Tom Littlepage / 2026 | 8-Week Self-Development Journey Reflection

Hi Christy,

It's been on my mind for quite awhile to drop you a line and express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the program you facilitated earlier this year on self development. There were several reasons that this course resonated so positively with me and why I found it to be such an enjoyable experience.  For instance, your preparation, your eye for detail, and your enthusiasm for everything you do, is undeniable!  Your passion and excitement about the concepts and ideas you taught us about was so infectious. 

I found your belief and dedication to the ideas you were presenting to be so inspiring, that I'm still revisiting and exploring the material from the program to see how I can benefit by incorporating what we learned into my life.  Another aspect that appealed to me, was the atmosphere you cultivated, it was warm, welcoming and the perfect place for my ADHD brain to focus and absorb the information and not get overstimulated, and that's not an easy task.  However, because of the calm and peaceful environment and the interesting material you presented, I was locked on and totally focused. Speaking for myself, the ideas and information you presented were brand new to me, but you were patient in thoroughly explaining the material and you would also do check-ins to see if we were tracking with you or whether you needed to back-up and revisit something to make sure we understood. 

Lastly, if I find something very interesting and it truly resonates with me, then I will take what I've learned, ponder it over and over again, until the lightbulb in my brain is illuminated, and I experience that awesome "A-ha" moment.  Thanks again for all of your hard work putting this program together and for everything else that you do, it's truly appreciated and never taken for granted!

Take Care,

Tom,

August, 2026  

Alex Weil / 2026 | 8-Week Self-Development Journey Reflection

Hi Christy,

Reflecting on my experience with the 2025 8-week online course, my initial thought is that it was challenging. This was due in part to a lack of preparedness. I was also confident going in that I was prepared, which generated in me some shock and at times feelings of being

overwhelmed. Thankfully, instead of simply feeling frustrated by this, I was able to see the upside of this experience. What was brought to my attention was the often suggested lesson of building a good foundation before starting work on construction on the first floor- so to speak.

There was a lack of stability in my life at that time that did not allow me to fully engage in that course as I would have liked. I do not see this as a loss, as it brought my attention to the more fundamental aspects of my life, such as how to meet the world, cleaning up after myself, etc. At the time, I saw well the value of the course, yet quickly became equally aware of my limitations. I was able to apply what was being taught, but at a more basic level then initially expected. For example, I had to shift my attention to such things as initial apprehension towards group involvement, lack of self-confidence, and low self-esteem which seemed to lead to a lack in motivation. I do not think that forcing myself to work harder in such a state would have been beneficial. What I needed was a good approach to these issues which was what the 8-week course was able to offer me. In that sense, it was a success. It got me to reckon with things in accordance with my ability to do so at the time.

My success here, though different than expected, brought me to a greater clarity regarding aspects of my life that I have been working on since that time. This ongoing effort I think will greatly assist my ability to more fully engage in Christy’s another 2027 8-week online course that starts in January.

Thanks Christy!

Alex,

August, 2026  

Matthew Cahan/ Therapeutic Recovery Private Session

I began my return to yoga after several years off due to multiple injuries. In 2020 was diagnosed with a degenerative hip joint that had begun to collapse, and a spinal cord injury at C4-C7 that left my right arm and hand without 80-85% function and range of motion. Being right arm dominant, I’ve was and have been unable to do basic tasks as simple as shaking hands with someone. In addition, I was also diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Effectively my abilities to walk, talk, and use my dominant arm/hand were dramatically impacted.

I have been an athlete my entire life. Soccer, basketball, baseball, distance running, triathlons and marathons into my early 40s. I found yoga in 2000, and it very quickly became an integral part of my life. However, in 2016-17 I started having hip issues, and my practice fell off. The pain and restrictions that came along with it were too much. Fast forwarding to 2022 and after having a hip replacement, I was able to begin looking at options to restore my body to health.

Having relocated to St. Louis, I was searching for someone who had experience teaching students individually with many types of injuries. Fortunately, I was able to locate, and reach out to Christy at Yoga DeMun. I immediately felt very encouraged and excited after having initial conversations. We scheduled the first session. At that time, I had a new hip replacement, and was dealing with the lack of use in my right arm.

Christy provided exceptional guidance and instruction right from the get go. I was able to set new intentions again, and following her guidance, begin the slow, difficult process of re-engaging with my body, mind and spirit. We worked together for several months, as I was concurrently doing physical therapy, in the hopes there would be some recovery in the arm/shoulder. With each passing day, little by little at first, I began to feel the pains in my joints fading, my muscles waking up, and my spirit responding. As the weeks passed, I sensed considerable improvements.

