Maya Lev is the Director and owner of Yoga Center Santa Cruz. Maya's love of yoga was initiated by her first teacher, Sarah Pepper, when she was a freshman at UCSC. She subsequently became a student of Ruth Hille, a founder of Yoga Center Santa Cruz, who encouraged her to consider teaching yoga. Maya attended the teacher training program at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco and began teaching in 1993. She is profoundly grateful to Kofi Busia, her primary teacher for the past 22 years, for inspiration, guidance, and insight into the subtle mechanisms of the asanas and their effect on the body. In her teaching, she combines a rigorous physical practice with a deep reverence for the spiritual transformation yoga offers to each student. Maya also holds a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from CIIS of San Francisco, and conducts a private practice as a licensed MFT in Santa Cruz. Her other preoccupation is parenting her two awesome children.

Weekly Schedule

Unlike other yoga practices, the student and instructor interaction is crucial. It is that level of observations and physical adjustments that makes a real difference in a student's yoga progress. Currently, Maya is offering hybrid in-person classes in the yoga studio. Registration is not necessary but please sign up for her Friday pop-ups. Sometimes the Friday classes are Zoom only. Emails are sent to the Pop-up list to inform those who are interested in attending the in-person Friday classes. Please visit schedule page for latest.

For Paypal (for friends and family) use maya@yogacentersantacruz.com. For Venmo, use maya-lev-2. You can also send a check made to Maya Lev, send to the 166 Hagemann Ave, Santa Cruz, California 95062. Anyone who needs to pay a reduced rate is welcome to make a donation of any amount, or take the class for free. Yoga is available to ALL!

Last Friday of month is restorative. Email: maya@yogacentersantacruz.com

Fall Intensive with Kofi Busia

When: September 3-7, Wednesday - Sunday
Where: 1620 Seabright Av., Santa Cruz

Member rate: $22/class for five or more, $25/class for four or less classes.

Non-Member rate: $27/class for five or more, $30/class for four or less classes.
Join the Intensive with Senior Iyengar Master Teacher Kofi Busia! No better way to deepen and expand your yoga practice than this five day workshop. Kofi will challenge your body and mind to new levels of awareness and integration. Classes for beginners to advanced. Attending all five classes is recommended but even a few will bring benefit.

Levels 1-3, 4:30-6:30pm
Levels 3-5, 10:30-12:30pm

Register here.

Join Maya Lev at Mar de Jade, Mexico

Take Your Yoga Practice To The Next Level
January, 3rd - 10th, 2026
Registration is Open

Begin your 2026 with a week-long retreat at the spectacular yoga resort of Mar de Jade in Chacala, Mexico. Enjoy two yoga classes daily in their spacious studio with time between to relax on the beach, swim in the warm ocean water, go on special excursions including hikes, whale watching, ancient petroglyphs etc. Massages also available.

Cost is $575/person for yoga classes. Final payment is due by October 15th, please email Maya, if you have any questions. Accommodation and air travel are separate expenses. Workshop is open to students with minimum one year Iyengar experience. The workshop registration is still open.

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Weekly Schedule

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Fall Intensive with Kofi Busia

Join Maya Lev at Mar de Jade, Mexico

Yoga Center Santa Cruz