUNG, Sabre Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Singapore.

Review for Kris Zhu 

Yoga Teacher

21 Jan 2022

I learned and practiced yoga with Kris for more than 10 years. It started when I joined my company’s organized group yoga classes around 2007. I was initially not too keen as I thought yoga was too slow. But after a few lessons, I appreciated the deliberate yoga postures, the breathing techniques, and the mental discipline I must exercise to focus my mind to practice yoga. I became hooked, and remained a life long fan of yoga since.

Kris was my one and only yoga teacher. After more than 600 classes (wow!) with him, I still found weekly practice with him not monotonous. There were always new challenges, different asanas and new techniques for each class. Kris was observant and caring and would introduce alternative routines or poses whenever needed.

I learned various yoga techniques with Kris, including Ashtanga, Hatha and Pranayamas breathing. These are not just fitness exercises but very helpful for maintaining my health. I recalled when I was hiking Mount Kinabalu, the exertion and rapid ascent caused my husband and I to rapidly go out of breath. Taking a pause to focus and practice the breathing tactic helped us recovered, and we eventually completed our hike successfully.

On another occasion, I suffered from a suspected slipped disc. The stretching and breathing exercises help me recovered my flexibility as well as manage the pain. I went on a long planned driving holiday within 1 month of my injury. I was concerned over whether I could sit in the car for long hours over the 2-week holiday. Daily yoga practice and stretches helped me to have a pain free holiday.

I appreciate how yoga practice helps me manage my mental and physical fitness, and I appreciated having Kris as my teacher. 

Leong Sow Fung

REVIEW FROM Ms LEONG MIEW CHENG

Kris has been conducting private yoga lessons for me for some time now.

It had been a journey of discovery and growth for me - from a beginner who had no knowledge of the terms & poses, till now.

Kris has been knowledgeable & helpful every step of the way. He comes prepared for every class, ensuring there is a great flow and keeping the syllabus challenging at the same time. 

During the circuit breaker period, classes were virtual but still enjoyable and rewarding. 

I look forward to our weekly classes because it is challenging yet relaxing at the same time. It is a fantastic way to get a good workout.

I love Kris' energy. At the end of each class, he would also reiterate the sequence I should be practicing for the week until the next class.

Thank you so much, Kris!

Miew Cheng

REVIEW FROM Ms VALERIA LUNA (MEXICO CITY) Pre-Natal Yoga Class, On-Line Via Zoom

Hi, 

My name is Valeria Luna. I am from Mexico City. I had covid when I was 6 months pregnant. It was a very shocking and stressing situation. 

Steven gave me online classes during my second trimester (from 11 Dec 2020 - 3 Feb 2021). I enjoyed so much the classes. They were so helpful because I was very sad, scared and stressed due to the COVID-19.  Steven's classes gave me peace, strength and patience. His style was amazing because he was correcting me everything. I thought that online classes would be difficult, but they weren’t. My baby and I were safe at home and we were so benefited. 

Due to the baby’s weight I couldn’t move and with the classes I gained more mobility and flexibility. 

On the day of my labor and delivery the breathing lessons where very important. I was so relaxed and the doctors told me, that they were amazed about my interior peace and happiness. Lots of moms are always nervous, stressed and they forget to breath. 

After pregnancy the breathing techniques are helpful mostly when I am stressed with the baby. When he was one month, he cried a lot. With breathing techniques I could solve it perfectly. I calm down and the baby felt my energy and everything was better. 

Steven is an incredible Professor. Because he can guide you and he has awesome guided meditations. I would highly recommend his classes. 

He gave me so much (Spiritual & Mental tips). He was with US (husband, baby and me) during our COVID process. My husband got COVID-19 too and he was dying literally. I had very difficult moments because I saw how covid was killing him. I was 6 months pregnant and I was not taking care of my baby because I had to attend to my husband. I cried so much and I asked for help to the Universe and Steven speak with me many times so I could have strength and peace.

I shared my fears and Steven took my hand and helped me so much. Thanks thanks So much Steve!!!* 💚 

VaL LuNa

REVIEW FROM Mr LEE SEE SEEN (AIA SINGAPORE)

I think your philosophy in yoga suits the way I see yoga. I've been with a few teachers and I think it's quite rare to find teachers who appreciate yoga as a tool that needs to be suited to everyone, rather than forcing others into positions they are not comfortable with in the first place. 

I like it when you emphasise on listening to your own body, and moving only so much so that you challenge yourself sensitively. Focusing on correct basic posture is always key, and sad to say, there are many out there who focus on looking good rather than focusing on the basics. 

I for one can do the basics over and over again, because I find that doing the basics right is the toughest skill to master. Hopefully, your kind of teaching will catch on. 

Lee See Seen

Student from AIA Yoga Class 2007 & 2008

REVIEW FROM MR.AMRAN

5th September 2007 

Hi Kris ; ) 

I met you when i first ventured seriously into yoga and the state of well being. That was about 3 yrs ago at your Neem Tree Yoga Center. It was a brave move as I've never been in a Yoga class before. 

