Irena Lana Ajic
Irena started practicing yoga about 7 years ago in college while she was completing her degree in architecture from Arizona State University. Yoga was a way to help keep calm and grounded through 4 years of stress and many sleepless nights. After graduating from ASU, Irena completed a yoga teacher training program through South West Institute of Healing Arts and has been teaching classes ever since, while continuing to work in the construction field. She spends most of her free time climbing and believing in the power of yoga as the perfect balance to any sport, job, or lifestyle. In her classes, Irena brings focus on anatomy and proper alignment to students of all levels, for them to experience the incredible benefits of yoga. Irena strongly believes we can all live healthier lives and address many of our physical or emotional discomforts through a regular yoga practice.
Mary Bruce
Mary is a senior student of Rod Stryker’s and a Level 2 Certified Para Yoga teacher; a 500 hr. ERYT Yoga Alliance teacher and Anusara certified by John Friend. Mary directed the Yoga Teacher Training program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Arizona from 2004-2008. She then co-directed the Yoga Teacher Training program at Practice Yoga in NYC and is a national and international presenter as well. With a depth of knowledge in the energetics of tantric hatha (part of her Para Yoga lineage) along with Anusara’s biomechanical principals of alignment, Mary offers students a supreme way to practice. With over 16 years of experience, her teaching includes all the elements of a meaningful and balanced practice: attention to detail (alignment), awareness of breath (pranayama), connection with divine source (bhavana), intelligent sequencing (vinyasa krama), as well as, Ayurveda, visualization, meditation, mantra and more. Mary is dedicated to creating sacred space where by practicing these techniques, our essential and best self can unfold and flourish.
Tiffany
Tiffani started practicing yoga 7 years ago while receiving her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon. Yoga started out as a nice way to start the morning before classes, slowly evolving into so much more! Tiffani has practiced yoga allover the world, backpacking through over 35 countries upon graduating found herself practicing yoga in many different hostels, on many different beaches, in many different exotic locations, always finding the one commonality, the inner peace within and the focus on the present moment. She has practiced many different types of yoga and loves it all! She is known to go to the occasional heated Bikram class and as well to enjoy a candlelight meditation, she enjoys how regardless of one’s ability, range of motion, quality of mind, age, flexibility, schedule, history, injuries, or previous limitations how yoga has something to offer everyone! Peace and inner stillness are available to all! Tiffani first decided to do her teacher training when she began to realize how much deeper yoga went then just stretching, it was a way of life, a journey, a commitment to being a responsible, conscious and loving individual. She just recently completed her 200 hour YTT at Inner Vision Yoga Studio and feels it was the most transformative decision of her life. She is eager to share this sense of oneness, to help people around her as well as herself, live in a place of possibility, where your only limit is your imagination and she believes that yoga is the path
Candice Carroll
Candice is a passionate 200 hr. RYT Yoga Instructor (Pure Yoga, NYC), certified Wellness Consultant (Get Real Plan) and a level III graduate of the Foundation for Spiritual Development (Marin County, CA). Her Yoga training background is Vinyasa style with Iyengar Alignment. While she has over 15 years corporate business experience and education (MBA in MIS), she feels the need to more directly work with people to develop a healthier, happier lifestyle and wants to do that through yoga and holistic, natural approaches. Candice has studied yoga for over 10 years starting with ashtanga, then some vinyasa (took a week long seminar with sri Vatsa Ramaswami) and four solid years of Iyengar with Octavia Morgan. Also taken and practiced some Zen Buddhism when and wherever she can. Allowing her to see some amazing changes in her own life since she started to practice, learning relaxation (that one took a while), focus, balancing, intuition, true balance, listening to sensitivities in my body and so on… It’s a fabulous philosophy, with wonderful results!
