prajna, Author at Integral Yoga San Francisco

About prajna

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far prajna has created 103 blog entries.

Opening Up About the Chakras

by Mia Velez

Exploring the Chakras is interesting. Why is it interesting? Because it alludes to something subtle. It promises an understanding and a depth of perception that might give some secret knowledge on how to get along with life. It’s mystical and occult, which makes it fascinating. But, is there a practical application – a way to work with it so that it is of benefit? There is an abundance of writing out there about the Chakras, and yet there isn’t a definitive system that describes them satisfactorily. It seems that there are as many interpretations of the chakras as there are practitioners. I have to ask myself if offering a chakra workshop seems audacious.

I actually haven’t read the Vedas or the Upanishads, but a Google search says the chakras are in there. By no means am I an expert. I am simply a seeker just like you. I am curious, just like you. I realize that I’ve never had any in-depth dialogue about the chakras with anyone. There have been no mentors to discuss this with. My study of the chakras has been done alone and under cover. It’s funny to share now, but early in my investigation a satirical image of someone who speaks of chakras made an impression on me. They were flighty, flower-children, who taught yoga in beaded bracelets all along their arms, a stone necklace and hemp fabrics around their necks, shaking their bells or incense and a total pot-head. Think, Saturday Night Live yogi character. That image really affected me. I wanted to be taken seriously as a Yoga teacher and that image made me feel embarrassed by my interest. So, I studied in secret, making use of whatever I learned, applying it to my practice and not sharing it with others. As a yoga teacher, one word I for sure did not use in class was the word “chakras”. With such an abstract concept, who was I to tell people where it is and how it affects the body. But mostly, I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to be seen as that SNL Yogi.

As I matured and shared bits and pieces with friends, I discovered that I’m not the only one who is into chakras. A LOT of people are interested. Why else would there be SO MANY books about it? The Saturday Night Live impression is one flavor…a sliver of a representation. And, yeah it can be a funny trope. However, it’s a strong image. I still notice that awkward impression that lingers when I talk about the “chakras”.

It wasn’t until last summer’s 200-hour Basic Yoga Teacher Training that I really opened up about what I know so far. One of the tasks as a yoga teacher trainer was to actually count the hours of live instructions to meet the “200 hours” Yoga Alliance requirement. A student was allowed to miss only x amount of hours to be eligible for the diploma. The way we designed our program, the “x hours missed” restriction was becoming an obstacle for some of the students. In response, trainers Nitika Achalam and Rukmini Ando and I took turns offering quick 30 minute segments we called, “How to deepen your practice.” I offered to talk about the chakras, and I didn’t prepare much because, what’s 30 minutes? The students were engaged that evening and that helped me to share more of what I knew, which was more than I had realized. I was able to describe features of each chakras just from memory and even suggest the asanas that can access them. The 30 minutes went by fast. Everyone came with their own knowledge and was happy to share. It was fun to geek out about chakras with people. …but we ran out of time – UGH! We had just scratched the surface!

So, that’s what I want to offer in this workshop. I’m going to share with you what I know so far about the Chakras (colors, location, sound, asana etc.) and give myself enough time for it. Having the workshop in two parts with a week in between, gives us all time to digest and think about the information, before continuing on with the group exploration.

I am excited to indulge in this interest, and I am curious to know how these energies occur to others. I have a personal relationship with the chakras, that has evolved over the years. In fact, in preparation, I am revisiting the chakra books I’ve read and reread and realizing that my understanding has shifted from the books’ perspectives. I must have mashed up all the information I’ve taken in and come up with a perspective of my own. It has become a system of understanding myself that I quietly utilize to sort out parts of my life.

There is an infinite amount of information out there on the chakras, enough so that it would be nearly impossible for one person to get it all. The information I hold wants to be shared, and an odd and silly bias is not going to hold me back anymore. It’s stimulating to be in discussion with those who are just as interested and mystified by the chakras as I am – even the SNL Yogi.

Join Mia for her upcoming 2-part workshop Intro to the Chakras, Saturday, February 4th & 11th from 11 am – 12:30 am PT.

Mia Velez entered the Integral Yoga Sangha in 2016 through the kitchen by helping to cook Thursday community lunches and silent retreat meals. In 2018 she certified as an Integral Yoga teacher to learn more of the IYI approach and be part of the lineage. Mia is a disciple of the Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu lineage and is highly influenced by her martial arts training. After completing her first 200 hour teacher training in 2008, she began to see undeniable parallel in Yoga and Kung Fu. When she began teaching Kung Fu in 2014, she incorporated Yoga insight and principles in her classes. Her goal in teaching is to connect with the students and to facilitate a safe space for exploration and self inquiry. Yoga and Kung Fu is integrated into her daily life as a mother, a preschool teacher, and an advocate for gender, race and class equality through multiple non-profits groups.

prajna2023-01-26T16:05:35-08:00January 26th, 2023|

Infinite Blessings

by Snehan Born

Patanjali tells us that our practice is well grounded when it is attended to with zeal over a long period of time and without breaks in regularity.

