We visited on Tuesday morning, 7/28/26, around 7 AM. There was already a long line of cars backed up to the road, so my girlfriend and I decided to park up top and walk down past the traffic. As we passed the gatehouse, a woman there was talking to someone in a car. She suddenly started yelling at us, demanding to know what we were doing and telling us we couldn't walk in and needed to leave the property immediately. It was a horrible experience -- we had no idea a reservation was required, and we didn't deserve to be treated that way. This was my first time here; my girlfriend, who's Indian, had been wanting to bring me. I hope the owner or manager can coach this employee on handling stressful situations without yelling at guests. If you're going to require reservations on a Tuesday and not list that clearly on the website, at least post signs along the road letting people know you're at capacity. read more

Wow! Amazing instruction and teachings.... Profoundly life changing experience with the nicest people and awesome food!!!! So fun! Can't wait to share the knowledge and gifts from this program with my community.... Loved every minute! Highly recommend xoxo read more

Mount Madonna Center - Ohmmmm! Xo - Yoga Near Me - Watsonville, California

Silent retreat. Shhhh...was very peaceful! Locked cell phone in my car. I survived! Three days without a phone. Very uplifting. Staff is kind and thoughtful. Trails with Redwoods,yoga studio. Cafe with coffee and gift shop. Massage and herbalist on site. Magical place and beautiful! Dorms, single rooms, camping too. They have it all. Need to rejuvenate and take time for yourself. Check out Mount Madonna Center. Temple is also a place to quiet your mind and find the blessings in your life. Hot tub is on site. Deer wander around in the fields nearby. Vegetarian food served from their community kitchen. Classes are available to learn or experience new teachings. Much better than that place that claims to be the happiest place on earth. read more

See all

I attended a work retreat at the Mount Madonna Center. From Oakland, it was a decent drive through Watsonville and some of the Santa Cruz mountains. Our retreat had booked rooms and meeting spaces for a few days, the rooms were as I expected: clean and with a dorm room format to them. The grounds themselves were really pleasant with hiking trails, a pool, tennis courts, yoga center, temple (which they say is nondenominational but clearly has some hindu influences). There are also people who live on the grounds fulltime and a school. There's a dining hall type kitchen, which makes all vegan cuisine including vegan-cheese. While I am a big meat eater, it was probably the healthiest I've eaten in a while. Cell phone reception was pretty weak up in the mountains, but the wifi connection at the building seems pretty good. read more

See all

I've stayed here for personal retreat - this will be my third time. The first two visits I believe I was, unknowingly, put in the nicest room (thank you). That means it had a lovely view of the grounds and skyline. I felt like I was at home and the grounds were very quiet as no groups were visiting - apparently this is rare. My main reason for visiting was to spend time at the Hanuman temple and take part in Aarti, which I did. The experience was altogether magical. On my third visit, I was placed in a very hot, boxed in room on the ground floor - windows on one side, a foot from a rock wall. It was an echo-chamber, meaning the three people talking loudly outside the front doors transformed my room into a stadium. I was desperate for sleep, so the combination was brutal. I was told that this is the room you are defaulted to, even if nicer rooms in the same class are available. I wish I understood why. Luckily, reservations/guest services are some of the kindest people - Quincy swapped out my keys for something quieter. I was exhausted and looking forward to sleep, but first to worship at the Hanuman Temple. When I arrived, I was surprised to find a couple of residents sitting next to it, having a business meeting. I understand many people (including residents) don't have a reverence for Hanuman or the temple in the same way devotees do, but this was certainly disappointing and made it difficult to meditate and worship in silence. I had just driven 6.5 hours, after a night of no sleep, but knew I'd find solace if I could make it to the temple. I mentioned something to a resident working the grounds around the temple (asking when said meeting would be done) and he let me know that there are always a lot of people on the grounds "here for yoga" and that it was rarely quiet, even at the temple (despite the signs asking for quiet). He then suggested I step into the forest if I needed quiet. He wasn't very sympathetic and I heard him yell to the guys something snarky about me giving them feedback. If you want to gather and worship loudly, please be my guest (Kirtan is wonderful here), but having a business meeting right next to the Hanuman muirti is unnecessary, and being patronized for caring enough to say something was about as bad as being filmed whilst standing in line to get food, again while at the buffet and throughout dinner. Please make it possible for guests to not be part of promotional shoots when you are doing them. This was such a bizarre visit. Kirtan was the saving grace. I wish the business that ran retreats was separate from the temple, or more in alignment. These are two very different worlds. read more

If you are hip to Yoga & Meditation this is your source for spiritual teachings from the purest place.

