testimonials

Foraging for Wild Food & Medicine

“Whether on a herb walk or in a herbal workshop, Kim’s deep connection to the plant world will fill you with wonder and nourish all your senses.” ~Suki Roth, Community Herbalist

“Kim Calhoun knows how to celebrate our Piedmont habitats, joining exuberance with scholarship cultivated from all over North Carolina and beyond. A true Chatham local, Kim has a rare depth of botanical and ethnographic knowledge from both traditional and academic sources. This course should be taken in every season.” ~George Pauly

“Taking this class has allowed me to form a connection with plants, trees, and nature in a way I never expected. I’ve always liked plants, but I’ve found learning about all their gifts has given me an appreciation that has changed my life. I’ve never felt more anchored to this earth and in tune with my surroundings. I feel like I’ve been given a new set of eyes. I also think there is a new space in my heart that is crammed full of joy and excitement for learning as much as I can. Kim’s style of teaching is perfect. Seeing, touching, sometimes tasting, adds a dimension to learning that has really helped me learn and remember the information.” ~Lea

“Kim has conducted several workshops for my students over the years. She does a wonderful job at tailoring each one to the needs of the students and our educational goals. Her workshops are thoroughly planned, engaging, and hands on. Kim possesses a natural ability to connect with all types of learners and has a knack for making people feel comfortable and welcome and, thus, ready to learn. Her workshops are fascinating and fun. After each workshop, I’ve had students tell me that it was the “best educational field trip they’ve ever experienced.” ~Bill Landis, PhD, RD, Meredith College

“I felt so fed today by your teaching and the amazing food. That wild salad was truly the best salad I have ever eaten. Ever. And I am big on making salads. The greens combined with your salad dressing (also best ever!) was so divine and made me so full of gratitude. My cup runneth over.” ~Allison

“Hi Kim, We thoroughly enjoyed our plant walk on Saturday!!! We ate redbuds and made wysteria flower water later in the day! The girls were careful to speak to the plants and say “please and thank you.” 🙂 Upon reflection, I realize that I seem to distrust eating things I find in nature…That’s why joining you on your walk was so enjoyable….almost an epiphany.” ~Mark

“Hey Kim! I am incredibly grateful for the time we all got to spend together. Your energy is radiant and nourishing. The education you shared was something that I have been yearning for but what I appreciated most went beyond plant ID. I greatly valued your recognition and respect for your own ancestors as well as those Indigenous to the land around us. ⁣
⁣     Everything was so so amazing, from your respectful handout, the persimmon soda (bubbly magic), the twig ID, the side by side tree comparisons (Rock Chestnut Oak vs. Tulip Poplar), the observation of young and older species (Sweetgums and Sourwoods), and, of course the supremely delicious Forest Persimmon Cookies.⁣
⁣     I cannot wait to dive into all of it, and begin experimenting with my own nut milks, flours, syrups, medicine, and more! I know your classes fill up fast, and truthfully I don’t want to hog space because everyone should get to experience your walks, but I do hope to attend another in the future. Take care!” ~Maggie

Gentle Yoga

“Dear Kim, you are an awesome yoga instructor. I love the variety of exercises you prepare, that class is always different and that we have so much FUN together! I get a real sense of community and love the location. I doubt I’ll ever be able to return to conventional yoga classes ever again…and you can quote me on all that! Hugs” ~Sandra

“Thank you for a wonderful healing gentle yoga series. I so look forward to these Wednesday nights and appreciate the thought and care you put into each guided practice.” ~Angela

“Hi Kim, I am so glad I took that first step and signed up for your online class. I am so self-conscious about my clumsiness that I’ve never had the nerve to try an in person class. Trying to learn on my own wasn’t working that well – it really helps to have you saying “relax that left shoulder” and suggesting where we should (and should not) feel something working and especially teaching us to BREATHE. I only wish I had discovered the benefits of yoga decades ago because managing stress has always been a challenge and your class has helped me navigate the stress of the last few years through the pandemic.”

“Gentle Evening Yoga is a great way to re-connect with yourself at the end of the day. Kim’s teaching style is accepting and makes you comfortable in whatever you are able to do.” 

