Testimonials

From "Something I Know About Myself" workshop with Global Indian International School, 28 June, 2010

In June 2010 ‘The Owl Company’ organized a workshop for the Primary 4 & 5 students of GIIS Balestier campus. The theme was ‘Something I know About Myself.’The trainers, Gerry, Jarrah and Siew Yong effectively guided the students as they went on their journey of self awareness and discovery through creative expression. The activities were well thought off, self guided and interesting. The trainers were effective because they really believed in what they were doing. Our students loved every minute of it and at the end of the day, came out of it with a greater understanding and learning about who they are and what they would like to be. 
This workshop has touched our souls and we are very grateful for that. ~ From GIIS Balestier Campus

 

From "The Creative Spirit of Yoga" Weekend Workshop, 26-27 June, 2010

"From her sensitive and insightful pointers in breathing, posture and bodywork, to her original and powerful use of art, writing, song and dance to bring out the hidden and unresolved in you, to the joyous and and spontaneous mood she put us in throughout the course, Gerry has been teacher, guide and best friend, showing the way and lighting the path in ways that go beyond mere understanding. The course has been a mind blowing experience that has dramatically and irrevocably changed my life and the quality of my relationships! Thank you Gerry, Siew Yong and Jarrah!" ~ Nithya Priyan, Singapore

That we are and always have been a form of energy, pure... Our inner being if we listen is always there telling us through our emotions if we are expanding in life or stagnating.  My sister died in front of me 3 yrs ago from ovarian cancer and when I started to believe in this inner being after so long grieving, I was suddenly able to finally let all the pain go, to understand what I had felt and now to be happy again.  After I did this and started to look for the positive things around me in life and people, small things started changing in my life. Since your workshop I feel calmer, quieter.  My husband commented to me last night that there has been a shift in my relationship with my 3 yr old son in the past several weeks where he tells me more often he loves me.  He believes my son senses the change in me and that I am allowing him closer to me.  My husband also senses the happiness in me now.  The workshop to me was a justification of what I have and am still learning about myself.. At the end when we were singing and walking in a circle holding hands, when Gerry looked into my eyes I felt her love and it was the strange yet beautiful feeling to see love coming from someone you barely know. ~ Regina Sayer, Singapore

From "Yoga, Laughter & Other Joys" Retreat, 30 April - 3 May, 2010

"The whole experience was profound for me, it helped me find a new platform from which I want to experience life! I am not sure how this will manifest in my life as far as my career goes, but as far as myself and my family goes I have a new space that has opened up inside that speaks of self-love..... this can only mean wonderful things for my relationship with my loved ones and a great example for my children.

Gerry, your teaching style was inspiring and I felt totally relaxed to embrace whatever came in the retreat. The combination of physical yoga and inner exploration through art and writing was brilliant, together they support a deeper approach to the soul." ~ Robyn Kemble, Australia

"I have found it hard to wipe the smile of my face since the retreat. The location was ideal. There was powerful symbolism in climbing the Eldo mountain to surround ourselves with kindred spirits and a 'Big Love' Cafe. Gerry & Siew Yong gracefully invited us to join them on a path to openness, creativity, laughter and sincere spiritual depth. Thank you Siew Yong, thank you Gerry. I stopped thinking that being holy and experiencing bliss are ambitious concepts anymore. It's my choice to live it! Now...." ~ Ellie Broersen, Australia

"Give yourself a break from the daily routine; dive into Gerry's yoga retreat program and you will be amazed what it can do for you. For me, it warmed my heart, cleansed my soul, and cleared my brain. " ~ Victor Lim, Singapore

From The Creative Spirit of Yoga, 14 March 2010

"I'd like to once again thank Siew Yong and Gerry for the wonderful time I had at the yoga workshop.

I find Gerry very knowledgeable and sensitive to the energies in the group. The workshop has given me a new look at yoga and the intents I may set for my life. I also learnt that life can be fun if we trust and allow life itself to work with us rather than dictate how it should be.