My retreat was so calming. There were deer and wild Turkey, even a happy little skunk without incident. The yoga classes are excellent. I plan to make this an annual retreat. read more

I booked the day retreat. Marisa from guest services was very responsive, warm and welcoming. Maria led a beautifully restorative tree bathing experience. Cedrick taught a relaxing yoga class. Staff were incredibly friendly, premises were pristine and meals were delicious and nourishing . I look forward to visiting again. read more

See all

I booked a last minute personal retreat. My experience wasn't great due to a combination of factors- limited service offerings, price not worth what it offered, and not the most friendly environment. Firstly, because I booked my stay a week before- I wasn't able to book any wellness services. When I clicked into the website, I found very limited availability for most of the services despite a menu offering of over 10+ things. Most services are not offered daily and/or there are limited time slots. I suppose I could have called and asked, but given the price of the treatments, which were on par with what you pay in SF/Silicon Valley (140 dollars for a 60 minute basic swedish massage), I figured that I would just hike and immerse myself in nature and/or partake in the other offerings. When the week arrived for me to go on my personal retreat, I noticed there was bad weather. However, the reservation policies are pretty strict in that you have to cancel 2 weeks ahead of time or lose $100 of your stay. I figured I would just go and play it by ear- I could do yoga, perhaps hike a little bit if the weather held, practice meditation. However- they only offer one yoga session at 7 am per day and one arita at 6 am and 6pm. There is no other offerings. I was a bit disappointed they did not have meditation classes or anything else of the sort- no one really to offer guidance. I would think you could offer more than 1 yoga class a day or have a contingency plan when there is weather. Lastly, while they do promote community, I find it wasn't the most friendly. I am conscientious that I was one of two non-white people that I saw throughout the weekend. However, people don't greet you with smiles or ask how your day was going. Most of the staff keep to themselves and from what I can gather, the majority of people there are residents that live there near/or in Mount Madonna. I think this is a lot better for people who actually go for a retreat where there must be a lot more services/agenda/offerings for those folks. For what I paid for my room (roughly 300)- they could try and do more for people that come on a personal retreat. It felt very DIY, and not in the good way. read more

I just spent a wonderful weekend with a friend at the center. We stayed overnight in one of the rooms that was on a floor with a shared bathroom. The facilities were incredibly clean and warm and felt safe. The food was amazing! I am not a vegetarian but I found the food to be filling and delicious. Staff were all super kind. The hiking trails were excellent. Highly, highly recommend Mount Madonna! read more

Reservation system at a place of worship is unheard of especially for a Hindu temple. The system sucks. You got to wait for them to release slots which open at 9am and get filled up pretty quickly. Then they show you a counter to the next time it will open up. Frustrating and unnecessary.. read more

This is a review for the online yoga classes. I took a month of yoga to see if I would like to take the yoga teacher program. The classes are hit and miss, mostly miss. The teachers haven't yet learned to use technology, maybe understandable since it's new, but it's not easy to follow yoga when you can't see the instructors feet or arms because the camera is cutting them off! The cuing was difficult to understand and a few of the cues were things I know I shouldn't do, such as roll my head all the way around in each direction, or put my feet touched together in downward dog. One teacher was insistent that I follow their direction, even when I said it wasn't comfortable, and don't think it's particularly safe. They continued to bark at me to do what they said, it was bizarre. I can't turn over on the right, because I have a medical device, and the instructor became annoyed when I turned to the left to get up. I'm not sure if it's fair to judge the whole program on the online classes - hence the 2 stars instead of 1. I was often the only participant in a given class, which caused the instructors to eagle eye focus on me. I usually follow instructions, but if the instructions are unclear, how can I? I have taken a lot of online yoga in the past 3 years due to covid, and I have enjoyed it, and will continue to do online yoga elsewhere. I honestly think they need to up their game and redo this service. Enlist some experienced teachers and have more classes, let the newbies teach one class, but have a core of good, professional looking classes with good lighting and good camera angles, because I bet I'm not the only one wondering how good the center is with this as my only reference. read more

Beautiful ponds and walking paths, serene, tranquil environment. Well outfitted, clean and comfortable accommodations in the conference centre. Excellent and delicious assortment of breakfast offerings. Rejuvenating! read more

Just noticed Mt. Madonna's absurd reservation restrictions. I visited there many years ago and noted a tense, standoffish vibe among the residents. Checking into Yelp, I see a visitor from 2019 noted the same thing, so apparently my experience wasn't a one-off. A shame. read more

