In a little schoolhouse/studio in Scottsdale, Arizona, in the early 1990s, Desiree Rumbaugh introduced us to John Friend, a wildly exotic and hysterically funny, up-and-coming yoga teacher who had a radical new approach to teaching this ancient yoga philosophy in a down to earth manner. It sounded bizarre at the time: Six hours a day of yoga, for five days in a row! Who would do that? I think some of us came just to answer that question alone! What happened in that tiny room of just 30 or 40 students, altered the lives of what would eventually grow to become thousands of Anusara followers in Arizona alone.

Since then, we have carried on the teachings though our own classes. Some of us opened studios, then in time trained our students as teachers. Each of their students are kula* members now. The numbers have grown exponentially!

The Presenters have collectively customized this special conference, so that it personifies the Anusara vision of "Flowing with Grace", and we will present it as a group effort from our hearts and souls. This "Collective Soul" group will gather together, for lighthearted fun and intense study for a weekend that promises to be intimate, personal and will touch the hearts of all those associated with the Anusara teachings on ANY level! That's a LOT of people!

Our deepest appreciation, love and devotion are offered to John for this opportunity. Our hearts have grown tenfold since the inception of Anusara Yoga®, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to offer our love back to him in the name of Anusara Yoga®!

As Hanuman tore open his chest to prove his devotion to Ram, we offer this space, our hearts and efforts to show our deep devotion to John Friend for this lineage of teachings which has served us, the kula, in ways we can never fully express.

We dedicate this space, this conference, each class to you John, with the greatest love and prayers imaginable!

Collective Soul Gathering
Arizona, Valley of the Sun