Restorative Yoga & Live Indian Classical Music
Accompanied by Live Indian Classical Music
Step into a day of stillness, sound, and presence on the mountain. This Mountain Experience day visit centers on a restorative yoga class accompanied by live Indian classical music — an unhurried practice that follows the light from late afternoon into dusk. The day also includes a guided campus tour, shared meals, and personal time to rest and explore as you wish. Whether you come as a seasoned practitioner or curious beginner, this day offers a chance to slow down, listen fully, and settle into your body. Those wishing for a more immersive experience may extend their visit by booking an overnight Flexible Stay for A Weekend in Community.
A Guided Campus Tour to Sunset Ridge
Step away from the pace of daily life and walk the land with us. This guided tour winds through the campus and out to Sunset Ridge, where the views open across the Monterey Bay. Move slowly, breathe deeply, and get to know the 380 acres that hold this community.
Restorative Yoga with Live Indian Classical Music
Settle into a restorative practice led by Niraja Ackley accompanied by live Indian classical music. The musical session of sarod, a lyrical multi-stringed instrument, along with tabla, classical Indian drums, will explore ragas (melodic framework of notes) chosen to mirror the arc of late afternoon into dusk.
Musician Amit Gud will open with a slow melody, inviting you to settle deeply into your postures and drift toward meditative stillness. The music will then move into semi-rhythmic passages that introduce subtle pulse and momentum while maintaining an inward, contemplative quality. Tabla player Skanda Krishnan will join for the final 20 minutes, bringing traditional compositions to life and weaving melody, rhythm, and centuries of classical tradition into a fitting close for the practice.
Additional offerings on the mountain include:
- Personal time to relax in community spaces, including Anjaneya’s World Cafe and Oceanview Books & Gifts, and explore the 380 acres of hiking trails, walking paths, and indoor amenities
- Option to visit the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
- Option to book a wellness treatment at Kaya Kalpa Wellness Center (additional fees apply, advance reservations recommended)
To participate in this special class, please register for a Mountain Experience day visit or book a Flexible Stay for A Weekend in Community.
Please note: All yoga classes are appropriate for ages 13+.
Schedule for Weekend in Community
| Saturday, September 12 | |
| 10:00am | Mountain Experience arrival & check-in |
| 10:00 – 11:00am | Brunch |
| 11:30am – 12:30pm | Guided campus tour (weather permitting) |
| 12:30 – 3:30pm | Personal time |
| 3:30 – 5:00pm | Restorative Yoga with Live Indian Classical Music |
| 5:15 – 6:15pm | Dinner |
| 6:00 – 7:00pm | Arati |
| 7:00pm | Mountain Experience program concludes |
Schedule subject to change. Registrants will be notified.
Presenters
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Amit GudSarod PlayerAmit was introduced to Indian classical music at an early age. He learned tabla from various gurus in Pune and, most recently, studied with Arshad Syed ji (a disciple of Ustad Alla Rakha) in California. Amit also studied nylon-string guitar with Stanford professor Charles Ferguson.
In 2014, Amit embarked on a new musical journey, studying the sarod under the tutelage of two great masters: Shri Bruce Hamm, a disciple of the revered Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and Shri Abhisek Lahiri, a disciple of the renowned Shri Alok Lahiri. The sarod’s unique tone and versatility captivated Amit, and he has been passionately exploring the instrument’s intricacies ever since.
Amit’s performances are characterized by his masterful command of rhythm, his deep emotional connection to the music, and his ability to evoke the essence of traditional ragas. He has showcased his talent at various venues around the Bay Area, leaving audiences captivated by his musical prowess.
Learn more about Amit and follow his musical journey online:
Website: amitgud.com
Instagram: @amitgud
YouTube: youtube.com/amitgud -
Lyn Niraja AckleyYTT 500Niraja completed her Advanced Yoga Teacher Training in 2012, followed by Ayurvedic Health Counselor training in 2016. She has taught private and group yoga classes and led workshops and retreats since 2012. Niraja has been with the Yoga Diwali India Program since its inception in 2015, helping develop the program as its stateside coordinator with Rashmi, serving as Assistant Program Director, and teaching at Sri Ram Ashram.
Having experienced the benefits of regular practice herself, she enjoys sharing yoga with others. Her studies and teaching include pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, asana (postures), and Classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path). She is grateful to Baba Hari Dass (Babaji), all of her teachers, Mount Madonna, and the opportunity to teach to learn. She is honored to share Babaji’s teachings.
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Skanda KrishnanTabla PlayerSkanda’s musical journey began at the age of five, when he started learning tabla from Guru Shri Satish Tare. Over the past 15 years, Skanda has grown into an avid performer, with solo and group ensemble performances, as well as accompaniment, to his credit. He is now undergoing rigorous training under the tutelage of Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music.