We've been coming to this place since the early 90's when there was no 'hanuman temple' rather it was a nice relaxing place to come visit for picnics and relaxation. This place even till today has a calming vibe which I still enjoy and whenever I get a 3-4 hours gap in my week I try to come visit. Now one must make reservations to come on the weekends but weekdays first thing in the morning when the temple opens its beautiful. read more

looking for a cool yoga retreat with your friends or family? Mt. Madonna is a definate spot to check out for the weekend or a quick day trip. throw away your emails, phone calls & traffic, and dive into Mt. Madonna Center for a relaxing, yoga get-away. There are 6AM chantings, 7:30am yoga classes, vegan and gluten free hot meals, hot tubs, tennis courts, countless breath taking views of the city, hiking trails and beautiful statues all over the campus. The dorming and cabin systems were clean with super helpful staff. beware though, there is a 9pm quiet curfue for a zen experience. i definately recommend this place for a nice get away. Prices are resonable too! read more

See all

I had a relaxing and enlightening stay at Mount Madonna Center for the 4-day New Years Yoga Retreat 2013. I stayed in a modern, clean and comfy room in the conference center. There are 455 acres of property and plenty of hiking opportunities. I awoke every day to a panoramic view of Monterey Bay and Watsonville. I really needed my map to keep track of the various locations for asana/posture classes, to meditation seminars and yoga breathing practices lectures. I was able to connect to my spiritual self during Arati/morning prayers at the temples to Ganesh and Sankat Mochan Hanuman. I enjoyed the Kirtan singing and Bhakti night was very inspirational. I really started 2014 off right. I enjoyed two Ayureveda warm oil massages and the sauna at the Kaya Kalpa spa. Being meat-free and the organic and healthy meals cleared up my skin and intestines. I did cheat one day and bought a bag of Kettle chips in "Spicy Thai" and some carbonated juice at Anjaneya's World Cafe. I also bought some insightful books into yoga and ayurveda medicine at Oceanview Books and Gifts. I really tried to stay technology free but thankfully the have Wireless hotspots and Wi-Fi throughout the property so I could check my email and Social Media accounts. I am definitely making plans to return. read more

Mount Madonna Center - View of Monterey Bay and Watsonville from Mount Madonna Center - Yoga Near Me - Watsonville, California

I really enjoyed my stay. I wasn't sure what to expect, since this was my first solo personal retreat ever, and despite tons of research online I couldn't get a strong sense of how nice the facilities would be, or how safe I'd feel on my own. I'd heard good things from friends about MMC programs, but nothing about overnight stays. I spent four days in a Golinda Oaks cabin, surrounded by nature and mini Goldsworthy-inspired outdoor art. Each day I took a meditation and yoga class (four different teachers, all great), hiked throughout the property (my favorites were Forest Trail and Low Road), and had lots of time and space to be alone. Finding solitude was easy even though there was a conference going on half the time. I also checked out the bookstore/gift shop, got a nice Swedana treatment at the wellness center, and watched a few times during arati at the Hindu temple on the grounds. Everyone was friendly and supportive, but also respectful of my choice not to be social. I had privacy yet felt like I was part of the community. The vegetarian meals were excellent (all included dairy- and gluten-free options), and tea/coffee and fruit were always available. The sunrises and sunsets were incomparable. I loved hearing bells ringing out of the blue and snatches of chants and prayers from the temple. I loved seeing deer and wild turkeys roaming around unafraid of people. And I always felt safe. My only negatives were slight concerns about ticks and mountain lions while hiking (though there was clear info on how to avoid both and what to do in case of contact, and those relate to any hike in CA, not just at MMC), and the mattress was a little too firm for me. Regardless, I'll be back. read more

Incredible vegetarian food! A wonderful place to host your next spiritual event ! Come up for the special spiritual events they hold on a regular basis. You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated. read more

Heaven on Earth. Thank you Mount Madonna for nourishing my soul over the weekend. The insight meditation retreat in this beautiful scenery was exactly what I needed. I will never be the same. read more

Mount Madonna Center - Yoga Near Me - Watsonville, California

See all

Greetings James, Your registration for the 'Personal Retreats JUN 2017' program was cancelled on May 26, 2017. We're sorry but you have been given neither a credit nor a refund. Sincerely, Kamala Taft To Mt Madonna Such a nice reply so kind and thoughtful Think my reservation was for June 20th and 21st, which was well before the 2 weeks deadline. Was to arrive on Tuesday, June 20 and depart on Thursday, June 22. Guess you need money NOTE : This is you printed policy: For cancellations received at least two weeks before your personal retreat, half of the required deposit will be charged as a processing fee, and half will be credited to any other program within one year. Credit is NOT transferable. read more

