TESTIMONIALS FROM GROUPS WE HAVE SERVED:
Lindsay Walker
Site Supervisor
Grapevine Elementary, Vista, California
“This was a wonderful adventure for my 5th grade students who all have shown great growth in their overall health. As a teacher I am pleased when I see students making healthier choices in their diets. These students have taken what you taught them and have gone even further with reading up on their “old favorite” foods that they used to eat finding that most of the ingredients are not natural and are full of preservatives.
They have shared with me how excited they were with learning Yoga and many of them have shared what they have learned with their family and friends! Wow! This excitement is what drives us teachers to teach! Watching what we introduce to them become a part of their life and watching them make positive personal decisions everyday!
Thank you, thank you for empowering our youth and really doing something in the community that makes a positive impact.”
Patti Justo-Ober SDUSD, RN
Knox Elementary, San Diego
“Our classes here at Knox are going very well. It is so fun to see the kid’s progress! It seems like every week they enjoy it more and more. They are really learning strategies to cope with their day-to-day stresses. I enjoy talking nutrition with them. They are all trying new fruits and vegetable, and are very excited to share their experiences! Yoga is truly a gift for our students, and I feel honored to be part of the program. Kam is a gem – we are so blessed to have her with us!”
Bill McGrath, Ph.D
Juvenile Court Community Schools, San Diego, CA
“For over thirty years I have been involved in education as a teacher for AT RISK students and University Professor. This summer (2010) I was approached by one of my former University students, asking me if I knew of the SEAN O’SHEA YOGA FOUNDATIION. Well, my reply was no, but that soon changed and so have myriad things in our classroom. Each Monday since the start of September Susan and Miho come to class to work with our 24 juvenile offenders. The initial reaction amongst colleagues and probation officers was, to be polite, skeptical. And now the skeptics have been converted to advocates. These two trainers come in with focus and energy and I have seen our class transform into a remarkable room where in our expectations have been enhanced.
The children in my class need a lot of energy and the SOS Foundation has shown them that the answers for their energy lie within themselves. I have seen several of our students get excited with a positive anticipation for the class and their enthusiasm has been contagious to classmates.
There are hundreds of clichés that are floating around as I type this – “YOU NEVER KNOW” And obviously, we do not. But what I do know is that the folks from SOS have lifted us both literally and figuratively to a better place and my hope is they continue to come to our space and share their energy We are better for their efforts. Thanks.”
Fredy Moreno, Ed.S., NCSP
School Psychologist
SDUSD Special Education Programs Department
“Stress relief, increase in focus, increased self-control and happiness have been reported by students who have participated in this program. I have collaborated with The Sean O’Shea Foundation in implementing this program in the elementary school, middle school and high school level. The program has helped students, parents, school staff and other community members gain access to the practice of yoga and insight in living a healthier life. Individuals with emotional/behavioral difficulties, developmental disorders, learning disabilities and others living stressful lives in an area where high rates of homicide, gang activity and poverty exist. The results have been nothing less than spectacular. Individuals are provided with a safe place to take a break from everyday stressors and work towards reaching a physical, mental and emotional balance in their lives.”
Dr. Robert Biter, OBGYN
San Diego, CA
“Imagine a family taking the vision of a loved one and reaching out to disadvantaged youths to teach them skills needed to cope, thrive and break the cycles of poverty, teen pregnancy, violence and substance abuse by simply teaching them to breath. This foundation makes yoga easily accessible to a group of kids who need the stress reduction and personal clarity that yoga offers, but are not those able to afford or even be introduced to this practice. This group has carried on Sean’s mission!”
Heather Meyers
Health and Physical Education
Jefferson Middle School, Oceanside, CA
“I have shared with other staff members the foundation and everyone thinks that it is great for our students. I was actually talking about it the other day with a PE teacher who teaches at one of the elementary schools that the foundation is at. She has also been impressed with your instructors. Our principal would love to see it return (and so would I) so I will apply for the spring.”
Sonny Gonzalez
SDCCS EDP Staff
Chula Vista Middle School
“I am writing in regards to the Grant that was received for The Sean O’Shea Yoga Foundation. I have witnessed improvements in strength, flexibility and health among each of the students whom have participated in the duration of the program while at our school site. The yoga instructor demonstrated professionalism throughout each lesson. He also possessed the ability to interact with the students in a positive manner. Yoga promotes physical activity and helps students understand what it means to live a life of wellness. I strongly recommend that San Diego Cooperative Charter School continue to provide Yoga to all students who are interested in becoming a healthy individual for life.”
