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October 2022 by Amit Patel
I started with the objective of getting healthy and focusing on my physical wellness. With Nick what I was able to quickly learn was the need to combine physical and mental wellness to get the maximize impact. If I was showing up to the gym or work with the wrong mental mindset and state, what I ended up doing had little impact. My experience with Nick has definitely made me a better person and leader. A better person by knowing how to read myself and effectively manage my head, heart and soul. A better leader because I'm mentally ready for any challenge and can give my all as a result. It is easy to dismiss the need for help, especially those in high leadership positions. But I can assure you we all need help and we never stop learning.
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May 2019 by Djayslim M.
Working in tech can be super stressful , coworker introduced me to Nick . my life changed and I learned how to quiet my mind . NICK has become my personal go to person and in addition he is also a fitness trainer Highly recommend his services
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September 2018 by Erika Joseph Bergen
We brought Nick in to do a meditation session with our staff and he was terrific. He has a great presence and our team members got a lot of value out of the session. Would recommend Nick for your company wellness programs!
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September 2018 by Jason Santillano
I started training with Nick after I got serious about riding the AIDS LifeCycle. He worked with me on developing a plan to accomplish that goal. He crafted a training and diet regime that would help me on a difficult cycling ride. He always brings great energy to every session. Nick has gone above and beyond any of my expectations. When he learned I had to raise money in order to ride, he suggested to host a boot camp and brunch to raise money and he would volunteer to lead the class.
I've been training with Nick for several month now, but feels like so much longer. I was looking for a personal trainer that would not only help me get into shape but also help me improve and get into better shape mentally too, Nick has been absolutely amazing. I'm very happy to be working out with Nick. He has taught me so much about my body, how it works, how to work with it, dieting, recovery, and Yoga. (I'm a big fan and believer of yoga)
There have been many instances where Nick has gone past his duties as a trainer and has become a friend. I recommend Nick to anyone who wants to get serious about their health and learning more about their body and mind.
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September 2018 by Sara Geary
Nick creates and amazing environment where you feel safe to express yourself freely! His online course embodies this so well and helps me incorporate meditation and mindfulness into my everyday. I am a student who works part time and Nicks program has helped me become more aware of what is actually at the root of my stress.
The online modules and weekly calls have a new teaching waiting to be explored. He really puts his soul into his teachings and it reflects in the program. I feel safe to be vulnerable and open on the calls without being judged. Finding the BigYogi was like a breath of fresh air.
:)
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September 2018 by Jacqueline Vivienne Chiang
I was first referred to Nick over a year and a half ago for stress management. During my initial consultation, I was cautiously optimistic. However, within the my very first session, I could already tell that this was exactly what I needed. Nick empowers you to manage stress in your life by providing you with tools you can apply to any situation. Being an extremely pragmatic person, I find the framework and tools he introduces to be helpful in my personal life as well as my professional life.
Nick's experience and expertise in yoga, fitness training, nutrition, and wellness coaching help shape his holistic approach to managing stress. From meditation, to breath work and everything in between, Nick equips you with tools to make the changes you want in your life... ultimately leading to less stress and more joy. :)
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September 2018 by Alya Franklin
Yoga and meditation completely changed my life with with the help of Nick’s classes and coaching. Four years ago I started taking Nick’s yoga class at Wheelhouse and its where I learned that yoga was more than a physical workout. This led to personal health coaching and more recently joining his group coaching on meditation and stress management. I’m very grateful that I earned a scholarship to his “Get Meditated” group in a challenging time in my life. Stress used to run my life but now I’m more mindful of my thoughts and actions. I manage my business and face stressful situations with more compassion. Nick’s super nice and easy to work with. He encourages his students to enjoy life while making your health and well being a priority.
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September 2018 by Daniel Kim
After suffering an injury, I wanted to focus on rehab, but still continuing on strength training on other parts of my body. I've been training with Nick for nearly a year. I'm glad I met him. He is conscientious, knowledgeable, and energetic. His workouts are always challenging and fun.
Nick offers a unique perspective in training. As a yoga instructor, stress management coach, and workout trainer, he weaves different philosophies into your sessions. You quickly appreciate his whole body wellness mentality.
I highly recommend Nick without reservation.
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September 2018 by Katy Bosinoff
"My husband and I have been lucky enough to work with Nick for the past several months. We were brand new to learning yoga and Nick was patient, positive and all around inspirational. We have gained such a strong foundation in yoga, breathing and meditation. Nick always begins our lessons by asking us how we are feeling and then tailors our class to fit exactly what we need.
We have learned so much more than just yoga poses from Nick. He has given us wise advice and frameworks on how to manage stress in our daily lives. My husband and I have both seen a huge improvement with how we manage stressful situations and tackle challenges. We highly recommend Nick for yoga lessons, personal training and stress management!"
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September 2018 by Cyrus Khambatta
I'm not a big fan of yoga. I find that whenever I go to classes, I always walk out feeling like I need more of a workout.
