Evon Hart (she/her), Founder CYI 2003
2023 was my 20 year Teaching Anniversary!
“Evon’s teaching is heart forward with an intense physical and emotional intelligence.”
For a decade, until 1997, I worked as an administrative assistant in public relation firms and record labels in Manhattan. In the summer of ‘97 I quit my job and for 6 weeks traveled across the country and back. This was a pivot point in my life, and upon my return I enrolled in massage school at the renowned Swedish Institute of Massage in NYC. I received my 800-hour certification and practiced both eastern and western massage privately and at massage centers on Long Island.
In 1999 I found a local Iyengar Yoga instructor, Jeff Logan. The practice drew me in immediately, and while I was hooked, it wasn’t until I relocated to Arizona in 2001 that I became fully committed to studying and practicing yoga. Looking for work as a massage therapist, I found Desert Song Healing Arts Center. I was hired in their massage department, became a marketing manager, and I took several classes per week. Within a year I enrolled in their yoga teacher training program and I’ve been certified since 2003 and taught at Desert Song until the respected studio closed their doors in 2021. My main studies were with Meg Byerlein in the Anusara tradition and Erich Schiffmann.
In 2023 I opened Community Yoga. The story is remarkable, and you can read it below.
My passions lie in the realization of Yoga, in the deep study and experience of all the teachings. Forever a student and thrilled to be an instructor, I thrive on authentic interactions within the community. I live in north central Phoenix near the mountain preserve with my partner Donny. My son, Sam, lives in Flagstaff where he is pursuing a bachelors degree in Geology/Park Management at NAU . I enjoy being outdoors for walks, mellow hikes, bike rides and paddle-boarding. As often as possible, I get back to NY to be with my family, friends and the ocean. I have been a single mother since Sam was 5, and am applying the principles of yoga as I adjust to him being on his own now.
A Community-built studio
When the world shut down in 2020, I shifted gears and taught virtually, full-time, throughout. This was a profound experience. We were all so reluctant to this new way of practicing, yet the devotion of the students was remarkable and inspiring. The online community was just as strong as our in person experience. In April of 2022, as the pandemic started to calm and life opened up again, I rented a room 3x/week at And Breathe, a massage center in Phoenix. They had a small and very affordable room. We got to practice in person, together. The reunions were sublime. Desert Song closing had been devastating for people who had been practicing there for decades. We were slowly building something small and special together. We enjoyed over a year in this space, until the owner announced they’d be closing in August of 2023.
This left us again without a home for our classes. I faced a turning point. Teaching was my passion and my livelihood. I felt called to open something of my own. I had a commitment to teaching and was willing to take the risk of starting a small studio, but I didn’t have the money.
Some of the most “regular” long-time students suggested crowdsourcing, so I started a GoFundMe campaign. The response was stunning, immediate and blew my mind. Students (past and present), friends (here and in NY) and family rallied. In the first eight days we reached the $30K goal, and by the end had surpassed $35K! I was floored. There was no turning back, it was clear what I had to do! And Breathe closed on August 1st, and Community Yoga was opened by September 16th! We hoped to be in central Phoenix, but couldn’t find anything affordable with ample parking, so we moved slightly north to our location in the “Sheaborhood”. Donny, my romantic partner, did the entire build out. I mean, everything: Flooring, lighting, electrical, sound, painting, custom shelves, bathroom remodel and more! None of this could have happened without Donny.
My vision was clear: build a beautiful space to teach my classes, and sublet the studio to other instructors interested in doing the same, acting independently to manage their own class registrations, payments, marketing. An informal collective. The rent contribution from other teachers is what makes this work. I am so grateful to the instructors who are here weekly, and to those who use our space for their special events. It all makes a difference. See the other teacher’s classes here.
Community Service
One of my strengths has always been community building, creating experiences for gathering, getting to know one another, celebrating life, and serving the underserved. I am passionate about mobilizing this wonderful group of students for community outreach opportunities. These are open-hearted and generous people, I am so blessed to know them! We have accomplished a lot for a humble little studio:
In June 2022 we raised $2500 in one day (Summer Solstice) for the new St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter. We used the money to furnish a reading/relaxation room This was a hands on project: we bought the furniture and decor, bought books, received donated books from Changing Hands, put together the furniture we bought, decorated the room and continued to revisit for several months, restocking and refreshing.
Ongoing seasonal drives since 2020 for water, blankets, backpacks, yoga mats/ground coverings, cold weather clothing, reusable water bottles, feminine hygiene products.
Earth Day 2024 and 2025 yoga fundraisers to benefit local non profit Trees Matter. Total raised between the two classes = $1000 (approximately 4 trees planted!)
Summer Solstice Fundraiser 2025 for St. Vincent de Paul Homelessness Prevention Program. A weekend-long event of classes, with 50% of proceeds going to this program. Total collected between event and online donations = $8300! This amount can prevent approximately 4 households from slipping into homelessness through their utility/rent relief program.
It would be my sincere pleasure to meet you and to welcome you to this community of dedicated students and talented teachers. Please reach out to me for a personal connection, question, inquiry into renting the studio or taking a class.