Danielle Gardner
As most yogi’s will tell you, yoga is not only a lifestyle, but an lifelong journey. The process unfolded for Danielle after an accident on the highway from her college dorm in Flagstaff to her family in Phoenix for the holidays. Having difficulties recovering from the accident landed Danielle in a senior level yoga class at PVCC for the first step in the evolution of a never ending transformation. After leaving class one afternoon she stumbled upon a flyer for Zenergy, leading her even deeper into the path of yoga. Stepping into AZ on the Rocks one afternoon she was greeted by owner Ali Kamen, who almost instantly offered her a dream trade of free climbing and yoga for working the desk. Danielle spent the next few years of her life growing into the community, moving into newer role as client relations coordinator and yoga instructor. During which she attended a 200 hour teacher training with Desert Song Yoga & Massage, building a strong Anusara foundation. This presented the opportunity to become the Maricopa County Yoga Instructor in January of 2011. The unfolding only began there! Also this year Danielle is working to finish her 500 hour, attending 300 hour Master Immersions training with our very own Mary Bruce and Lynn Matthews at 2nd Heart Yoga. Infusing Para Yoga and Tantra teachings with her Anusara practice has created an amazing teaching platform to share knowledge with her students. Currently working with AZ on the Rocks to launch the new YOGA ON THE ROCKS! Come share your practice and let the journey unfold.
Janet Rae Humphrey - Senior Instructor
My personal story is testimony to the benefits of yoga. Before the age of 35, I experienced a number of medical issues including a lumbar spinal fusion, six knee surgeries (one of which removed my kneecap) and fibromyalgia. My health problems inspired me to work for 20 years in medical research and clinical care, including 10 years in neuromuscular diseases.
Unfortunately, this career ended with the onset of the worst of my medical problems. I developed meningitis, brain damage and severe pain after neurosurgery. My recovery was slow and difficult.
On September 15, 2003, at the age of 58, I walked into my first yoga class. During the next seven years of dedicated practice, yoga helped resolve both the surgery complications and my fibromyalgia. My strength also improved substantially. Read More.
Kathie Holligan
After discovering yoga through at home DVDs and taking classes at the YMCA I fell in love with yoga. The mind body connection and the way I felt physically challenged through breath and movement.
I have been a student of yoga for more than 9 years, have a 200-hour Yoga Teacher certification from The Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and have been teaching for 2 years. I am Yoga-Alliance certified, and use the principals from both Anusara and Para Yoga. I am working
towards completing the Para Yoga master level training. I worked as a Yoga a teacher at Pure Fitness Clubs teaching at various clubs with 4 classes total for more than a year. I also volunteered as a teacher for a year at The Fresh Start Women’s Foundation teaching once a week teaching a restorative Yoga class for an hour and a half.
It is my hope to share the full benefits of Yoga with as many people as possible; to bring peace and
balance to everyone who practices yoga
Nadia Mustafa
Nadia is a RYT-200. Her training is Anusara (hatha) through Kirk Yoga. She is drawn to a mindful yoga practice focusing on universal principles of alignment and a life-affirming philosophy, but also a need to move and shake! She wants her students to feel strong and constantly evolve both physically and spiritually. Nadia herself has been inspired by - among others - Jordan & Martin Kirk, and Ali Kamen. Before discovering her heart was with yoga, she was a journalist in New York City, including stints as a reporter at TIME magazine and Conde Nast. Nadia lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., with her lovely husband.
Sierra Ramm
Born to liberal nature-loving photographer mother and musician father, and lucky enough to learn the joy of simple beauty from an early age, Sierra was destined for the arts. She started dancing competitively at age four, thrilling in moving to the music and expression through universal dance. Eventually this path would lead to acting and singing -Sierra graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, then went on national tour with Winnie the Pooh the Musical. As a choreographer, dance instructor, and theater director, Sierra has had the joy to work with people ages 2-90, from all walks of life--including those in recovery from substance abuse, at-risk youth and the blind. After practicing yoga for over 8 years, she took the advice of family, friends, and mentor Mimi Solaire, and made a leap of faith to join teacher training program at At One Yoga. As a yoga instructor for adults, children, toddlers, dogs, and families, Sierra holds dear the belief that yoga can benefit everyone. Sierra's teaching style is eclectic, energizing, and fun, allowing every student to find the joy in their own practice.
