Testimonials
“Grace’s raw food workshops are inspiring and life changing. I thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on component of the class making it easier to learn. Grace is such a knowledgeable teacher filled with love and light and delightfully funny, too! Never a dull moment in her classes! ~Cindy, Australia
“I recently stayed at Aqua in Nicaragua for 10 days and participated in a yoga and raw foods retreat faciltated by Aqua’s resident Yogini Grace Van Berkum. Every day Grace led a glorious Hatha yoga class appropriate for all levels, and afterwards made us delicious smoothies to sip at the beachside bar. She also led a variety of hands on raw foods seminars where we learned how to make yummy raw chocolate truffles, macaroons, salad dressings, soups, and salads. She was always available to answer any questions and also led us on a variety of excursions around the area including a boat trip to San Juan Del Sur, a hike to the tallest peak on the beach, surfing lessons at Playa Amarillo, and out for dancing in Playa Gigante. Every part of the retreat was coordinated to perfection! I would absolutely come back to Aqua and do another retreat with Grace! ~Susan, California
“It is important to me to have a nutritional/personal trainer who offers maturity, sensitivity and an educated approach to their coaching. And, in my personal opinion this is very difficult to find in the fitness industry. Grace delivers on all of these aspects. I would not hesitate to refer her to others as an impeccable all rounded lifestyle coach!” ~Leona, Canada
“It’s always great to learn something new, but when your teacher has sparkling eyes, clear, vibrant skin, a warm, comforting open heart, a beautiful smile AND knows what she’s talking about, that’s a BONUS! It’s a whole new world after my 3 day vegan food class with you Grace, I can’t wait for the next opportunity to be your student!” ~Rachael, Bahamas
“I stayed at Aqua for a week in February and felt completely rejuvenated, relaxed and inspired. The highlight of my stay was Grace Van Berkum’s Yoga retreat. Grace is a woman who lives her passions and is an incredible teacher. Every morning Grace led Hatha yoga classes, suitable for all levels on the most incredible yoga deck facing the ocean and jungle infused cliffs. It was truly magical. And as I was a complete newbie to yoga, Grace helped me understand the practice and inspired me to want to incorporate yoga into my routine back in the big, busy city in which I live. Grace developed a retreat schedule that was the perfect blend of yoga, raw food seminars, relaxing and discovering. She made me feel completely comfortable. She’s truly a professional. Every second day she led a raw food class where we learned about the benefits of eating raw. We discovered juicing, smoothies, sprouts, salads, deserts, soups, and my favourite….chocolate making. She has an incredible way of explaining things so simply that you will leave knowing that you can easily incorporate her recipes into your life. And to have experienced the retreat at Aqua was a pleasure. I would highly recommend a stay at Aqua and without a doubt Grace’s fantastic retreat.” ~Kathy, Canada
“Grace taught me that preparing raw food is healthy, simple and tasty and she explained the health benefits of every ingredient so I have a better understanding of what I eat, where it came from and why it is good for me. Her recipes are delicious and she encouraged me to get creative with my food. I never knew raw food could be so delicious! Yoga with Grace has also been an amazing experience. Having taken yoga for a few years, I found the experience with Grace the most rewarding. When teaching, Grace not only explains how to do the positions, she also explains why that position is good for you and what it does for your body. There is no better feeling than the feeling after a Gracious Living yoga class. It is pure body-bliss!” ~Megan, Canada
“I would highly and strongly recommend Grace Van Berkum to anyone person whom is having any dietary, medical, or personal issues with their diets. Grace tells it like it is and she won’t sugar-coat the facts. If you are seriously wanting to be fixed and maintain a healthy, pain-free lifestyle, Grace will be there with you, by your side, making life better. I can attest to that vividly! Grace made my life 100% better within a matter of 2 months, and I can honestly say, she has been the best thing that has happened to me within the last 5 years. I not only started feeling better each morning I woke up, I had more energy, a renewed zest for life, and I didn’t have to have stomach surgery! Thanks to Grace, I had the ability to make a life changing decision, find a terrific job to plan for the future, and all because I can now control my health, and am back to feeling like a regular, normal person. Thanks so much to Grace Van Berkum! A Natural Nutritionist whom I would recommend to anyone, and have already done so to many people.” ~Justin, Canada
“Grace’s hands-on raw food preparation classes created a real sense of confidence and empowerment. Grace communicates with clarity and ‘grace’. Wisdom without condescendence.” ~Beth, Los Angeles
“Our spritely Canadian teacher Grace guided us through poses and steady Hatha breathing that left me with the warm buzz I look for in a good yoga class!” ~Courtney, New York
“I was totally impressed and blown away with Grace’s depth of knowledge. She spoke with confidence, humility and humour and connected with every person in the big raw food class. Grace made so many things, so quickly, could answer questions, and gave nutritional reasons for using every ingredient. Grace exudes health and beauty and it is obvious she is a product of her own teachings. It was a really great experience.” ~ Matt, South Africa
“My expectations for Grace Van Berkum’s and Randi Smith’s Yoga Surf Empowerment Retreat in Nicaragua was met and exceeded! I enjoyed the close personal instruction, interaction, and guidance from both of these gracious, open teachers. They are very knowledgeable and inspiring, and totally in sync making them an excellent team. The collaboration was perfect, the diversity of topics covered was fantastic, the group from all over the world was fabulous, and the setting was stunning. My body and mind were stretched and I will remember this trip forever.” ~Costa Rica