I stayed here over a holiday with another person and we had a really disappointing time, because they said that we were going to be able to have access to classes like yoga and other events, as well as meals every day, and first of all there were no classes because it was a holiday and nobody mentioned that, and the meals were not really meals they were really quite terrible. However you can't deny the place is magnificent and peaceful and you can feel how much work has been done by other human beings to create community space and for that alone it was worth the journey. read more

This amazing and welcoming place has truly transformed my life through the wisdom of the traditional teaching that are passed along here. I highly recommend this place to anyone wishing to study yoga, visit the temple, or immerse themselves in community. read more

I've been here twice for personal retreats on weekends. The first, we were most of the way up the mountain when we realized my partner had forgotten his sleeping bag. We got there and asked about borrowing a blanket. Their response was pretty unfriendly- it was suggested we "come back tomorrow" (as if they're just down the street from us and we don't work during the week?) I understand offering blankets in center tents is not typical, but I thought with the teachings of compassion, they might be willing to make the exception- at least for a rental fee- instead we had to spend another $100 to upgrade to a cabin. The land is pretty. The temple seems decently cared for, and is definitely well attended! This time on our way up, we were trying to follow the directions per the email, and somehow seemed to get lost. Office closes at 5, so we tried calling around 4 when we became unsure of the route. Unfortunately, nobody answers the phone. When we arrived, our instructions were on the bulletin board. They were supposed to include meal strings, but there were none. The server took our word for it that we were checking in. The instructions were..less than helpful. We spoke to someone at dinner who pointed out that his paperwork had written in that they DO have yoga on Sunday mornings. Ours...had information for Wednesday written in (our stay was for Sat-Sun). Dinner was not all that special. I tried the gluten free bread but it is possibly the most parching substance you can put in your mouth! I thought maybe it was because it was gluten-free, so I tried the regular bread..which was also incredibly dry. Except for two spots of mold I found. Yummy. After dinner we went to our tent. Or at least, we tried to. The check-in paperwork contains the gate codes, but the codes we were given did not work. We called the security line- voicemail, once again. Left two messages, and within a few minutes, got a call back. Waited a bit more (long enough to get a bug bite on my elbow and all the light to disappear from the sky) and two guys showed up. And confirmed, yes, it was not user-error, our code did not work. Eventually he called someone else and got us a new code. Mount Madonna could really benefit from improving some of their signage. Signs parked in the middle of a fork in the road can be a little confusing. Signs saying something like, 'Welcome X group....community building....proceed to next building' is confusing. Registration/check-in is not clearly labeled. (Our first visit, we tried two buildings before finally finding the one with the office). In the case of THIS visit...we proceeded through the Oak Campground. There was a sign for outhouse/shower, but according to the map, it looked like our spot was further down the way. So we took the precarious-looking road, found the spot, and looked for more parking. Instead we found a sign saying 'No vehicles' in one direction and "Lake" in the other. It wasn't until morning when we packed up the car that my partner saw a piece of paper on a log across the parking area by the shower, with a rock to hold it in place. The paper had a pen-written note (not even a marker..just PEN) that read, 'No cars beyond this point'. TOTALLY not visible in the dark. I didn't even see it during the day until he pointed it out- it was nowhere near the 'official' sign about parking, low to the ground, on the right side. Thankfully, my little car had gotten back up the road the night before- but it had gotten a little scary with the tires slipping in the dust and leaves on a pretty bumpy trail. Very thankful we didn't have to call security back and rescue my car. Breakfast was oatmeal, strawberries, yogurt, and cereal. While they are pretty good about labeling the bread and butters, the chai machines are not labeled to know which one is vegan. I'm still amused that "teriyaki sauce" was listed as the "main course" for lunch. We arrived about halfway through the lunch hour, and they seemed to be running out of the noodles. Shortly after, they replaced it with some sort of cold strata, and then another vegetable dish came out as I was leaving. They require registration of visits 24 hours in advance, so not sure why the food estimation would have been off, but seemed like it was. Also, it seemed like maybe they replaced the old bread. I wish they would offer more possible activities for personal retreats on the weekend. Honestly, $116 feels a little pricey for one night in a tent when it doesn't include any meditations, yoga classes, etc. The dining hall gets noisy, kids are bouncing on yoga balls, people have their laptops out. It is not walking into an immediately serene environment and nothing provided to assist you into retreat feel. We had to go "looking" for spaces. Will probably be back, but I'm inclined to look for another retreat venue first. read more