Ed Sheridan
I was first introduced to Yoga on a rooftop in Mallorca, Spain in 1978. At that time there were no classes or DVDs and little opportunity to learn. On my return to America I found a book and continued to practice what I’d been taught. I developed a very personal relationship with yoga, with an ebb and flow that continues to this day. In 1980 I began to study Myopractics and was certified in 1983, establishing and maintaining a full practice in the Phoenix area since then. In conjunction with Myopractics I have studied muscle function and several stretching techniques including Active-Isolated, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitated, and Eccentric resistance Stretching. I am certified in the Stretch to Win PNF system, as well as being the first certified KiHara Resistance trainer in the State of Arizona. The KiHara system is truly different than any other stretching method I have studied. I am currently certified through 3 levels and have completed an internship with Master trainer Carrie Collins of Stretch Chi in Chicago. In my private practice I provide assisted KiHara/Myopractic sessions with an emphasis on problem solving. I sincerely love helping the community of people feel more comfortable on their journey through life.
Valere Schlesinger
Valere has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. She did her teacher training with Dave Oliver in Ashtanga. She has also been practicing Anusara for the past several years. Her classes reflect a blend of the two styles into a Vinyasa flow. Valere ‘s classes focus on opening your heart while linking the breath to the postures with an emphasis on alignment. Her classes provide a deeper sense of awareness. Valere uses yoga as a way to energize and transform the body while calming the mind, and she wants to share that experience with her students. Valere is inspired by her teachers, friends and family, but mostly by her two children who help her stay focused on what’s most important and being present.
Marci Sheer
Marci wondered into a gym yoga class some sixteen years ago and came out of it as if she was floating. She thought… there’s something to this yoga stuff … Her journey then began..... In 1999 she completed a Kripalu-inspired Teacher Training with Dianne Murphy at Crescent Moon yoga. Over the years she continued to explore the world of yoga both as a teacher and a student. In the Fall of 2007 her neighbor took her an Anusara class and she instantly knew she had found her yoga home. The heart-centered teaching coupled with the principles of alignment feels like the magic formula. She completed Anusara Teacher Training in 2010 with Martin and Jordan Kirk. Marci’s teaching style is uplifting, playful and nurturing - she looks forward to seeing you in class and sharing the magic of yoga with you!
Pam Turbeville
Pam began studying and practicing yoga as an antidote to the full time travel and long hours required in her career. Over the years, she has learned from terrific teachers in Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar, and more. Pam left the corporate world in 2009 to pursue her passion for yoga full time. She chose Anusara for her teacher training with its emphasis on seeing the innate beauty in people and their poses, the principles of alignment and the sense of community it fostered. She later completed her Silver Age Yoga Certification for teaching seniors. Pam believes that anyone with any body type at any age can do and enjoy yoga. Her style is welcoming, playful, nurturing and uplifting.
Kathy Ann Walsh
After many years of aerobics and gym memberships, Kathy Ann discovered Bikram Yoga in 2003 and began a dedicated practice. Two years later, she decided to become a Bikram teacher and proceeded to save money and plan for the next three years. Spring of 2008, she took off for Acapulco, Mexico for the grueling 9-week Bikram Yoga Teacher’s Training and graduated that June. Due to some strange circumstances, Kathy Ann had to postpone teaching until May of 2010 when she was able to return to her “home” studio in North Scottsdale, AZ and finally begin. Since then she has focused on presenting strong dialogue with a compassionate attitude toward her students, always emphasizing the breath. It was Kathy Ann’s dream to take Bikram students all over the world to enjoy the cultural exchange and joy of travel while deepening their Bikram practice. That dream is now a reality with the launch of Yoga Voyages, LLC.
Rachel Walsh
Rachel began her yogic journey in 1999 and in 2004 she graduated with a 500-hour Yoga Alliance certification & has been a full time yoga teacher ever since. Rachel has been working with people of all ages, including infants and toddlers, for almost 18 years. She has created and managed numerous "Kids Camps" for many local studios as well as a few public schools in and around Phoenix. In 2006 and then again in 2008, she moved to the UK where she accrued over 100 hours getting certified to teach yoga and meditation to kids teens for Yoga Bugs in the London Public Schools. In 2009, she was recruited by the world famous Camp La Jolla Fitness Camp to teach yoga and meditation to preteen, teen and adult women. Rachel teaches all her classes with an open heart and gratitude that whatever comes up, comes up to create space reminding us that we are not human-doings or human-thinking's, but human-beings, SO, JUST BE.
