Classical Ashtanga Yoga Saturdays
Saturdays 7:30 – 9:45am in the Redwood Room
This class is cancelled for Aradhana and will resume October 3. Thank you for your understanding!
Overnight and Mountain Experience day guests are invited to join residents and staff for Classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path) practice.
Learn and practice breathing, meditation, and movement methods to quiet the mind and develop concentration.
The practice includes one hour of pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation followed by a brief break and then 70 minutes of asana (postures).
This class is taught by various teachers trained in Classical Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Baba Hari Dass.
Class Etiquette
- Please arrive on time.
- If class is already in session, please wait for the teacher’s okay and then enter quietly.
- All props and mats are provided.
- Please do not bring beverages of any kind onto the practice floor.
- Please sign a Liability Waiver prior to class.
- Yoga classes are appropriate for ages 13 years and older. Please plan for a separate activity for children under age 13.
Presenters
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Jen RandMA, AYT, RYT 500Jen has been involved in many facets of Mount Madonna since 2009, when she joined the community as a middle and elementary school teacher. A lifelong learner, she completed her 200-, 300-, and 500-hour trainings in Classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path) at Mount Madonna, earned her MA in Ayurveda in 2021, and completed her Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy certification while serving as assistant to the president at Mount Madonna Institute.
She is experienced in teaching students of all ages both in-person and online and works with students in Ayurveda and Yoga trainings. Her yoga practice is deeply influenced by her studies of Ayurveda, which allow her to offer options and modifications to help students tailor their practice to what they need.
Jen’s background in teaching, administration, and individual consultation also informs her role as Mount Madonna’s Community Well-Being Director. She aims to maintain a balanced view as she oversees and cultivates group events for staff and residents, while attuning to the individual supports essential to community well-being.
In addition to practicing yoga, she enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and hanging out with her pets.
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Manohar Scott ShafferMSPTManohar’s passion for yoga guided him toward a career in physical therapy, where its principles continue to influence his practice. He teaches pranayama, bandha, meditation, and asana. An avid hiker, he also enjoys Feldenkrais and woodworking.
He earned his Master of Physical Therapy from Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles, and owns North Bay Physical Therapy in Capitola, California.
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Purnima Cathy ConwayMS, RYT 500Purnima teaches pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, mudra (symbolic gestures), mantra (chanting) and sacred sound within the context of Ashtanga (eight-limbed) Yoga. She emphasizes cultivation of the traditional limbs of yama (restraints) and niyama (observances) to attain peace. A musician, she leads kirtan (devotional singing) and Vedic chanting at retreats and events. She serves as Vice Chair of the Mount Madonna Institute Board and is the Chief Executive Officer, Hospice of Santa Cruz County.
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Vika KolesovRYT 500, AHCVika completed her classical Ashtanga Yoga Teachers Training YTT200 and YTT300 at Mount Madonna Institute School of Yoga and further deepened her holistic knowledge by earning her certification as an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) from the Mount Madonna Institute College of Ayurveda.
As an instructor, Vika is part of the rotating teaching team at Mount Madonna’s Redwood Room, leading both Classical Ashtanga and All Levels Asana classes. She tailors her instruction to support each student’s unique abilities and aspirations, integrating Ayurvedic principles—such as seasonal changes and time of day—to enhance balance and well-being.
Vika’s personal Asana practice is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga as taught by Pattabhi Jois. Being deeply committed to lifelong learning, she continues her immersion in yoga and its related disciplines through ongoing studies in Sanskrit grammar and Vedic chanting.
