Yoga in Santa Cruz

“Loved attending the free Wednesday class! Thankful they offer that so we could get a taste of what they’re like :)“

“Eclectic spaces like this are the type of thing that give a town it's character. The more I get to know Tara, the more immense respect I have for who she is, and what she does to create community and magic in the world. The Estrella Collective has become an indispensable hub for expression, culture & vibes. Go engage. Try a class you normally wouldn't. Get a treatment from one of these goddesses. Try a hairstyle that's past your edge. This modern group of witchy saints will hold you in the mystery.“

“I did somatic therapy with Crystal. I was skeptical! But it was truly revolutionary! She helped me through a lot of things, PTSD, Anxiety, Childhood things. It really worked and she was extremely intuitive and accurate in exactly what was going on with me, and talked me through it and talked me through somatic exercises that helped me transform.“

“I've been attending level 1-2 classes with Maya Lev at the Yoga Center for the past year. Classes currently take place at the Vet's Hall in a spacious warm room with high ceilings and a quintessential Santa Cruz vibe overlooking Front St. Maya is a gem and a master teacher and I am so glad to discover her. Here's what I love about Maya: She has a deep knowledge and embodied understanding of Iyengar Yoga, anatomy, and human movement that consistently comes forth in her teaching. Each class is artfully crafted, with a progressive flow that ends with the whole body feeling completely stretched, worked out, lengthened, and strengthened. Maya has an exquisite verbal teaching style that allows students to move from one asana to another with clarity and precision about what to do, pay attention to, and feel. Students can drop deeply into their own bodily experience and are not required to frequently stop their practice to watch or copy a teacher. When she does demonstrate, which is not even in every class, it's to show specific details about a pose to help students understand how to refine their approach, and it's always very useful, like an "aha." Maya seamlessly instructs both students in the room and on Zoom in a hybrid way that truly works - with dual attention to each population that does not distract from the other. She teaches both groups while moving around the room making hands-on adjustments that give gentle yet clear and firm guidance. What an art! Maya always brings a meditative spiritual quality to each class, and she's down-to-earth and funny too - a great combination! As a Feldenkrais Method® movement teacher of 30 years and a person with many previous injuries and limitations who needs a really good teacher, I truly appreciate and feel safe with the master level of Maya's teaching. We are lucky to have Maya and the other excellent instructors at YCSC.“

“This is a truly spiritual experience. Filled me with joy on a Friday night with my boyfriend.“

“I ABSOLUTELY love Village Yoga and let me tell you I have tried every studio. Amy and Sally make this space calming and functional—and the community is just the best. Special shout out to Alana’s yoga flow, Michael’s hot 26, and Pink’s yoga hiit. At village yoga it’s always easy to leave it all on the mat!“

“As a beginning yogi, I started taking weekly yin yoga classes at PPY in April of 2021 because I needed to do *something* for my health. I found the atmosphere here to be extremely welcoming and non-judgmental. My favorite thing is the emphasis on how I am feeling in my own body and/or how capable my own body is, without comparisons to how the other people in the class are doing or even how the instructor is performing the poses. The mood of the classes is very supportive. I have continued to take weekly yin classes with Magnolia and Katie, who are excellent, as well as taking occasional classes with Melissa, Tara and Gwen. The yin yoga (and the restorative or gentle yoga) classes are excellent for beginners and people looking for deep stretching and relaxation. I have noticed a difference since 2021. Highly recommend.“

“I signed up for a weekly pass when I was visiting Santa Cruz last winter, it might be my new favorite yoga studio in the Bay Area. Spacious studio, teachers are wonderful and welcoming, class can be challenging depending on the level. Highly recommend anyone who's looking for a new studio to check out.“