Overview
Authentic Yoga & Authentic Yoga Teacher Training operates from Scottsdale’s Airpark area as a community-oriented yoga studio founded by Dave and Cheryl Oliver in 2010. Its identity is deeply tied to the astanga vinyasa system, which serves as its foundational practice, within an environment visitors describe as welcoming, safe, and supportive. The studio’s primary focus is its comprehensive Yoga Teacher Training program, which covers subjects like the Astanga primary series, yin yoga, Sanskrit, Vedic chant, anatomy, and teaching methodology, and is noted for being customizable and self-paced. Beyond teacher training, the studio facilitates specialized practices including Vedic Chant workshops and private sessions, along with workshops on breathwork and laughter yoga.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 9:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | Open | 9:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | Open | 9:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Thursday | Open | 9:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Friday | Open | 9:00 am – 7:30 pm |
| Saturday | Open | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | Open | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Studio in Details
A Studio Rooted in Tradition and Community
Authentic Yoga & Authentic Yoga Teacher Training, located in Scottsdale’s Airpark area, operates from a space that visitors describe as a welcoming, encouraging, and inspiring community, or sangha. Founded by Dave and Cheryl Oliver in 2010, the studio’s identity is deeply tied to its origins in the astanga vinyasa system, which people note as its “foundation and first love.” The atmosphere is often characterized by a sense of safety and support; one person called it a “safe, sacred, supportive, so so special” space where they felt they could never make a mistake. Another mentioned the palpable “energy in that room” and the “love between this group of people,” describing it as an extraordinary communal experience unlike other classes. The studio’s philosophy, as shared by its founders, emphasizes presenting students with direct experiences of yoga and making the practice applicable and accessible to all, encouraging contemplation, questioning, and the refinement of both physical practice and inner awareness.
While many visitors speak glowingly of the supportive environment and Cheryl Oliver’s leadership, noting her as a “wealth of knowledge, integrity, and care,” it is important to acknowledge that not all experiences align. One individual shared a detailed account of feeling mistreated during a teacher training, alleging power dynamics and unprofessional conduct that led them to believe the studio’s operations were not authentic. This perspective contrasts sharply with the predominant feedback but is part of the visitor narrative. The studio’s location in the Redfield Office Plaza offers practical access, and its legacy includes the spirit of co-founder Dave Oliver, whose influence visitors still feel. The overall identity that emerges from most accounts is of a dedicated yoga school focused on deep, traditional study within a close-knit community.
Comprehensive Training and Specialized Practices
The core offering at this studio is its Yoga Teacher Training program, which is the focal point of nearly all visitor feedback. People describe it as a well-rounded, self-paced education that is highly customizable. Visitors in training programs report studying a wide array of subjects. These include the Astanga primary series, yin yoga, Sanskrit, Vedic chant, yoga anatomy, yoga nidra, and yoga instruction methodology. The program’s structure allows students to “go at your own pace,” which many found perfectly fit their lives and schedules. Cheryl Oliver is noted for bringing in other respected teachers from the community to instruct, providing what people call a “well rounded and straightforward program” with “so many opportunities to learn from different teachers and specialists.” Specific workshops mentioned include a Yin Yoga Certificate and Continuing Education Course offering Yoga Alliance CEC credits.
Beyond teacher training, the studio facilitates specialized practices. Vedic Chant is a significant offering, available both in series workshops and as private, one-on-one online sessions. People describe Vedic Chant as an exploration of listening and sound that integrates body, mind, and breath, using ancient methods of instruction. The studio also hosts workshops on topics like breathwork and laughter yoga, as indicated by article titles on its site. For regular practice, the foundational style emphasized is ashtanga vinyasa. While visitors extensively discuss the depth of training, details about a regular drop-in class schedule for general students are not explicitly detailed in the feedback provided. The training itself seems to incorporate various yoga modalities as part of the curriculum rather than necessarily offering them as standalone daily group classes.
An Approach for Dedicated Students and Future Teachers
This studio appears to suit individuals seeking a serious, in-depth journey into yoga, particularly those aiming for teaching credentials or profound personal study. The teacher training program attracts students with specific goals, such as one person who focused on teaching yoga to active seniors for mobility and balance. Visitors consistently describe Cheryl Oliver as an authentic, devoted teacher who “practices what she preaches” and follows the eight limbs of yoga. Her teaching style is noted for being flexible, offering options to get training hours in person or via Zoom, and for providing guidance that helps students expand their comfort zone and confidence. The sense of community is a recurring theme, with people referring to their fellow trainees as a “yoga family” and feeling they became an “integral piece of the story” upon entering.
The studio’s offerings extend beyond its Scottsdale location. Cheryl Oliver provides teacher training at other studio locations “anywhere in the world,” a turn-key solution for other studio owners. The studio also organizes international retreats, such as a month-long teacher training in Montañita, Ecuador, combining yoga with surfing and beach time. For local or remote learning, online classes are available, specifically for Vedic Chant, which are conducted via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype. While the visitor feedback is overwhelmingly positive regarding the quality of education and community, the critical account serves as a reminder that experiences can vary, and prospective students are advised to conduct their own thorough research. For those aligned with its traditional, community-oriented, and education-focused approach, Authentic Yoga is described by many visitors as a transformative place that provides a “priceless addition” to one’s life and the “gold standard” of yogic wisdom.