The Yoga Connection

I do like the focus on relaxation and centering oneself (as opposed to giggling and making things difficult just to get up a sweat). I have had great warmups and cooldowns in all the classes I took and I left feeling rejuvenated and taller than when I went in.
The studio is quiet and peaceful, despite being on a noisy corner.
In three classes’ time, I’ve had one instructor who I really like and one who I’m not wild about.
My only complaint is the fact that this studio brings in «student instructors» who instruct a part of the class as they prepare to become instructors. Neither of the ones who have instructed in my classes have been even remotely good… yes, I know it takes practice to become a yogi, but when I pay for a class and am comfortable with its flow, it’s frustrating to have the class interrupted midway by someone who disregards or doesn’t understand the real instructor’s mission and who clearly has his/​her own agenda in mind over that of the class or of the instructor. Neither of the real instructors seemed particularly thrilled to have a student sitting like a bump on a log, watching the rest of the class while they waited their turn. Meh.
My suggestion: offer classes instructed by a pair (teacher and student) for a lower rate. Or move the guest instruction to one specific day and post that information in the class schedule. Were I to sign up for one of those, I would know what I was getting myself into and would be much less resistant to the idea or the mid-​class change in flow.

Being in Tucson for just a day I did a drop-​in Sunday Beginning Continued class at Yoga Connection and stumbled into one of the best, most thoughtful practices of my life! I’ve been practicing for more than 15 years on and off, and just getting back into «yoga shape» after a shoulder injury and broken wrist, and this class and studio were of the highest caliber. I highly recommend giving this studio a try, I wish it was in my neighborhood!

This studio feels like an established community for wellness. There are a variety of teachers and class types (some that include kids!) and the workshops that I have attended have been extraordinary. If you’re looking to expand further inward I can’t recommend this studio highly enough!

Looking for a yoga studio that’s more than a «studio»? Try this place – it’s a non-​profit community of dedicated teachers offering a variety of classes for all ages and abilities (kids, too). They offer special events, guest teachers, retreats, beginning Sanskrit and monthly workshops. If you are a beginning student and not sure which class to try, give them a call as the staff is most helpful. Bonus: bookstore/​gift shop to find something special!

So many yoga options in Tucson, AZ, but this place is within walking distance of me; plus the people there are always welcoming, helpful, supportive, etc. I have especially appreciated their occasionally destress classes, but it’s all good!

I love Yoga Connection! Recommend it highly. I take beginning/​continuing yoga from Julie Williams-​always feel better after her class.

Very helpful teachers, enjoyable classes, nice studio and good location. Recommended.

I’ve been going to yoga connection for over 3 years now and the name really fits! I felt very welcomed as a newcomer to the Tucson yoga scene. The instructors and participants are all warm, open, normal people who enjoy a slower-​paced, but meaningful practice together. The teachers walk you through all the steps and give you ideas how to adjust your practice to best serve your own needs. This is a great studio and a wonderful service to the community!

Great Yoga studio. Warm, safe environment. As a Certified Personal Development Coach (and Certified Yoga Instructor, who only teaches occasionally), I send my clients there!
Rebecca Smith, MEd, PCC, ERYT 200

Great little studio with a kind and considerate staff. Took a couple chair yoga classes which I was thrilled to find and enjoyed the experience very much. Many of books and extra items available to enhance your meditation or study journey. I learned a new breathing technique which is helping me sleep like a log. I recommend this gem of a studio.

This is an excellent studio in Tucson. I like the variety of classes offered at different levels, different abilities, and for different interests. The classes range from intermediate, which is more advanced, to gentle, restorative, and chair yoga. It is a non-​profit studio with affordable classes and excellent instructors. The first class I took the instructor saw that I was new to the studio, introduced herself, and asked if I had any health concerns she needed to know about. They emphasize safety in all of their classes. The facilities are nice, there are plenty of props, and it has to be one of the least pretentious yoga studios in the country. It is very easy to feel at home. You can also learn more about yoga tradition and philosophy with a small store with books, DVDs, and more. This a great place for your practice.

I attempted yoga at a few other studios in town and quickly came to the conclusion that perhaps private lessons suit me better. After doing some research, my fiancé and I picked YC for their emphasis on restorative yoga as well as the option to have private classes. After our first lesson with Tracy, which we enjoyed very much, we continued with Tracy for the duration of our package. So while this review is for the private lesson experience, I can say that the studio is clean and well appointed. YC is a nonprofit studio and funds go towards assisting instructors get their certifications as well as keeping the studio in business. Additionally, they host workshops ranging from posture and balance to stress relief. The location is a bit of a commute for me, but I’d definitely come back for more classes with Tracy and I plan on checking out a workshop or two in the coming months.

What a great addition to Midtown! This yoga studio is very gentle, has a wide variety of instructors (all excellent in my limited experience), has good «deals» and makes every effort to provide a beautiful, calm, and healthful experience.

