Village Yoga Santa Cruz — Local services in Santa Cruz

Visiting from out of town and took my first class here. It wasn't my first time doing Hot Yoga but it was one of my better experiences doing it. I teach Vinyasa back home and often time because of my flexibility/familiarity with the poses/age, I'm usually pressured by instructors to "push myself" or called out for not trying hard enough/sitting out certain poses. My body doesn't respond very well to heat and I have some hidden health conditions, so that type of instruction I find really discouraging. My first interaction with Amy was awkwardly telling her that I'd probably be taking breaks for water and her response was immediately not only encouraging of taking care of my own needs, it also made me feel heard with my past frustrations. During the class she was encouraging, funny, and I noticed her tending to the newer students and pushing the ones who are regular practictioners with positive language. It was an absolutely wonderful experience and I'm looking forward to...

Wow. We were blessed just now to take Hannah’s class—a substitute teacher, and it was only her 2nd class ever teaching yoga!—and it was AMAZING! We LOVED that she kept the lights low and played the kind of blissful music that allows you to feel safe opening deep into the hips. In almost every posture she encouraged organic movement which made us feel so safe to explore go to a deep state of practice. Her bright smile and clear precise cues were pure magic. I’ve been practicing yoga, mostly in classes for the past 17 years. In the past year I had become jaded about going to yoga classes, after being asked to leave a studio in Georgia for making the postures my own and releasing sound on deep releases. Hannah actually encouraged us to release with sound which we could sense helped everyone relax more, and I am so happy to say it helped me remember why I love yoga...

I absolutely love Village Yoga! I’ve been attending classes at their various locations for years, and every visit is a treat. I prefer the early morning classes, like 6 AM or 8 AM, and each instructor brings their own magic to the studio. Puja delivers a challenging workout while making you laugh, Shannon masterfully aligns you physically and energetically, flowing her classes with moon energy, and Amy and Sally make Hot 26 an unforgettable experience. Sally’s Silent 26 is my all-time favorite—there’s something so soothing about the quiet focus in that class. Amy’s music, on the other hand, plus her sense of humor, adds a playful vibe that makes you want to move. The studio is always clean, beautifully decorated, and filled with special touches that make it such a welcoming space....