That is certainly NOT the case with Nick's classes. When I first took his class, I did not know what to expect. I just heard from other people that he was a very talented yoga instructor, so I went.
I am so glad I did, because his workout was a great combination of stretching and strength, just the way I like it. You do not need to be a phenomenal athlete to enjoy this class, and you don't need to be an experienced yogi either.
His only asks are that you show up willing to do your best, and by allowing him to guide you through the experience, you feel tired, refreshed and energized all the same time.
Add to that the fact that Nick is an incredibly nice guy, and gives you a great amount of individual attention to help you through the experience.
There's no doubt that you will love your experience with Nick, he is a gem and a rock star at the same time.
Without doubt, he's one of the best yoga teachers in the bay area. Hands down.
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September 2018 by Jordan Younis
I've done all sorts of work with Nick, from yoga sessions to coaching/meditation to some fitness classes. Oddly enough, I met him for the first time at a bar, not in his work setting, but even before I started working with him, I could tell he was a really unique and wonderful person.
Once I started actually working with him, I started to see even more how special he is at what he does. He's as good as it gets, and he "gets it". He's authentic, honest, caring and real with you, and in our sessions together, he has helped me make some important realizations and effective changes. Nick is a compassionate listener, and you can tell he's really there with you, engaged in what you're saying. He really has a heart for helping people, whether he's listening quietly and making gentle suggestions or challenging you and pushing you to do better (both in a physical sense through yoga/fitness or in coaching sessions). I've seen a big transformation though my work with Nick and I owe him many thanks. Highly recommended if you want to take an amazing yoga class or fitness class, or if you need some stress management and guidance in your life. Nick was born to do this and it shows.
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September 2018 by Tessa Divita
Nick is a wonderful trainer who brings much more to the table than just the ability to tell his clients to pick up heavy things and then do burpees until they barf (though he can definitely do that too.)
He is patient and very motivating, and the tools he teaches you to apply to your workouts can be applied to all aspects of your life. The other day during an exam I was feeling particularly stressed and powerless, and automatically I found myself imagining that I was the eye of a storm and doing the power breathing technique he taught me. As my heart rate started to come down and my head began to clear, I thought to myself "damn, that freakishly tall yogi got to me."
Since I began working with Nick, I have greatly improved my fitness (which was my goal in working with him) and I have also improved my relationship with stressful energy (which is an unexpected bonus!) No matter what your goals are, he can help you achieve them and have a good time doing it.
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September 2018 by Cathy Lui
looking for a personal trainer to get your ass in shape? look no further. nick aka the big yogi is awesome. he is a great balance of pushing you to your limits but not being mean about it, motivating you, and looking out for your all-around health including stress level, diet (my most hated part of trying to get healthy), and physical/cardio-vascular strength. he has a diverse skill set with the yoga plus physical training plus stress coaching so you can get a lot out of your sessions. he is really flexible with your needs and will come to your house for those who have home gyms or a good set-up for working out at your house. perfect for harried always-working yuppies with a stressful day job and not enough time for work-outs
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September 2018 by Katie Abbott
I've worked with Nick in several different ways for nearly two years and without a doubt the work I've done with Nick has completely shifted my approach to life. Our paths crossed at a time when stress from work had me one string away from needing to take a complete break from any and all things on my professional path. At the same time I was fighting multiple injuries and despite everything I tried, I just couldn't get back on track with where I wanted to be physically, mentally or emotionally. And I was exhausted on all fronts.
Within weeks of starting one-on-one coaching with Nick, I was able to significantly shift my perspective and realized just how much influence I had over the stressful situations in day-to-day life. Nick started by coaching me through making simple shifts to increase the things that brought me joy/energy (e.g. drinking more water, taking time to breathe) and decreasing those things that brought me stress (e.g. forgetting to eat because work was "too busy"). Over time, those small things became bigger things (like focusing on leaving work after 8 hours instead of 12hrs, or not checking my email on vacation). These might seem like small shifts for some, but for me, even the idea of changing these things left me paralyzed with fear. As Nick coached me through small, sustainable changes, my stress level had reached a point that I never thought was possible. Nick's ability to always meet you where you are, while offering a judgment free, safe space to discover and create those things you really want in life is a truly incredible gift.
I've also had the chance to workout and practice yoga with Nick which has continued to offer even more personal growth. He's a great trainer and makes working out fun and challenging.
Since working with Nick, I'm the healthiest I've ever been. I am more aware of the things I can do to shift my stress before it gets the best of me. I no longer judge myself or my body for what it can or cannot do at any given moment and have remained injury-free for over a year. Nick has helped me to take ownership over my daily perspective and the tools, insights, and strength I've gained from the work will continue to serve me for life. We've shared lots of laughs, a few tears (on my part) and a heck of a lot of fun and growth along the way.
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September 2018 by Giada Cosentino
Almost a year into our meditation sessions with Nick and I have learned one thing: that the mind needs to be cultivated just as much as the body! I couldn't recommend a better yoga and meditation coach!