Simply THE best birthday present I have ever given myself. This place is so amazing. The number one best feature? The residents and community don't treat you like an alien invader who need to be indoctrinated. I did not experience one minute of "you are only a guest" or you aren't in the clique bc you are not wearing the right clothes, pray to the right God/dess or eat the way that is oh so very right. I chose to bring my own tent and camp on site. I stayed for the weekend and soaked up some great hot temps, STUNNING sunsets with GLORIOUS fog rolling over Santa Cruz vistas that were better medication for the soul than anything prescribable. There is an on site natural lake that is healthy, I saw frogs, snakes and birds all using it for habitat as well as the human shrieking swimmers. The campsites are varied in comfort (some are small and at bad angles) but you have a wide choice from all over the property. I didn't check out the small cabins that they also have for rent, but from some other guests I heard they were basic but cozy. The showers are low flow but come with shampoo, soap etc. There is a mix of composting and flush toilets. The dining hall gets RAVE reviews for providing LOTS of food with some high points such as THE most amazing condiment bar I have had the pleasure of tasting. There is also one free yoga class a day, but I found that the room it is held in was too small making it stuffy and uninspiring. Perhaps it is bc the emphasis is not on the Asanas here, but on the wider range of Yogic living. The onsite temple was getting lots of visitors my weekend and they seemed to genuinely appreciate the space and place to express their worship. Truly, the hidden gem of the Santa Cruz mountains. I will go again and again and again ......... One suggestion? Build a Finnish cedar sauna run on solar power... read more

I have been coming to Mount Madonna since 2008. The reason I keep coming back is simple: the teachings are as profound as they are beautiful. In short, what I learn during retreats helps me to be a better human being. MMC is wonderful for awareness building and spiritual development. This is not a place for people used to having their egos stroked or who just want to swill cocktails at the end of the day. Instead MMC is a health-oriented, clean, open, and friendly environment with plenty of good hiking trails, mountaintop views of the ocean, blue skies and nutritious food. Many different programs utilize this facility. I highly recommend experiencing retreats led by the MMC staff. The Yoga Teacher Training programs are also unparalleled. The programs are rich with philosophy, structured large group and small group activities, They offer several levels of pranayama and asana practice, as well as a bit of free time to allow some exploration (or a massage from Kayakalpa Wellness Center). The teachings are accessible to all levels, which makes for a disarming experience. Traditional Vedic rituals are also offered, (very cool). Side note: the free yoga/sadhana classes are taught by certified Yoga teachers. The classes are offered at no charge as a service to others (karma yoga). I like that there is a wide variety of free classes offered, including restorative. Mats and nice, clean props are included. Some of the teachers incorporate mantra recitation, which adds to the experience. If you want to experience personal growth in a healthy and honest environment, surrounded by others traveling a similar path, give MMC a try. Om Shanthi Om read more

Mount Madonna Center - Hanuman Temple (Hanuman represents selfless service) - Yoga Near Me - Watsonville, California

See all

Free yoga & meditation every single day near my house which is located in the middle of nowhere? Fuck yeah! Of course snobby peeps and yoga pros will probably not enjoy these classes as much as I do because: 1) It's far from most people, located on the summit between Gilroy/Wattsonville 2) Classes are in a trailer (they leave the windows open and sometimes it's cold at 6AM) 3) I suspect that the teachers may be students of the yoga school but I am not sure. Don't get me wrong, they seem more than competent and are very skilled at yoga, but the fact that the classes are free makes me think this may be the case. The teachers have been very welcoming and friendly, and I like that every class has a different structure. Afterwards it is nice to get a coffee or swing on the swing and look at the view of the ocean from the summit. On Saturdays there is even a brunch in the main room for $7.00. Overall it's just a beautiful place to experience even if you don't come to class consistently, and IT'S FREE. I'm so glad I found this place when I was getting lost on the fire trails one day. read more

Just wonderful,amazing and very enlightening with 0% dogma - really just giving people the opportunity to enjoy nature, yoga, meditation, breathing practice and see that you have what you need to in you to do and enjoy. Really great folks. We will be back - it was my daughter and me and 5 days wasn't enough. I hope that they expand retreats for a family focus. read more

