Testimonials and feedback
Feedback on Qi-Gong workshop: I’ve attended several of Toby’s meditation classes and enjoy the atmosphere of calmness, interesting topics and thought processes the classes trigger. Since I’ve wanted to attend a Qi-Gong class for a while to learn more about what it really is this workshop with Toby was the perfect opportunity to finally do it. I really enjoyed the informative and hands-on workshop and felt relaxed and energized after it. With the easy to follow way Toby explains the things and the great Qi-Gong booklet I already started my Qi-Gong practice that same evening.
On meditation and transpersonal coaching: “I engaged Toby’s assistance during a very stressful period in my life. I found myself feeling constantly exhausted and low, and despite all my efforts I was unable to shift myself out of this state until I engaged Toby. Toby provided guidance on many levels. His profound philosophical insight and intuitive words of counsel helped me to view my situation in a new light and subsequently see an alternative path around what had been impasse. Toby also taught me meditation techniques that helped me achieve an inner peace and calm I have never felt before. I regularly draw upon Toby’s words of counsel and mediation techniques during not only during times of stress but also as part of my daily routine to maintain physical and mental equilibrium. I think very highly of Toby as a counsellor and mentor and regularly recommend him to my clients.”
J.B, Medical Herbalist, Naturopath
On meditation and transpersonal coaching: “Toby has been an extremely encouraging and warm life coach to me. His gentle nature and wisdom helps to bring many of life’s truths across in an easy to understand and practical manner. He indeed encourages me to be bigger than what I can be, and leads me towards fulfilling my greatest potential whilst overcoming my challenges. Witty and understanding, Toby is a mentor, friend and fellow spiritual seeker rolled into one compassionate package! Kudos to Toby and his mentoring work!
Commenting on the weekend mini-retreats: “When I first attended Toby’s Meditation Retreat, I was pleasantly surprised at how easily Toby managed to lead us into the session. His sessions are always simple, refreshing and invigorating and I always come away feeling positive. I highly recommend his retreats as it’s gives us an opportunity to regroup and ‘re-centre’ which is so crucial especially in this manic day and age that we live in. It’s also a great opportunity to meditate along side other like minded individuals. Thank yo Toby and I hope these sessions will be more frequent in future.”
On transpersonal coaching: “For myself, the coaching sessions got right to the heart of issues I was having. Toby facilitated in a particularly tactful, caring and intuitive way. We really managed to find clear, practical ways to tackle difficulties head on, and immediately.
I was left feeling empowered and supported, understood and confident.
I have undergone several coaching, and personal development training sessions and courses. None were as valuable or tailored as the ones with Toby. I can also revisit my notes if ever I wish to refresh my mind. Many thanks Toby.”
On meditation coaching: “I was a relative newcomer to meditation and had some previous lessons before I first came to see Toby. However, after one lesson with Toby I learned more than I did in all my previous sessions and realised how important it was to have an experienced teacher. He was able to explain the basic methods to me in a way that made sense and my practices very quickly improved. Almost a year later I still benefit from each of our sessions and always come away learning something and feeling good. Thanks Toby”
On Toby’s meditation classes, retreats and workshops: “Toby — one of the unique, differentiating things about you and your methods of facilitation which I really appreciate is that you’re very ‘agnostic’! What do I mean by that? Well, you expose and offer your students a wide variety of different approaches to meditation, always underpinned by a sound intellectual (and importantly, also practical) framework for each one - and for me, this is very satisfying as I can think and feel that I am developing myself along a continuum of knowledge and practice.”
On coaching with Toby: “These sessions have been tremendous for myself and my son. Together with Toby, we have explored our sense of self, our creativity, our roots, and the beauty of the world around us. It’s all about the joy of connection.”
On creative spirituality classes: Here are the girls comments, word for word, and without any suggestions or prompting at all…
Sofia: “I enjoy the meditations and what I see when I’m in that meditative state. I also like all the colours that are seen, and that I draw. I like to pick up Toby’s interesting tips on clay sculpting and drawing. I would recommend Toby to my friends and family if they would like to do what I do.”
Olivia: “I enjoy Toby’s class because there’s so much lively spirit in the meditations, and so much creativity for me. I know that Toby will always help us with our pieces of work. That’s why I would always recommend Toby.”
