Events and Workshops
We frequently host special guest teachers, extended classes from your favorite local teachers, music, art and other special events at PPY. If you walk away learning one thing from any of these offerings that is a good and worthy practice, and will boost your daily yoga. Make it a staycation: a regular morning weekend class, grab a healthy bite in the neighborhood and then come back for an afternoon workshop. Instant Day of Yoga Retreat! ~Please scroll down, pre-registration is recommended… 48 hours advanced notice for cancellation required for refund~
For registration assistance ~ please email us at: info@pleasurepointyoga.com
Kirtan with The Hanuman Project
INSTRUCTORS: The Hanuman Project
DATE: Friday, September 20th
TIME: 7pm
COST: $15
We are delighted to announce the return of the Hanuman Project to Santa Cruz, California!!!
The Hanuman Project is a grass roots and cutting edge devotional music ensemble specializing in sacred mantra chant. Led by Patita Pavana Das (vocals, guitar, harmonium), they weave together a vibrant blend of Mantra, Bhajan and South American medicine music. This group is dissolving boundaries and creating accessibility for devotional culture in the Yoga, Bhakti and Conscious Dance communities, worldwide.
Known for their highly accessible and deeply powerful Kirtan and Medicine Music offerings, The Hanuman Project will sweep you up into a whirlwind of chant ecstasy and then plunge in a lake of devotional nectar. You can find The Hanuman Project performing this year at Noisily Festival, Beloved Festival, and Bhakti Festival.
Yoga of Sound and Chocolate
INSTRUCTORS: The Hanuman Project
DATE: Saturday, September 21st
TIME: 1-3pm
COST: $20 includes cacao
We are delighted to announce the return of the Hanuman Project to Santa Cruz, California!!!
The Hanuman Project is a grass roots and cutting edge devotional music ensemble specializing in sacred mantra chant. Led by Patita Pavana Das (vocals, guitar, harmonium), they weave together a vibrant blend of Mantra, Bhajan and South American medicine music. This group is dissolving boundaries and creating accessibility for devotional culture in the Yoga, Bhakti and Conscious Dance communities, worldwide.
Known for their highly accessible and deeply powerful Kirtan and Medicine Music offerings, The Hanuman Project will sweep you up into a whirlwind of chant ecstasy and then plunge in a lake of devotional nectar. You can find The Hanuman Project performing this year at Noisily Festival, Beloved Festival, and Bhakti Festival.
Fall Equinox Yin + Live Music
INSTRUCTORS: Katie Jacobson & Naomi Charanpal
DATE: Sunday, September 22nd
TIME: 6pm
COST: Regular class pricing + Donation for musician
The Autumnal Equinox on Monday, September 23rd, when day and night (light and dark) are equal length, marks the first day of Fall! It offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and cultivate this balance within. It is a time of transition that invites us to ground down and release, just like the trees drop their leaves this season.
Creativity Flow Yoga & Art Mash Up
INSTRUCTORS: Ilana Ingber
DATE: Tuesdays beginning September 24th
TIME: 1-2:30pm
COST: Regular class pricing
Creativity Flow! (Meditation, Yoga, Art making Mash up) ~ For Adults of all ages!
“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong” Joseph Chilton Pearce
Release fear and come practice creating with non-attachment and non-judgement in the loving PPY environment! This class is a meditation, yoga, art making mash up for anyone who wants to enhance their creative thinking skills and let go of self-limiting beliefs/blocks. Class begins with a warm up (infusing practices from qi gong, kundalini, and hatha yoga). We will center our minds, awaken our bodies, and focus on expanding our second chakra, our creativity center. Students will then be led in creativity enhancing meditations or journal exercises to help heal our relationship with our inner artist/child and open our inner channels of inspiration, intuition, and imagination. Finally students will be guided into an art exploration (or given time to explore art materials freely based on comfort level) in community. Let’s use our art practice as an opportunity to increase our inner friendliness, compassion, and positive self talk muscles. This class is open to beginner artists, recovering perfectionists, and experienced artists. All are welcome!
