Tucson Yoga. Photo: Cooper James
Fire consumes the feeble kindling and only leaves the strongest trees standing. Desert summer and its incumbent burning temperatures offer an opportunity to purify and strengthen body and mind through the practice of yoga. A diversity of practices in Tucson can teach students to stoke the fire or calm it, and in Tucson's urban realm there are many studios and styles to experiment with. While all pose-based practices (as opposed to meditation-based practices) fall under the umbrella of Hatha yoga, there are overt and subtle differences among the different styles within that umbrella. Herein are short descriptions of each method and where to practice locally.
Anusara Yoga at Yoga Oasis
YogaOasis.com, 322-6142
245 E. Congress St. #101; 2631 N. Campbell Ave.; 7858 E. Wrightstown Rd. #116
"One of the first things people notice about Anusara yoga at Yoga Oasis is the supportive, 'look for the good first' attitude," writes Bruce Bowditch, Yoga Oasis teacher and author of several yoga practice guides. "At the same time, a student is encouraged to explore their edge and test their capabilities." Anusara offers a playful, celebratory practice for mixed-level students. With a keen focus on alignment, students can experiment with a wide variety of poses in a supportive setting.
Ashtanga Yoga at Yoga Flow
YogaFlowTucson.com, 321-YOGA
Creative Dance Center, 3131 N. Cherry Ave.
"One of the great ways to ultimately cool down (during the summer) is to use that heat to detoxify the body and blood through a dynamic yoga approach with postures that flow with a continuous 'upward victorious' breath," says Ashtanga teacher Lisa Schrempp. Ashtanga is a rigorous, student-driven method that is deeply attentive to the breath. Students can also find Acro Yoga here, a partnered, more gymnastic form of yoga with aerial poses.
Bikram Yoga at Yoga Vida
YogaVidaTucson.com, 326-5853
3238 E. Speedway Blvd.
Stepping into a hot room for yoga is a great way to embrace the heat of summer and use it as a tool to detoxify the body. Bikram yoga is a set sequence of 26 postures practiced in a heated room; the humidity helps keep muscles relaxed, allowing for deeper stretching while helping to prevent injury during this steady inward practice.
Hatha Yoga at Yoga Connection
YogaConnection.org, 323-1222
3929 E. Pima St.
"Each person is encouraged to start where they are and find their own pace," at Tucson's only non-profit yoga studio where students can find Hatha classes, meditation workshops and teacher trainings. "(Hatha Yoga) is not forced, not callisthenic and not competitive," the website says. "Through stretching, strengthening and breathing techniques, the practice of Hatha Yoga creates a more relaxed and resilient attitude on and off the mat."
Iyengar Yoga at Southern Arizona School of Yoga
SouthernArizonaSchoolofYoga.com, 205-2831
Historic Labor Temple, 267 S. Stone Ave.
Founded by B.K.S. Iyengar, this method uses strict alignment - often supported by props - to "develop strength, flexibility and integrity in action," explains Alexis Bachrach of the Southern Arizona School of Yoga. The slower pace of Iyengar classes focuses on the intensity and effects of each pose, making it perfect for beginning students, long-time practitioners and those with therapeutic concerns.
Tibetan Heart Yoga at The Three Jewels
3JewelsTucson.com, 955-9632
314 E. 6th St.
"At Three Jewels, yogis can find a unique style of yoga that re-unites the rich dharma of Tibetan Buddhism (in the lineage of the Dalai Lama) and yoga asana from India," writes teacher Katelin Gallagher. Seated more firmly in meditation than the other methods here, Tibetan Heart Yoga teachers work on both physical outer alignment and the subtle body anatomy underneath, "so they can carefully guide students to explore the depths of their inner world," Gallagher elaborates. "Our high holy aim is to give students the tools to crack open their hearts, to move through the world with deep love and compassion."
Vinyasa Yoga at 4th Avenue Yoga
4thAvenueYoga.com, 622-9999
413 E. 5th St.
"As we are all individuals in our own respect, each class is individually unique from another in tempo, energy and focus," says teacher Maggie Drechsler of the variety of classes taught here. The studio offers Bikram and mixed Hatha styles, primarily focusing on Vinyasa. "Vinyasa practices are high energy and allow one's breath to freely flow through the body to release any stagnation and blockages," Drechsler explains. The location is also a center for meditation and Tai Chi.
Yin Yoga @ Tucson Yoga
TucsonYoga.com, 988-1832
150 S. 4th Ave.
Among a full slate of styles, Tucson Yoga offers gentle yoga and yin yoga classes. "These are sweet in summer, as they are slower practices that honor the new found pace that most of us adapt to with the rise in temperature," says teacher Michelle Marks. Yin yoga is a practice of passive postures in which "the stillness takes practitioners deep into the shapes, beyond the muscles and into the fabric of the body," releasing connective tissue and fascia, Marks explains.
