Mary Bruce is an internationally beloved yoga teacher and educator who creates sacred space and presence for her students. Mary is a torch bearer. A beacon of light. A rare guide that is breaking the mold of the modern climate of yoga. Her teachings light us up and help us manifest our deepest desires. Through a deep connection with each of her students, Mary expresses and teaches in a way that has been described as “pouring the goddess” straight from her mouth. She has an organic, poetic language for her teachings so students find their own inner truth of yoga and living. By being gifted with the ability to be both rooted and wild, gentle and fierce, joyful and deep, Mary’s teaching style integrates all energies so students can truly intersect light and shadow, the god and goddess. Her gentle and calming attention help her students find comfort in the moments of discomfort and to build confidence while challenging the edges of their self limitations.
Mary teaches all levels with an emphasis on the philosophical teachings of yoga that remain true to her linage. You will not find her classes “dumbed down” or diluted. She trusts her students' ability to understand the essence of yoga. While she pays honor to what has been passed onto her, she also stays true to herself and most importantly- true to each student, meeting them all exactly where they are. She guides her classes through all layers of yoga- from the flesh to the bone to the soul. She brings attention to detail (alignment), awareness of breath (pranayama), connection with divine source (bhavana), intelligent sequencing (vinyasa krama), as well as, Ayurveda, visualization, meditation, mantra and more to each and every one of her classes.
Her wish for each student is that they practice expressing who they truly are. To radically embody that truth. And that their truth bring greater peace, to themselves, to this world. A yoga teacher since 1997, Mary considers herself a forever student and began her journey in 1995 with Julie Crutchfield. She was so inspired by what she learned with Julie she continued her studies with her Teacher Yogarupa Rod Stryker in 1998.
Mary Bruce is now a senior student of Rod Stryker’s and is Level III ParaYoga® Certified, a Certified Four Desires Trainer and a member of the Para Yoga certification board. She is also a 500 hour E-RYT Yoga Alliance teacher, a Relax and Renew trainer under the mentorship of Judith Lasiter, a certified Yoga Nidra Facilitator and a Reike Master. Mary directed the Yoga Teacher Training program at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Arizona from 2004-2008. She also co-directed the Yoga Teacher Training program at Practice Yoga in New York City in 2009 and co-directed the Yoga For Life 300 Hr. Master Immersion into The Yoga Tradition Program from 2011-2014.
She currently trains teachers in Arizona, California and Switzerland. Mary has written for internationally known magazines such as Yoga International, Origin and Mantra Magazine, and is featured on Gather Yoga. Mary occasionally travels with musicians such as Jennifer Nettles and the band Sugarland to bring yoga and wellness on tour. Mary currently teaches throughout the United States and abroad, dedicating her life to spreading her love for yoga and all the ancient wisdom in a new and radiant light.