Down to Earth Yoga Studio, Bozeman, Montana

"Open your Mind, Stretch your Body, and Uncover your True Nature"
Randa on Froze to Death Plateau. Granite Peak 2011

I was introduced to my first hatha yoga class at Smith College in 1987. It was not until 1999 when i met Ashtanga Yoga. During my Emergency Medical Rotation in Chicago in 2000, I studied with Jodi Blumstein at Priya Yoga. When I returned to Montana in 2001 for my Family Medicine Rotation I had the great fortune to study with Suzie Gill, a long time student of Tim Miller.

In May of 2002 I met Tim Miller, Nicki Doane & Eddie Modestini, on Maui when Nicki & Eddie hosted Tim for a weeklong Ashtanga Retreat. During that period on Maui I also went to meet Nancy Gilgoff. After one class with Nancy I knew I would make an effort to see her again. One month later I attended Tim Miller's Primary Series Teacher training. After the training I made several visits down to Encinitas to study with him. In 2003 I returned to Maui and spent time with Nancy Gilgoff. I have participated in three of her adjustment clinics.

I studied with Nancy Gilgoff until I made my first trip to India in Decemebr 2006. I went to Kovalam to study with Lino Miele, having never met him before, I went on a friends' recommendation because I could not fathom 2+ months in Mysore. (coming from montana i always seek beach and waves!) A couple of weeks into Lino's workshop I told him I wanted to stay and not go to Mysore. Lino then offered to take me to meet Guruji. So, after the workshop was over we went to Mysore and Lino introduced me to Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois in Gokulam and took me around Lakshmipuram and shared his history there with me. After that winter I knew I wanted to continue to study with Lino. His stern yet playful manner was so appealing. He completey cleaned up my practice and gave me much insight into the Vinyasa system. 5 months later I met him again in italy and then followed him to Finland. Since the summer of 2007, I have made 5 trips to India, one more summer workshop in Finland and most recently completed Lino's first In -Depth Study.

I have been honored to host all of my teachers: Tim, Nancy, Nicki & Eddie, and Lino at my shala in Bozeman MT!

photos by Sam Magro Photography

"The mat is the mirror ......of our lives at that moment weak or strong....balanced or not....
juiced or dry.....present or a million miles away.....still we come....we bring it....
and the yoga meets us from across time and brings us....... home"
- Cate Dapkus

Outi, a native of Helsinki, Finland, has practiced yoga for 10 years, and has been teaching for the past 7 years. She started her practice with Ashtanga Yoga after moving from Europe to Encinitas, California in 2001. Since then she has studied, taught and trained certified teachers in Encinitas, at the Synergy Yoga Center. Over the last two years Outi has attended additional training with and enjoyed the inspiration of Roger Cole Ph.D., an Iyengar Yoga Teacher in Del Mar, California. In addition to a background in dance and years of practice and training in yoga, Outi is also a certified holistic health practitioner, with in-depth studies in herbology and nutrition as well as training in bodywork.

Class Description
Outi teaches with an emphasis on individual alignment in asana. Each class involves pranayama and asana while maintaining a flowing and balanced practice. Although this in not a pure Ashtanga class, the philosophy of yoga and the eightfold path with appropriate discipline and respect is the foundation each class.

A note from Outi:
If Ashtanga is your daily practice, this class may be a good addition to your home/mysore practice while Randa is away in India.

If you are an athlete or a person looking to start, continue or pick up your yoga practice after a break, I hope you'll give the class a try and find inspiration!

Private classes are also available.