From an excerpt of the Bisbee News, an article printed Nov. 4th, 1999
Written by Fran Maklary

Tree Pose - Vrksasana

Marcia Galleher is originally from Long Island and Queens, New York. She is married to John Galleher and the mother of three children, David, Crystal and Jesse. Marcia attended the University of Hartford in Connecticut and graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville(1977) receiving a degree in art education. She has been a practitioner of yoga for 30 years, studying with teachers in New York, Connecticut, Florida, Arizona, and California. Her inspiration comes from her husband, John Galleher, Swami Satchidananda, Ram Dass, Sri Chimnoy, Amrit Desai, Lilias!, Godfrey Devereux, and Erich Schiffman.

Marcia has been instructing since March of 1993.  At the age of 15, Marcia Galleher's mother had observed a yoga class in Queens and thought it would appeal to her daughter. "The first time I participated in the class, I fell asleep during savasana. (deep relaxation ending a traditional yoga class.) I later thought how odd it was for a 15-year old to relax that much."  During that first session, the room was dark and lit with candles.  The male instructor was dressed in a white robe. His assistants were dressed in the same Hindu clothing."Those first impressions of yoga have stayed with me continuously and very consistently in my Life."

The yoga postures (asanas) can be practiced by anyone, at any stage of their life. "Yoga is a process, as is Life."

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Sierra Vista Herald  Sunday, October 3rd, 2004   COMMUNITY/ENTERTAINMENT

Namaste: Local yoga instructor launches CD

BY MICHAEL SULLIVAN

With the release this month of her compact disc, "ReUnion", Bisbee yoga instructor Marcia Galleher aims to make a name for herself nationally.
In addition to making the CD available for sale locally, Galleher plans to advertise in nationally circulated yoga magazines.
"My vision was big," Galleher said.
What began at the age of 15 as a relaxation technique has evolved into not only a profession but a lifestyle for Galleher.
She teaches regularly scheduled classes at Club Kilimanjahro in Bisbee, and lately has been offering intensive, six-hour workshops. One was held recently in St. David, which attracted 33 students. Another was held this weekend in Tucson.
She produced audio instructional cassettes in 1996 and 1998, but her focus has always been local. With the release of the CD, she hopes to reach a wider audience.
The CD took a year to produce she said, and is a collaborative effort with local musicians Jenny Druckman on harmonium and vocals; Todd Ingalls on didjeridoo and Native American flute; percussionists, Mitch Druckman, John Galleher, Vince Robel, Carl Evans and Lonnie Brock; and string players Jim Harrelson, Lee Ashe and Rebecca Reyes.
Her son, David, recorded her voice at Club Kilimanjahro. Vince Robel recorded the music there and later mixed the music with the vocals.
A series of instructional photos accompanying the CD were taken by Gil Nelson, of Tombstone. Margot Ferlito was the computer graphic artist who created the cover and instructional booklet. Mountain View Productions, in Sierra Vista, was the producer.
The CD opens with a session of music and chanting, then Galleher begins instruction in a series of breathing exercises and poses.
"This was a result of my yoga students continuously asking for something they could practice with at home," Galleher said.
She began practicing yoga in Queens, NY. " I learned the headstand that first class," she says in her booklet. "In savasana (corpse pose) I fell deep asleep. How unusual it was for a 15-year-old to relax that much."
Galleher began teaching in 1993 in Bisbee after her husband, John, suggested it. She has no thoughts of stopping.
"This is something I can do until I get old," Galleher said.
Her hatha (physical) yoga practice has evolved into a daily lifetyle, utilizing the principles articulated 2,000 years ago by Patanjali, in the "Yoga Sutras", she said.
Non-violence, truthfulness, mindfulness, contentment, purity, self-study, devotion to a high power and study of the sacred texts are not mere concepts for Galleher- they are part of her daily practice.
"Basically, what you gain in your yoga practice on your mat, you can take off the mat, into one's life," she said. "It's all an attitude."
The CD, priced at $16.95, is available for sale at her classes, in Bisbee at Atalanta Music and Books, the Bisbee Food Co-op and on loan at the Copper Queen Library. In Tucson it is available on loan at the Tucson/Pima Public Library, at Antigones on 4th Avenue and at the Yoga Flow studio, 3131 N. Cherry Avenue.
To view the CD, visit http://www.mobiusproductsandservices.com/yoga_cd.htm 
 

