Overview
Ashtanga Arizona provides a deeply traditional yoga studio experience in Scottsdale, centered on the authentic Ashtanga Yoga lineage and integrated Ayurvedic wisdom. Founded and led by Lisa Schrempp, Arizona’s only Authorized Level 2 teacher blessed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the studio offers morning Mysore-style classes, private yoga sessions, and personalized Ayurvedic consultations. The holistic approach combines disciplined Ashtanga practice with treatments like Snehan-Abhyanga and Shirodhara for complete mind-body balance. Lisa’s teaching philosophy emphasizes sustainability, internal awareness, and student independence within a compassionate framework. This yoga studio welcomes all levels, offering beginners dedicated guidance while helping advanced practitioners deepen their traditional practice.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Pricing
| Plan Name | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drop in | Drop in | $20 |
| 10 class card | 10 Classes | $148 |
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | – |
| Tuesday | Open | – |
| Wednesday | Open | – |
| Thursday | Open | – |
| Friday | Open | – |
| Saturday | Open | – |
| Sunday | Open | – |
Studio in Details
A Deeply Traditional Ashtanga Space with Ayurvedic Integration
Ashtanga Arizona, located in Scottsdale, is not a typical high-volume yoga studio but rather a dedicated space centered on the traditional Ashtanga Yoga lineage and the complementary science of Ayurveda. The identity of this yoga center is intrinsically linked to its founder and primary teacher, Lisa Schrempp, whose decades of study and practice shape the environment. Visitors describe an experience grounded in authority, knowledge, and compassion, noting the “purity” of the class offered. This suggests a focused, authentic approach rather than a broad menu of trendy styles. The practice is presented as a disciplined path, with Lisa emphasizing a friendly attitude toward one’s body and the journey inward, aiming for a union of body and mind built on kindness and self-discovery.
The studio’s offerings are deeply informed by Lisa’s extensive background. She began her studies in 1985 with Jivamukti Yoga and has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga since 1992, making numerous trips to Mysore, India to study with the lineage’s founder, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and his grandson, R. Sharath Jois. She is noted as the only Authorized Level 2 teacher in Arizona blessed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This direct lineage authorization is a cornerstone of the studio’s credibility. Furthermore, her practice integrates broader wisdom from Ayurveda, Buddhism, and Yoga, which she describes as filling in the “rough edges” that strict yoga practices might not address. This holistic integration is a defining characteristic, moving beyond physical postures to encompass diet, routine, and conscious living for overall balance and wellness.
Core Offerings: Mysore-Style Practice and Personalized Wellness
The primary class format highlighted by visitors is the Mysore-style class, which is the traditional, self-paced method of learning the Ashtanga sequence. One visitor specifically mentioned attending a “Mysore” class, praising the teacher’s authority and compassion, and expressed a desire to return when work brings them back to Scottsdale. This indicates the studio serves both local practitioners and traveling yogis seeking an authentic Mysore experience. The class schedule appears to include early morning sessions, with Lisa mentioning she is on her mat by 4:45 a.m. and starts teaching at 6 a.m., catering to those committed to a morning pranayama and meditation routine.
Beyond group classes, the studio provides extensive private sessions and Ayurvedic consultations. Lisa offers personalized yoga sessions designed to help individuals establish or deepen a home practice, with pricing noted for single sessions and packages. The Ayurvedic services are a significant component, including consultations to identify imbalances, and various treatments like Snehan-Abhyanga (a full-body oil massage ceremony), Shirodhara (a calming oil treatment for the forehead), and specialized body masks. She also offers combined “Double Dip” packages that pair a private yoga session with an Ayurvedic treatment for a half-day retreat experience. Visitors do not mention specific details about the studio’s facilities, props, or amenities like showers or retail space.
Philosophy and Approach to Teaching and Practice
The teaching philosophy here is deeply considered and evolves from Lisa’s long personal journey. She describes her own practice as having slowed down over time, focusing on deepening awareness within postures rather than merely performing them. This approach informs her teaching, which she says starts with more physical assists and migrates toward verbal guidance to help students find greater internal awareness. She emphasizes sustainability, regeneration, and a compassionate and awake source of teaching. A key aspect is fostering student independence; she believes in stepping back to let students be responsible for their own practice and freedom, avoiding the pitfall of helping too much.
This studio seems particularly suited for students seeking a serious, traditional Ashtanga practice within a holistic framework. It appeals to those interested in the discipline of the Mysore method and the integrated wisdom of Ayurveda for stress relief and overall balance. Beginners are welcomed, with Lisa expressing a special love for teaching them, appreciating their “innocence, courage, and dedication.” The approach to injuries is pragmatic and rooted in the tradition; modification is preferred over taking time off, viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and new perspective. The overall vibe, as conveyed through the teacher’s writings and visitor feedback, is one of dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate guidance within a focused traditional context, offering a reset for mind, body, and spirit in the Phoenix area.