Bio:
Ilana Ingber, founder of Happy HeART Studio and Happy HeART Teacher Mentorship program, is an expert on teaching mindfulness and creative thinking through art and yoga. She has her masters in Art and Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and her 200-hour yoga certification from YogaWorks. She has been a dedicated yoga practitioner since 2011. Ilana has taught as an educator in public school, private school, museums, as well as yoga studios and national conferences. She has over 1000 students from Kindergarten to adults. She began her career in New York City where she worked for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s Learning through Art Program and Creativity Institute. She later taught at Success Academy Charter School and became the Art Content Lead, providing mentorship and professional development for art teachers across the network of Success Academy schools. Ilana is an active member of the National Art Education Association and has presented at National Conventions on topics such as: Teaching Collaboration Skills through Painting Curriculum, Assessing Creativity, and Infusing Mindfulness Practices into the Art Studio. Additionally Ilana attends neuroscience, experiential education, and mindfulness conferences every year as part of her ongoing learning. Overall, Ilana is most committed to teaching herself and others how to find inner love, joy, and creativity, to create a more compassionate and peaceful world.
Peace Warriors Kids Yoga (all ages)
INSTRUCTORS: Ilana Ingber
DATE: Tuesdays beginning September 24th
TIME: 3:45-5:15pm
COST: $150 for 6 sessions; $30 drop in
LOCATION: 3603 Portola Dr. located a few doors down and to the left of our main yoga studio
Pleasure Point Yoga is excited for the return of Kids Yoga (all ages) with Ilana Ingber! Beginning EVERY Tuesday afternoon on September 24th 3:45-5:15pm
Peace Warriors-in-training will practice cultivating a kind and compassionate inner voice as they are guided through yoga, mindfulness, martial arts, and art activities in a safe and supportive environment. Each week will focus on a different theme.
Peace Warrior students will:
- Build inner and outer strength
- Flexibility and creative thinking skills
- Students will be guided through breathing exercises, flowing sequences, balancing poses, martial arts
- Art exploration
Classes will focus on balancing effort and ease, ending in a deep relaxation. Finally, students will be guided into art exploration as meditation. Through the blend of yoga and art making, students will focus on building self-awareness, confidence, positive self talk, and compassion.
ALUNA Breathwork
INSTRUCTORS: Alex & Attila
DATE: Thursday, September 26th
TIME: 10-1pm
COST:$65
Group size: max 10 people
What to bring: yoga mat, blanket, small pillow and your water bottle
Please* try not to eat two hours prior to the session
* wear comfortable clothes
* drink plenty of water after the session
* make sure you have no commitments after the session
* and come with an intention. What would you like to explore, transform, integrate or let go off?
Contraindications:
* recent surgery or fractures
* acute infectious illness
* pregnancy
* Glaucoma
* cardiovascular problems
* severe hypertension
* epilepsy
* history of severe mental illness or psychiatric hospitalization
About Alex & Attila:
Alex: For the past ten years Alexandra has facilitated for many to find their true bliss and purpose in life, supporting and empowering others through energy healing, massage therapy, Huna, meditation, Transformational Breath™ and plant medicine. Her greatest joy lies in guiding people to embrace themselves and their authenticity. Alexandra is a strong believer in creating your own reality. Limiting beliefs and programming are a big player in feeling stuck and not experiencing the full potential we came with. Undoing those limitations can results in a more, fulfilled and joyful life. Her work is rooted in self-forgiveness and self-love.
Attila: A former Marketing Executive for multinational companies for 25 years Attila now facilitates and coaches, committed and serving others to achieve greater spiritual and emotional awareness by transforming existing traumas, releasing limiting beliefs, getting in touch with deep emotions, to find meaning and purpose in their lives. Once being in touch with yourself, self love has the power to bloom to help each one of us to achieve anything we aspire. Thoughts manifest creation, and by giving all, you will receive all…more than you could possibly imagine. He shares his message and techniques through 1-on-1 sessions, group workshops and retreats.
RESONANCE: Yoga Nidra & Acupuncture for the Season (AUTUMNAL EQUINOX)
INSTRUCTORS: Kayla Copeland & Diana Moll LAc
DATE: Saturday, September 28th
TIME: 5-6:15pm
COST: $40 in advance, $45 at the door
Experience together the healing benefits of Yoga Nidra (AKA Psychic Sleep) and Acupuncture
FREE! Community Flow
INSTRUCTORS: PPY Faculty
DATE: Wednesdays beginning October 2nd!
