Testimonials

“I’ve spent the better part of my life striving to succeed. I’ve read hundreds of personal development books, I’ve taken many development courses and I focused on my tenacity, intelligence and intuition to build a life that I was proud of.  

So I was quite shocked at 60, when I realized that I was physically and mentally exhausted, dispassionate, couldn’t sleep well, on the verge of divorce and I was nearly 80 pounds overweight. How had I allowed this to happen?

Every area of my life was depleted and unhealthy. In my all-encompassing quest to prove to myself and others that I was worthy of (fill in the blank), I had badly neglected my physical, emotional and spiritual health.

So I quit my career and dedicated my time to teaching myself how to diet, exercise and improve my relationships. But, two years in I had barely moved the needle. I discovered, knowing what to do doesn’t work if you can’t or won’t do it consistently.

Overwhelmed and disheartened, I realized I needed help in areas that I couldn’t pinpoint on my own. So I began looking for a health coach who could provide structured learning with strong expectations for me taking action. Someone who would work with me in moving forward in my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual goals.

Enter Karen Van Barneveld - part strategist, part thought provoker, and part cheerleader! She asks the right questions, provides the right level of feedback, and yet puts you in the driver seat, supporting you on your health journey with motivation, empowerment and candor.

I thought we would begin with a food and exercise plan that would be the one that I would finally follow. But Karen is wiser than me. So instead, we began by looking at what was working in my life, what new passions I want, what my life’s goals are and what my goals were for our work together.

Karen can repackage your own, sometimes confusing, thoughts in a way that adds meaningful direction. We determined how to utilize my strengths to build up the areas that I had grossly neglected.

Her sincerity in serving others is the real deal. Karen’s values-centered guidance challenged me to see that I had never really internalized that the quality of my life and my relationships with others has everything to do with the quality of my relationship with myself. And at the point that we met, that key relationship was essentially non-existent.

I had always lived my life running full out and in forward motion. I was rarely present and didn’t allow time for restoration. My husband says I was living each day trying to stuff 10 pounds of sugar in a 5 pound bag.

Karen helped me realize that my lifelong battle with procrastination wasn’t a character flaw, it was my body, mind and spirit crying out for space to reflect, learn and file away the daily, weekly and monthly learnings and activities.

Not only is Karen an amazing coach, but also a caring mentor. The strategies and lessons she is providing inspires and motivates me to live a life in congruency with my values and passions. My values now include having more grace with myself and others. Which for me, shows up as more patience for and less judgment of myself and others. My values also include designing a life of contribution and service beginning with serving me. And most of all, building self-trust so I know I can count on me to uphold my value through consistent self-care.

Karen has been invaluable in helping me let go of the shame, grief and embarrassment that greatly contributes to me letting myself down through self-neglect. Through her coaching in HeartMath, Yoga and breath work we are establishing my lifelong physical practice and spiritual engagement with my body, heart and soul. We are re-igniting my resilience to go from depletion to renewal.

I’m delighted to share that my husband appreciates my calmer demeanor and greater demonstrations of compassion, presence and loving support. Even in the stressful days of Covid-19 we are successfully navigating emotions with each other. No longer in reaction mode, but caring and listening to each other. Divorce is off the table forever!

I’m very grateful to be working with Karen and especially during the challenging period of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Karen continually displays her compassionate and caring nature accompanied by her commitment and high level of integrity; all traits ideal for a coach. I am forever grateful for the new peace, energy and life path that working with Karen is bringing to my life.”

Sherry Hogan English

Certified High Performance Coach

“Karen is like a Yogi encyclopedia”

Through the many years I have been going to Karen’s classes I have never left a class without learning something new regarding yoga, health, mind quieting and most importantly love (for myself & others), energy (that comes from within and all around us) and peace (of mind, body, and soul).

My first reason for starting yoga was to stay in shape. I started with beginning Yoga, gradually moved up to Gentle Hatha and over the years felt strong enough for Flow. I was so proud of myself for making these physical achievements and surprised at what my body, almost naturally, was capable of doing.

The three most important lessons Karen brings to her Yoga classes are;

EGO - Leave your ego at the door. Yoga is a lifelong class of learning who you are with grace; Mind, Body and Soul, not a course in perfection.

THOUGHTS - The millions of thoughts that go through our minds Good, Bad and Ugly are NOT who we are and we shouldn’t give them the power/strength we sometimes do. Learning and understanding this gave me a wonderful feeling of freedom and less judgment. Allowing them to float through your mind like clouds, not giving them much weight is an incredibly comforting feeling from guilt, self-hate and sadness.  Also learning a positive, healthy Mantra is an important lesson in Yoga.

BREATH – Learning to retrain myself to breathe correctly was hard for me to learn, it felt unnatural. I was always a very shallow breather which made it easy for me to get excited and panicky at times. However, with Karen continuing these healthful techniques in her Yoga classes, I was able to understand the process and retrain my breathing pattern. What a difference that has made.

We all have struggles in life. Finding guidance during these times is also a part of Yoga teaching. When I was in crisis, I decided to try Karen’s Yin class which helped me look inward with ease and understanding, to center my mind and body. To allow my mind to quiet, find peace, giving myself the time to heal. I continue these Yin classes for just those reasons.

Yoga is an education and continuous learning on physical and mental strength, on life and how to live it with joy, an easy heart and truly an appreciation for the world around us. You should give it a try!”

Marlene Slayton

About Karen

I have known Karen for approximately three years and have not met a more caring, loving person. Karen has assisted me in lowering my blood pressure with Heart Math techniques to the point that I no longer need medication. She has been my Spiritual Coach through Shamanic healing, breathing techniques and Yoga as well as a Life Coach.

I feel I can share my most intimate thoughts with her because her essence is one of unconditional love and without judgement.

Karen continues to assist me in working through several life traumas, and has been my guiding Angel.

Karen introduced me to The Four Winds founder, Alberto Villoldo’s book “Grow A New Body” and I was able to lose about 20 pounds through a safe and enduring detox cleanse regimen that now feel confident in replicating annually.

Mary Walters
Reiki Master/Teacher