What people are saying…

Nutrition, Yoga and Body Products-The first time I met Carol she was speaking at Whole Foods on the subject of sugars in food. She was knowledgeable and on point and I learned a lot. A year later I go to a yoga class and she is my new favorite teacher. Can’t say enough about her breath of knowledge and her down to earth approachable style that is warm, comforting and funny too. Carol’s great.
Thanks, Alyse Hart Woodland Hills, Ca

Herb Salt blends I have cooked with all of the herb salt blends.  I have one word ….YUM!  The freshness and combinations available are outstanding.  They make everything you cook better!
-Sherry Hoban, Antioch, Illinois

“Carol Takakura is a font of treasures! I love her herbal mixtures, both for bath and cooking. I use the gourmet cooking mixtures all the time. They’re a great boon to spice up a dish or make something ordinary quickly into something special when you don’t have to time or energy to plot out how much of this or that to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. Just a dash of one of the herbal mixtures does the trick. And in the bath (not the cooking spices, of course) the herbal bath salts are aromatic and soothing. But that’s not all! Cooking tips and recipes, too. I love the smoothie time saver I learned in one of her classes and use it all the time. And that’s just the beginning… Plus, she’s funny and fun, too.”

-Marilee R. Burton

Cooking Workshop-“One of the best meals and time I have had.  Not only was the food great, but I learned so much, spices that I had never heard of, and simple things like cutting correctly.  Carol shows that good food doesn’t have to be hard to make, yet taste great.Thank you again and look forward to learning more.
-Sonia Warren , Calabasas, California.”

“Carols Artisan Herbed Salt blends are my favorite go to spice. I use them for everything from soups to BBQ’s and I have given them for gifts more times than I can count. I love being able to use fresh herbs without having to grind them myself:)”
– Kathy Long, Woodland Hills, CA

Nutrition Consulting/ Yoga- Working with Carol just changed my life, I have known her for a long time.She was my first yoga teacher and she sparked the passion of this amazing discipline in me, at first I did it just for exercise myself, but the way she teaches showed me a new path, a new way of feeling better and to know my body and start to feel the benefits of yoga in every possible way.  Then after a couple of years, I wanted more! She showed me how to eat healthy, everything was new and again, the benefits in my body and mind were amazing. She is an incredible Health Coach, the way she cares, the way she shows you all this new ways of eating and staying healthy is amazing! Now after 3 months I have a new sense of well-being.  I choose to nurture my body and my mind with just good things. Thank you Carol for everything, I can never be grateful enough that you are the one to show me the path for the new me!!!
-Myriam Canales, Porter Ranch, CA

The Herb de Provence from My Sage Gourmet has the same vibrant flavor as using fresh herbs.  It is so much better than the dried out flavorless blends you find at the supermarket.  I love putting it on chicken or fresh fish.  I’m not the greatest cook, but even the simplest dishes get a boost with the herb blends from My Sage Gourmet.
-Darla Tashima, San Diego , CA

Yoga, Nutrition and Cooking Classes: I met Carol at the first YOGA class I have ever taken. I enjoyed her teaching and at the end of the class got into a discussion about the benefits of good eating habits. As I was just learning the art of cooking for myself, I asked Carol for some insights on feeding myself. She suggested I take a class with her and learn a few of the finer points of good balanced meals. I arranged to meet her and to do a class. It was a wonderful experience and a good time was had as she taught us to prepare a very delicious meal. (Served with a delightful wine of course!!!)…  I came away with a recipe and a much better understanding of the little things that can make a meal (A) interesting, (B) colorful and (C) DELICIOUS!!!!
Carol was very patient and has a great way of teaching. We were very hands on and she explained all the ingredients and what the various oils and seasonings were. Where to purchase the items and how to blend them in a variety of ways. We all got to chop and cut and touch the various items. She explained how to use the knives to the best advantage and how to avoid loosing ones fingertips. It was after all a beginner’s class for me. I also learned about foods I had never heard of. Simple and delicious foods.
I have taken the information gathered at Carol’s class and ran with it. Today I am a bolder person in the kitchen and have surprised my children by cooking several meals for them. I have even prepared a meal for a picnic at the Hollywood Bowl and got rave reviews!!!! Last year I would not even attempt to make a cup of coffee!!!! Today I am very comfortable in the kitchen….. THANK YOU, Carol….
I hope you will try Carol’s class. I recommend her teaching and I know you will enjoy the banter and the information she has to share. Happy cooking…..
-Reginald Foster Lake..Woodland Hills, California.

Yoga-“I had the pleasure of meeting Carol Takakura over three years ago, and as a yoga instructor she is fabulous. She exudes a quiet strength and is very encouraging no matter your level of experience. Her patience and guidance gave me the confidence, to eventually execute a pose on the wall, and she was more excited than I was. For those with injuries or areas of concern, Carol gladly provides optional poses. Carol loves what she does and it shows.”
-D. Christensen, Calabasas, CA

Yoga- “Carol is one of those rare teachers who is not only knowledgeable, but kind, compassionate and patient. Carol “walks her talk,” living by her credo and is committed to helping her students transform physically, emotionally and spiritually. I’m always impressed with yoga teachers who have mastered their egos and teach with humility, power and grace and Carol Takakura is just such a teacher”
-Amy Eyrie, Writer, Novelist

“Carol is terrific life coach & personal trainer.  She is thoughtful, caring & knowledgeable about all aspects of nutrition, fitness and healthy living.  I take her Yoga class three days a week.  What separates Carol — from other yoga teachers or personal trainers — is her flexible attitude/approach towards wellness; she is encouraging, motivating, and accommodates every student’s individual needs depending upon his or her physical limitations, and she is always offering up alternative poses or workouts.  She is not pushy.  Her approach – combined with her playful, good-hearted personality – makes each class fun, easy to participate in, and gives everyone an excellent workout.  Carol will listen to your needs and work out a plan”
-Rich M. Hidden Hills, CA

Nutrition Consulting-“Carol is as good as it gets.  She is pretty much a miracle worker.  She has extraordinary amount of knowledge about nutrition and how to use it to help the body function better. She makes sure she is well prepared before she meets up with you. If she doesn’t know about something, she does her research and makes sure to find out as much as she can. She genuinely cares about each of her patients and it shows. Carol is just one of those people you immediately get a great feeling about and know right away that you’ll be comfortable working with them. Your health is something that should always be of top priority, and this is definitely someone you can rely on”.

-Aria B, Los Angeles
Cooking Classes-“Carol is wonderful.  Her style is comfortable and encouraging.  Her work is thoughtful and thorough.  Her cooking classes are a comfy blast!  She makes it look easy, shows how to do it easily, and promotes a joyful atmosphere while working then delivers a delectable feast!  She lives what she teaches in life, nutrition and shares genuinely”.
– Rita O, Box Canyon, Ca

Yoga -“Carol is very professional and has a great ability to work with people of all skill levels. She is good with children, is a dedicated professional and has a wonderful energy about her.”
-Åcupuncturist, Kathy Long, L.Ac

Yoga – “Carol taught me how to strengthen my core in a way that no other instructor has done before.  She is truly concerned about my individual needs and her tough, yet encouraging and compassionate approach helped me achieve results I had not expected”.
–  Shirley Oya, Life Coach, San Fernando Valley, CA