Have I mentioned that I love yoga?
It's the only form of exercise I have ever stuck with for any period of time. It's been over ten years and I hope to keep practicing forever. I try to get to class at least once or twice a week. The rest of the time I practice on my own or with a DVD as accompaniment.
I arrived back in Phoenix recently after three years in rural Wisconsin. It feels so wonderful to be back, especially at this time of year.
One of the best things about being back in Phoenix is getting to reconnect with my favorite yoga teachers and studios. My favorite studio in Phoenix, by far, is A Desert Song Yoga and Massage on 7th Street just south of Camelback.
It is an oasis in the desert offering a variety of classes.
The studio is relaxed and welcoming, attracting a more mature population than some of the other popular Valley studios. The owner and one of my all time favorite teachers is Mary Beth Markus. She has more than 27 years experience teaching yoga and training yoga teachers.
Kelly is one of Mary Beth's teachers. While spending most of her time doing massage, Kelly teaches the 10:15 AM gentle class on Tuesdays, which I was lucky enough to attend yesterday. There were about ten of us in class. It was just what my body needed: a slow, gentle, yet deep, workout that stretched, strengthened and balanced me in a calm, safe, soothing, and uplifting way.
Most of the Desert Song teachers are influenced by the Anusara approach to yoga, originated by John Friend. It is a style of yoga that focuses on alignment and heart-focused intention, helping develop body awareness while offering an uplifting message to seek the good in all people and in all things.
A lot of my favorite teachers are either Anusara certified or affiliated. The alignment principles have helped me learn how keep myself safe and to take care of my back in any yoga class and I always leave class feeling so much better than when I walked in.
If you live in Phoenix and are looking for a great place to practice yoga, I encourage you to give A Desert Song a try.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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