It's hard to me to say anything bad about the MMC because it is pretty freaking awesome, and I get such a good/holy/spiritual vibe from being up in the mountains. The only negative thing I experienced when I was there for a weekend retreat was for food service, which left me with a bit of a tummy ache after ever meal. I'm not a particularly picky or sensitive eater, and don't mind vegetarian food, but I was glad to be commuting so I could go home and cook for myself. *HEART* Well Maintained Trails Natural Beauty, Scenery Redwoods, Overlook Koi Pond, Lion Fountain Trees with Swings Hanuman Temple Two Magical Services a Day Baba Hari Dass Ayurvedic Center Massages, Hot Tub Lake for Swimming, Canoeing Organic Garden Wild Animals (Deer, Turkeys) Cafe with Yummy Chai Genuinely Kind and Welcoming Staff! WI-FI in Dorms and in Cafe read more

I have just returned from attending the Mount Madonna Center's three day Tantra Yoga retreat. Allow me to focus on the highlights. The integrity of the MMC and the people who led the workshop, as well as the folks who live and serve in furthering the dissemination of classic Yoga traditions is unmatched. They set a very high bar, with the mountain-top location, the facilities, the program, the meals, the availability of the teachers to facilitate and answer questions about the practices, all contributed to a fun, energetic and spirit-filled workshop. The Tantra tradition was presented by Baba Hari Dass over the course of many decades, and the MMC staff hold those teachings dear. It is important to understand that there is no program anywhere that can cover the breadth of Tantra. The presentation of our course was top-notch, geared towards both advanced practitioners and beginners, like myself. Presented by senior staff, our course was "just a sliver" of the Tantra philosophy, and it was delivered with love, dedication and focus. They brought an ease and comfortable presentation of difficult material to the group, through lecture, Aarti, mask-making and burning, and a 2.5 hour group meditation that was the highlight of the course for me. Maybe the best part of the retreat was the staff, the devotees who live on the property. The conversations were most always interesting, and as a spiritual center, there are many faces from different backgrounds and interests. Also, as a spiritual center, there are many (I assume) Hindi practitioners from the surrounding areas that come on weekends and bring their kids, and that was incredibly refreshing to see that this is a living tradition. Finally, though I am not a formal devotee of Baba Hari Dass, there is a sacredness that permeates the property and the programs. Following his teachings, his devotees are serious and commited to service of community and spiritual ideals, including healing, mindful work and teaching to improve the world. His presence is felt in every part of the program and the property. Very cool. "You are in the mountains where there is fresh air and water, where there are trees and plants and streams. Sit with them and enjoy the creation of God. God and creation are not separate. The idea is to attain peace." -Baba Hari Dass, SilenceSpeaks read more

Its a very beautiful place but recently they have started this appointment only system which I was unaware of. We drove for 2-3 hours with my parents who were visiting me and a 3 month old baby. They SENT US BACK. Who doesn't let u visit the temple. How can you say no to visit a temple. I had no idea so I didn't make a reservation. I told them now I know so next time i ll def make one, but they didn't listen. Weirdest thing ever. read more

Good stuff beautiful trails views, peaceful venue, mostly sweet guests. Bummer stuff food can be salty, staff can be disorganized like I've never been sent to the correct campsite is usually someone already there where they're sending me :-) centers tents are moldy and disgusting/some rooms not better. Largest lodge Motel 6 carpet /yuck...Take your own tent. Also kind of felt like they couldn't wait for our group to leave, and yes we were there three weeks :-) read more

After years of research, I chose to experience Yoga Teacher Training at Mount Madonna. The teaching staff is comprised of individuals who are exceedingly well educated; people who have devoted their lives to service and continued education. The 8 Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (as taught in the Yoga Sutras) are offered in ways that are approachable; you will be able to apply what you learn. "Teach to Learn" is a phrase you will hear often as it is at the core of their philosophy. This is not a yoga mill. This is not a place to jump in and out of unaffected. This is not a place for wooden/stagnate individuals. Mount Madonna is a place for those who want to grow, for those who want to generate positive habits and come out of training with tools to make a profound difference in the world. Your experience will be one of total immersion and, if you are ready to leave your ego behind, you will open the door to an amazing and wonderful new adventure. I have been to Mount Madonna for 200 YTT, 500YTT and various retreats. I usually stay in the Seminar Building or camp. The grounds are utterly delightful; there are always trails to explore, magical hidden surprises to discover, wild critters to observe and more. The food is wonderful; healthy vegetarian dishes are served three times a day and there are well-stocked tea bars throughout the center. There is also a delightful coffee house (that sometimes offers tasty samosas on weekends) and a nifty bookstore. Make sure to visit the temple for Arati; hear music, sing songs, ring bells & receive a wonderful blessing rich in culture. Love, love, Love Mount Madonna & the teachings of Baba Hari Dass. Life changing stuff. read more

