Michael Murphy
(in 2021)
Author of “The Future of Body”, Founder of The Esalen Institute

“Pamela Carrara has developed her yoga practice faithfully for 45 years. It is deeply informed by other transformative disciplines and can be adapted for people of different ages, athletic capacities, and needs. She has been a pioneer in her field.”

George Leonard
(1923-2010)
Human Potential Pioneer & Author

“I consider Pamela to be working in earnest helping others recognize and develop their full potential.”

Betsy Doyle
Student since 2003

“ I appreciate your patience and how you intuitively are able to know what adjustments different people in the class may need at any time and how you keep challenging me.   

I love the way I feel happy and relaxed afterwards.  And, I truly do ‘float’ out of your restorative classes.  While I can’t convince my husband to join me, he can tell by the look on my face (he calls it the ‘yoga’ look) and my relaxed state when I’ve come from a class. 

Every week when I leave your class, I actually feel taller; I can tell I am more flexible. I am also aware of my posture and breathing and of keeping my eyes ‘receptive’ throughout each day. 

I thank you for all that you’ve given me and allowed me to give to myself.  I love how I can hear the smile in your voice during practice and how you encourage us all, no matter what our level. ”

Judy Litteer
1-on-1 Client
Realtor, Better Homes & Gardens JFF

“I remember our first call together, and now over two years later, I am reflecting on how my life is enriched and enhanced through our work together. You have truly been a partner to me, and I am grateful for the energy and devotion with which you honor me.  You are a joyful combination of coach, therapist, friend, and a very wise woman. 

Pamela, during these two years, you have opened my eyes to my softer side, the side that was overshadowed by my need to work many long hours, and with your guidance I am a more balanced person and able to enjoy my time away from my career, with family and friends.

You taught me how to be kind to myself, and how to appreciate and treasure my uniqueness in the world.  I love myself and I am good to myself!  ”

Andriana Marino
Student
Owner of Moxi, Holistic Beauty

“The differences that I have noticed by working with you Pamela, is that it is not just how I feel in your class, I hear your gentle coaxing echoing in my mind all the time. So I am constantly adjusting myself to stand better at work, or be gentle with myself when I am trying too hard. And I also hear how you share with me to never force anything. (I think it’s a metaphor for my whole life). ”

Dr. Michael Spino
Author, World Class Running Coach & Pioneer in Mindful Sports

“Pamela Carrara is a diverse teacher who thrives in many areas of expertise and teaches the essentials. She has an extensive practice that incorporates her work and other physical skills as dance, yoga, martial arts. She even has a Beyond Jogging: Innerspaces of Running Techniques Senior Certificate from training with me. She is devoted and teaches wholeheartedly with intense insights and flawless capability. In this Covid era she has pivoted to online live interactive sessions, bringing her work to many more people. Anyone who becomes a student of Pamela will find a peerless teacher and an intuitive instructor. We in our golden years (I am 76) have much to give and provide, and Pamela, is one in a long tradition of avant garde teachers within the human potential arena. What you receive will definitely be of an extremely high quality delivered with personal attention and keen perception.”

David Meggyesy
Seven year NFL player, Author of "Out Of Their League"

“My wife Carolyn and I have worked with Pamela for many years and we are friends. Pamela is a superb teacher and practitioner. As a former seven year  NFL player I was injured a lot and those injuries came on later during my life. Her work was truly excellent, focusing on my lack of flexibility that led to my overall healing. I’m a sculler (rower), twenty years now. I cannot say enough about Pamela’s formidable skill and her awareness. Older people and masters athletes need to be, and stay healthy.”

Lee Glickstein
Author, "Be Heard Now!"
Founder, Speaking Circles International

"Pamela's gift is to fill a room with a healing presence and grace that brings out the best in everyone. Her talent is to hold and deliver the authority of her mastery with crystal clarity that is easy and pleasurable for her listeners to take in and integrate.”

Bill Alderman, Esq.
1-on-1 Client since 1995

“As somebody who spends long hours at a desk dealing with the demands of complex commercial litigation, I really appreciate and depend on the balance that Pamela brings into my life. She has a wonderful combination of technical knowledge and intuitive skills that always identifies what's going to work best for me.”

Joe Jakovac
Jazz Vocalist,
Writer & Composer

“Pamela's vast experience as a yoga practitioner and professional dancer, as well as incorporating her knowledge of eastern meditation, breath, and body work, among other healing modalities, uniquely qualify her to safely, sensitively, and consciously teach her own registered yoga technique, Fine Body Yoga®.

As a performing artist, I have come to appreciate the relationship between performance (what we do in the world) and the conscious intelligence of the body (what our bodies are telling us, if we listen...). Pamela's FBY® covers the entire body, and addresses its electromagnetic energy with concentrating movements engaging the physical structure, and the vital organs. It's very much a holistic approach and every movement is attached to the movement of breath, with as little physical resistance, and as much gentleness, as possible.

I highly recommend Pamela for anyone seeking a yoga teacher who incorporates the wisdom of eastern spiritual teachings with her own unique approach to restorative holistic health through yoga."

