Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Heather Promise of Gilbert, AZ

Heather Promise shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Heather , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
For me, it is teaching yoga, especially guiding yoga teacher trainings. There is something about being fully present with students, whether they are in their first class or diving into the deeper work of a 200 hour training, that makes time dissolve. In those moments, my mind is completely engaged, my heart is wide open, and I am reminded why I chose this path in the first place.

Teacher training holds a special place for me because it is where transformation unfolds in such profound ways. You see people connect dots in their practice, uncover their own voice as teachers, and step into a more authentic version of themselves. Being part of that process is both humbling and exhilarating. It is work that feeds my soul.

This passion is also what inspired me to write Drawing All Hearts: A Tantra Yoga Manual. The book is a distillation of decades of practice and teaching, offering a modern approach to the ancient principles of Tantra Yoga. It is meant to help practitioners deepen their connection to themselves, their energy, and their relationships. Writing it felt like an extension of my teaching, another way to guide people toward self awareness, presence, and joy.

In short, teaching yoga and sharing its wisdom, whether in the studio, in a training, or through my writing, is where I lose track of time and at the same time find the truest version of myself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Heather Promise and I am the owner of Gilbert Yoga and Dean of Curriculum at Gilbert Yoga College. I have been teaching yoga for over two decades, and in that time, I have had the privilege of helping thousands of students and hundreds of teachers grow in their practice and find their own voice.

Gilbert Yoga is more than a studio. It is a community space where people come to reconnect with themselves, heal, and learn. Our college has been training new yoga teachers for over 22 years, and we are known for our depth, integrity, and the personal attention we give every trainee. We specialize in Tantra Yoga and offer advanced trainings, as well as a teacher training program that is both highly comprehensive and deeply transformative.

I recently published Drawing All Hearts: A Tantra Yoga Manual, a book designed to bring the ancient principles of Tantra into the lives of modern practitioners in an accessible, meaningful way. This work is an extension of what we do at the studio—making yoga not just something you do, but something you live.

Right now, I am most excited about continuing to grow our teacher training programs, expanding our advanced studies, and nurturing our community so that every person who walks through our doors feels seen, supported, and inspired to live their yoga on and off the mat.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I came to the United States from France when I was four years old, a natural meditator without knowing that was what I was. Life placed me in rural Appalachia, surrounded by green fields, wooded hollers, and quiet mountains.

I spent many days alone in nature, wandering, wondering, and watching. There was no rush, no sense of needing anything to be different. I was completely “desireless” in those moments. What I remember most is a deep stillness and a kind of knowing that went beyond anything I could have put into words at that age.

Those times remain some of the most potent memories of my life—moments where I felt both completely part of the world and quietly powerful within it. They planted seeds for the path I would eventually follow in yoga and meditation, long before I had language for it.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, many times. My teacher instilled in me the awareness that the path is full of forks. At any juncture, there is a choice. You can give up, or you can keep going when it gets hard.

I have chosen the hard way over and over, because I know that the hard way is the easy way. It is the path that shapes you, strengthens you, and reveals the deeper rewards that are not visible at first.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
For better or worse, yes. I am nothing if not authentic. At times, that has been an Achilles heel, but more often it has brought me connections with truly lovely and loyal friends. I would rather be known for who I really am, even if that means not being for everyone. I am not for everyone.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
This is a great question because the history of Gilbert Yoga is long and at times complicated. There are dramatic stories that only those who were truly part of the events can attest to, but speculation and conjecture have always been part of the yoga community. Yogis are no less susceptible to gossip, envy, backbiting, and infighting than any other group of people.

Some people believe I was given something valuable and simply took advantage of it. The truth is far more complex. I built Gilbert Yoga into a functioning business that operates in the legitimate marketplace, an accredited post secondary educational entity. I began teaching at Gilbert Yoga in 2009 and purchased the studio in 2020.

In those early days of ownership, hard decisions had to be made, and over the course of about 18 months the community fractured. Many people painted me as the villain in that story, but the reality is that each of us played a role in how events unfolded.

Now, four years later, the studio is thriving. The credibility of our business is well established in the yoga community and beyond. Whatever misunderstandings linger, the work speaks for itself and I am proud of what Gilbert Yoga has become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gilbertyoga.com
• Instagram: @GilbertYoga
• Facebook: Gilbert Yoga
• Youtube: Gilbert Yoga

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