Classical Ashtanga Yoga
Saturdays 7:30 – 9:45am in the Redwood Room
Overnight and Mountain Experience day guests are invited to join residents and staff for 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 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.
Presenters
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Jen RandMA, RYT 500Jen completed her 200-, 300-, and 500-hour trainings in classical Ashtanga Yoga with 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 at Mount Madonna. 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. She is currently pursuing her studies in Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. In addition to practicing yoga, she enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking with her dog, and spending time with her husband and cat.
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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. -
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.
