Bravery begins here.
Durga Yoga House is a welcoming home for all — a place to ignite the fire within. Join us Sunday mornings at the Rainier Beach Community Club for practice rooted in courage, clarity, and compassion.
Who Is Durga?
Divine, feminine energy.
In Sanskrit, Durga means "a fort" or "the unassailable" — hard to beat, and fierce in keeping others safe. She is shakti: eight arms, riding a lion or tiger, carrying the cosmic weapons that fight evil from all sides.
Her anger is never petty. It exists to burn away negativity and protect the innocent — the same spiritual fire, or tapas, that a yoga practice asks of us: intensity enough to still the mind and burn away old habits.
Durga Yoga House takes her name as its founding principle — that strength and serenity aren't opposites, but the same practice, seen from two sides.
Upcoming Dates
Come as you are, any Sunday.
Pick a date below and reserve your spot through Eventbrite — it takes less than a minute, and you're welcome whether it's your first class or your hundredth.
You're Invited
Reserve through Eventbrite — pick any upcoming Sunday from the list below and join us.
Reserve on EventbriteSunday mornings are the first offering. On the horizon: daily Ashtanga Mysore and Vinyasa Flow classes, drum and sound practices, inversion and back-bend workshops, and retreats in Bali and Maui. Check back, or join the contact list below to hear first.
Meet Your Teacher
Gretchen Ramsey
Founder & Lead Teacher, Durga Yoga House
Gretchen Ramsey is a former professional ballerina turned yogi, blending discipline, artistry, and devotion in every class. A believer in yoga's power to transform how we see the world and our place within it, she teaches from the heart of Durga's philosophy — courage, clarity, and compassion in motion.
Her journey began in 2014, while commuting daily between Manhattan and Philadelphia. Amid the rush, a Rumi quote — "What you seek is seeking you" — sparked a pause and a return to breath. That moment led to vinyasa study and certification at a popular studio outside Philadelphia, where she taught for several years.
Seeking deeper understanding, Gretchen studied Ashtanga with David Garrigues, student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and his assistant Elizabeth Crozier. Through their guidance, she embraced the eight limbs of yoga, respect for lineage, and the transformative power of daily sadhana.
Now based in Seattle, Gretchen holds Yoga Alliance certifications in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Prenatal Yoga. She continues her studies with Troy Lucero of Acme Yoga Project and Brendan Smullen and Christiane Costa of Yoga Shala Seattle, deepening her practice through their shared commitment to tradition and inquiry. Her teaching at Durga Yoga House reflects the goddess's essence — strength balanced by serenity, devotion expressed through disciplined practice, and the reminder that every breath is an act of awakening.
Practice & Lineage
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2014
Begins vinyasa study and certification outside Philadelphia; teaches there for several years.
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Ashtanga Study
Studies Ashtanga with David Garrigues (student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois) and his assistant Elizabeth Crozier.
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Certifications
Earns Yoga Alliance certifications in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Prenatal Yoga.
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Ongoing
Continues study in Seattle with Troy Lucero of Acme Yoga Project, and Brendan Smullen & Christiane Costa of Yoga Shala Seattle.
Get In Touch
Questions before Sunday?
Reach out about class prep, accessibility, private sessions, or anything else — Gretchen reads every message.
info@durgayogahouse.com