Jennifer Mitchell
Jennifer Mitchell completed the 200-hour YA teacher training program in June 2010 through At One Yoga in Scottsdale, Arizona where she learned to teach a variety of classes including gentle or slow flow, flow, and power yoga. A Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), she holds current registration with the Yoga Alliance and is certified in CPR.
Jen continues to pursue yoga philosophy, principles, and practice, studying with many teachers in various disciplines who have influenced her teaching and personal growth including Alicia Beale, Janet McGillivray, John Salisbury, Jenn Chiarelli, and Cheryl Hall Oliver and Dave Oliver.
Alissa
Alissa initially began practicing yoga for the physical benefits and as a stress reliever from her corporate life. Over the past few years she has come to realize the mental and emotional benefits and has fully embraced all aspects the practice has to offer. She truly believes in living a full, active and well-balanced life and enjoys spending her off the mat time climbing and hiking. Alissa recently completed her 200-hour vinyasa yoga teacher training with LifePower/ At One Yoga and is honored and excited to call Yoga on the Rocks her first yogi home!
Sean Whitley
Sean’s introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was a result of his practice of Vedic Chant. After practicing chant for six months with Cheryl Oliver, Cheryl invited Sean to a Friday evening Ashtanga class. Two hours later Sean was completely hooked and has been practicing ever since. He was drawn to the demanding physical aspects of an Ashtanga practice as well as its meditative qualities. Sean completed his 200-hour teaching training with Dave & Cheryl Oliver. Sean has also been very fortunate to study with multiple senior Ashtanga teachers, including; Anthony “Prem” Carlisi in Bali and Amanda Houle in Hong Kong. Sean’s other passion is rock climbing, which Dave Oliver describes as simply “yoga going up.”
Sean teaches an Ashtanga based vinyasa class. This class is a physically demanding flow of yoga poses based on the Ashtanga Primary Series sequence. This class is suitable for all levels.
Laurene
“I am passionate about helping people who cherish their bodies and who wish to take control of their own health. My journey in Yoga began in 1981, has been a key transformative aspect of my life, and my length and depth of study in Yoga & the Ayurvedic Health System have equipped me with a profound knowledge of how these ancient practices can be used for health and healing in our modern culture. My experience brings forth yoga in its many forms, drawing from traditional as well as modern yoga techniques, and I am well versed in Ayurvedic health practices and therapies.
Erica
“Erica found yoga to help calm her mind as well as get back into shape after she gave up her 20 year retail-career to focus on being a mom. Having a strong background in ballet and lyrical dance, she found yoga the perfect match for her heart, mind, and spirit. She immediately became a dedicated practitioner after attending her first class. Listening to her heart and wanting to deepen her personal practice, she decided to enroll in the advanced studies and teacher program. Erica is a certified member of Yoga Alliance. Erica's classes integrate the spiritual, philosophical, and practical yoga aspects with the physical practice. She also combines day to day life lessons with her own personal learning's from yoga as well as her teachings from her dance background. Her friends, family, and of course her 2 crazy but loving children, constantly remind her to live life to the fullest, listen to her heart, and be present in every moment!!!
Melissa
Melissa has been enjoying the practice of Yoga since the 90s, and has always seen benefits physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She has a passion for teaching and sharing ideas with others. Since 2001, she has taught ESL in three countries, having students range in age from pre-school to seniors. She continues to teach university English.
However, when Melissa's daughter was about a year old, she saw the need to expand her teachings to include Yoga. In 2011 she trained with Aura Wellness Center. She is currently registered with the Yoga Alliance, and has a 240 hour YTT certificate. She is inspired daily by her toddler, and her enthusiasm for life. She wants to make sure to bring her own daughter up with a Yogic lifestyle, and would like to share all its rewards with all whom will welcome it!
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