TIME: 12-1pm
COST: FREE!
Free yoga asana class taught by PPY’s 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training graduates. Offered weekly on Wednesdays from 12-1pm.
Crystal Bowl Sound Journey
INSTRUCTORS: Kim Molloy
DATE: Sunday, October 6th
TIME: 7:30-8:30pm
COST: $15-20 sliding scale
Every first Sunday of the month!
Kim Molloy is a Sound Alchemist divinely gifted with
Sound and Energy Healing. She integrates Theta
Healing, Reiki, and Angelic Healing energies. Kim
channels energy and vibration from the higher dimensions into this earth plane. The Crystal bowls are the vehicle for transmitting these light codes, sounds, and energy vibrations. They are musically attuned to the chakras in the body infusing pure light vibration and harmonic sound waves that resonate into every cell.
Trauma Informed Yoga Healing Motion Workshop 20 hrs
INSTRUCTORS: Kaye Wilkinson
DATE: Friday, November 15 – 17th
COST: Early bird $325 ; after October 21st $375
LOCATION: 3603 Portola Dr, located a few doors down and to the left of PPY in our ‘movements’ studio
Trauma Informed Yoga: Healing Motion Workshop is an exploration and introduction into the field of trauma informed yoga and other movement based healing practices. The curriculum provides information, practices and resources to assist yoga teachers, healthcare providers, therapists, social workers, educators, NGO personal, civil servants and any individual interested in trauma informed movement practices to retain a beginning understanding of trauma and the resources available to them to help further their educational pursuits in the field of traumatology.
This workshop will help in:
Identifying Trauma
Understanding Trauma in the body through anatomy
Exploring Self Care Techniques
Teaching techniques for Trauma Informed Yoga
Teach helpful language and TIY class structure and lesson plans
Identify healing asanas for TIY classes
Resources for Movement Based Healing, Trauma Recovery and Resiliency
Example Syllabus:
Day 1: Defining Trauma and the Anatomy of Breath
Day 2: Trauma in the Body; Human Anatomy and it’s relation to trauma
Day 3: Empathy, Trauma and Social Justice, Defining TIY, Teaching Techniques
Through group discussions, teaching techniques, basic neurobiology, and resource exchange workshop participants will investigate the benefits of trauma informed yoga and other movement based healing so as to begin to incorporate trauma sensitive techniques and language into their professional fields. This workshop will also include daily practice and fulfills Yoga Alliance continuing education requirements as well as possible other continuing education requirements to licensed professionals. This workshop includes daily yoga practice. A completion certificate will also be available.
Beach Yoga!
INSTRUCTOR: Delaney Puhek
DATE: Every other Sunday beginning June 2nd!
TIME: 9:30-10:45am
COST: Regular class pricing
LOCATION: Sunny Cove Beach
BEACH IS BACK for the Summer!! Come join in the fun in the sun for one of our favorite sandy treats! Delaney Puhek leads this mixed levels weekend flow at Sunny Cove Beach
Satsang, weekly
INSTRUCTOR: Sherry Cassedy
DATE: Every Monday
TIME: 7:30 – 8:30am
COST: Free and open to all!
Pleasure Point Yoga’s Monday morning Satsang is a unique (and free) opportunity to delve deeper into the esoteric teachings of Yoga in the company of one another. It is a great introduction for anyone who is curious to learn more, and an open invitation to revisit and share in the supported space of the Sangha as we deepen our practice. We will be taking up the Yamas and Niyamas starting July 16, exploring each of the qualities as a practice in and of itself. Patanjali calls the Yamas (nonviolence, truth, non stealing, chastity, non hoarding) the Great Vow or Mahavratam. This is a wonderful time to join the circle and you are always feel free to drop in as we share the path of yoga. “Satsang” is a Sanskrit word derived from “sat”, meaning truth, and “sanga”, meaning community. In Satsang, we gather together, in community to seek truth or, more simply, to be with the truth. We create the space with chanting, light, and intention, gentle rituals that help us to dedicate this hour to our study and practice and to one another.
