SOY Update and Gratitude

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With the Spirit of Yoga Open House and Grand Opening huge successes now checked off on the calendar, it seems that many of the hard-working people at SWIHA are breathing a collective sign of relief.

On Saturday, May 14, more than 300 people passed through the newly opened SOY doors to the beautiful yoga facility at 1420 East Southern Avenue in Tempe.

In Gratitude

With the permission of SWIHA Success Center Director Lisa Richards, I would like to share a few shout-outs and thank-yous that went out to all the hard workers and to everyone who helped to make the Spirit of Yoga public opening a complete success:

Thank you, Will Zecco & Wayne Hoffman! You have done an amazing job ensuring the new Spirit of Yoga center represents the quality of our programs, and you’ve created the feel of an inviting, ceremonious, and spiritual sanctuary perfect to house our community of students and the public. All your hard work and countless hours shows in the details. Bravo gentlemen! Well done.

Thank you to Juli Burdette and Marcella Grassa for talking to our guests about our new programs and public classes. You represented Admissions well, and we’re grateful for all your efforts. You definitely helped make our sales outstanding. It was nice to have you among the happenings.

Jamie Anne and Lisa Willis were superstars ringing up sales for the Healing Pages 2 store at SOY and for so many wonderful yogis who took advantage of our $50 for 50 days of unlimited yoga classes Grand Opening special offer. Way to go ladies…woo hoo!

KC Miller led the blessing of the new facility at 2:30pm. WOW, it moved many to tears. The Torri gate was awesome.

Duane Armitage led the Gong Meditation at 3:30pm. That was awesome, and we had many people come out of it with rave reviews!

Michael Kolasa led the Kirtan at 4:30pm. Again, great things and beautiful music.

Aradhana, you did a fabulous job scheduling the Yoga Teachers for all the classes held throughout the day. The classes were a success and really showed the community what we have to offer them. Many commented that they have “…found a new yoga studio!”

Ramona Sandoval, you have done it again. Another successful event flawlessly executed! We always appreciate all you do in coordinating the setup and breakdown, and the facilitation of every event. This was another shining example of your talents, dedication, and hard work. Thank you!

And to everyone who pitched in to clean in preparation and clean up after…you did not go unnoticed. Without you, we couldn’t do what we do. You are all amazing. Great job everyone! Thank You!

Update for students and yoga class practitioners

If you are a YTT student, considering becoming a student, or enjoy taking yoga classes from the comprehensive menu of drop-in yoga classes offered to the community by Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, there is some additional information having to do with Yoga Program Operations that you may be interested in:

• All Yoga classes; Yoga program classes, yoga electives, and SWIHA Yoga Studio (used to be Yoga Den) classes will all be held at the Spirit of Yoga from now on. Some classes in the 600 and 760 hour Yoga programs which are not yoga classes, such as Polarity, Life Coaching, etc. will still be held at the SWIHA campus.

• All Admissions and Financial Aid appointments for the yoga programs will continue to be at the SWIHA main campus on Apache Blvd.

• Student Services for Yoga Program students will be taken care of between Spirit of Yoga and the SWIHA campus. Student needs in these programs will eventually be handled at the SOY Center. Those needing details on this are being updated appropriately.

• New Student Orientations for Yoga Program students are held at the SWIHA main campus.

Once again, many thanks to everyone who participated in making the dream of the Spirit of Yoga become a reality. ~Namaste!

~Merry L.