If you know yoga, you know Boulder.
This town is a yoga haven, with dozens of different studios of all types of yoga. It is the home of the Yoga Journal, the world’s largest yoga magazine, with editions in nearly 30 countries, as well as Shambhala Publications, an independent publisher of media on mindfulness, yoga and more.
Boulder is also home to the annual Hanuman Festival, which attracts thousands of yogis to learn from respected yoga teachers from around the world. The three-day event in downtown Boulder includes yoga classes for all levels, live music, meditation, family activities, mindful discussions and a free vendor village lined with health-centric businesses.
It’s no surprise that Boulder is home to some of the world’s most influential yoga teachers, too.
If you want to learn from the best and you happen to be in Boulder, you’re in luck. Here are just a few of the city’s many famous and respected yogis.
Richard Freeman
Richard Freeman has an esteemed reputation in the yoga community. He’s been studying yoga since the ’60s.
Freeman studied yoga asana, Sufism, Sanskrit and Indian philosophical texts in Asia for nine years. He also worked with BKS Iyengar.
He founded the Yoga Workshop in Boulder, where he taught Ashtanga Vinyasa, in 1987, but it recently closed. They hope to re-open again in a new location in the future.
You can also catch one of Freeman’s workshops around the world or read his book, “The Mirror of Yoga.” He co-authored “The Art of Vinyasa.” He is often a teacher at the Hanuman Festival. He also has various audio and video recordings. Freeman teaches on YogaGlo. See Freeman’s schedule of events online here.
He often teaches with Mary Taylor, who has been studying yoga since 1971 and was a co-founder of the Yoga Workshop. She has written three cookbooks, as well as “What Are You Hungry For? Women Food and Spirituality” and “The Art of Vinyasa.”
Rod Stryker
Rod Stryker has been involved in the yoga community for about 40 years. He is the founder of a type of yoga called ParaYoga.
“ParaYoga is a modern approach to an ancient way of practicing,” according to the ParaYoga definition. “It draws from ancient and profound insights into the whole person, and uses Asana (posture), breath and meditation to benefit much more than just your body.”
Stryker has studied under Kavi Yogiraj Mani Finger and his son, Alan Finger, as well as Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. Stryker’s emphasis includes Ayurveda, yogic philosophy and tantra.
You can see him traveling the world teaching about yoga and meditation, or read his book, “The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom.” You can also sign up for one of his online yoga trainings and check out the app Sanctuary, which features practices of meditation and yoga nidra (aka Enlightened Sleep).
Amy Ippoliti
Amy Ippoliti has been doing yoga since she was a teenager. She became certified in 1997 and taught at some of the most respected schools in New York City.
She co-founded 90Monkeys.com, an online school for yoga teachers, and she serves on the faculty for 1440 Multi University, the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Omega Institute and Esalen Institute.
You can train with Amy via one of her yoga teacher training courses, online courses (try her online classes with Glo), online yoga classes or yoga events, all of which you can learn more about on her website. Also check out Ippoliti’s book, “The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga: The Yoga Professional’s Guide to a Fulfilling Career.” In Boulder, you can usually find her at the annual Hanuman Festival. She is a regular presenter at other yoga conferences, too.
