Yoga is unique in that it is the only medieval physical fitness art that does not involve firing crossbows at a grendel. Bend and stretch sans bloodshed with today's Groupon: for $30, you get five yoga classes at Yoga Deva in Gilbert (a $85 value).
The mat mavens at Yoga Deva offer yogis of all skill levels a bevy of body-bending classes in their serene, modern studio. An entryway outfitted with walnut paneling and silver-leaf accents greets guests as they make their way to a practicing space fit for stretch sessions. Trainees engage in a range of styles, from muscle-molding hot yoga to the dynamic Vinyasa techniques that emphasize linking fluid movements with steady breathing. Yin yoga helps establish a mind-body connection by encouraging students to hold postures in a meditative state. Similarly, the thoughtful repetition of slow tai-chi movements promotes calmness, awareness, and cross-species friendships with sloths.
The ambiance at Yoga Deva's mimicks that of a space-station spa, with luminous white panels creating an inverted ceiling and wall-spanning mirrors reflecting a flood of natural light around the room. The dressing room continues the flow, providing ample cubby space to stash cumbersome Batsuits and utility belts, as well as a selection of mats and towels available for rent or sale. Newborn yoglets should arrive 20 minutes prior to their first class to register, as late arrivals are known to break the concentration of downward dogs in training.
Yoga Deva
Lauded by reporters from Tropolism as "the coolest yoga studio of all time," and available for rental for private events, Yoga Deva was designed by Phoenix-based architects Blank Studio to serve as a calming sanctuary from the zooming cars and bustling sidewalks of the outside world. Long, walnut benches and a radiant-blue wall greet visitors in the front lobby, drawing them toward a sunlit yoga room with towering mirrors and white, wavy ceilings.
Serenity and balance in the studio is a must for owner, Davis, who aims to deepen the mind-body awareness of all who enter. At the studio, she uses all natural modern technology to promote pain relief and anti-aging benefits. After sustaining numerous injuries during her two-decade career as a professional ballet dancer, Davis found relief through inner reflection, which she harnessed during her time as a body-centered psychotherapist, and movement. Today, she channels her love of meditation and physical action into yoga, helming a team of certified instructors who lead classes in a variety of styles ranging from Vinyasa flow to Yin yoga. Sessions cater to students of all levels and can be modified to personally cater to clients. During each session, they guide students through poses and stretches designed to soothe the mind, heal the body, and enhance flexibility. The instructors strive to create a sanctuary of silence in the yoga room, requesting that guests leave all cellphones, pagers, and singing animatronic trout in the dressing room. In addition to yoga, Yoga Deva also offers therapeutic massage therapy to ease minds and sore muscles.