How many of us have truly committed to our spiritual growth with inspired regular practices?

A well attended, regular practice will yield unlimited benefits. These benefits may be subtle or dramatic, but they are assured. They come as a result of giving ourselves the time to practice with humility, preparing the system to sustain our spiritual growth.

Personally, I can attest to becoming generally much more peaceful and non-reactive over the years. Like many, my heart has felt knocked around enough that I have good reason to have constructed barriers of protection….and yet, the opening of heart that occurs during chanting mantra and Kirtan practice is unfailing and undeniable for me.

During the pandemic I challenged myself to learn the Hanuman Chalisa and it was truly cathartic. For months I attended daily 90 minute morning Sessions on Zoom with a global satsang….all of us learning this difficult Chalisa together. On some mornings, I would break down sobbing for no apparent reason other than the processing of ancient wounds re-presenting themselves in giant waves of emotional release for healing. This went on and on and still occurs sometimes as I get completely transported in Mantra vibration.

Hanuman is considered a wish-fulfilling Deity. I am not in the habit of asking for “things” from God, so I didn’t think much of it. Then one day in class we were discussing this quality of Hanuman, I considered what I might ask for. Without hesitating, I requested a singing voice that would be pleasing to others for the purpose of worshipping Hanuman and inspiring others to chant the Holy names together in Kirtan. Within 4 days, my throat opened up and I gained notable ability to control my developing singing voice. I was astounded and I attribute any singing ability to these devotional practices.

Now, I regularly have feelings of such bliss that I rhetorically question…..How and what did I do to get to this place of profound and reliable joy? I still enjoy attending the morning Hanuman Chalisa sessions as often as I can and marvel at how far the group has progressed. It is truly amazing! And there are endless benefits from a sustained and deepened Pranayama practice to share. Just as I’ve heard from some of you, I too feel I’d be lost without these practices and a life of dedicated service to others.

Raama and I want to share our inspirations, along with some of our collective experiences and results with you and we certainly look forward to hearing about some of your experiences with your practice.

Please join us for Satsang on January 21, 5:30-6:30pm. We’ll be covering some of the infinite blessings of an established and regular spiritual practice (Sadhana).

Raama Das, C-IAYT, is a former director of the Integral Yoga® Teachers Association and has been instructing Integral Yoga since 2009. He is a lead trainer for the Integral Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training at Yogaville and co-presenter for the 200 and 500-hour Yoga Alliance programs at Heal Me Institute in Fredericksburg. Raama recently received certification as a Yoga Therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), having studied Yoga programs for specific health conditions, including, anxiety, depression, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and addiction. He is also certified as a teacher of Intermediate Hatha, Raja Yoga, Meditation, Stress Management, Yin Yoga, and Yoga for our Elders.
Raama has studied and served extensively at the Integral Yoga Academy at Yogaville and managed the Integral Yoga Therapy Program. In addition, he has participated in many months of deep Tantric and classical Yoga sadhana (practice) at the Scandinavian Yoga and Meditation School in Sweden under the direction of Swami Janakananda. He currently serves as Institute Manager at the Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco.

Snehan Born, E-RYT 500, has over four decades of experience with yoga. He resides at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, where he teaches yoga classes and is a lead teacher trainer. Snehan is certified in all levels of Integral Yoga Hatha and has received additional certifications in Pranayama, Meditation, Raja Yoga and Stress Management from Integral Yoga. Chanting mantras and playing the harmonium are part of his regular practice and classes.
Snehan has lived and traveled extensively within India and practiced with many teachers there. He has taught yoga all over the US as well as in India, Nepal, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan and Europe.

prajna2023-01-14T13:58:15-08:00January 14th, 2023|Tags: Integral Yoga Satsang, Sangha, Satsang, snehan born|

Teaching of the Month – Living on Purpose

by Swami Ramananda

As we enter this new year, we can make good use of this landmark in time to reflect on the way we make decisions and choices in our lives. Is there an overarching purpose or intention behind the way we use our time and energy, or are we “going with the flow?” Are we acting on the persuasive words of friends or the mob mentality at work? Are we succumbing to the incessant marketing messages of our culture or are we standing firm in our own commitment to live by our spiritual values?

