Cultivating Creative Collaboration
Kutūhalaśālā: Kutuhala sanskrit for “that which excites wonder or curiousity;” Shala means “house” or “home.” You’ll hear a Yoga Studio referred to as a “Yoga Shala” - the Sal Tree is a ancient tree in India where people used to gather to learn.
@kutuhala.shala on IG
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Dream it.
It all began with a vision Summer of 2017, when Vinita went to Shambhala Music Festival. Vinita saw herself building a collaborative space for creatives to learn, create, build, and grow together. It was meant for many hands and minds. She was 27 when we moved into the Shala 04/04/2022. It’s situated on 27 acres of land. There’s so much magic waiting to happen and happening here!
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Build it.
The property in Coal Creek Canyon sits on 27 acres of land with stunning panoramic views of the Continental Divide. Over the course of the next 5-10 years, it’ll become a homestead, farm, Yoga studio, Retreat and Wellness center, equipped with many indoor/outdoor ceremony spaces/pockets for up to 30 people (potentially more). In 2025 we plan to reintroduce chickens, and build a greenhouse for Ayurvedic Herbs to help us deepen our connection to the Mother and her gifts.
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Grow it.
In 2022 we began hosting mini-retreats in the summer for Women and in 2023, we started creating Day-shops for All with work days, wellness days, and moon ceremonies for about 15-20 people from the Denver/Boulder community. Community members get to share their inspiring talents with one-another, grow their art, and seed/permeate their thoughts - individuals are encouraged to dream big and find their purpose, to build a better furture for all.
The Chicken Harem
Update: as of 2/15/2025 The Shala has aquired 12 new baby chickens, 10 Plymouth Rock and 2 Rhode Island Reds
Meet Pretty Head - she was one of the original 10 Plymouth Rock Chickens at the Shala. They love to eat any and all kitchen scraps besides citrus and onions. This coup sit’s right outside underneath the viewing deck, fenced in by 1/2ed trees to secure these sweet things from sly foxes, brutish bears, majestic mountain lions and howling coyotes. The downstairs has a large window were we love to chill and watch their Rugrat Reptar behavior.
The Bus Project ~ COMPLETED Sept. 2024
“Grey Beard” was negotiated and purchased from a local in the Canyon, bare bones - no seats. It’s a 1994 International 3800 with a DT360 Diesel Engine. We just acquired an old Expresso machine from the local coffee shop, trading Nate’s skills for it. It’ll go in the bus when it’s time. The Skoolie’s plan is to be 4-person, festival and overnight camping friendly. Nature, travel, yoga, and festivals are a big part of why the Shala-dream exists; it’s vital to have a unit on wheels. It’ll be available for rent to the public for personal trips and quite potentially equipped to sell coffee and light snacks as a food and beverage truck.
For now, we’ll be using it to haul equipment like reclaimed wood, windows, and other materials, to build the Yoga Studio atop the garage.
Meet “Frankenstein” or Frank for short. He’s Mrschmiklz’s Electric ATV creation made from parts of a Nissan leaf. It’s approximately 107 horsepower with around a 4k lb towing capacity. This project has been underway for about 6 months - the plan is to use it around the property. The property came with an ATV trail already - perfect for choppin’ and haulin’ dead lumber for fire mitigation.