"Marcia, I have to tell you about a dream I had recently - you were skating on a huge frozen lake out in the wilderness somewhere. You had on your brown velvet yoga-teaching pants and a brown long-sleeved top. You were performing some incredibly skilled maneuvers which I have never seen done on ice, completely effortlessly. You were the only person out there and seemed completely at ease. I was so impressed." Pearl

"My heartfelt thanks for helping to make my first workshop in Bisbee a great experience. You hold such a special place of connection to the yoga community. Thank you for sharing your space, your mats, yout connections, your spirit!" 

Many blessings, Guru Ravi (Kundalini yoga instructor from Tucson)

"You and your yoga classes have been a great inspiration to me over the past 13 years and I feel your talented teaching and my yoga practice are a huge factor in helping me to grow older gracefully. Thank you so much for your dedication to becoming the wonderful teacher you are."    With love, Yvonne  (73 years 'young')

"You're such a special person. I have so enjoyed your classes. They have changed my life for the better. Your instruction is excellent". Blessings dear lady, Ginny

"Thank you for your most excellent instruction. Your devotion is an inspiration. I gain a lot from your teachings that a book can't compare to." - Carmen

"I love your yoga class - want to continue forever! I appreciate the emphasis on meditation, although I feel awkward doing postures at this stage of my practice. I'm amazed by how energized I feel at the end of class. I've been using your tape and hope to practice at least 2 more times a week. You're terrific!" - Karen

"Marcia, Thanks for being such an inspiring teacher. I feel fortunate to have you part of my Life." namaste, Nancy

"You are beautiful. You have a wonderful way of teaching." Have a rainbow day, Leisa

"Marcia, thanks for the wonderful session last Thursday. I just don't have the words to express how much better I felt after the class. I hate to think where I would be right now if I didn't have you and Yoga!" namaste, Karen

"Thank you for your wonderful lessons. I really enjoyed the class and it made me feel peaceful. I am glad that I attended your class. Thank you so much!!" Ruriko

"Thank you for such wonderful yoga classes. I appreciate your patience and expertise." namaste, Gloria

"I always learn something new from you every session." Beverly

"Appropriately demanding." Theresa

"I was tickled to find out that my principal is taking a yoga class. She decided to take it after hearing me speak so highly of all the benefits, inside and outside of the actual class. I see that as the highest compliment to you since you are who inspires me." Leisa ( elementary school teacher)

"You have real knowledge." Marilyn

"You know what to do, when to do it and how to say it." Denise

"I have learned so much from your tapes and would love to meet you." Mary Carol

"Thank you for your powerful teaching energy." Ellen

"You're a master of sequencing." Guy

"I want to thank you for being such a great yoga teacher! My body is stronger and more flexible and I have added some of your routines to my stretches to increase strength where I have let "old age" weaken some muscles." Mary, visiting from Afghanistan

"Wanted to thank you for the Yoga Days. You are such a blessing in my life bringing yoga and peace to me....through your teaching and kindness. Yoga has really changed my life and a huge part of that is your philosophy and teaching style. I cannot thank you enough."
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Cheryl

"Thank you so much for all you've taught me. I continue to learn from you daily. I'm looking forward to taking your next class. I can't put into words how much knowing you has positively affected my life. Your teaching has helped me bring my life into balance.

God bless and thank you for the gift of yoga." Beverly

Related ...
60-minute audio CD ReUnion
Beginning Yoga - 90 minute cassette
Continuing Yoga - 90 minute cassette
About Marcia Galleher
Marcia's Yoga schedule