Thank God for people like you who help others to another level in their lives." ~ Claudia Heck-Choy, Singapore

"Trying to fulfil our many diverse roles in today's fast paced life, we often forget who we truly are. The Creative Spirit of yoga has helped me to re-learn that I was born with beauty inside. I only had to allow myself to express it freely. I can fulfill my roles and still attend to the inner garden within. I can allow this inner loveliness to grace everyone and everything I touch." ~ Linda Yong, Singapore

"I am not good in words but believe we are all connected yesterday one way or another, some more some less. I am sure all of you will agree that we carry certain baggages with us but when we left that room yesterday, it was so much lighter and I guess that's the journey Siew Yong helped lay the path. To my lovely wife and teacher, thank you and I just commit to myself to do a good deed at least once a day. :-)" ~ Victor Lim, Singapore

"It was a very joyful workshop. In the workshop, I realised that in life most of the problems come from - when we refuse to accept who we are, what we are now, and it is the subconscious way that we keep on holding on to ourselves, becasue of our past experiences. Once again, thanks to Siew Yong and teacher Gerry who created such a good experience to develop our self awareness, get close to ourselves. I would like to thank all of them too, because of everyone's contribution, it created a lot of joy and happiness." ~ Teo Siew Leng, Singapore

From "Your Child's Creative Spirit", 7 March 2010

" I enjoyed the talk tremendously. It's always good to hear other people's experience with kids and Gerry openly shared hers with us - both from the viewpoint of being a mother herself to 4 children as well as from that of being a teacher to countless children over the years. It was refreshing to hear her talk of the different ways by which creativity in kids can be encouraged. ~ Carrie Tan, Singapore

"Before this workshop, I used to focus more on superficial aspects of success in the society my child could attain. After attending "Your Child's Creative Spirit", I started to realise how my child's own benefits can be balanced with the requirements of the current society.

The talk was really helpful, I started to think more carefully on what I want for my son and what he wants for himself, instead of issuing mechanical instructions. ~ Svetlana Mukhina, Singapore

On Gerry

“Gerry’s drama programme was designed to be developmental and inclusive, beginning in basic terms with younger children, culminating in our graduating students workshopping, writing and performing an original play for the school community. It was based on children’s own ideas but was built around values-based education. Not only did it promote and develop the children’s academic skills of reading, writing and speaking, it was instrumental in improving self-confidence, self esteem and self discipline for many children over the course of the programme.

I have found Gerry to be very passionate about her program and its effect on the development of young people. As a presenter of a meaningful drama program, I have found Gerry to be without peer. She is creative, energetic and insightful, tackling a complex process in a sensible and commonsense way. ~ Terry Hanly, past Principal of Cooran School (Australia)

Gerry Hillier was my Primary Drama teacher and I always felt like she was somehow different to other teachers at my school. She taught me how to open up inside myself and begin to explore the infinite possibilities of my imagination and creativity. Through fun drama games, class discussions, workshops and the production of plays, Gerry allowed me, and all of us I think, to develop important critical thinking skills and a great sense of fluidity in acting and even in life in general. From a small town like Cooran, Gerry's youth theatre group, CYTCOM, was always present in my life. Two of my older brothers have both been involved in CYTCOM productions, and my triplet sister was also a member of CYTCOM for a good few years. So I have always been in the outskirts of CYTCOM and have witnessed and been involved with a number of Gerry's plays and seen a lot of her work. It wasn't until a few years ago that we began to work on a short film which was an incredible experience that I'd do again in a heart beat. It's funny because when Gerry writes, it's almost like a ritual of collaboration with every single person involved in the process of making the project. A conversation between friends can become an entire imaginary world of Rainbows Ribbons and Dopplegangers. The way we all work together is always fun and friendly and easy-going. I mean, when there's work to be done, there's work to be done, but it's always a pleasurable experience that doesn't feel like work at all - it's a pot of tea leaves floating and dancing around in a frenzy of creativity and imagination. Working with Gerry and with everyone in CYTCOM has always been great and I can say that I've made the life-long friends and learnt many valuable skills that I can apply, not only to my acting, but to my life as well." ~ Lily Shewring, Cooran (Australia)

On Siew Yong

“Siew Yong is not only dedicated as a yoga teacher. She takes care to explain each breath and muscle intrinsic to a movement. She also goes beyond her call of duty to ensure that each of her students progress holistically as a person to a higher calling.” ~ Claudia Heck-Chioy, Singapore

“See yourself doing Yoga from the vantage point of an airplane! Siew Yong's classes will raise your awareness and consciousness from the ground (Mother Earth) upwards to the sky.....or to whatever your own limits are.” ~ Anonymous (Singapore)