I was then able to increase my workload and attend hot yoga classes. After the physical therapy did not yield the recovery results, I was hoping for, I opted for surgery. An ACDF 3 - Level Spinal Fusion. Yes, it was very scary to be staring at that one down. In preparation, and only after having started with Christy and following her guidance of essential principles of her yoga teaching, was I able to take 95 hot yoga classes leading up to my surgery.

I arrived in excellent shape, and thankfully the surgery went well. It was a true gift to have met Christy and worked with her, and could not recommend her as teacher and guide enough! She is extremely knowledgeable, inspiring, and kind.

I am now practicing hot yoga almost daily, having completed 150 classes in the last year!

Matthew Cahan,

Nov, 2024

Will Kiburz/ Physical Therapy & Personal Growth Private Session

While growing up I observed the effect that depression and anxiety can have on a family, and my initial way of dealing with it. At the age of 12 my reaction was to run from it. I stayed away as much as I could. I was confused and as I got older and experimented with altering my consciousness, I quickly realized I had found another avenue of escape, and I continued to add various weapons to my arsenal that kept me from facing things that made me uncomfortable. Simply put, I couldn’t deal with the pain. Although I continued to function and filled my life with external things: People, clothes, cars, trips, endless social events, and kept my calendar full to keep myself occupied, and to fill what at that time felt like an endless void. I became dependent on substances and people. When those things were taken away, I descended into the worst kind of depression and anxiety - I had become what I ran from as a child. What followed were 30 more years of dependency on substances which only made my messages and path more chaotic and confusing.

Finally, at the suggestion of a friend, I wrote to Christy to see if I could start a yoga session with her. I had just gotten free from substance dependency, and I had never done any kind of yoga nor physical activity with the exception of walking between the office and my car. I figured that Christy could help me become more physically healthy. She immediately made me feel safe and welcome, unjudged. This was just the beginning of Covid, and I was freshly clean with nothing to do for several months, and this period was marked by constant discomfort and anxiety about my future. I signed up for a weekly private session with her and knew right away that I had found the right place- still at that time, I was just thinking about my physical condition. Christy helped me embrace the pain in my life and the real change occurred when we started working on my spiritual condition. Over time, she helped me find love FOR MYSELF which is something that I was missing until this point.

There were many weeks that I wanted to walk out with “the answer” and what became clear was that this journey and the things to come out of it had to be my own- they could not come from her or anyone else, they definitely couldn’t come from a pill. This was going to take time and dedication, and my Friday mornings with Christy became the highlight of my week.

We work on grounding and awareness, and with these new tools she helped me find, entire histories of chaos and sadness fell away. She never told me what to do so much as she took the time to get to know me and work with me, and soon I began to hear my true voice. One that I had not heard nor believed in for decades. I came to Christy to find some peace and do some stretching, but what I got was a completely new perspective on life and my role in it. I feel like I can do anything, and I am no longer confused nor scared of pain. There is no question or confusion anymore as to what I need to do. It’s the most peaceful and liberating feeling I’ve witnessed, and it’s inside of me!!

Finally, and remarkably, I’ve stayed clean from any kind of substances and I never imagined I could live without some kind of pharmaceutical crutch, and it’s the most liberating and pride filled feeling of my life. Simply put, Christy helped me recognize my true heart and voice, and what followed was an annihilation of the ghosts that haunted my past. I feel like I’m just beginning my new journey, and I’m endlessly excited about life and my place in it, and most crucially, I have a soft place in my heart for the pain that life brings.

Thank you Christy!

Will

Cherish Wyatt

Personal Growth Private Session

For the past year I’ve been exploring my purpose. With a broken heart and anxiety from betrayals, I knew it was time for me to take a hard look at myself and identify the parts I played in my own suffering. I have difficulty trusting others, but my first conversation with Christy was everything I didn’t know I needed! She has been such a blessing. She is welcoming, honest, wise, supportive, and genuine. A beautiful soul! Life is not about the destination, but the journey and people you meet along the way. I highly recommend connecting with Christy to support you along your life’s path.

Cherish

August, 2024

Linda and Peter Werner/ Couple’s Private Session

We really enjoy our yoga sessions with Christy! She is very good at tailoring classes to what we can and want to do. We are both fairly fit and body aware as we have done cardio and weight training for years. I do think that helps when it comes to understanding how our bodies move. We really appreciate that Christy listens to us about our limitations and can work around them. We love our yoga sessions!

Thank you Christy!

May, 2024