Spanish-language yoga returns to ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch 

For the fourth summer in a row, Yoga Silvestre or “wild yoga” in Spanish, is returning to Rock Bottom Ranch on a monthly basis.

Yoga Silvestre is set to begin at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ Basalt location on July 6. The summer yoga series is being spearheaded by longtime yoga teacher and Roaring Fork Valley local Alejandra Rico Bustillos in partnership with the Aspen-based social impact nonprofit Lead with Love and the Carbondale-based youth mentorship nonprofit Stepping Stones. 

In addition to Yoga Silvestre, Bustillos teaches Wild Yoga — the English version of the class — weekly on Tuesday evenings at ACES’ Hallam Lake location. With Wild Yoga, Bustillos also intends to provide Spanish translations as needed. Both classes center around gentle Hatha flow, restorative poses and a strong connection with nature. Class registration is free with a suggested $10 donation. All proceeds go towards ACES environmental education programs. 

Over the past four years, Yoga Silvestre has maintained a meaningful presence in the Roaring Fork Valley’s Spanish-speaking community, according to Bustillos. 

“We have a solid group of people that love going to Rock Bottom Ranch and doing yoga under the big weeping willows by the lake with nature around,” Bustillos said. “It is very healing and even though it’s a small community, it’s there, and they look forward to it so I look forward to it too.” 

Yoga Silvestre also fits seamlessly into ACES’ programming, reflecting a continued commitment to Spanish-language offerings, Lead with Love founder and ACES partner Gina Murdock said. 

“ACES has always had a bilingual component,” Murdock said. “They do a lot of outreach in Spanish and tons of school programming in Spanish. They really do a lot to include the Hispanic community.”

Bustillos previously lived in Chihuahua City, Mexico — where she was born and raised — before moving to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2003. She worked as an educator in the Roaring Fork School District for several years before pursuing yoga. Her hope is to continue to expand the Spanish-language yoga scene across the valley. She also teaches classes in Spanish at True Nature Healing Arts Center in Carbondale. 

“My hope for yoga is that it keeps deepening and expanding its reach in our Spanish-speaking community,” she said. “Especially for those who are in a lower economic bracket — the ones who have more than three jobs sometimes. I hope to keep growing and expanding yoga to the people who need it the most, as well as to younger people.” 

To register for Yoga Silvestre or Wild Yoga, visit aspennature.org/activities/?pn=1&k=&limit=12&sort=start_date&dates=.