ABOUT US

Village Yoga has been independently owned and operated since 2001 by Amy & Sally aka Salami.

Salami opened up the first HOT YOGA studio in Santa Cruz County in Soquel Village (hence the name!). A few years later they opened up in Downtown Santa Cruz where they sweated out 16 years until 2020 when the world went sideways but Village landed right side up in their happy home in Midtown!

Meet The Team

Village Yoga would not be what it is without our amazing teachers!
We are grateful and inspired by their
passion and dedication to sharing the gifts of yoga with our community.

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Amy Mihal

My first Bikram Yoga class in San Francisco in 1997 felt so amazing that I knew I wanted to practice yoga for the rest of my life! Yoga has had a profound effect on my physical, mental and emotional health & well-being. A consistent, dedicated practice allowed me to get off daily medications for asthma that I had taken throughout my childhood & into my 20s. Ah, being able to breathe deeply is a real treasure!
My practice has helped me navigate through the ups & downs that life presents while maintaining a deep sense of hope & peace. The mental, physical, emotional & spiritual strengths that this practice gives me are priceless gifts; I cherish these gifts deeply & practice to embody them. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for this practice, for how it has changed & shaped my life, & most importantly for the amazing friends & family that it has brought into my life. I love being at the studio & it is truly an honor to share this yoga & its many gifts with our students .

Sally Adams

At 24, after 21 years of dancing, I needed a new way of stretching my body. I was perpetuating bad habits and felt stuck in my progression. I found myself in a hot, sweaty yoga class at Global Yoga in San Francisco. I never looked back. I thought I would incorporate both dancing and yoga but it took me several months before I could. The yoga wiped me out at first and at the same time left me feeling alive and peaceful. I knew I just needed to let the yoga alone work it’s magic in me. When I went back to dance class, I was stronger, more flexible, had great stamina and I felt better than ever. Working with my body has always been a way to connect with the spirit of joy and connect with my soul. The 26 postures are like coming home. They allow me to be who I am, they give me comfort, they challenge me, they make me honest, they make me grateful & most importantly they show me how physical well being and the states of balance, peace and love take constant vigilance.

Puja Chance

I have been certified and teaching Hot Yoga since 2007. My path and heart led me to Vinyasa Yoga in 2013. Since then, I have had the honor of training with Baron Baptiste, Janet Stone, Mark Stephens, Erika Abrahamian, Kino MacGregor, Lino Miele, and many more. I consider myself always a student and feel honored to share the teachings of my teachers and this practice. This path has led me to teach from my heart what inspires the individual to shamelessly care for the container that is you. To tend to this body, heart, mind, breath and spirit so that we can tend to others with the respect and love that all humanity deserves. The direction of my classes are an attuned and vigorous flow offered to all. Expect alignment cues, a focus on meditative breath and presence, as well as the potential for laughter, compassion and humility. Each class is infused with rhythms and beats chosen to inspire movement and joy in this body and practice.

Michael Branson

In 2018 I stepped foot into Village Yoga to try out my first hot yoga class and I had no idea how profound of an experience it would be. I knew that I was going to sweat and possibly run out of breath but what I found was a quiet and focus that my mind had not yet experienced. I was too busy attempting the postures and wrangling my breath to notice any of the outside world!
Needless to say, I was hooked. What came in the following days and weeks of practice was an improvement in breath control, flexibility, mobility, stability, mood, strength, and recovery. I was also blown away by the love and support that permeated throughout the studio. Whether it’s your first time or one hundredth time, you will feel welcome here. The highly experienced instructors helped me improve my practice and bring balance into my life. I was inspired to go further, learn more, and see where this union of mind, body, and soul would take me. It brought me back to the very same place it began, Village Yoga.

Aerielle Webber

Inspired by the peace and wellbeing that yoga brought into my own life, I am honored to have the opportunity to share this practice with my community and beyond.
With practice, we build a cohesive relationship between the body and mind, creating fitness for the Self. Yoga helps propel us toward the life we choose by attenuating the unconscious patterns that may be causing suffering, creating the ability to move through the world with more ease. I am passionate about helping people build their personal practice by tuning into their unique needs and I believe yoga supports any lifestyle.

