Matthew Fritz & Rebecca Fritz (LMT)
Owners Rebecca & Matthew Fritz, along with their 4 young children and 2 dogs, have resided in the downtown Historic Coronado Neighborhood since early 2003. In late 2007 they fostered the concept for Sutra Midtown as a neighborhood retreat that could cater to the needs of a healthy lifestyle within their community. Since then, they have single handedly, and quite literally, built Sutra from the ground up and converted an abandoned, blighted factory building along 7th St. to host their dream.
Rebecca, a Portland native and a licensed massage therapist, developed a lasting relationship with massage, yoga, and nutrition during her first pregnancy in 2004. After 4 natural childbirths, delivered in the comforts of home, along with a firm grasp of the body’s modalities, she quickly became a proficient authority on women’s health, pregnancy, and prenatal fitness and understands the value of each student’s individual needs. After spending many years in the fashion industry, with frequent travels between New York, Paris, and Milan, Rebecca has developed a rich appreciation for creativity and originality, which is clearly reflected in Sutra’s style.
Matthew, a Chicago native and an architectural designer, discovered his passion for yoga in 1995 when, as an ex-baseball player, he used forms of acupuncture and yoga to assist with sport injuries. Building off his existing passion for juicing and diet, he was able to incorporate his diverse background into a knowledge center of health, fitness, and nutrition. As an architectural designer, urban planner, painter, photographer, and graphic designer, Matthew’s sharp eye and appreciation of design can be witnessed throughout Sutra, where rarely a detail goes unnoticed.
"Honestly, the whole business concept is almost a selfish venture", joke the owners of SuTRA Midtown, Matthew and Rebecca Fritz, who have incorporated their passions for healthy nutrition, massage therapy, coffee, yoga, pilates, prenatal health, local art and live music into a 4000sf creative compound. "Sutra translates to 'the thread that binds", the Fritzes explain, "We simply wanted to act as that thread and help build community in our own neighborhood to remind people that it can be hip to be healthy."
Danielle Campagna (E-RYT / Sutra Lead Instructor)
Mari Carli (E-RYT / Sutra Lead Instructor)
Angie Hall (RYT)
Manda Keilman (RYT)
Meagan Marcotte (RYT - CPI)
Wendy Neville (RYT)
Lori Schnelker (RYT)
Roz Kamp Shemer (RYT)
Steven Sorr (E-RYT / Sutra Lead Instructor)
Guest Instructors:
Alex Albert
Tristan Gandolfi
Sam Gilmore
Laura Walton
SuTRA Midtown
2317 North 7th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85006
602.253.9525
info@sutramidtown.com
Location
SuTRA is located in the heart of Phoenix's Midtown Artist District on the fringe of the Historic Coronado Neighborhood. Located north of McDowell Rd, south of Thomas Rd, on the east side of 7th Street.
Directions
From I-10: Take I-10 towards Central Phoenix, take exit 145A for 7th St, follow signs for 7th St North. Sutra will be 0.6 miles north of McDowell on your right.
From SR-51: Take SR-51 towards Central Phoenix, take exit 2 for Thomas Rd / 20th St, go west on Thomas Rd, turn left on 7th St. Sutra will be 0.4 miles south of Thomas on your left.
Metro Light Rail: Encanto Light Rail stop on N Central Ave, walk or cycle east on E Hoover Ave to N 3rd St, walk or cycle east on E Oak St to N 7th St. Sutra is 0.6 miles east from Encanto Light Rail Stop.
Hours
Mon - Fri 9am - 2pm // 4pm - 9pm
closed from 2pm - 4pm
Sat & Sun 9am - 2pm
Winner - Best of the Valley
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Phoenix Magazine – 2009
Winner - Best of Our Valley
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Arizona Foothills Magazine – 2009
Winner - Best of the Valley
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Phoenix Magazine – 2010
Voted #1 in the Valley
MOST REFINED & CHIC STUDIO
944 Magazine – 2011
Excellence in Massage Therapy
Phoenix Award - 2011
Winner - Best of Our Valley
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Arizona Foothills Magazine – 2012
20 Most Inspiring Arizona Women of 2011
Arizona Magazine - Dec 2011
Rebecca Fritz: Business Woman, Community Minded Mom
On a typical day, Rebecca Fritz goes from changing diapers to opening the doors to her studio to launching a community yoga class to picking up her kids from school.
It's a day that may sound sporadic and stressful, but Fritz, a mother of four, seems to do it with the om that only a yoga instructor could do.
Fritz, 31, and her husband, Matthew, started Sutra Midtown in 2009 as a massage and yoga studio and have seen substantial growth since, especially in the past year.
"I find that balance comes from strength of union," Fritz says. "The inspiring partnership between me and my husband has set the stage for our accomplishments."
