Katherine Thirkell

For the past 12 years Deb has attended to my health and general wellbeing, as my Yoga Therapist. She has helped me through chronic and accidental physical illnesses, as well as mental health challenges.

Experience of Deb’s guidance has shown me she has a unique ability, when compared with my other carers, to know what asanas, chanting, or life changes I need, often appearing only minor, for me to move past my current barriers to wellbeing, and face life with strength, courage, and stillness. She is not treating the symptoms but my overall wellbeing, so being complementary to my mainstream medicine.

I trust Deb implicitly, and doctors, noting my overall health, have always been encouraging, if not admiring, of my practice. For her part, Deb always starts her consultation by asking about my current physical and mental health.

We were both thrilled recently when my last cardiac test results showed a significant improvement in my overall heart function, though I have heart disease and suffered from a heart attack some years ago. I had spent the previous period Vedic chanting individually with Deb, and regularly with her small chanting group. I knew this was helping my breathing and lung capacity, as I could measure it against my ability when I started, but was surprised by the cardiac test results, particularly as my physical health at the time was severely limiting my ability to physical exercise. I firmly believe chanting was the cause for the change, and particularly recommend chanting in a small group to gain added strength and peace from it, both for the individual and the community.

Even if I don’t have the breath strength to speak out loud, just chanting in my head brings peace and relaxation, and so I have been moved through crisis.

I will always value Deb’s teachings, and am very appreciative of her knowledge, wisdom, and continued studies in India.