mark stephens

a depth of experience

Mark Stephens has taught and practiced  Vinyasa Flow Yoga since the early 1990’s. Drawing primarily from Ashtanga Vinyasa, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Chi Gong and Tantra methods, Mark's teaching focuses on developing an integrated and sustainable asana, pranayama and meditation practice that is intelligently challenging, compassionate, lively and deeply self-transforming.

He studied primarily with Shiva Rea, Chuck Miller and Erich Schiffmann and completed the original Yoga Works Teacher Training Program. Mark founded, directed and taught at L.A. Yoga Center, one of LA’s hottest yoga spot, before selling it to Yoga Works.  After this chapter, he moved to his native Santa Cruz in 2004.

Awarded Yoga Journal's 1st Annual Karma Yoga award in 2000 for creating Yoga Inside Foundation, Mark maintains a strong commitment to linking yoga with social, environmental and peace causes.

“Rather than submitting to the proclaimed wisdom of a teacher or style, realize that your best teacher is alive and well inside of you. Much of the practice is about learning to listen to that inner-teacher, honoring what you hear and practicing your yoga with a sense of inner compassion and intelligence.”
~ Mark Stephens