Feathered Pipe Roots: A Mystical Intersection of People, Place & Spirit

Many years ago, I had a black cat named Tuffy Ananda. All our cats continually killed birds, mice, squirrels, and other small animals...Now, many years later, I’m asking myself: are we like Tuffy Ananda? Do our actions flow from an instinct to kill each other, or can we begin to think and act in ways that spread good will, good thoughts and non-fear? Read More

With sun beaming through floor-to-ceiling windows of his treehouse-inspired abode overlooking the Feathered Pipe property, long-time Feathered Pipe Ranch caretaker Tom Ryan reminisces about memorable Montana winters, unshakeable determination and mishaps turned magic in this mysterious circle of life. Read More

Member of the core founding group and former director of yoga programs for the Feathered Pipe Foundation,, Heidi Goldman reflects on the early days at the Ranch, where her dreams of bringing body and heart-centered teachings to the world were inspired and facilitated. Read More

Paul and Gail Wilson reminisce about the very early years at the Feathered Pipe Ranch, when they milked goats by candlelight and grew vegetables according to the moon cycles. The two open up about their connection to the land, their extended Ranch family and joy-filled memories. Read More

Amy Stephan and Andy Vantrease sat down with longtime ranch manager Howard Levin in his one bedroom cabin, just past the Lake Tipi on the Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, Montana. After quieting the Hindi tunes and shifting seats—away from the armchair that “wasn’t for sitting”—the questions begin. Read More

Matthew and Patrick Marsolek came to work at the Feathered Pipe in 1986 through their connection to India and Laughing Water. Their parents became friends with India and Laughing Water after meeting at the Real Food Store when the boys were in their early teens. Read More

In the early summer of 1990, two college lovebirds by the names of Kari Bradley and Gabrielle Malina decided they wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of university life in Chicago and go west to immerse themselves in the vast beauty of the mountains and forests. Read More

"First Lady of Yoga" Lilias Folan and Marti Glenn, a powerful and dynamic duo who led retreats at the Feathered Pipe Ranch for 25 years, reflect on the gift of friendship with India Supera, the importance of creating space for women to show up as their full selves, and the lessons that continue to teach them to this day. Read More

Activist, Jungian analyst and renowned author Jean Shinoda Bolen shares laughter-inducing memories from early Feathered Pipe travel programs and sweet moments from three decades of friendship with India Supera. Plus, the importance of women’s circles and trusting the path that leads to the inner work. Read More

Whenever I think about Jananne nothing but love comes up in my heart and head. Our experiences together will always live in my memory. We did a cruise in 1984 called “Into the Arms of the Goddess” which we nicknamed “Into the Armpits of the Goddess” because everything that could go wrong went wrong. Read More

Dear Friend John Schumacher reflects on his journey with BKS Iyengar, memories of teaching at the Feathered Pipe Ranch and the aspects of yoga and a lifetime of self-discovery. The Feathered Pipe was honored to host John along with Patricia Walden for a week-long retreat that became an annual reunion-like gathering. Read More

"Gone to Feathered Pipe Ranch. Back in a week." was the message on the answering machine of George Purvis, an Iyengar yoga teacher based in Dallas, Texas. That was the first time I had heard of the Ranch.  Two months later, I found myself sitting in a welcoming circle with 17 other yoga practitioners.  Read More