Your class suited me really fine as it was purely a Men's only class. Through you, I discovered a new level of peace and whenever I find myself in a chaotic situation, I find that I can manage it even better - through calmness and good breathing! I'm never one with a good posture at sitting or standing, but at your classes I really put in effort to learn and discover a new me. 

I'm extremely delighted to find someone really patient, understandingand very relaxed, throughout the twists, turns and breathing exercises. And you know what - your smile just warms up the class and puts every one at ease Kris ; ) 

My favourite poses is the Sun Salutation - just gets me moving mybody, mind and soul! BUT, the ultimate will be the end of the class, when you get us to lie down and sink into the ground, I never fail to fall into a deep slumber. And then you bring my soul gently back with your soothing voice and the sound of the Singing bowl... brilliant! 

Thank you for introducing me to Asanas, Pranayamas and all -uplifting names ; ) Amran A M

amran@thincgroup.com

REVIEW FROM DR. SEBASTIAN LIEW

Dr Sebastian Liew

Sebastian Liew Centre

Tel: 65389978

http://www.slnaturopath.com/ 

Kris was my teacher in Yoga since the year 2003. 

Kris is one of my favorite instructors as he is very dedicated and sensitive to his students. 

Being a naturopath and herbalist myself, being healing centered is an important criterion for effective natural treatment. Kris is such a person. He is a teacher in this field, and yet a humble and friendly one. He also takes time to explain to us the many ‘whys’ of yoga and this has helped me in turn to bring the true nature of yoga to others.

I highly recommend Kris for your Yoga needs and I want to thank Kris for giving me his constant love and support for my health and naturopathic practice. 

Sebastian Liew, N.D.

REVIEW FROM Ms. KARLYN CERDENA, Singapore, Bali

17" September 2007 

RE : LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION – Kris’ Yoga 

This is to recommend with great respect and affection, Kris Zhu – yoga teacher and very good friend. Kristananda, as l fondly call him was my yoga teacher from 2000 to 2006, in Singapore. He was taught in the lineage "Sri Vidya” which literally translates Highest Knowledge in the English language . 

On the physical front, my experience of yoga under his tutelage , more than a toned body, which is the by product , l developed a stronger immunity to communicable diseases , even the common flu. lt also addressed my chronic lower back problem by gently strengthening my spine , and helped along with it, address my chronic pre menstrual pain. 

The kriyas that he teaches develops physical, mental and psychological stamina that helped me cope with the often stressful demands of work and travel. Hatha yoga not only toned my body but helped me relearn how to breathe properly and correctly again. From it, l also relearned to center myself at work and leave it all behind after a day’s work , hence lessening "taking home” the stress of work. 

To summarize, from Kris’ yoga, l gained more than a toned body . It helped me be more centred mentally and psychologically. It helped me relearn to breathe properly, helped me relax more, sleep better , and develop a stronger immunity from communicable diseases. lt addressed my chronic back and pre menstrual pain problems through gentle asanas. 

Karlyn E . Cerdena 

Director ara Design Asia , ara Design Consultants UK Bali : Jl. Sekar Waru #9 Sanur, Denpasar

e-maiil : karlyn@araasia.com 

telefax: +62 0361 288431 UK: 85 Marchmont St. London WC1 N ,AL United Kingdom tel: +44 0207 387 8200 

web: http://www.aradesign.co.uk/ 

e-mail : design@aradesign.oo.uk

REVIEW FROM MRS.TRINA PEARSON

R L & T A Pearson 

Scotts 28 #06-XX 

28 Scotts Rd 

Singapore 228223 

12 March 2007 

Kris Zhu has been my personal yoga instructor since August last year (2006) when I arrived in Singapore.

I have Fibryomyalgia which is linked to the arthritis family. My body feels pain but there is no physical injury, this is because the messages from the nerves to the brain get scrambled. Kris understood my condition and developed my yoga programmes accordingly. 

Exercise is very important to keep my muscles and joints moving and Kris has been a real motivating factor in keeping me on track and focused. He always make sure that you are practicing the yoga poses correctly and not over stretching. I have really enjoyed learning yoga with Kris, he has a holistic style of teaching and is always willing to share information. 

I also attend Kris’s night classes which are small and intimate. These are great as you get to know the other people attending and being small you get Kris’s personal attention throughout the class. He always emphasis the importance of moving at your own pace and encourages people to focus on their own abilities not what others can do. He is very knowledgeable on herbal remedies, alternative medicine and the spiritual side of yoga, which I have found fascinating. 

I have also had ear candling session with Kris when I had a blocked ear from flying. This was a wonderfully relaxing experience which cleared my ear and stopped the dizziness that I was experiencing when doing some of the yoga poses. I would certainly do this again and would recommend it to anyone wanting to clear their ears. 

Kris has become a friend who I greatly admire and I would have no hesitation recommending him to anyone who is looking to learn and practice yoga. I always feel better after attending Kris’s classes and my strength, balance and flexibility has greatly improved. I am amazed at how quickly my body adapted to the more difficult poses. 

Trina Pearson