Shakti Sharanam is a yoga shala and retreat center in Crestone, CO. The center is dedicated to upholding the purity of yogic tradition and exemplifying yoga as an all-encompassing life practice. It embodies a rare synthesis of traditional yogic lifestyle and contemporary environmental sustainability. The strawbale structures are powered and heated with solar energy, and sit on a gentle hillside with 14,000 foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristos as an Eastern backdrop.

The shala offers daily classes, retreat weekends, and custom courses of study. In 2005, founder and director Annie Pace conceived the project, purchased land and finalized plans. In 2006, partial financing was obtained and building began in June of that year. As the project progressed, Annie gained expertise in the intricacies of many aspects of sustainable building. On April 29th, 2007, an opening puja was performed to install Chamundeshvari and practice began in July. Although more work is needed to complete all aspects of the project, the shala is now gracefully serving its purpose, providing a physical space that in its sustainability is in line with yogic values.

In 2007, the Shakti Sharanam Advisory Council was formed in order to support the shala’s mission and promote awareness of Annie’s teaching. Its members are:

• Cindy Cleary – Crestone, Colorado
• Suzanne Culhane – New York, New York
• Matthew Darling – Royal Oak, Michigan
• Patricia Dechow – Berkeley, California
• Kristi Espineira – Denver, Colorado
• Larry Hobbs -- Wilmington, North Carolina
• Julie Mordecai – Alamosa, Colorado
• Parthena Rodriguez – Sebastian, Florida