Michelle Marie Duguay
Student
Health Professional, Stanford Hospital Cancer Support Therapist, Yoga & Stress Management Specialist

“I have known Pamela for over a decade now, both as a health advocate and adviser, as well as one of my yoga and wellness teachers. Her uncommon skills, deep compassion for others and decades of experience make her truly a gift on our journey to health, happiness and a better world. I recommend anyone on this path to experience her beautiful, supportive and life changing practices.”

Angela Kray
Student since 2003
Meditation Teacher, "Freedom Inside" Jail Meditation.

“I have been studying with you at the San Francisco Yoga School since 2003 and have participated in your Fine Body Yoga classes, Yoga Above the Beach and Restorative classes. As you know, my background includes many years of practice with a number of other teachers and yoga techniques. 

I am very appreciative of your small class size and focus on individualized attention in this era of over-crowded yoga classes with minimal basic instruction. The incorporation of  your years of professional dance, yoga, bodywork and physical therapy experience into the sessions is very beneficial to your students, particularly those with injuries or physical limitations.

I have noticed increased body awareness, strength and mobility as a result of studying with you. 

People will not know what they are missing until they visit you at the SF Yoga School - one of the best secrets in San Francisco!”

Rebecca Newlin
1-on-1 Client

“I thoroughly enjoyed my sessions with Pamela. I went in with an open mind, and Pamela and I came up with a plan of success for me, much of which had been buried in the back of my mind.  When we discovered these thoughts, they were like Aha Moments!

Pamela is very professional and really cares about her clients, setting up phone calls/e-mail access whenever necessary. 

I especially liked having the Raindrop Therapy, a lovely calming experience.  I truly was taller when I finished, since I was gently pulled and stretched in all those limbs that had previously been settled.  I want to do this again!

Thank you, Pamela, for a wonderful, successful experience.”

Kim Aubrey
1-on-1 Client

“I am thoroughly impressed with your coaching, your coaching style, your way of “being” and your ability to hear through to the bigger picture…all the time.  It was reliable that every session I would come away with something that I didn’t expect but was completely in line with what I was committed to have happen.  You could cut through my typical way of being…mainly doing…to bring forth a way I could bring joy and peace into my life. I am in such a different place now.  I feel so much more whole and complete, with peace and joy in my life.  I know it is much from the work we did together. I now can tap into my inner knowing using the techniques you taught me and find an answer from my heart, not from my mind.”

Joshua Wylie
1-on-1 Client

“There is much I love about Yoga Above the Beach©: being outside and looking out at the ocean, Pamela's guidance, her cheerful grounded and playful demeanor, and her helping me be in my body.”

Leora Myers
RN, Integrative Medicine Nurse Specialist, Meditative Movement & Mindfulness Educator & Author

“Always cultivating a new awareness of body-mind-spirit, Pamela is a pioneer and leader of whole health and well-being.”

Roger Dillahunty
Executive Director,
‘The Beat’ Berkeley Performing Arts Dance Studio

I’ve personally known Pamela for over 40 years as a choreographer, dance instructor, mentor and true friend. I wholeheartedly stand behind her outstanding accomplishments, integrity and leadership as a teacher, dancer, performer and role model. Without hesitation, I attest that Pamela is a person of impeccable character who consistently exhibits a value system steeped in ethics and personal accountability. A stalwart leader in the art of dance, yoga and professionalism and athleticism, she possesses a history of honesty, compassion and success that merits her respect from both colleagues and enthusiasts alike. She has inspired me and wowed innumerable professionals and other individuals over the decades with her exemplary skills, conduct, passion and expertise.

Paul Gisler
Student since 1997
General Contractor,
Building by Design

“Since I met you back in 1997 when the class at the Dolphin club changed yoga teachers, I have continued to work with you.  You brought a lot of energy and focus to our practice.  You worked with us as a group and as individuals during class, which addressed each of our needs and brought attention to our bodies.  It was and still is a great way to learn Yoga through your approach of exploring one’s own bodies needs and abilities.  When you moved your practice from the club to your private studio in the city, I was without hesitation to follow you and continue to be your student ever since.  Your teaching gives me nothing but a great conscious focus, physical flexible strength and spiritual pleasure to life. I cannot thank you enough for my practice of yoga through your teaching and classes.”

Bill Newlin
1-on-1 Client

“I came to Pamela with my back aching and really in need of some guidance to un-wind the knots in my head as well. Pamela is truly an amazing person and her insights helped me on so many levels. Dealing with the stress I had at that time and teaching me how to relax my mind helped immensely. The issues with the pain in my back were slowly fading after each session. The real breakthrough came after the Essential Oil Raindrop Therapy. The pain was gone and a wonderful feeling of strength, both physically and mentally, still keeps my head high every day.

Breathe, relax, and trust with Pamela, your body will thank you.”

Stephen Perelson

“My experiences with Pamela, Fine Body Yoga®, and Yoga Above the Beach© as an older man with the stiffness that comes with 8+ decades, moving through the postures slowly, I notice the limitations in my range of motion given my body at this age; appreciate the feelings of relief and ease that come by the end of the session; and savor the joy and inward smile that are reliably activated."