The following is a testimonial of a client, Sandra, that begin classes with me in October 2025. I was not sure to add it under “Testimonials” within my website or here within this “Blog” section. I decided finally to put it as a Blog post because of its incredibly unique nature… a real life experience of hers that could easily be viewed as having a figurative level as well:
I started my classes with Kevin in October 2025. But I only realized how deeply his insight has impacted me when, recently, I had a serious incident.
I practice horseback riding. In fact, that was the reason why I joined Pilates with Kevin, to improve my riding skills (posture, strength, flexibility, etc.).
During a recent lesson though, my horse got a fright and bolted off. This was particularly dangerous since there were about five or six other horses in the manége and my horse ran directly towards them. So, during the first 3 seconds I panicked and could only think that: 1) I was going to fall and hurt myself and 2) I was putting all the other riders in danger.
But suddenly, something changed: all of Kevin’s teachings came to me. Immediately my head, my shoulders, my hands, my sitting, legs and ankles, everything fit the right position, my mind clear. I knew I could do what was necessary. Somehow, I managed to transfer that calmness to my horse, and gently, we slowed from a gallop to a trot and then to a walk, simultaneously moving away from the other horses into safety. All of this happened in under a minute, but in my mind, I had all the necessary time to regain control.
This incident was a wakeup call and changed me. My line of work is quite demanding and stressful, but I feel that I am now more well equipped to deal with all the pressure. In the face of any challenge my first thought is « I can do this ».
I suppose that was the best gift Kevin gave to me: the notion that body and mind are closely linked and that alertness is quite different from awareness. It’s the difference between being defensive to being open to whatever life has to offer. Thank you, Kevin, and see you in the next class.
Sandra
Wild horses are often used as a symbol for self-mastery in yoga philosophy such as in the Katha Upanishad and in sacred scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita as they are a metaphor for the untamed mind and senses running amok.
Many yoga teachers have used the metaphor of “taming the wild horse”, including BKS Iyengar, to describe the skill of training a restless mind.
I have had other clients who ride horses convey to me in the past how incredibly receptive horses are to the state of being of the rider who sits upon them, how a calm rider can bring calm to the horse they are riding and how the opposite is true as well.
Sandra’s stunning story is one of the incredible transmission of serenity that can be shared being to being.