People are funny. If their reality is fear and lack, they show up to Mount Madonna and experience their fear and lack. If they are full and and peace and living in ease, they show that to others here. If they are not givers to the community, but takers, this too hinders their "right sight." Please be thoughtful when you visit Mount Madonna Center as it is a true ashram. We had an incredible time at Mount Madonna Center and will be back as soon as possible. This is the first real ashram I have visited where Ayurvedic principles are followed and I feel like I'm in a hill station in India for a minute. The devotees, from all over the world, are dedicated and incredible. Their kirtans are sweet with the devotion and work they have put into making them unique for God's ears and our hearts over decades. One lady pulled out her Mandolin and layered Sanskrit with the sounds of Appalachian. Our host, who lives nearby, surprised us with his own kirtan which was incredibly beautiful and really connected us. The Center's grounds are well run and attended. I had an INCREDIBLE healing session with Manjarika while I was there. She did ayurvedic lymphatic massage with many add ons like their steam "box" that smoothed and soothed my skin, relaxed my body, and, dry brushing with powders that were effective for even my hair! I really recommend their spa as it is beautiful and well run. I felt incredible after my session and added a generous tip in gratitude for Manjarika to have taken the time during such a big holiday! She has been a devotee for 20+ years and is an incredible massage therapist. She's the real deal. Now for details: -Call ahead of time for directions, to find out what's going on in the community, and ask many questions. We came during a huge holiday and while some events and services were available, others were not. I contacted all the "departments" I was interested in attending. Many of the practitioners at Mount Modonna are independent and they decide to put these services on depending on their role at the Center and for the holiday. Contact each of them directly to inquire into their availability. -Food was available during the puja but it was mostly drinks and snacks. We were told that devotees create these out of the goodness of their hearts and that meal service itself was not available. We had prepared a cooler of healthy juices and vegetarian/vegan snacks so were able to handle the light fast and actually really appreciated it during the meditative evening puja. We had a nice light breakfast before hiking and then had a hearty meal in Santa Cruz in the evening the day after. We prepared for our own needs, including extra blankets, food, and other amenities we might need. -The Center was very easy to find, there really is only 1 road, Mount Madonna Way, that leads to the main arteries. I would say that you should come during the day the first time and go slow so as to see the very clear signage. -Scheduling for the weekend was a breeze and I appreciate the scheduling as the grounds can easily be overrun by visitors from surrounding areas. The actual park is open all day so if you can't get scheduled, go check out the number of hikes in the area! There are a number of Hindu temples and Sikh temples in the larger Bay Area that are run as open for all at all times so if you are looking to be able to drop by any time whether on the weekend or weekday, that's the best way to go. I recommend going to these for that purpose. If you are a regular at Mount Madonna, a courtesy email early in the week helps. There are number of places for people to devote themselves on the ground, not just the Hanuman Temple, so the crowd control scheduling is very nice if you are doing other devotional activities like attending a yoga or ayurveda workshop. The crowd control is for the entire place, which I deeply appreciate in centers like this when you have taken significant time and resources to be there. read more

I am nearing the end of my Yoga Teacher Training 200 level, and it has been an amazing experience. I knew it would be good, and it has far exceeded my expectations. The quality of the program, the teachers, the venue, the environment is outstanding. Thank you, Mount Madonna, for sharing the gift of Yoga with the world. I have the skills now to teach well, intuitively, safely, passionately, and confidently. And I see now that yoga teaching is a life long practice. There is always something new to learn and a possibility of going deeper and deeper. Namaste. Om. read more

Mount Madonna Center - Winding up our yoga practice with a few Om's out on the deck of the Seminar House at Mount Madonna. - Yoga Near Me - Watsonville, California

In summary: First visit MMC. Beautiful location. Meaningful experience. Will return. The details: Just returned from an inspiring, first weekend workshop "Launch Your Yoga Journey" with yogini Cathy Woods. This course, designed to introduce Ashtanga Yoga provided great insights into how to expand my posture-focused yoga into all aspects of life. Cathy's approach was authentic and meaningful, and she created a safe space in which to bloom. I went home feeling satisfied, uplifted and inspired to practice these teachings towards deeper understanding of my place in the world. MMC is set on a mountaintop in a redwood forest that remains pristine and untouched. The facilities I had opportunity to visit are austere, in keeping with a simple yogic lifestyle. No gimmicks here, just yoga in all its forms. The staff I had cause to interact with were helpful & friendly. Most others went about their business in a calm, directed manner. Not a lot of chatter. Our meeting room was clean and provided everything we needed for the class - mats, refreshments, snacks - along with a lovely view of Monterey Bay beyond well-tended grounds. Deer & wild turkeys visited throughout the day. I commuted from Watsonville, and the small savings wasn't worth the drive down the winding road at the end of a full day; next time I will stay on property. Vegetarian meals were tasty and limited to a simple daily meal plan, with ample portions on the buffet for seconds and thirds. The chai is delicious, too. The gift shop offers a host of lovely and useful items related to yogic practice and the teachings of Baba Hari Dass. I am so happy to have discovered this wonderful place in my own backyard. I can't wait to visit again. read more

