A Weekend in Community
ATTEND ONE OFFERING OR ALL—MOVE, BREATHE, SING, CONNECT
Join us for a multi-day experience rooted in joy, presence, and connection. Whether you are called to movement, stillness, sound, or simply wish to spend time in community, this weekend allows for you to participate in the ways that feel right to you.
You may choose to arrive on Friday for a meal, evening arati, (ritual of light) and kirtan (devotional singing) with the Mount Madonna community—gathering together at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. On Saturday, participate in two yoga classes, a guided walk to Sunset Ridge, as well as other optional activities. Finally, on Sunday, stay on to participate in morning arati, an All-Levels Yoga Class, and special daytime programming at the Temple.
You are welcome to come for a one-night, two-night (or more) Personal Retreat; or simply join us for a Mountain Experience day visit on Saturday, and fully immerse yourself in community, practice, and nature.
Arrive as you are and stay for the unfolding.
To Participate:
- Register for a Mountain Experience on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Check in at 10:00 a.m., depart at 7:00 p.m.; includes brunch and dinner, guided nature walk and afternoon yoga class, and personal time.
Cost: $85 for adults and children 13+; $50 for children 5 – 12 years old; free for children 4 years & under
- Book a Personal Retreat for the weekend of Friday, August 22 through Sunday, August 24 — with the option to come for part of the weekend or extend your stay before or after the program.
Join us for a weekend stay and enjoy special offerings including evening kirtan at the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Saturday’s integrated yoga class, “Yoga Inspired by Ayurveda.” Your stay also includes shared meals, evening and morning arati, and access to the facilities and miles of hiking and walking trails.
Cost: Based on lodging selection and number of nights
Weekend Yoga Classes
Please note that all Yoga classes are appropriate for young adults ages 13+.
Classical Ashtanga Yoga | Saturday, August 23, 7:30 – 9:45 a.m.
An all-levels class offering breathing practices, 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). Taught by various teachers trained in classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path) in the lineage of Baba Hari Dass.
Yoga Inspired by Ayurveda | Saturday, August 23, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Explore how the foundational principles of Ayurveda can deepen your practice of Yoga in this special integrated class taught by Jen Rand, MA, RYT 500.
Ayurveda is an ancient science that is often referred to as Yoga’s sister science. Both disciplines honor the five elements. In this course, participants explore how the basic foundational principles of Ayurveda can be applied to a yoga practice. Through presentation and practice that includes pranayama and asana, you will embody these two sciences, united by the concept of prana (vital life energy), to understand each more fully.
All-Levels Yoga Class | Sunday, August 24, 2025, 7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Appropriate for all levels. This class, led by Purnima Cathy Conway, will include pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation to calm the mind followed by asana (postures) to promote stability and ease in the body.
Additional offerings on the mountain include:
- Personal time to relax in community spaces, including Anjaneya’s World Cafe and Oceanview Books & Gifts
- Option to book a wellness treatment at Kaya Kalpa Wellness Center (fees additional, advance reservations recommended)
Weekend Schedule
| Friday, August 22 | |
| 3:00 - 5:00pm | Personal Retreat Arrival & Check-in |
| 5:15 - 6:15pm | Dinner |
| 6:00 - 7:00pm | Evening arati |
| 7:00 - 8:30pm | Community kirtan |
| Saturday, August 23 | |
| 6:30 – 7:30am | Arati |
| 7:30 - 9:45am | Classical Ashtanga Yoga |
| 10:00am | Mountain Experience Arrival & Check-in |
| 10:00 - 11:00am | Brunch |
| 11:30am - 12:30pm | Guided campus tour to Sunset Ridge |
| 12:30 - 3:00pm | Personal time |
| 3:00 - 5:00pm | Yoga Inspired by Ayurveda |
| 5:15 - 6:15pm | Dinner |
| 6:00 - 7:00pm | Arati |
| 7:00pm | Mountain Experience Program Concludes |
| Sunday, August 24 | |
| 6:30 – 7:30am | Arati |
| 7:00 - 8:30am | All-Levels Yoga |
| 8:30 - 9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00 - 11:00am | Personal time |
| 11:00am | Check out of accommodations |
| 12:30 - 1:30pm | Lunch |
| 2:00 - 6:30pm | Special Temple programming* |
*Please note: Saturday overnight guests are welcome to stay for special Temple programming; however, dinner is not included.
Schedule subject to change. Registrants will be notified.
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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About the InstructorsThis program is taught by Mount Madonna Yoga Faculty, many of whom were senior students of Baba Hari Dass, and have studied classical Ashtanga Yoga for many years.
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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.
