…have yoga mat will travel

Ashtanga Yoga Institute

After a day walkin’ the cliffs above Steamers Lane, the legendary Santa Cruz surfin’ spot, we sauntered over to our much anticipated class at the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in the Pacific Cultural Center which is supported by the Hanuman Fellowship, a non-profit organization founded by students of Baba Hari Dass, the master yogi from India who has maintained a vow of silence since 1952.

A soothing fountain and colorful gardens, welcomed the already blissed out YoYo’s into the massive old church that oozed decades of peaceful energy.

Mangala Norskog, the gifted teacher of the teachers and the lucky YoYo’s teacher tonight started the class with a beautiful chant, setting the tone of peace and tranquility in this spiritual space. Seated, she began a flowing pranayama practice making room for the calming Ashtanga level 1-2 practice and continued, giving clear, precise, and anatomically right-on easy to follow Q’s. Her slow, steady tempo, magnificent tone and gentle ease led the class perfectly from one carefully defined asana to the next. Interlaced with love and devotion, the YoYo’s felt our heart and bodies open from this powerfully meditative class.

After witnessing the Santa Cruz superstar surfers, The YoYos are pretty sure that they must be dedicated students of The Pacific Cultural Center.

Mount Madonna Center

Magical sunrise meditation followed by Ashtanga class at the renowned sacred, Mount Madonna Center, is an experience the YoYo’s had been waiting for since the beginning of this most excellent adventure. This renowned haven for professional training, personal development and wide-ranging yoga workshops, founded by students of Babi Hari Dass, lives in the picturesque, forested mountains high above the scenic Pacific shore.

The usually zealous YoYo’s must admit, the romance of those “drop dead gorgeous” mountains hosting a class at this respected retreat didn’t sound quite as charming at 4:00 am when the iphone sang its, “Get up YoYo’s” anthem; and our enthusiasm faded just a tad more, as we realized there was no caffeine in sight. But, we had traveled a very long way, and this was one yogi experience we were definitely not gonna miss.

Through farm and field, warehouse and waterway…the YoYo’s climbed the steep, twisty, turney, dark, scarier than hell, super- foggy road that led to our “up in the boonies” sunrise class. YoYo tears were flowin’ everything time we passed a “too early to be open,” Starbucks, but we kept focused on the honor of attending this well known sanctuary.

Finally, we arrive!…Driving through the massive forested refuge we find a glorious outdoor temple, rustic bungalows for personal retreats, a sweet- but closed “coffee-servin” café, a massive conference center, endless trails, tennis courts, a hot tub….and one small redwood trailer where our 2 hour class was to begin.

Greeted by Thecla, we sat, just the 3 of us, and began the class with an early mornin’ soundin’ “OM’……With eyes closed and deep pranayama doin’ its magic, we experienced increased awareness as our enchanting guide helped us to center the energy of our breath. Slowly, we fluttered our eyes open to discover a filled to capacity class. Yo! Where did everyone come from and on what planet did the YoYo’s escape to during their hour with our gifted leader? Seated meditation moved into meditation in motion as Kara took over to lead this packed class through slow, profound asana that felt transformative after the previous hour of deep breathing.

OK…OK…although it’s not too yogi-like the YoYo’s were just a little thrilled with themselves for following through without coffee, Kambucha or sleep… as this captivating day brought us an enchanting experience we will not soon forget.