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What People Have Shared
Niko Eng is certified to teach Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga; I was one of his instructors during an 11-month program, and I know that he is an effective teacher who walks the walk—he understands how to recognize and transform tension, and he also has personal experience in balancing body and mind and overcoming some chronic health issues.
Niko's prowess in math and science, his intellectual curiosity and wide range of interests are all obvious from his bio. He is also an incredibly clear writer and communicator—very effective, even captivating, at explaining complex subject matter and getting his listeners involved. He did just this during the Tibetan yoga teacher training program when he presented an analysis of Tibetan medicine and Tibetan yoga that bridged Eastern and Western approaches to healing.
That’s why I’m thrilled that Gonpo House’s Magic Vision program has been created. I’m excited for Niko and Alice and their efforts to bring authentic yoga and meditation to the next generation.
— Abbe Blum, Ph.D, Dharma Instructor at Nyingma Institute, former professor at Swarthmore and Saybrook University
Niko and Alice have led a year long meditation and yoga program and community in 2022-2023. Here are some sentiments that their members have graciously shared:
I was in a meditation group led by Niko and Alice that met once a week for a year (2022-2023), and it was a uniquely grounding experience. Prior to joining the group, I was already interested in learning how to meditate to better control my stress levels. While I did have some skepticism initially about how impactful meditation would be in a group setting, especially with people I didn’t know beforehand, I’m glad that I kept an open mind going into it.
Niko and Alice were incredible teachers, and they cultivated an environment where people were free to be introspective. They were approachable, kind, and insightful mentors who led thoroughly productive and thought-provoking discussions. Through guided meditations, breathing exercises, and yoga, I was able to learn how to better reduce my stress and maintain a sense of mindfulness throughout the day. The community they built was also an amazing source of social support, and our weekly meditation sessions became a regular source of equanimity for me.
Even well past our group meetings, I feel like I have been able to instill peace of mind into my life. I would definitely sign up for a similar experience again in a heartbeat, especially if it were to be led by Niko and Alice.
— Arthur T.
I found the virtual space that Alice and Niko created through the Trees in a Forest meditation group to be invaluable. Though I didn’t know either of them before joining the group, I felt very welcome from the first day. The two of them crafted a group that was made up of like-minded individuals who sought to grow in their meditation practice and their spirituality: young people who were searching for a group where they could be vulnerable with each other and grow in community. Alice and Niko were excellent leaders and teachers while remaining mindful of the needs of the individuals that made up the group. Beyond the larger meetings with the whole group, I had multiple conversations with them where we discussed what I was personally hoping to learn from/teach to the group. I was very sad when they decided to indefinitely discontinue the Meditation Group meetings but I am excited for their future projects. I know they will continue creating community and walking alongside peers as they help them grow and find happiness in this world.
— Ale
I had known Niko and Alice for a while and had heard about the benefits of meditation. My mind can often feel scattered, so learning techniques to better observe and understand myself was really appealing. I also wanted to connect with like-minded individuals and build a sense of community.
Having a weekly touchpoint was incredibly valuable. It provided structure, space to learn, and time to practice before reflecting in the next session. While it took some time to get to know people—especially over remote meetings—hearing different perspectives was enriching. Meeting in person at the retreat made those connections even more meaningful.
Niko truly practices what he preaches. His approach to meditation is deep, personal, and never superficial—he integrates it fully into his own life. When he teaches, he shares from experience, making his guidance both practical and inspiring. He has a drive to push people toward meaningful change, much like a HIIT trainer, pushing you to go all in while making time to let you relax.
Alice, on the other hand, brings a grounding, calming presence. She is incredibly patient, making sure concepts truly sink in. She creates a safe space to explore new ideas. Much like a Yin yoga instructor, Alice encourages you to stretch your comfort zone until what was once difficult becomes lasting growth.
Together, Niko and Alice balance each other perfectly, making meditation—often a nebulous topic—accessible and transformative.
The retreat was the highlight of the program, and I’m incredibly glad I attended. While remote sessions were valuable, meeting in person deepened both the learning and the connections. Being immersed in nature provided the perfect environment for mindfulness. A distinct memory is sitting down for my longest meditation ever! Before joining the class I could never imagine sitting for hours so it was amazing to feel how effortless it was after incorporating our learnings at the retreat. It was also meaningful to finally meet the group members after months of virtual interaction. I appreciated that Niko and Alice made efforts to ensure cost wasn’t a barrier for those who wanted to participate.
— Ben
I decided to join the meditation group because ...well I figured why not! Meditation was something I was always curious about, and I didn't have much experience with it, and so I thought that joining a low-stakes, welcoming community would be a perfect way to get started. Having the weekly meetings became a nice ritual, and as I slowly got to know the other members, it became something I would look forward to. I sometimes work some crazy hours, so it could be nice to have a forcing function to sit down and separate myself from my work.
Learning from Niko and Alice was great. They were extremely knowledgeable about the practice of meditation and were very attuned to how members of our group were feeling. If someone was struggling with the meditation, they were great at (1) troubleshooting the issues where necessary and (2) empathizing with the community members (because meditation IS hard!). My favorite part was the environment they created -- I always felt safe to be vulnerable, and everyone was always eager to hear what I had to share.
Meditation was definitely challenging, but Niko and Alice gave me a wonderful introduction to it and have given me a skill that I can take with me for the rest of my life. For that, I am eternally grateful!
— Kian S.
Alice and Niko have a real gift for turning strangers into a connected community. They're warm, insightful, and lead conversations around mindfulness and belonging with rare depth. I'm deeply grateful to have been part of their group.