“Kim, I keep wanting to tell you how you changed my life. That five years of yoga with you really TOOK. I would never have thought to take such good care of my self if you hadn’t introduced that care to me.  Also, my chronic pain is helped.”

“Can’t believe I waited 49 years to take a yoga class. For so long, friends have told me I’d love it! They’re right, of course. If you’ve never tried it, Kim Calhoun is a fantastic instructor!”

“Kim, I think you have a wonderful teaching style. You are organized, demonstrate and explain well, and are one of the best yoga instructors I’ve experienced.” ~Sharon

“Kim, thank you so much for everything. Yoga has really impacted my life and I’m definitely going to continue using it through life. You’ve done more good for myself and these other girls than you know. You have taught me a lot about well-being and listening to my body. I really appreciate it. You were an awesome person to get to know.” ~high school yoga student

“After doing yoga with Kim, our teenage students were calm, relaxed and more at ease with themselves. She taught them valuable techniques for reducing anxiety in stressful day to day situations, leading them to feel more in control of their lives as they were able to make healthier decisions.” ~Jane Samuel, Head of School, Auldern Academy 

Energywork & Barefoot Body Masssage

“Kim is a massage and polarity therapist of great sensitivity and warmth. I am working with her to overcome the painful effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Kim’s calm reassuring presence creates a sanctuary of acceptance where it is safe for me to face some of my most deeply personal issues.” ~Anonymous

“I experienced deep states of relaxation, awesome and beautiful visions, new awareness, energetic shifts, and emotional emptying and relief. At the end of the session I felt like I had a new body with which to feel, perceive, and interact with the world in a different way.” ~Anonymous Polarity Therapy client

“My favorite part of the Partner Massage Playshop was learning to use my feet to give massage! I’m excited to try my new skills with my family and I want to practice asking permission for touch with my children.”~Louise Omoto Kessel, Director, Clapping Hands Farm

“Hi Kim, Thanks for the wonderful Valentine’s Partner workshop! My partner Zack and I really enjoyed it. I thought using our feet and more of our body to massage was insightful- I have carpal tunnel so it is usually hard for me to give massage to loved ones because it hurts my hand/wrist/arm, so this was a great way for me to be able to give without having any pain. I can use what we learned at home for sure. Also grateful to receive the foot massage all the way up my arm which alleviates some of my pain there! Now Zack knows how to help me with that!” ~Tina

“As I prepared for and recovered from surgery, Kim’s healing touch and positive energy helped me to reduce the tension I was holding. Her holistic approach and genuine concern for her clients is inspiring.”~Margaret Barrett

“What a joy and comfort to be in Kim Calhoun’s loving and capable hands!” ~Cynthia Crossen

“Kim’s Barefoot Body Massage is particularly satisfying because Kim gets to use the strength of her lower body to apply pressure and leverage in a very different way than traditional massage allows. As a big man I like the full expanse of a wide surface to lie on. Plus, Barefoot Body Massage has a playful aspect to it. Sometimes I feel like a balloon at the end of Kim’s hands and feet, being prodded, twisted, stretched, cradled and finally gently released, more pliable, slower, aware.” ~Gary

“I have good news–I’m pregnant! I really believe the relaxation I received from your treatment played a part. Thank you! What a gift!” ~Melinda Harder

“Throughout my pregnancy, the work that Kim and I have done together has supported my mental and physical wellness during this permanently life-altering experience. Kim is a true healer–she listens to me, honors what my baby and I are going through, and suggests techniques that I use between sessions to manage stress. Most importantly, she brings the gifts of unwavering presence and unconditional caring to every session. I will keep these gifts in the place where my most sacred learnings are kept, knowing that sharing this journey with Kim has made me a better mom and human being.” ~Liana, first-time mother to Margo

“This session was a powerful and significant step in my journey of healing. I had intense and challenging emotions/energy arise around issues of my relationships with others and my relationship to myself. Kim guided and grounded me through states of confusion, anger, frustration, and grief. She did this with guided mindfulness, encouragement of verbalization, work with movement, releasing of energy through sound, and completion of the session with stabilizing/integrating table work. To have had Kim’s steady and strong, wise and loving presence as a witness to this experience is very meaningful to me. I am grateful.” ~anonymous polarity therapy client