Three Yogis Combine Energy Into Unique Studio

With its clean white walls and a warm cork floor, the Yoga Center Palm Desert radiates a sense of calmness just off the bustling and noisy Highway 111.

Three Palm Desert women transformed the space from a former dog grooming business into a renovated yoga studio that focuses on the practice of Ashtanga Mysore and Iyengar Yoga in December.

Holly Hughins, Eileen Flaherty and Roswitha Smale, all of Palm Desert, will celebrate its grand opening on Jan. 14.

The Yoga Center Palm Desert is Tucked away just four doors down from the Elephant Bar on Highway 111 in Palm Desert, between Portola and San Luis Rey avenues.

Hughins, who recently moved to Palm Desert from Santa Cruz, said she found the space on Craigslist after striking out at other locations.

The women, who had been looking to expand their Yoga practice in a unique space for over a year, installed a cork floor and incorporated other green elements into the clean, naturally lit space.

"Students mentioned that their practice has gotten better in this space," Flaherty said.

They also put in a rope wall on Saturday that was made by Hughins' husband, and will be used by students attempting difficult moves like headstands.

The women have also partnered with Lorraine Ornelas of Luscious Lorraine's Organic Juice & Food Bar, which is located just across Highway 111.

"She has a very successful business and has been a guiding light for us," Flaherty said.

They have plans to involve Ornelas in workshops on nutrition, and possibly some community gatherings in the future.

Both Ashtange Mysore and Iyengar Yoga come from the same lineage, making their partnership even more unique.

"It's a real natural fit," Flaherty said with a warm smile.

Hughins is certified in Iyengar Yoga, which emphasizes the eight fold path that was created by B.K.S. Iyengar.

Iyengar Yoga is different from other forms because of its use of props to help students in their practice, such as wood blocks, Hughins said.

Flaherty and Smale are approved by their senior teachers to give classes on Ashtanga Yoga, which is a therapeutic sequence of postures and synchronize breath and movement that aims to attain wellness and peace of mind through years of practice. This sytem of yoga was introduced by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

For Ashtanga Yoga, classes are available for all levels, from beginners to advanced on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. A special Ashtanga Primary Series for experienced Astanga practitioners are available on Fridays.

The cost of classes ranges from $18 to $150 for a month series.

For Iyengar Yoga, classes in January are available Sunday through Thursday. The cost ranges from $18 to $160 for a monthly series. Private sessions go for $75 an hour.

Flaherty can be reached at (760) 340-4514, Smale can be reached at (760) 992-4428 and Hughins is available at (831) 588-7991.