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Greetings fellow yoga practitioners -
Tucson Yoga Sol is a new hot and warm yoga studio on Oracle Road, in NW Tucson. Founded by Diane Faircloth Van Maren and Dustin (Dusty) Dame the studio offers classic hot yoga and warm yoga (Bikram method), with several yoga variations (Yin, Basics, Bikram Beats) and Inferno Pilates, which give students a chance to vary their practice throughout the week. |
Diane
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Diane Faircloth Van Maren, one of the two studio founders of TYS, began practicing Bikram Method in 1999 after living several years with back pain. Although it wasn’t immediate, over time her back healed and she has remained pain free with regular practice. Inspired by her own healing, she was certified to teach in 2003 and has been active in the Tucson Hot Yoga community ever since. During this time, she says she has the "honor to witness the healing power of yoga" in the lives of many of her students, which continues to infuse and inspire her teaching. Diane lives on a small ranch in NW Tucson with her husband, Jeff, and their three dogs and two horses. |
Dusty
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Dustin (Dusty) Dame, the studio owner, says he "found yoga at a dark time" in his life. He remembers being "out of shape, mentally lost, and spiritually bankrupt."
After having an epiphany (like a bolt of lighting) that he needed to do hot yoga, he found a nearby studio, and in his first class (after the first deep backbend) had a moment of mental clarity and was "hooked". His daily practice over the next two years, "completely transformed my mind, body, and spirit". His Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in the Fall of 2012 was "one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life". He's taught at studios in Tucson, Phoenix, Montana, and India. "I truly believe Bikram Yoga saved my life," says Dusty adding, "I owe a debt to all of the teachers, studio owners, and students who have helped me along my path. My desire is to give back to the community that which was given so freely to me. " When not at the studio, Dusty enjoys exploring the Sonoran Desert, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. It is so simple. Breathe. |
Becca
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Becca Cammack says she walked (actually limped) into her first Bikram Yoga class in San Diego in 2005. She had just been diagnosed with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and was taking medicine she didn't want and receiving prognoses she didn't like: "You'll be disabled in 10 years," for example. "Three months after hopping around on one foot and crashing into the poor folks unfortunate enough to set up their yoga mats in my general vicinity, I was free of both symptoms and drugs, and spent the next seven years cultivating a daily yoga practice before going to Bikram's Teacher Training in 2011," tells Becca. Teaching at many different studios across three continents, Becca returned to her home town of Tucson in 2013 to deal with an autoimmune disease. Here she found her new home studio and yoga community, and today, once again finds herself "pain-free, drug-free, and in the best health of my life". Says Becca; "I'm most passionate to show others the benefits of an long-term, consistent practice - in excess of ten years or more - as this is where I now find myself in this journey. Join me." |
Donna
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Donna Lawson, as a business owner in a highly competitive field for over 25 years, Donna began her yoga practice in 2006 to help work through stress and anxiety. After many handstands and headstands, the injuries started to outweigh the benefits. A good friend introduced her to Bikram Yoga in 2009, and it changed her life. Her injuries went away, her stress and anxiety improved drastically, and she became a much healthier and happier person. Donna received her 200 RYT certification at the Bikram Yoga AZ Original Hot Method School in Paradise Valley, where she had the honor of being trained by Cintra Brown and Nicole Deacon. Donna is also certified in Yin Yoga (30 Hour). "I hope that I can help people experience the benefits of the Bikram Yoga method, just as I did" |
Erika
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Erika Genis began her yoga journey to help deal with job-related stress and a back injury in 2008. Every since, she says: "I have never stopped my practice for more than two-weeks. My practice continues to keep my mind and body healthy." With an interest in deepening her practice and sharing her passion with others, she completed her 200 RYT training in May, 2017. Says Erika: "I am honored to be a part of the Yoga Sol team!" |
