"The YES! Course is fun and awesome!

The breathing techniques made me

calm and centered. They also made me

feel energized. I feel refreshed and

eager to go out and fix problems! I

highly recommend this course!"

-Becca, 15

“My overall experience wasn’t just good,

it was actually great. I enjoyed YES! a

lot and I didn’t think I would, I just sort

of thought it would be mediocre, but I

got so much out of it. I think it improved

me as a person; my character and my

outlook on life. Before I was a little less

sure of myself but now I feel more full.

After the breathing I felt calm, like there

were no more waves in the water. I liked how we talked about a lot of things, like a lot of the problems we face in everyday life, it touched really deep I guess and I wasn’t expecting it to. I would recommend this to probably everyone I know because all of them have problems that are just like mine, it would help so many people... I’m really grateful for this opportunity.”

-Demetra Powell

“It helped me to breathe better and I haven’t needed my asthma pump. I feel fortunate that I can to take this course because now I can practice yoga on my own and have the privilege of knowing how to calm myself whenever I get upset, etc.”

-Mack, 17, NYC

"I think everyone should do the YES! Course because the Kriya changes you and really develops you. I noticed this whole week that I was in a better mood. I was happy and relaxed. And the course is fun! I feel like a different person and I learned so much!"

-Hannah, 15, NV

"YES! Has interesting and deep points about how to live life happily. The breathing exercises help me to feel much more energetic and happy. I am waking up earlier and I don't feel like sleeping 24/7! I feel very good as if I am a better person. YES! Should stand for Young Exceptional Students!"

-Olivia, 15, CA

"YES! Is really great! I liked meeting new people and having discussions about real life things we [as teens] need advice on. The breathing exercises made me more aware of my breath and helped me with my asthma. The course is a place where you can learn the art of living and the relation of breath to life."

-Claudia, 13, NYC

"The YES program has made a significant change in my life. Before, I would go to school grumpy and upset due to things that had occurred the day before. I wouldn't do well in school and I'd lash out at people for no reason. After I took the YES program, I used the breathing techniques they taught me to calm myself down. I no longer was grumpy and upset, but jolly and friendly. I gained many friends through the YES program and even my grades are higher. Everyone in the YES program was supportive and caring toward me and the other students. It was a great experience and I will never forget it nor the people in it."

-Melissa, Los Angeles

"I am proud to say that the YES program has made a HUGE difference in my life! When I experienced the YES program for the first time, I was amazed! I let go of emotions I had kept bottled up inside. My attitude toward people in school changed. I learned to appreciate people whom before I used to take for granted. It brought my best friend (who took the course too) and I closer together. What I enjoyed the most was the support I received from the YES instructors and new friendships made. The YES program was an amazing experience that I will always carry in my heart."

-Liz, Los Angeles

“I like that we do these type of yoga things and it calms our mind because as high school students we have a lot of stress on our hands, but with this class we can relax and calm down and when we go home we can do our homework and everything with a clear mind and not worry about anything.”

-Student, Los Angeles

"I can honestly say that this course was one of the best experiences of my life up until now. When I left each session I felt so much better about myself. I felt like I can get through any test, problem or obstacle and my self-esteem was certainly uplifted. Overall the breathing seminar has given me something that I can use for the rest of my life. I would most definitely recommend the class to anyone, especially my peers. These days every day there seems to be something contributing to our level of stress and it seems impossible to relieve. The people who take this class are the lucky ones and the ones who will always be ahead of the game in school and in life in general."

-Sajma, 16, NYC

"What I enjoyed about the course was that I learned to relax. It was an opportunity to get away from my usual environment, meet new people, play games, breathe. All in all I enjoyed being able to be myself! Thank you!"

-Mallika, 17, NYC

"Before I came here I was really stressed out.

Little things made me angry. I learned to get

rid of the anger and free my mind from all

the clutter. If I get angry I just do the

breathing and it makes me feel better."

-Matt, California

"I enjoyed the course because I learned how

to control my anger........I learned that by

nature I am non-violent and that violence

is not needed to survive. I also learned to

socialize better and about five factors that

will help me in my journey through life.

Thanks!"

-Nelson, 16, NYC

"The YES! Course is a great way for young people to deal with their inner problems and improve their lives and way of living. The breathing practices bring me into the present moment and centers me in my body. By the end of the course I felt incredible!"

-Brooks, 16, WA

“I think I learned a lot this week. All of the lessons make sense and can help me make life a smoother ride, but the challenge of applying them starts now. I have always been a person who worries too much about what others think…the exercises and discussions we experienced this week will give me some more strength and confidence to face the many challenges I will soon face in the approaching year of college.”

-Sameer

“YES! is something that empowers youth physically and mentally. The breathing allowed me to stop thinking about stressful things and allowed me to clear my mind. I like how much relaxation it brought to me. I felt a lot more focused at the end of the course.”

-Sterling, 17, NYC

“This program/course has been an incredible experience for me not only mentally, but also my performance in other things I do such as tennis. I’ve become a calmer, more focused and concentrated person where I used to not be able to really calm myself and my mind down. I’ve also improved a lot in tennis because I’m able to become more focused, and being button proof helped me to understand my dad more when he coaches me. I’ve really enjoyed this class and I look forward to taking it again."

-Chloe Chang

“Through the course I got to learn some relaxation and meditation techniques that I really find fun and beneficial. I also appreciated the kindness and openness everyone showed throughout the course. I am really glad I got to meet people who are so different from the people I usually hang out with. I liked the discussion of different topics everyday. They really applied to my life and made me think.”

-Melissa V. Llamera

It's me Fanjola. I would really like to keep in touch with you, because you have made a big difference in my life. I really woke up. More than ever I believe that I can make my biggest dream come true which is to go change my country and stop corruption, poverty, unfairness, etc.

I’ve had this dream since I was very little. Mother Teresa was from Albania. I don't know if you know her. I met her when I was 5 and when she hugged me, she said to me that God had brought me in this world to make a difference. And she looked me in the eyes and said to me: "You will change Albania one day, it will be hard, but if you believe and have faith in yourself and on God, you will." I remember those words like it was yesterday. And then my dream became really big. So I don't know where I am going to start, but I want to follow my dream, and you came into my life at the perfect time, because you have made me stronger and I now have faith in me, a lot of it. Thank you for making a difference into my life.

-Fanjola, Lombard, IL