Amanda "Babe" Payne

Amanda "Babe" Payne is a trained dancer, visual artist and performer based in Santa Cruz, CA. Having been a student at Village Yoga since 2008, she started teaching in 2019. For her, yoga is perfect for balancing physical and mental health for practitioners of all levels.

Jade Marcus

At the age of 16 I discovered the powerful transformative elements of yoga ripple into all areas of my life. Yoga has been my saving grace, giving me a safe space to process emotions through body and breath awareness. I feel extremely passionate to provide a healing space where others can also experience the healing and liberation that yoga has offered me.
I received my 500 hr RYT in 2015 and have dedicated much of my energy to this practice on and off my mat. I have studied psychology at UCSC where I then started The Yoga Collective, a place where the psycho-spiritual-somatic meet. More recently, I have worked in Physical Therapy and am on route to become a licensed PT Assistant.
I aim to inspire people to tune in to their innate wisdom, to guide their lives into heart-centered action. My classes are focused upon precise alignment cues, conscious pranayama practices, and ancient yogic philosophies to energize and motivate you through the rest of your day.

Robin Berkery

As a fitness instructor and avid hiker, I am no stranger to the gifts that lie in the medicine of movement within the body. I will lead you through a safe, inspiring, effective, experience that will leave you feeling relaxed, centered, and invigorated.
I am a devoted student of yoga and mindfulness and have studied yoga for several years now, in Santa Cruz and abroad. My own practice has changed my life in infinite ways, but most of all, it has helped me feel more at home with myself. My teaching style is sincere, intuitive, and lighthearted. One of my skills is in making yoga feel accessible to beginners and experienced yogis alike. I’m a huge proponent of the healing powers of the body-mind-spirit and look forward to teaching you how to transform your life on and off the mat with yoga practice.
When I’m not teaching I can be found teaching fitness classes, helping run a local restaurant, traveling, outside, and surrounded by people I love.

Shan Escarra

My name is Shan. My teaching style is a rehabilitative blend of vinyasa yoga, pilates, and physical therapy. I started my journey as a certified yoga and pilates instructor, and then decided to obtain a doctorate in physical therapy to further my knowledge of the body and movement-based healing. The aim of my classes is to share with others the power of organic movement, and the body’s ability to heal itself through kinesiology, breath, and balance.

Emily Merten

Emily’s passion for yoga began as a fun physical challenge and soon evolved into a profound practice of presence, self-exploration, and listening to the body’s inner wisdom. After a decade of practice, she completed the Embodied Breath 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Pleasure Point Sanctuary, deepening her understanding of yoga’s rich tradition, breath work and meditation, and asana alignment.

Yoga complements the forms of movement she enjoys off of her mat — surfing, mountain biking, climbing, swimming — and she enjoys teaching creative, yet functional vinyasa flows that help the body feel its best while moving through life.

Expect an energetic, strength-building class that weaves in ethical principles of yoga in approachable ways: encouraging a deep connection with the breath, balancing effort and ease, and finding contentment with how we move through the world and on the mat.

Natalie Mahan

A seasoned yogi with over fifteen years of experience, Natalie started rooting her yoga practice when trying to navigate the anxiety and stressors of college life. Seeking movement to help her body and mind, Natalie found yoga to be her refuge--a safe place to reset and rejuvenate. In 2015, she completed a 200-hour intensive yoga teacher training with Mark Stephens at Santa Cruz Yoga. There, she learned how self-awareness of our own bodies can heal, strengthen and empower us in endless ways when we welcome yoga into our lives. She then spent several years teaching kindergarten and incorporating daily yoga practices for her students.
Life, as it does, changed rapidly in 2020, both with the pandemic and welcoming her daughter into the world. As she navigated the loneliness of new motherhood, postpartum anxiety and isolation due to the pandemic, Natalie continued to rely on her yoga practice to help her move through it all. With a baby in tow, she completed her 500-hour certification.