From Peace in the Heart of the City Retreat: “The retreat was a great, sustained period of time for practice, compared to our weekly sessions, and it was nice to affirm (to myself at least!) that I am able to sit for a prolonged period with a decent amount of focus and not too much distraction. I’m looking forward to the next one!”
On the Conscious Breathing workshop: “I really enjoyed your workshop on conscious breathing and came away feeling completely relaxed and energised. As you said many of us do not breathe efficiently for a variety of reasons and so it is very empowering to learn techniques that are so simple and make a difference to how we feel. Its just a question of building it into every day practice.”
On the Childrens creative spirituality classes: ”Hi, we were just talking about your classes and thought to share the talk with you.
We are really enjoying the classes. We all seem pleased and surprised by our art, and how vividly it comes through the meditations. We love the outcomes, and I for one, the process too! (the girls words-l) Olivia is amazed at her visualizations and really likes the whole experience. She feels fortunate about it all.
Sofia would make the smiling a little shorter. She loves her art, and really likes the classes.”
Feedback from Walking meditation workshop: “– I was amazed at how simple Toby’s steps are, and how ‘portable’ walking meditation can be as a practical, everyday energy balancer or enhancer. You can literally take it wherever you go, wherever you are …in the park, on the beach, in a busy airport, and even in the confines of your own home. An instant, private oasis of tranquillity at your feet!
– Unlike sitting meditation, walking meditation made me more aware and appreciative of the environment, and how to commune better with nature. For the first time, I began to truly sense and feel the energy of the earth, trees and plants around me, and how they can help me centre myself and regain harmony.”
On the meditation classes in general and the Walking Meditation workshop: “Recent classes with you have been most valuable! The outdoor walking helped me easily connect to nature on a holistic scale and feel energized nurtured and a strong sense of belonging (perfect timing) it put things into perspective. I felt incredibly at ease and peace.
The levels at which I sensed everything were as a profound conversation with all of nature and creation. It was really loving and personal.
Tuesdays class was striking. Many of the things you said felt personally for myself. Things I’ve been attempting to improve! I got that I’ve not been nurturing or allowing much of my ego, seeing it all as a potential saboteur!! Not sure how this may have affected me? The balance and resolving of past issues was interesting, I now have little idea of where I really am! I thought I had made substantial progress in recent years and months, yet the imbalance, challenges, lack of calm and peace remain. (internal and external, usually the latter first!) So I’m affected still by externals, still possibly in a control play situation, still lacking personal assurance and peace which can endure the upsets.
I feel more spiritually accompanied than ever, which I love, yet I feel different and disconnected too.
I really appreciate your classes, and the discoveries.”
Since young, I have been attracted to meditation and the various forms of “gong”. Through the years, I learnt qi meditation, alpha meditation, wai dan gong, various forms of qigong, yoga.
Some 12 years ago, while I was learning the Tibetan Five Rites, I activated my kundalini. Then, I did know what it was except that it turned my life literally “upside down”. To cut a long story short, after much searching and with a lot of help from family, friends and teachers (one of whom is Shamala), I began to understand, learn and change my outlook on life. I slowly learnt to “raise” the kundalini energy in my physical body.
The energy travelled slowly and reached my neck region last year. For several months the energy stagnated in my neck region and could not get pass the blockage there. It was uncomfortable and at times, painful for me.
I was wondering what I should do when I saw Toby’s email on the qigong classes that he was starting. Frankly, the email just “grabbed” and I knew that I had to attend.
After only two lessons, I could feel the energy moving upwards again and the blockage dispersing. After four lessons, I could feel the energy moving beyond my neck and onto my head and face. I was overjoyed and began to enjoy the exercises.
Every morning, I practise the exercises under a tree. No words can describe the feeling of wellbeing I experienced, doing my exercises accompanied by the soft rustling of the leaves of the tree in the gentle morning breeze and the cheerful calls of the birds.
What I want to say is that although some of us may not be able to feel the effect of the qigong exercises on the energy body, practising the exercises regularly does wonders for the body. It clears up blockages, opens up the energy channels especially to the vital organs and tones up and strengthens the body.
I never cease to be amazed that such simple exercises can do so much! So if you are into it, keep it up. I still practise the exercises on most mornings, under my favourite tree!