Mount Madonna & the Evolution of Yoga in Santa Cruz
“…yoga is more than just a workout—it’s an invitation to turn inward. It’s a spiritual practice that’s not about religion; instead, it’s about tuning into your deepest sense of self.” —Elizabeth Borelli, GoodTimes
In her recent GoodTimes article, Elizabeth Borelli reflects on the evolution of Yoga in Santa Cruz—from its countercultural emergence to its wide-reaching modern expressions—and invites us to consider what lies at the heart of this ancient practice.
As Borelli notes in her conversation with longtime teacher Maya Lev, “fads will come and go,” but the deeper values of yoga—presence, purpose, and transformation—continue to thrive, perhaps becoming even more vital in a world that grows increasingly complex by the day.
As the landscape of Yoga continues to grow and diversify, Mount Madonna Center remains an anchor to its traditional roots, upholding a lineage of Yoga that emphasizes inner transformation over external results. Founded in 1978 by students of Baba Hari Dass, a silent monk and teacher of classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path) and philosophy, Mount Madonna has long offered a space for deep practice grounded in self-discipline, selfless service, and spiritual study. Amidst ongoing innovation and reinvention, it stands as a reminder of the timelessness of Yoga.
Read the full GoodTimes article, From Counterculture to Community: The roots, rise and evolution of yoga in Santa Cruz.