What was once an abandoned factory building on Seventh Street is now a healthy-living mecca: The studio incorporates yoga, massage, Pilates, an art gallery and a boutique into one vibrant business. Fritz also takes part in organizing community-based yoga events, including Sutra's karma class, which helps raise proceeds in support of local organizations and non-profits looking to shape the Phoenix community.
And in the past year alone, Fritz has expanded not just the studio, but her family. In March, Sutra Midtown opened Chop Shop, a raw-juice and espresso bar that also offers locally made goods. A month later, Fritz had her fourth child.
Running the business and balancing family isn't easy, but she won't compromise on either. She wants to inspire her children to live healthfully and get involved in the community, and she wants to create a business that makes a difference in her community.
"My drive for everything I do stems from the love I have for my children," she says. "It is important to me that they experience firsthand the significance of compassion, community involvement and a love of humanity."
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SuTRA Midtown ********************
SuTRA Midtown - Living up to its name
SuTRA Midtown Art Intersect
SuTRA brings Rooftop Yoga to Downtown PhoenixSuTRA Midtown, bring the practice of yoga to another level. Enjoy one of Sutra’s signature classes atop The Clarendon’s award winning rooftop deck, with breath-taking views of the Valley.
Known for its rebellious views on yoga, Sutra now takes students through a tour of the clouds with its addition of ‘Rooftop Yoga”.
“We all enjoy the lasting buzz of a yoga high,” says Matthew Fritz, co-owner with wife Rebecca, of Sutra. He adds, “We simply wanted to take that high to the next level and help bring your practice one-step closer to the clouds.”
With the addition of the classes offered throughout the day, and their partnership with The Clarendon , Sutra gives another reason for locals to spend more time in downtown Phoenix.
Students can begin practicing a new style of yoga and finish with amenities offered by The Clarendon, such as Gallo Blanco Café & Bar. Highlights include afternoon fish tacos, a few chilled cocktails and of course, one of “Americas Hottest Rooftops”.
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Midtown Mommies Get Funky at Sutra
Organic Fitness in Downtown Phoenix
Phoenix New Times – Jan 2010
Recently voted the ‘Best Yoga Studio in the Valley’, SuTRA Midtown is determined to see all of Central Phoenix strut the downtown corridor with a well sculpted rump and a set of firm flat abs amid their one-of-a-kind fusion class, Barefoot Fitness! One of Sutra’s many original class creations; Barefoot Fitness is the ultimate Vinyasa-Pilates fusion that blends the flexibility and muscle lengthening benefits of Power-Vinyasa Yoga with the primary core strengthening movements of standing and mat Pilates.
At a time of year when Resolutions are still fresh on the minds of those committed to making a change, there is certainly no shortage of fitness choices in the downtown area. Sadly, health clubs and gym memberships offer the same McFitness plans at each location that lack in facilitating the actual needs and desires of their newly acquired members.
Sutra’s Barefoot Fitness class showcases this studio’s message of, what they are calling, Organic Fitness. As described by Sutra, Organic Fitness is the natural way of using the body’s own movements and resistance to achieve optimal results, without the use of external props. This yoga-based fusion class offers a rewarding workout of body transforming results, married with the stress relief and mind-body alignment of the ancient practice of yoga. But be cautious, as the warning label reads on the class description, “Side effects may include burn calories, increased stamina, improved cardio strength, a focused mind, a tight ass, and some firm abs.”
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SuTRA Midtown – Way Cool!
Urban Connection – Jul 2009
We Are CenPho
SuTRA Midtown Yoga Introduces Yoga Fusion
SuTRA Midtown - 200hr Teacher Training Program
Sutra Midtown’s Teacher Training Program will provide each student with 200 hours of training in regard to all aspects of a yogic lifestyle. Sutra’s program is broken into three sessions that are in full compliance with the standards set forth by the Yoga Alliance.
Session One: Roots of Yoga
Discover the foundation of yoga by exploring the diverse heritage of this ancient practice while learning the history and philosophy of its background.
Session Two: Growth of Heartwood
Expand your personal practice with an in-depth exploration of various styles of yoga and the science and structure surrounding them.
Session Three: Blossoms of Awareness
Learn to apply your new knowledge from the perspective of a yoga instructor and focus your understanding on sharing your presence with others.
COMING 2012
Sutra’s Program is being thoughtfully constructed by owner’s Rebecca and Matthew Fritz by blending many traditional and non-traditional principles relating to lifestyle, science, and spirituality and their deep connections to the influence of yoga. The vision of the Program will be realized and enhanced by Sutra’s Lead Instructors: Danielle Campagna, Mari Carli, and Steven Sorr. Embark on a journey of self discovery and creative manifestation with the Midtown Mafia.