15 Sep FOR YOUR HEALTH: TAPAS YOGA SHALA
By Sean Leary
Yoga Shala stays true to the heritage of the most ancient and powerful personal transformative tradition.
Evan and Kelly Harris believe Yoga is a gift, one that offers something for everyone.Quad-Citians can unwrap that gift at the Harris couple’s Tapas Yoga Shala, located in the McKesson Lofts Building, 100 19th Street, Suite 102, Rock Island.
Evan and Kelly have studied yoga traditions since 2002. Registered with Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 500 level, their studies have taken them to nationally and internationally recognized instructors over the last 15 years. This includes five months of study in India as well as ongoing intensive study with their current teacher, Matthew Sweeney, since 2009. In 2008, they founded Tapas Yoga Shala with the sole intention of providing a studio space and community for the traditional practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga.
Tapas offers hot yoga, all-levels classes, and the only Guided Self Practice program in the area, teaching Ashtanga and Vinyasa Krama yoga. Students can also practice with Evan and Kelly from home with practice and technique videos in the Float Shop.
Tapas also offers an extensive yoga teacher training program. Prospective teachers learn essentials including postures, anatomy, sequencing, and adjustments. Students also delve into the origins, philosophy, schools, and gurus of yoga’s long history and profound, contemplative roots.
Yoga Teacher Training is an opportunity for an immersive yoga experience, learning and refining the crucial tools for sharing yoga with others while deepening each trainee’s personal practice and knowledge of the yoga tradition. All programs are registered with Yoga Alliance and graduates are eligible to register as RYTs (Registered Yoga Teachers) upon completion.
“Yoga practice is the most ancient and powerful personal transformative tradition in the world, and that heritage is currently in our hands,” the duo say. “Yoga instructors have the knowledge and skills to bring the healing and contemplative potential of yoga to others. It is inherently powerful work,” said Evan.
“We are a thriving, friendly community of yoga students of all stripes. From complete beginners to the most advanced practitioners, we want to work with you,” says the couple.
This article originally appeared in the fall issue of the Downtown Rock Island Magazine. Pick up a copy of your own in stores around town.