News Details (Posted: January 2, 2009):

Yoga studios for a feel-good fix

Full Description:

Lincoln Family Phoenix Downtown YMCA 350 N. First Ave., Phoenix 602-257-5138 valleyymca.org Van Buren/First Avenue For beginners, Hatha Yoga classes cover yoga postures and breathing exercises, while meditation classes help intermediate levels find peace and calm. The YMCA also features a unique Asthanga Flow class. These yoga poses incorporate sun salutations and work out the upper body and core with light cardio.

Yoga At Heart 109 W. Portland St., Phoenix 602-354-4994 yoga-heart.com Roosevelt/Central Yoga at Heart incorporates music, art and dance with yoga together as expressions of inner self. There are a variety of classes for all levels, including intro to yoga, basics, hatha, yin with seated and longer-held postures, sunrise yoga and Mommy and Me classes (children must be 5 weeks to 3 years).

Yoga Phoenix 2302 N. 9th St. Phoenix 85006 602-271-4480 yogaphoenix.com Encanto/Central It is said that the practice of yoga awakens a person's inner spiritual energy, known as kundalini. Classes offered include basics, kundalini, prenatal, Mommy and Me (6 weeks old to crawling), kids (ages 3-6 and 7-10). The studio also hosts special events, such as gong experiences and events for experienced students.

Bikram's Yoga College of India 40 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix 602-248-7786 bikramyogaphoenix.org Camelback/Central Bikram'spractices traditional forms of yoga and heat therapy as healing tools. A 90-minute class includes 26 postures scientifically designed by Bikram Choudhury, founder of the worldwide Yoga College of India, performed in a heated room. The studio offers regular group classes, private lessons for individuals and couples, and massage and hypnotherapy.

A Desert Song Yoga & Massage 4811 N. Seventh St., Phoenix 602-265-8222 desertsongyoga.com Camelback/Central Receive herbal and nutritional counseling, coaching, personal health consultations and wellness packages and full-body massages outside of regular classes. The studio offers classes for beginners, intermediates and advanced practitioners, as well as prenatal yoga and massages.

Bikram Yoga Tempe LLC 1804 E. Southern Ave., Tempe 480-777-0939 bikramyogatempe.com McClintock/Apache Most classes at this studio are dedicated to healing physical ailments, such as back and arthritic problems or other injuries. The 90-minute hot-room classes use the Bikram Choudhury method 26 to work every muscle group, gland and organ in the body. The studio is 108 degrees with 40 percent humidity to relax muscles and increase flexibility. Unlike other studios, there is no spiritual aspect to Bikram Yoga. Classes focus on how to do the poses properly, how to advance to more difficult poses, and the purpose of each pose.