Gila Shire

With a 14-year background in nursing, Gila Shire always loved to work with people.

After she moved from Germany to Phoenix in 1997, she became a certified massage therapist and worked with private clients, most of them regulars. When Gila was introduced to yoga, her life gained a dynamic new dimension. In 2002, she began her training with Martin and Jordan Kirk, and registered with the Yoga Alliance. Since then, Gila has been teaching in the Valley at several yoga studios and with private students. In spring of 2007, she completed Inner Vision’s advanced 500-hour yoga teacher training program with Jeff Martens, Kat Myers, Aaron Goldberg and Michele Dante. Their dogma-free teaching is a rare approach for which Gila feels grateful. Gila is also certified through Judith Lasater as a ‘Relax and Renew’ teacher, specializing in restorative yoga.

As a seasoned teacher, Gila’s eclectic style was influenced by the teachings of John Friend, Mukunda Stiles, Paul Grilley and Rod Stryker. Alignment and the healing/therapeutic approach are key elements of her classes (especially since her own experience with back injury), accompanied by thoughtfully chosen themes, music and readings.

Her classes are designed for all levels to meet the individual needs of the student, providing space for growth, soulful exploration, holistic networking and community.

Gila’s latest endeavor as a Doula brings everything she learned over more than 2 decades into full circle: her years of hospital & nursing work, the natural birth experience of her daughter Talisa in 1991 (which got her onto the holistic path ) and her passion for health & life. These are the valuable tools she offers to women to support them at their most unforgettable, sacred & natural event they deserve – giving birth, which is a true celebration and can be embraced as a rite of passage.

“I love to guide people to combine the beauty they bring to their mats with the wisdom, knowledge and inspiration of yoga.”  – Gila Shire