HeartBeat Dance Fitness
INSTRUCTOR: Danu
DATE: Monday and Wednesday nights beginning January 2nd
TIME: 6-7pm
COST: Regular class pricing
LOCATION: Pleasure Point Movement, PPY’s 2nd Studio located a few doors down at 3603 Portola Dr.
Advance enrollment via MindBody is Required and Will Sell Out!
Come dance and sweat with us! This hour long adults’ dance fitness class blends high and low intensity dance moves, toning calisthenics and feel good music to work your body and feed your soul. All levels welcome!
Regular class schedule to begin January 2nd : Monday and Wednesday nights 6-7pm!
Danu Schoeck is back on the Santa Cruz Dance scene and excited to bring you Heartbeat Dance Fitness! This class combines heart pumping cardio dance in hip hop, street jazz and world dance styles with fitness movements to tone and strengthen. Danu is a well known local dance and fitness choreographer and teacher. She has over 9 years of experience teaching dance and fitness classes and a strong belief in movement as medicine. Come see what the buzz is about!
A message from PPY’s Owner (Megan McAllister): Danu is BACK on the Dance Scene and joining the line up of classes at Pleasure Point Movement (Pleasure Point Yoga’s new and forming second studio). Pleasure Point Movement has crafted its class offerings to inspire students to get out of their heads and back into their hearts – – all centered around movement of some sort (stay tuneded for much more!!!). Danu is one of my favorite dance teachers of all time (Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Zumba). Danu is such a talented dancer and a prolific teacher. She may be small in size but her dance moves are HUGE! She is such a light – – her radiant personality, contageous smile, encouraging teaching style, and dope choreography had classes packed when she was teaching!! No matter the level of dance experience, Danu will make it FUN!! Get ready to drop it like it’s HOTT!!!
Monthly Monday Night Yoga for Social Justice Book Club
INSTRUCTOR: Gwen Benjamin
DATE: 1st Monday of every month – Beginning December 3rd
TIME: 7:15 – 8:30pm
COST: FREE!
LOCATION: Pleasure Point Movement, PPY’s 2nd Studio located a few doors down at 3603 Portola Dr..
This monthly reading and discussion group is a safe container to hold difficult conversations about social justice issues in the yoga world. Through examining modern yoga’s relationship to race, class, gender, colonialism, activism, trauma, body positivity, and agency, we will explore a variety of complicated topics that inform the ways in which we in the West consume and create yoga culture.
Each month when the new book is announced, participants will receive a list of guided questions to accompany the readings. The Yoga for Social Justice Book Club is 90 minutes long and open to all bodies, all ways.
Yoga for Social Justice Book Club – Reading List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rb_8magvutAVN7V_KkXyG319jFADOFmv9K1BjWA1FDk/edit
Monthly Monday Night Yoga Nidra
INSTRUCTOR: Kayla Copeland
DATE: 2nd Monday of every month
TIME: 7:15 – 8:00pm
COST: Regular class pricing
When the body is relaxed and the nervous system is in a ‘resting state’, we are much more apt to heal from within. Sometimes in our busy lives we don’t always have the time to “hurry up and relax” or sometimes finding relaxation itself can be a challenge.
This class is designed to guide you into a deep and conscious relaxation of body and mind, to a place between dreaming and waking. Yoga Nidra is often referred to as ‘Yogic Sleep’. It is said that 45 mins of Yoga Nidra is equivalent in benefits to 4 hours of traditional sleep.
Join Kayla Copeland for a sweet start to your week! 2nd Monday of every month
Monthly Monday Night Kirtan
INSTRUCTOR: Emily Perry & Friends
DATE: 3rd Monday of every month
TIME: 7:30 – 9:30pm
COST: $10-20 Suggested Donation (no one turned away for lack of funds)
EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Bi Weekly
INSTRUCTOR: Cat McDaris
DATE: Every other Tuesday beginning 2/19
TIME: 7-8:30pm
COST: FREE! Donations accepted but not expected
LOCATION: Pleasure Point Movement, located a few doors down at 3603 Portola Dr.