Mount Madonna Center & Institute
🏆 Top Rated 2026
RYS 200 · RYS 300

Mount Madonna Center & Institute

Watsonville, CA, United States
Verified by OYP Since 2019 · 7 yrs Synced Apr 2026
★★★★★
4.91 200 verified student reviews
Online trainingScholarships available
Founded
2002
Designations
RYS 200, RYS 300
Trainers
24
Languages
English

About Mount Madonna Center & Institute

Mount Madonna Center & Institute is an RYS-designated training provider located in Watsonville, CA, United States. The school holds RYS 200 and RYS 300 designations through Yoga Alliance. More than 200 verified Yoga Alliance reviews — averaging 4.91 — speak to the school's track record. The curriculum draws on Flow Yoga, Alignment-Oriented Yoga, and Spiritually-Oriented Yoga. 24 trainers are on the school's current Yoga Alliance roster. Training is delivered online, which works for students who can't relocate. Non-residential formats let local students commute in. Next cohort dates appear on the Yoga Alliance listing.

At the heart of Mount Madonna is the study, practice and teaching of Yoga. For over 40 years our community has embraced this tradition as we seek to incorporate the practices and truths into our daily life. We offer these practices with the intent of promoting self-transformation for us all. We offer Yoga retreats, established Yoga Teacher Training programs, as well as weekend Yoga Workshops. We offer our signature 200 and 300 hour Teacher Trainings. We cover a broad range of yoga theory, philosophy, and practice. Classically, Ashtanga Yoga means eight-limbed Yoga (ashta meaning eight, and anga meaning limb.) We address each limb and teach asana, pranayama and shat karma from the Hatha Yoga system (referenced in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gherand Samita, and other Hatha yoga texts).  The practices are taught classically as shared with us by our teacher, Sri Baba Hari Dass. Many of our faculty members have been practicing, studying, and teaching yoga at Mount Madonna Center for over 40 years.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mount Madonna Center & Institute Yoga Alliance registered?

Yes. Mount Madonna Center & Institute is listed in the Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS) directory under RYS 200 and RYS 300. That designation means the school's curriculum and teaching hours have been reviewed and meet the Yoga Alliance standards for that level.

Where does Mount Madonna Center & Institute hold teacher training?

The school is based in Watsonville, CA. The school offers online training, so students can attend from anywhere.

What yoga styles does Mount Madonna Center & Institute teach?

Mount Madonna Center & Institute teaches Flow Yoga, Alignment-Oriented Yoga, and Spiritually-Oriented Yoga as the core of its curriculum. The program is delivered by 24 trainers listed on the school's Yoga Alliance roster.

Does Mount Madonna Center & Institute have student reviews?

Yes — 200 verified Yoga Alliance reviews are on file, averaging 4.91 out of 5. A sample is shown in the Student Reviews section of this page, and the full list is available on the school's Yoga Alliance directory entry.

Featured in

Programs offered

RYS 200
Foundational 200-hour teacher training
RYS 300
Advanced 300-hour training (RYT 500 path)

Upcoming cohorts

ProgramStartEndStatus
RYS 3002026-08-262027-04-25

What they teach

Flow YogaAlignment-Oriented YogaSpiritually-Oriented YogaGentle YogaSpecialty Yoga
Formats: Full-time, Part-time, Weekends only, Modules, shorter immersions), Residential, Non-residential, Destination / retreat

Meet the team

Ginger Hooven Lead
E-RYT® 500, YACEP®
Soma Goresky Lead
E-RYT® 500
John Diffenbaugh
E-RYT® 500
Sarada Diffenbaugh Lead
E-RYT® 500, RCYT®, YACEP®
Ratna Sturz
E-RYT® 500
Iris Kachuck
E-RYT® 500
Jaya Maxon
E-RYT® 500
Mangala Norskog
RYT® 200
Sadanand Mailliard
E-RYT® 500
Pratibha Queen
E-RYT® 500

Student reviews

★★★★★
4.91
average from 200 verified students
★★★★★
Paisley Parvati Devi E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP® · Feb 15, 2026

This is one of the most authentic trainings available in the United States! Highly recommend for those who are serious about the Yogic path and developing their spiritual practice :)

★★★★★
Mackenzie Dolginow RYT® 200 · Feb 03, 2026

Mount Madonna is an incredible program guided by a cohort of lifelong committed yogis on a land and in community suffused with a devoted history to yogic philosophy, practice, and living, anchored by the teachings of an incredibly accomplished teacher, Baba Hari Dass.

About this listing

Data about Mount Madonna Center & Institute is sourced from the public Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School directory — including ratings, reviews, trainer information, and school details. Online Yoga Planet is not affiliated with Yoga Alliance.

Yoga Alliance directory last synced April 2026.

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