Alison Leonka

Background

About Alison Leonka

Alison is owner and founder of Satya Yoga Iyengar Yoga Center, providing 1:1 Yoga Therapy and Iyengar Yoga Instruction, and Iyengar Yoga group classes. Alison has an innate desire to help others develop and maintain ideal quality of life and elite athletic performance through mindful awareness in their movement habits and proper self-care. She is particularly skilled in assisting athletes and active individuals achieve peak performance, prevent injuries, and rehabilitate from injury, through Iyengar Yoga instruction and therapy. While studying to become a yoga therapist, Alison had surgery to repair an ACL tear in 2016. In completing an Iyengar Yoga therapy protocol to recover and heal, Alison not only obtained her full range of motion back, but came back stronger and more capable in performing her aerial dance and fitness activities. This experience not only gave her great confidence in her profession, but also invaluable tools to serve her clients. She has had success with many populations including professional athletes, active adults, high school students, and senior citizens. Alison has always been passionately fascinated with the exploration of movement. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Fitness & Wellness Foundations and Dance in 2011, completed the Yoga Teacher Training program at the Iyengar Yoga Center of Scottsdale Community College in 2012, received her degree in Yoga Therapy in 2019, and became a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher in 2023. Becoming a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT) has allowed Alison to refine and deepen her own practice, and given her a keen eye to observe and correct her students. This style of instruction emphasizes fine-tuned awareness to the details of alignment in each pose, sequencing, timing, the use of props, and maintains authenticity and integrity to the ancient tradition of yoga. She is skilled in not only giving clear, precise cues for movement, but also in seeing what her clients may be missing or how they can improve in their execution. Alison is certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and as an Iyengar Yoga Teacher. Outside of her career, Alison enjoys parenting her delightful daughter, exploring the wilderness, and making wholesome soups and baked goods to share with her friends. Her dedicated personal yoga practice keeps her fit for aerial dancing, boxing, and regular trips to the mountains to hike and trail run.