I made a gradual switch from a Pilates studio to the Yoga Connection and have absolutely no regrets. The spacious studio features dim lights, all the props I would ever want or need, and excellent instructors. I’ve taken classes from Ashley, Cynthia, Miranda, Pep, Sue, and others. Every class I have attended has been a learning experience. Yoga Connection is a 35 minute drive for me, but it is worth it. Rhonda Kaufman introduced me to the Yoga Connection, and I am forever grateful to her!

I like that fact that they now have 2 studios, which allows for more classes. I love that they offer teacher training and lower-​cost community classes. I wish their teachers offered more variety from week to week and that there were more offerings for intermediate and advanced students — they seem heavily geared toward the newcomer.

I started practicing Yoga because my sister died unexpectedly and I needed both the physical benefits but also the spiritual grounding. Tracy is perfect. She leads softly and with great support, and she connects the spirit, mind and body beautifully. I have also taken Ashley’s class, and she is also excellent. But I confess, Tracy is my go-​to and I continue to see the benefits for my body and for my spiritual roundedness.
The studio itself is airy and light, calming. The staff is friendly, the cost is low, and the sense of community connectedness makes the whole experience exactly what I’d hoped to find.

I love the yoga connection, and if you’re in the market for a gentler yoga practice, you will too. Most classes I’ve taken are with Miranda and Ashley, but David is also terrific. These instructors know how to direct students in a way that challenges them, without pushing them to hurt themselves. The classes are all Hatha style, don’t expect a vigorous workout. Classes are little pricier here ($ 12 for most classes, but some are as low as $ 7). I recommend Yoga Connection for beginners, or individuals who are looking for a relaxing practice. Added perk, La Mesa Tortillas next door has yummy post-​practice food.

This is the only Yoga studio I go to. I love this place, they are super friendly and wiling to modify poses for you. They have everything there that you need for their classes. Plus its NON_​PROFIT!

Well, I’ve finally gotten off my rear and started working out at a gym several times a week at the ungodly hour of butt-​crack of dawn. But I felt like I needed something to balance out the cardio and weights and have a few friends who really like yoga so…
Having never done yoga I was half expecting people in dreads that don’t wear deodorant but DO wear Birkenstocks. Surprise! The studio was full of people just like me that want a little balance and calmness in their lives.
A & I signed up online at the drop in rate for new students joining the beginning yoga class. Super simple online registration, which I really liked. We were greeted warmly when we entered the studio and then walked out the front door and in to the next suite which houses the smaller of the two studios. We met our instructor who explained a few things to us and showed us where to get mats, bolsters and blankets.
I really have nothing to compare the yoga experience or teacher to since this was my first time at ANY yoga studio but I liked it! The stretching felt good and modified poses were shown to everyone in case we were unable to do the full pose. The class lasted a little over an hour and was certainly worth the money. I love this location as well since it’s close to work and I can easily make a 5:30pm class. We’ll be back for sure… even if the Birkenstock people are there. LOL

The Yoga Connection has been taunting me from my list of «reviews in the queue» for a few weeks now.
What’s the holdup? I didn’t feel right about reviewing a yoga studio before I’d taken a class there.
The Yoga Connection came highly recommended and specializes in my favorite flavor: Hatha yoga. The problem is, every time I think about getting in my car and driving 25 minutes across town for a yoga class, I … don’t. Instead I practice at home and I’ve been scouting options on the far east side, closer to where I live.
However! I went ahead with the review because I can speak glowingly about some of the workshops I’ve taken here.
My husband and I dropped in for «Intro to Meditation» (one of The Yoga Connection’s by-​donation workshops) one Sunday morning. We would have been satisfied with a gentle jump start. What we got was … well, a whole new level of inspiration! We learned half a dozen new mudras and practiced different ways to trick our babbling minds into shutting up. The instructor was a gentle, caring spirit who was involved and sincerely trying to help rather than teach a rote class.
Later I saw a two-​hour workshop for people with osteoporosis in the Yoga Connection online newsletter. My mom has it (which means I am at risk for getting it someday). She’s been struggling with the whats and hows, so I signed us up.
The instructor was named «Pep,» who has just the right amount of pep for yoga, if you ask me. She also has osteopena (the precursor of osteoporosis), so I trusted that she knew where-​of she spoke.
In the beautiful studio, surrounded by plenty of props (bricks, straps, chairs and blankets), Pep and her assistant guided our class of about a dozen women through the correct poses at slow, but steady pace with time for plenty of personal correction.
I was most impressed! And mom? She’s a new yoga fan. She bought a book there after class and has since been practicing on her own (newly purchased) mat at home.
For me the workshops are the way to go! I eagerly read through each monthly newsletter. As I said, I will probably end up practicing closer to my home, but I know I’ll be back to The Yoga Connection for more workshops.