About Aruna

Having immersed herself in the study of yoga, Aruna utilizes the various limbs to navigate through life in a balanced manner. Aruna began her training in the Ashtanga Vinyasa style of yoga, with Bhavani Maki, who was also her initial inspiration into the exploration of yoga philosophy. This exploration prompted her to seek the guidance of Baba Hari Dass and continue her training at the Mount Madonna Center, where for many years she taught for their teacher training program. Her practice and teaching style have been deeply influenced by her time spent in India studying at the Tantra-based Bihar School of Yoga, as well as by a number of other master teachers from a wide variety of traditions from all over the world. Aruna has completed her 500-hour YTT, has studied Thai Massage, has had years of training in the practice of Restorative Yoga, and is a Certified TRE Facilitator (Tension and Trauma Release Exercises). 

 As a student of Baba Hari Dass, Aruna has been encouraged to deepen her own yoga practice by living and sharing a holistic approach to yoga. She is inspired by weaving meditation, yoga philosophy, mantra, pranayama, bandha, mudra and ayurveda into mindful yet playful asana classes for all levels of practitioners.  In addition to her dedication to her personal practice, Aruna especially loves the context and container of a group or shared Yoga practice.

In recent years, Aruna has become inspired by the Hatha form of Shadow Yoga as shared by Shandor Remete, and she currently studies the forms with Scott Blossom.  She has also been deepening and sharing her love for sacred sound, especially in the form of Kirtan. 

Aruna Praise
Yoga Aruna  
If someone said that there was something extra super special about your teaching what would it be......  


"You have such powerful inner light, courage and humility in welcoming what arises, humor, authenticity and love!" - Gina Sala

"100% passionate and devoted to your own spiritual practice and path.  Your personal integrity is super high and you guide others from that truth.  And your breath work is amazing." - Jonathan Beazley

You are playful, pure, true, heartfelt and egoless... you radiate beauty and draw out the reflection of trust and strength and beauty in others." - Francis Dawson

"Your amazing singing, delightful humor and passionate knowledge about ALL of yoga. And you play the harmonium and have better Sanskrit than anyone I know." - ‪AleThea HasbRouck 

"So welcoming, engaging, encouraging and affirming. Grounded, cardinal, divine feminine strength. Your teachings connect the physical, philosophical, vibrational body, mind, spirit, embracing both the beginner and the experienced yogi. Your laugh, smile, capacity for joy, poise and confidence are contagious." - ‪Maggie Dawson 

"Your teaching is extra super special, because YOU are an extra super special human. You bring yourself to the mat. You walk the talk. You are ever expanding yourself and you bring that expansion to your students. Your teaching goes beyond the asanas; you have a great knowledge of the spiritual side and your songs/chants, stories, and knowledge are like no other. I love how you open and close each class with a prayer/chant. You teach with passion, humor and a lot of energy!" - ‪Mari Levine

"Your heart, your curiosity, commitment, talent, spunk, knowledge, and caring." ‪Lyn Ackley


DIRECTIONS

  • Aruna Portrait

    “Yes, you are what you are.  But you don't know who you are.  The first thing is to find out who you are.  You are a different person in different situations.  You read books and become different.  It is all confusing.  The best thing to do is to stop thinking and make the mind calm, then you can see the reality.”

    Baba Hari Das

  • “Serve, love, give, purify, be good, do good, meditate, realize.”

    — Swami Satyananda Saraswati