Visualize a ship setting off on a long voyage and how it must point itself in the right direction to reach the intended destination. Then, imagine that the course it sets is slightly off target. By the time it travels a great distance, it will be far from its goal.

The same thing can happen to us if we are not clear about the direction we really want to go in our lives. There are so many influences that can throw us off course, so many diversions that vie for our attention, like diamonds made of glass—shiny but of little value.

This life is a precious gift and most of us are blessed with the luxury of many choices. Do we really want to look back and wonder if we made good use of it? I like to ask myself the question, “Is the way I am using my time and energy in harmony with what I truly value in my life?” It’s a poignant question, but how do we really decide what is most important to us?

If we want our lives to be centered on spiritual values, we must consciously make time for the teachings and practices that attune our hearts and minds to Spirit. Since we are so strongly influenced by the culture around us, most of us need to touch that spiritual Light within again and again to override the old messages imprinted in our subconscious minds, and stay grounded in the spiritual truths we deeply value.

For this reason, I believe it is essential to build into our lives some regular meditative practice that enables us to experience the Spiritual presence that dwells beneath all the busyness of thought. There is also tremendous benefit in studying sources of sacred wisdom that guide us back to that unchanging presence as we navigate the challenges of life and bring our vision clearly into focus.

It may take some effort to put into words our aspirations or overall purpose for this lifetime. But once our vision is clear, it becomes a beacon, a burning yes, that guides our way forward and enables us to say no to the myriad distractions that can drain our energy.

We may have many goals during our lives, like earning a degree, raising children, or buying property. Having an overall intention influences both the formation of these goals and how we pursue them. We can reflect on all our major decisions—the ones we really want to feel sure about before going forward—by making sure they align with our primary purpose.

This intention also becomes a useful tool for evaluating the many daily choices we must make. There are now a zillion online learning opportunities for us to choose from. Which shall I pursue? What sources of information, entertainment, and recreation are in harmony with the life I want to create for myself? What social and spiritual groups share my values? Our dietary choices, living arrangements, and relationships can also reflect our intention.

Ultimately, defining an overall purpose for this lifetime will support us in creating a lifestyle that supports our vision. Our spiritual growth will thrive when we create a holistic environment and support system based on values that dwell in the heart of our being. Then our daily lives will be guided by a clear, steady focus that sidesteps the pitfalls of self-doubt and confusion, making our lives much more meaningful and enjoyable.

Please join Swami Ramananda online & in-person for Satsang: Creating a Spiritual Vision on Sat. January 7 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm PT.

Swami Ramananda is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.
He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He is a co-founder of The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.

prajna2023-01-07T14:18:40-08:00January 7th, 2023|

The Remnants

by Diana Meltsner

The Remnants

Memories of
friends, their generosity and obsessions,
children’s joy, their eyes filled with wonder,
the hurt and disappointment, mine and yours.

I see the pain of unreconciled differences
hanging over us like dark clouds,
doors close quickly and words disappear.

I see the pain of unwelcome gifts.
Receiving in awkward silence things, care, harm
you meant for me to have.

Turning towards the Light,

I can see the pain of holding on to what no longer is,
the good and bad.
Like trying to wear old clothes that no longer fit
or flatter.

How does one live with memories?
How does one let this pain pass through?

How does one move with changing seasons?
Fall turning into the winter while remembering
the warmth of the sun, or remembering
those simple times before the fire came
and devoured it all.

The Remnant,

I look at it and smile,
like seeing an old friend
I used to spend a lot of time with.
I choose to peel away a little from
this familiar pain.
The heaviness starts washing away,
eventually it dissipates.
I feel the fresh air and I hear myself sigh.
My body starts moving again.

We are all making it through,
bringing Light into darkness.
The clenching softens,
dawn’s cleansing power enters in.
The wild call comes as
the Soul shines through again so
hungry for life, taking us for a dance
once again.

Diana Meltsner, E-RYT-500, C-IAYT has been teaching variety of classes and workshops since 2001 and since 2017 offers yoga therapy sessions privately and at Integral Yoga Therapy Clinic in San Francisco. Read her full bio here.

Jumpstart or deepen your meditation practice with Diana, Eric Gustafson and Swami Ramananda with a 21-day meditation challenge starting on Mon. January 9, 7:15 am – 8:00 am PT. You can also join Diana for Guided Meditation Online every Sunday, 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm PT and every for Therapeutic Chair Yoga Class Online every Wednesday, 9:30 am – 10:30 am PT.

prajna2022-12-30T18:25:51-08:00December 30th, 2022|

Previous 161718 Next