Sherry
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Sherry Dean took her first Bikram class in Dec 2001 and was "immediately hooked". Sherry traveled a great deal and found that Bikram was the only thing that helped with her back pain. Since then, Sherry has practiced in 47 studios all over the globe and attended 8 Bikram workshops. Sherry attended the Bikram Teacher Training in Fall 2008. Ever since she was certified, she's been teaching because, "I love sharing yoga with others". Sherry says, "Yoga can help in so many ways if you just keep practicing.☺" |
Andrea
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Andrea Decker Swanson is a Yoga Alliance RYT 200 yoga instructor. She has practiced yoga for nearly twenty years, starting shortly after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia at age 16. “Yoga has been an ongoing presence in my life, always finding me in times of need.” Andrea says that yoga has led to a transformation in the way she views her body: “Pain, as in fibromyalgia or other chronic conditions and traumas, can separate people from their bodies. Yoga helped me remember I existed and appreciate that existence. It brought me back to myself.” Andrea strongly believes in the healing power of yoga and its vital role in body awareness and acceptance. Her hope is to help others discover and uncover the brilliance within themselves: “Yoga is a gentle, loving way to regain control of what is rightfully one’s own, one’s birthright, one’s body.” |
Jenny
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Jenny is a Hot Pilates instructor, yoga lover and a workout fiend. Although she loves fitness and adores helping others reach their fitness goals, her strongest desire is to promote body positivity and self-care and love. Her mantra is: “I don’t want to wait until I’m 73 to embrace my body. To look back and think of my beauty: How did I miss it? Let’s not wait another moment.” ― Ashley Asti Let’s go! |
Taylor
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Taylor is a Pilates instructor. She went through Pilates certification in 2018 under the instruction of Yoga Sol. Although she is new to the teaching community, she is looking forward to expanding her knowledge through further training. “I feel grateful to be a part of a such positive, loving community here at Yoga Sol, the studio and everyone that works here has given new meaning to my life.” Taylor lives in Tucson with her husband, two children, and their dog Hank. |
Tamara
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Tamara credits yoga, specifically the 26 + 2 hot series, with saving her life many years ago. Additionally, it took care of a tingling and numbing sensation she had running down one side of her body, of unknown origin. “I needed to stretch my spine!,” she says. Since then, falling in love with the series and attending Bikram Yoga TT, no matter where her life adventures take her, she always comes back to the practice to stay healthy and strong, and to help her through the ups and downs of life. Tamara believes this series is truly brilliant and healing. Yoga helps Tamara most importantly with self love and compassion, and maintenance for the minor but bothersome issues that have come with childbirth, parenthood, active lifestyle, and aging. Tamara is grateful to be a part of this loving and supportive Yoga Sol community. She believes this practice can change lives and help anyone who gives it a fair chance. Tamara is also trained in Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga. |
Liz
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Liz has studied Bikram Yoga since 2005. She initially started the practice to add elements of cross-training to her schedule as a dancer. In 2010 Liz received her 200 hour teacher certification from Jimmy Barkan in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and used this training to inform her teaching as a faculty member in the School of Dance at the University of Arizona. She went on to develop a yoga/conditioning class for the BFA students in the School of Dance to add balance and awareness to their daily routines. She most recently completed her 26 & 2 training with Gianna Purccell and the Siddhi School of Yoga in August, and is excited to finally begin teaching in the Tucson Community! |
Patty
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Patty Boggs has practiced many different styles of yoga during the past 30 years, appreciating both the mental and physical benefits. During her practice at Tucson Yoga Sol, she fell in love with Yin Yoga. In May 2021, she earned a 50-hour Yin Yoga certification and began to teach. She went on to receive a Pilates certificate through Tucson Yoga Sol and teaches Basic class as well.