I participated in a weekend Insight Meditation retreat and very much enjoyed my stay at Mount Madonna Center. It is a beautiful, peaceful location and the staff are nice and welcoming. The Center has four options for accommodations: Standard rooms, cabins, camping or RVs. I choose the camping option and thought the camp sites were nice. There are clean outdoor bathroom and showers nearby and parking is close enough to easily carry in gear. There are also tents setup for people who want to use them. Camping sites and cabins are located up a steep hill, so if you are not up for hiking you should either choose a standard room or plan to drive to and from your camp site. (Very short ride.) I thought the food was good and healthy - all vegetarian. Their meal schedule is a bit different than I am used to. Saturdays start with brunch at 10:30am, which is a little late for my first meal. But there are options, so I would check with them if you have a particular schedule you need to follow. Also the conference center where I did my retreat was well appointed. The conference center sits on a hill and it is possible to see Monterey from the deck. They offered a huge variety of teas, some with caffeine for those of us who need it, as well as a large bowl of fruit available for snacks. Also plenty of bathroom space and bathrooms were always clean and tidy. There is also an herb store onsite with a knowledgeable practitioner onsite. They have some interesting hand blended teas. Would recommend read more

If you are looking for paradise, a place to heal, to reconnect with yourself and feel as a part of a special community, go to Mt. Madonna. It doesn't matter what religion you are, where you are coming from or where you want to go; at Mount Madonna you soon become grounded and discover what really matters. I attended a retreat just last week and am still processing my five days there. There is nothing like having a chance to sleep in a redwood forest, take a shower outside, do meditation outside to reconnect with yourself and nature again. The staff at Mount Madonna are wonderful, from the delicious, healthy meals, to the volunteers to the caretaker. Thank you! read more

We have been going to Mount Madonna Center(MMC) to Visit Hanuman Temple on a regular basis for last 4 plus years. From March 2017, MMC has started "Mandatory Reservation System" for devotees if they want to visit temple on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. I've never heard any temple, mosque or Church put this kind of rule in any part of the world to visit GOD. The board members in MMC DOES NOT want the temple to become famous, hence they are restricting the devotees not to visit and putting these kinds of rules. The temple atmosphere is so serene and peaceful, see some positive energy when ever we visit temple. Even our two kids love this temple too for their Aarti services(where they can sing and chant along with other devotees). Just to give you an example how the MMC personnel has been making it sooo difficult to enter into the temple. Last Sunday we were at MMC entrance at 3:53 pm. Even though we have reserved online, we were asked to stay in the line along with other cars(there were around 12 cars in front of us with and with out reservation and about the same behind) for about 12 -15 minutes. Once we were at the temple, much to our surprise there was only ONE devotee sitting and was totally EMPTY. Even 95% of the parking spots were empty near the temple and also on the hill. We were so surprised and astonished to see why MMC is making such a big deal with the Mandatory Reservation System even though most of the parking spots and the temple is empty all the time. The person in-charge at the entrance of the temple for sending the cars in, talks in walkie talkie with the volunteers at the parking lot and sends only 1 or 2 cars at a time. I heard they turned away 50 plus cars with devotees on the very first day they implemented the Mandatory Reservation system. This is really heartbreaking and sad situation we are facing at MMC center. GOD and DEVOTEE cannot be separated this way. Turning away these devotional souls will be sent back with a feeling of REJECTION. Anyone experiencing this situation can have an immediate reaction about REJECTION; for most of them it might be unheard of and unbelievable. MMC is making us feel that "We don't belong here or This Temple is not for us". That's the message and long term impact they will be carrying with them. read more

I've been going to MMC for 18 years and I love it! The grounds are beautiful, the spirit of the center is alive and well, and the new buildings are open, spacious and well maintained (there are some older spaces too, but I find then charming). The food is simple and healthy, with some Ayurvedic influence on balanced eating. I have staying in the rooms (very comfortable), camped in my own tent (lovely spot), and stayed in my own camper van (works for me). I love that offers all these options. I recommend you come for an MMC retreat or for one of the many presenters they bring in. read more