Andrea Feltz

To Andrea, practicing yoga is an opportunity to explore the inner workings of our mind-body connection. As a teacher, Andrea cultivates opportunities for her students to take a step back from the constant movement of our lives to explore the multidimensional relationship we have with our own body. By utilizing the tools and gifts of yoga, eastern medicine, and diverse wellness practices, she invites her students to dive deeper into their bodies, hearts, and minds and simply meet what is there. In every offering, Andrea’s intention is to create safe and comfortable spaces for her students to join her on this exploration. She provides tangible experiences and accessible practices that her students can take with them off the mat, as well as necessary context and background to ensure the use of these ancient traditions are rooted in honor and respect.

Courtney Harrison

As someone with a passion for dance throughout childhood and adolescence, yoga was the answer to Courtney's adulthood "movement" prayers. While living in Harrisonburg, VA, she found her first yoga teacher who was able to meet her on her path, in real time. She was catapulted headfirst into her yoga journey. Upon completing graduate school in 2013, Courtney moved to Santa Cruz, CA where she has practiced with and been deeply influenced by many incredible teachers such as Puja Chance, Mark Stephens, Janet Stone, Erika Abrahamian, Daniela Kosmalski, Dawn Hayes, and Alice Kennedy, to name a few. In 2019 she completed her 200 hour YTT in Santa Cruz, CA with Mark Stephens and further deepened her studies of yoga anatomy with Mark Stephens in 2022. Courtney is a passionate practitioner of vinyasa flow yoga. She is inspired by the fluidity and adaptability of the practice in relation to aging, injuries, and all other conditions of life, both internally and externally.

Anastasia B.

Hot yoga found me at the age of 16. What started as a fun new thing to try with a friend quickly became an essential lifeline throughout my adulthood, supporting me in my physical, mental, & spiritual development. One of the many gifts I’ve received from this practice has been the ability to manage & regulate my mental health conditions (social anxiety, Bipolar, and Major Depressive disorders). The Hot 26 asanas taught me about introspection, self-compassion, my body’s signals and patterns, & simply slowing down - all keys to my mental health recovery that I continue to rely on to this day.
I am passionate about infusing accessibility, diversity, & trauma sensitivity into yoga spaces. I care deeply about all people feeling empowered & supported, regardless of their experience level, personal limitations, or emotional state. This practice is an incredible tool to get in touch with the tremendous strength, light & beauty we all possess, and I’m honored to be a guide in this process.

Hannah Lerch

I started taking yoga in college to prevent injury, and to improve flexibility and range of motion for soccer and ultimate frisbee. BUT I found that yoga is as much a mental practice as it is a physical one. Yes, part of yoga is the physical aspect – but it’s also about coming onto your mat, stepping away from the rest of your day, breathing in and out, and being present. Yoga is about paying attention to your intention, and observing what is happening in the mind, body, and spirit - on AND off the mat. I teach creative Vinyasa flow classes, with a focus on breath and alignment. My classes provide a place for students of all levels to explore strength, flexibility, and discernment. Our practice, just like life, isn't linear - and each time we step back onto the mat we have an opportunity to begin again.

Mindy Liebenberg

I started practicing the Hot 26 at the age of 47, right here at the lovely Village Yoga Studio. I fell in love with the practice and decided to take the Hot 26 Teacher Training in June 2017. This practice has transformed my life in so many ways. I feel more energetic and physically stronger. More importantly, I have discovered a new sense of self that has guided me to be more compassionate, mindful and confident. I am doing things that I thought I would never do. If I could assist others and led them to new possibilities in their own lives, I would be truly happy. I'm honored to be a part of the Village Yoga Community. Come practice with me!

Pink Howard

My name is Pink & I am honored to be a member of the Village Yoga Family.
After retiring from Roller Derby in 2012, I knew I wanted to find other ways to stay active and disciplined.
I began strength training in the gym regularly and quickly discovered that I enjoyed coaching others to embrace their own fitness journey.
Soon thereafter, I started training for obstacle course races. I was hooked after my 1st race and have continued to run them each year since.
I have been a Boot Camp Coach since 2017 and have instructed online fitness classes and stretch breaks for corporate clients, as well as working with individuals in a one on one personal training setting.
My aim is to live my life each day from a positive, mindful and grateful place.
I love to build communities where people can have fun, feel welcome, and are encouraged to become their best selves.
I am excited to continue to grow & learn on my journey while supporting others to do the same.