"I love teaching and actively participating in student's practice as they challenge themselves and reap the benefits of building a strong mind and body. Tucson Yoga Sol is a loving, connected, down to earth community, I call home." Patty lives in Tucson with her husband Bob. She enjoys time with family and friends, volunteer work, the beautiful Sonoran Desert, golf, and quilting. |
Saleema
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Saleema Muhammed I became a certified Hot Pilates instructor on April 30, 2023, but my passion for fitness began long before that. From a young age, I was drawn to movement and exercise, often working out alongside my mom and aunt. I come from a family of athletes and grew up surrounded by sports and physical activity. In high school, I ran track and field, and while I always dreamed of joining gymnastics, financial limitations meant my sisters and I created our own routines at home—something that sparked creativity and resilience early on. In my late 20s, I trained for bodybuilding and also challenged myself to complete my first 10-mile run. That first race lit a fire in me—I went on to complete three more 10-mile runs and eventually a half marathon. About 11 years ago, I was introduced to Bikram Yoga, and not long after, Inferno Hot Pilates (IHP). I fell in love with both practices. The physical and mental transformation I experienced ignited a desire to go deeper—not just as a student, but as a teacher. Teaching has always felt like a natural calling for me. I’ve always had a deep drive to lead, inspire, and connect with others, and stepping in front of a class feels like home. When I moved to San Diego, I joined a new hot yoga studio where I was introduced to Vinyasa Flow. Three years later, I joined a local running team, reconnecting with my love for endurance training and community-driven movement. This journey has been nothing short of amazing. Watching my students grow stronger—physically, mentally, and emotionally—reminds me why I do this. Every drop of sweat, every class, and every shared moment is worth it. I’m grateful to be part of their journeys and excited for all that’s still to come. Believe in yourself, never give up, and always keep going. |
MacKenzi
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MacKenzi found Bikram in 2012 after lamenting to a friend about how much she was struggling finding a “workout” she enjoyed.
"I grew up practicing ballet extensively and my body was craving movement after a few years off. That friend suggested Bikram and I’ve been hooked ever since taking my first class. I’ve since moved to several different states, and no matter what new place I was in I always found my home in the hot room. I love the connection between mind and body that the Bikram practice offers. “It’s just as much a mental practice as it is physical” after all! There’s truly nothing like stepping in the hot room and forgetting about everything outside those four walls. After years of dreaming of teacher training, I finally completed 200 hrs with Gianna Purcell and the Siddhi School of yoga in 2021 with a focus in 26+2. I taught regularly at Tucson Yoga Sol until I moved back to Phoenix in the fall of 2023, but I still come back monthly to teach because I miss my Yoga Sol family so much! I love nothing more than connecting with students and to “nerd out” about postures, so feel free to chat after class! And if you’re ever visiting Phoenix, look for me on the schedule at the Foundry Arcadia and Tempe/Mesa!" |
Marissa
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Bio Coming Soon!
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Heather
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Heather Molina has been practicing the 26 & 2 series since 2004, when she wandered into a studio in downtown Boston one day after work. It took her two years to get the focus to complete a 30 day challenge. And then another four years to complete a 101 day challenge, after which she decided to attend Bikram’s 9-week training in San Diego in the Fall of 2010.
Heather has taught at studios across North America and has practiced in over a dozen countries as she travels. Outside of yoga she is a digital marketing executive, having worked at large agencies with large brands for over 20 years. She is originally from Sierra Vista, AZ |
Kathy
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Kathy Durham
Deeply connected and rooted to the earth, Kathy uniquely weaves wisdom from multiple modalities into insightful experiences. Her vast knowledge integrates yoga, philosophy, psychology, energetics, nutrition, and somatics as a therapeutic approach to self-study. She draws upon over 20 years of deep foundational exploration of asana, breathwork and meditation practices to inspire her offerings. Her yogic journey has provided certifications in Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Synergy Yoga, Reiki, Ayurvedic Nutrition and Somatic Healing. She has dedicated her time to managing and assisting yoga studios, traveling to lead retreats, teaching yoga teacher trainings, developing mentorship programs, as well as participating in yoga demonstration events and leading community support and women’s circles. Her routine personal practices, continued Yoga and Ayurveda study, nature, cooking, reading, hiking, backpacking and climbing allow her to remain grounded while she holds space for others to expand their capacity |
Stephanie
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Stephanie Brunson
Serendipity led Stephanie to her first Bikram yoga class at the start of 2001. She fell in love with the practice immediately and got an unlimited pass, then started an 8-week challenge. She finished her challenge at Bikram's teacher training, knowing she wanted the practice to be a lasting part of her life. Stephanie was certified by Bikram the summer of 2001, and has been practicing and teaching ever since. She was a long-time teacher at Yoga Vida in Tucson, and BYCI Chicago. She continues to grow her practice and knowledge of yoga, meditation and mindfulness, and is honored to share and witness the transformative effects of these timeless techniques. She is also a barber, mother, and artist. |