Yoga in Santa Cruz

“My wife and I visited Santa Cruz for three weeks in September, and we attended Cycle every weekday morning that we were in town. That's a dozen classes. GOAT is amazing! The equipment is first-rate, the people are friendly and welcoming, and the instructors push you way harder than you think you can go. We especially enjoyed Natalia's classes. She is an exceptional instructor. My only regret about the experience is that we don't live in Santa Cruz and can't be in that wonderful GOAT community every day.“

“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.“

“Before starting practicing at village yoga, I was hampered with Achilles and plantar fascists injuries. Four months later, I am pain free and able to play the sports I love. I've been to a couple of different yoga studios in the Santa Cruz area and I can confidently say this is the best studio by far. All of the instructors are great especially Amy, Michael, Sally and Laura. They make you feel very comfortable and want to help you fully express yourself in your yoga practice journey. I strongly suggest Village Yoga to people of all ages not only in pursuit of a exercise journey but a mental and spiritual one as well. Thank you to all of the instructors who have helped change my life for the better.“

“OMG, Crystal is amazing. Her experience in somatic massage and grief counseling released so much stuck energy inside me that I feel happy and joyful again. She is a blessing, and I highly recommend her.“

“I had a great experience doing mixed flow and slow flow yoga classes here. Their space is beautiful and the staff is knowledgable and welcoming.“

“I haven’t taken any yoga classes here but the yoga place owner was extremely nice and helpful to me. I had a bike accident nearby in the parking lot, and the owner was about to leave. She saw me and offered to let me sit in her office and clean my wound. She also got me bandaid and gave me space. I really appreciate her help!“

“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.“

“I highly recommend Padma Borrego—she's incredibly skilled, intuitive, and made a noticeable difference after my first session!“