TESTIMONIALS FROM PARTICIPANTS WE HAVE SERVED:
Testimonials from Middle School Students in Oceanside:
Holly – “I enjoyed my yoga classes always because it is really fun and I get to do yoga with my friends.”
Ethan – “My favorite part of the Sean O’Shea Foundation program was trying new foods and practicing yoga.”
Patrick – Since I started practicing yoga… “During math I get better grades now.”
Kaleb – Since I started practicing yoga… “When I was in language arts class I was able to get 100% on my test for concentrating and focusing.”
Kyia – “The teachers were great and experiencing yoga was great.”
Jasmine – “I enjoyed my yoga classes because now it seems like my life is balanced. Yoga is balancing my school life and personal life. In social studies I used to have a C and now I have a B.”
Benjamin – Since I started practicing yoga…I am doing better in school “Because my brain is energized.”
Kyle – “Yoga has helped me stay more focused and I get better grades in science.”
Testimonials from Participants at Oceanside High School:
Alexis – “I’d recommend the Sean O’Shea Foundation to everyone. They provided a safe, calm environment that really gets you to focus on your ‘Journey Inward’. The classes were super fun and challenging.”
Keila – My favorite part of the program was “the different stretches, breathing techniques, resting and back bends. I feel more confident and flexible.”
Sade – “I think everyone should try yoga. It’s very calming and self motivating. You can get great amount of flexibility out of it and inspiration.”
Shea – “This was amazing… the Sean O’Shea foundation is first of all amazing! It helped me to relax and feel calm and it taught me to help with teamwork and it was fun.”
Katie – “My favorite part is that the instructors are so caring and patient because they want to help you out…yoga is much more than simply stretching, it is a way to take a break from your daily life and become centered.”
Janeth – “The Sean O’Shea Foundation is ‘two thumbs up’!”
Brandey – My favorite part of the program was “how the purpose wasn’t to stretch your body but become flexible and knowledgeable about other aspects of life. I believe yoga helped me create a balance between my physical strength, mental strength and my environment.”
Lauren – “Starting off everyday with yoga was the best thing ever. I feel it truly set off the day in a better way than usual. I’d love to do that everyday. It gives you time to relax and think. I feel it was the best idea ever for Coach Brandi to decide to bring yoga to the cheer camp. I’m glad I’ve been introduced to it.”
Anmeeya – My favorite part of the program was “In the program they don’t just teach you yoga but also nutrition, healthfulness, responsibility and environmental issues.”
Mackenzie – “My favorite part of the Sean O’Shea program was the nutritional facts and the calmness. I’m definitely going to start eating healthier. I really got a lot out of this program. I was able to focus on my own body to stretch and be strong. I enjoyed the nutrition section; it inspired me to eat healthier.”
Ashley – My favorite part of the program was “that I was able to do everything that our yoga teacher was doing, even the more challenging things. That made me feel strong and confident. I hope I can go to more of these classes. It’s very self warming and makes you feel good inside, so that’s great.”
Fredrika – “Thank you for coming to teach the Oceanside Cheerleaders about flexibility, optimism and the environment.”
Vivian – My favorite part of the program was “the nutrition and healthy diet lecture. Yoga with the Sean O’Shea Foundation was a really good experience. It helped me just focus on me throughout that hour in a half.”
Briana – My favorite part of the program was “learning more about being healthy in what you eat and I liked testing how far I can take my body on doing different strength exercises.“
Katie F. – “The Sean O’Shea foundation is great! They introduced me to yoga in a positive way, and I want to continue practicing with them as long as I can.”
Vanessa – “I had a really great time learning yoga for the first time. It always made me feel really relaxed. I hope to continue after this.”
Kimberly – “I love your foundation!”
Maria – “The Sean O’Shea Foundation was great! I loved it! It relaxed my body and helped me with my flexibility.”
Tyler – “I have enjoyed my time participating. It helped me to have one relaxing time in the camp week. I would love to continue this practice.”
Ciara – “I had such a wonderful time. I felt at ease going into cheer camp with a positive mind and a big smile. I am definitely going to continue on with yoga.”
Nuvia – “It’s a great workout if you’re stressed or even upset with anyone because it helps you to just focus and relax on what you’re doing and it calms you down.”
Gabriela – “My favorite part was when we had smoothies and being able to experience yoga because it is something new. It was a really great class. It made me realize that I was capable of doing things I did not know I could do.”
Megan – “My favorite part was when I stretched out. Cheer made me so sore and this yoga helped stretch it out. I really appreciate the instructors coming out and helping us. They really helped my flexibility and sense of peace.”