Victoria Miessler

I was first introduced to yoga when I was 13 and living in Brazil. My mom hired a private Ashtanga yoga instructor for the family as a healthy bonding routine. Growing up I had always struggled with exercise. After about a year of weekly private yoga classes I moved back to Miami, Florida and fell out of my practice. I ended up becoming increasingly physically and mentally ill, so in my early 20’s my mom offered to buy me a membership at the local yoga studio. I remembered it being a pleasant experience and decided to give it another go. At the same time I was also seeking spiritual wisdom to overcome my dark night of the soul. In 2014 I fell in love with Vinyasa flow yoga and it saved my life. The owner of the studio, Paola Villegas, invited me to take a teacher training with her. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to teach and mainly wanted to deepen my knowledge of yoga. Paola truly believed in me and convinced me to try, although just the thought of it terrified me.

Treana Ferraro

Hi there! My name is Treana but feel free to call me Tree 🌲. I am very excited to be offering my Pilates/HIIT class to this beautiful community at Village Yoga. I have been instructing Pilates classes since 2019 and my love for it grows more and more as the days go on! This class is an upbeat all levels class where you will find fun music and routines that pose a challenge. Modifications are always available, I will either demonstrate or recommend alternative ways to move. Fast paced and designed in a way that makes fitness SO fun!

Bianca Pugh

Yoga has been part of my life for a couple of years now, 2011 I started practicing Hatha yoga at one of the few yoga studios in my hometown (Campinas – Brazil) and from there on I had the pleasure to come across many beautiful souls that taught me about asanas, self-connection, setting an intention, the power of the breath, yoga philosophy, meditation and much more. I like to always express my gratitude for the lessons I learned from my teachers and for the space they hold so that I could learn my own lessons through the connection with my body, mind and spirit. Pillars of my practice and the classes I guide: · Love / Self love is where the practice starts from. · Respect to each one’s individual uniqueness, each one’s body, time, breath, and state of mind, combining asana and breath to lead us to find that calm and quite inner connection. · Preparing ourselves for deep relaxation in shavasana and meditation, to our connection to creativity, insights, inspirations and much more.

Leslee Bassin

With over 30 years study in the various styles of Yoga and 500RYT certification, I’ve explored this practice as a vehicle for deeper understanding and healing. My background as a critical care RN, palliative care consultant, and most recently working with individuals suffering from chronic pain and PTSD has taught me not only the wisdom of the physical body, but the wisdom of the heart.
Drawing on guidance from teachers past and present, I continue to explore Yoga as path to awareness.
My teaching focuses on the more meditative aspects of practice inviting you to find stillness and ease both on and off the mat.

Laura Manley

I have been practicing yoga since the age of 18. When I was in my early thirties I walked into my first hot yoga class at Village Yoga and it was love at first sweat!! I have training in Vinyasa flow and I am a certified Modo hot yoga teacher. Modo yoga is a form of hot Hatha yoga that incorporates many of the Bikram postures plus flow and core building asana. Due to my background in dance, I encourage all my students to find the dance in their yoga practice. This is done with a fun easy flow approach that never compromises the integrity of correct alignment and core building. You will usually find yourself flowing to music in my classes! My class is accessible to beginners and more seasoned yoga practitioners alike. Come prepared to breathe, dig deep, and open your heart.

Maddie Abene

Movement has always been my way of connecting with myself. From a young age, I was drawn to anything that allowed me to move, from gymnastics and dance to competitive field hockey and lacrosse. While I loved the energy, discipline, and challenge of sports, I was equally drawn to the feeling of slowing down, reconnecting, and simply being. When I discovered yoga at 15, everything clicked.

What started as a physical practice gradually became a way of life. Yoga has become the place I return to when I need to reset, reconnect, or simply take a deep breath. It reminds me that strength and softness can exist together, and that’s something I try to carry with me both on and off the mat.

My classes are rooted in mindful movement, intentional breath, and creative sequencing. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself, slow down, or simply carve out an hour to reconnect, my hope is that you leave feeling grounded, empowered, and a little more at home in your body.