The SOY Center~ Spirit of Yoga Opening in Tempe, AZ
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or those of us who enjoy the practice of yoga, there is something wonderful blossoming in the spring air. A new space is about to be born that manifests the heart and soul of the spiritual and meditative discipline of yoga. The ‘Spirit of Yoga‘ is a unique institution for learning to teach and practice yoga. Also offered will be a schedule of Hatha/Gong yoga classes, as well as events and related educational opportunities that will be open to the public.
If you have been considering entering a yoga teacher training (YTT) program, don’t let the newness of The Spirit of Yoga facility fool you. The space may be new, but the YTT program emerges from the the tried and true longstanding program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA). Amazing as it might sound in the current economic state of affairs, the YTT program at SWIHA has out stretched its own boundaries. Over the past year or more, as class sizes grew and the interest in expanded programs was expressed, so grew the idea for a new, larger, dedicated yoga facility with a bigger, mindfully designed space and more parking. While many enjoy the convenient Tempe location of SWIHA, no worries—the fruit did not land far from the tree. Spirit of Yoga is still conveniently located in Tempe, at a stunningly beautiful business park complete with water features, grassy knolls, and nearby shops and restaurants. The address is 1420 E. Southern Ave., just west of McClintock.
As always, supported by the internationally-recognized Yoga Alliance, students can obtain 200 Yoga Teacher Training or 600 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training yoga instructor certification. In addition, Spirit of Yoga will offer a unique 760 hour Yoga Teacher Training/Yoga Therapist program. The core curricula include philosophy and history of yoga, the asana practice, yoga anatomy and more. There will also be courses in business development, first aid and CPR certification. Students will have the opportunity to customize and expand their own program through electives such as Yoga Nidra, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and Aroma Yoga and can also select from exciting choices of primary specialty courses such as Life Coaching and Reiki.
As someone who regularly practices yoga and has taken yoga classes at various places, including SWIHA, yoga studios, large commercial chain gyms, as well as practiced outside alone in the park, and in my sister’s living room (she happens to be a yoga teacher), I know the importance of the yoga setting. While sometimes the only yoga environment you need is inside your own head, for group yoga an atmosphere carefully and creatively designed to support a communal yoga practice can truly help manifest a beautiful and fulfilling experience. Spirit of Yoga has just that. Whether visiting as a YTT student or a member of the public participating in a class, you will encounter a design, aesthetics, functionality and practicality all mindfully created to serve the practice of yoga and all of its supporting necessities.
At the entrance, you pass through a Japanese torii–a gate made of two uprights and two crossbars representing the separation between common and sacred space. So apropos to help quiet the chattering monkey mind and prepare for a deepened yoga meditation. Another feature will be a large gong that will be used for Gong Yoga–a new yoga offering in the YTT program. The sound of the gong in association with yoga is practiced to create therapeutic relaxation and meditation. Complimenting the interior is a palette of cool colors and warm accents, larger-than-life photos of yoga in practice, and water features to represent the fluidity of the spirit, bringing the setting and mood all together for complete yoga experience.
While Spirit of Yoga is amazing, possibly most important is the essence of this new facility and what will be offered there. The ‘Spirit of Yoga’ name draws upon the very core of what yoga is- Spirit being the nonphysical part of a person from where the seat of emotions and character emerges—also called the soul. In yoga, we seek harmony and unity between the body and the spirit, striving for our true self while at the same time letting go of the self that is ego, that judges, that compares.
It is no secret that around the SWIHA family, we love acronyms. So when Spirit of Yoga began being called by its acronym–SOY–a fun little light bulb went on. In Spanish, “Soy” means “I am”. If you really want to get spiritual, check some references for “I Am that I Am”. In yoga “I am” can be related to the meditation of finding that quiet place of existence through a deepened pose or asana, where one is able to transcend the weight of one’s physical body and simply “be”.
Spirit of Yoga is holding a series of events to celebrate it’s opening and journey to serving our YTT community and yoga program following:
Saturday, April 16
10 am to 3 pm
Open House Wednesday, May 11
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Grand Opening
Saturday, May 14
9 am to 5 pm
The Pre-Grand Opening and picnic is being held in conjunction with the Arizona Holistic Chamber’s Health and Wellness Expo on the grounds. Featured will be more than 50 exhibitors as well as vendors and food available for purchase. The open house on May 11 will feature an overview of programs at SOY, a Yoga Nidra demonstration by Kamini Desai, plus an introduction to Hatha Gong yoga. The big Grand Opening on May 14 will have complimentary yoga throughout the day, a special ‘Building Blessing and Shinto Ceremony’ a ‘Gong Meditation”, door prizes and you can enter to win a scholarship for a 600-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Program. Come to all or one of these events. For more info check out SWIHA’s event’s page HERE. See you there!
~Merry L.
Merry Lucero is a video producer and media specialist on the Marketing and Online Education Teams at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. Merry is a native of Southern California, a 16-year resident of Arizona and has an extensive background in media and journalism.
