Blog – Integral Yoga San Francisco

Nada Yoga, the Yoga of Sound

By Purvi Shah, RYT500

Sound is often the first sense we develop and the last to fade. It has the power to soothe, to awaken, and to transform. In sound healing, we return to this primal connection using vibration to move from the external to the internal, from noise to stillness, and from separation to wholeness.

This is the essence of Nada Yoga (Naad Yog), or Sound Yoga. Nada Yoga is divided into two aspects: Ahata (external sounds), which refers to the sounds we hear, like chanting, instruments, or music and Anahata (internal sounds), the subtler, silent vibrations of our own awareness.

To clarify further, Ahata, a struck or audible sound that is perceived through our external senses, specifically, our ears.

Anahata, unstruck or silent, internal vibrations of the self that are considered sacred and personal.

The sounds used in sound healing are examples of Ahata Nada – external, “struck” sounds such as playing Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, chimes, or gongs. These audible sounds are a starting point to help you: refine focus, shift awareness inward, cultivate deep listening, and achieve calmness. They serve as a tool to eventually access our Anahata Nada, the deep, internal, sound cultivated in advance of meditative shifts.

Sound healing combined with Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep) creates a state of trance-like sleep where the body is in a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. Yoga Nidra takes us inward. When I lead sessions, I make everyone aware that they might end up snoring or hear someone around them snore. Just let go.

When we can let go, surrender to the sound, stillness, and breath, we can go inwards and slow down. A sound healing session combined with Yoga Nidra reduces anxiety, promotes better sleep, and enhances self-awareness, along with energizing and improving your mood.

Moving from external sounds to internal sound awareness is a journey. As humans, we hold our fears, worries, joys, and responsibilities close. We carry them on our shoulders, in our neck and jaw, and throughout the body, each of us in different ways, depending on our physiology. We also forget to breathe. Breath keeps us alive, yet the kind of breathing that carries us through the day is different from the intentional breathing that centers and grounds us. That kind of breath does not come as easily as we might hope.

1. The simple act of closing our eyes immediately disconnects us from the external.

2. Taking a few deep cleansing breaths brings awareness to our current state of being.

3. Lying down signals a shift from doing to surrendering.

When we combine all three of these actions in a sound healing session, we open ourselves to both the external sounds and the inner vibrations that help us slow down and attune to our internal rhythms.

Science is still catching up to understanding how sound heals, but the current research is promising. A review of 400 published scientific articles on music as medicine found strong evidence that music has mental and physical health benefits in improving mood and reducing stress. In fact, rhythm in particular (over melody) can provide physical pain relief. One study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that an hour-long sound meditation helped people reduce tension, anger, fatigue, anxiety, and depression while increasing a sense of spiritual well-being.

This research mirrors what I witness in my own practice. At the end of each sound healing session, when we sit quietly and reflect, participants share experiences that range from slowing down to falling into deep sleep, from seeing colors to sensing a presence, from becoming emotional to entering deep calm.

As a sound healer, to witness the resonance of my seven Tibetan singing bowls filling the room, to feel the reverberations softening hearts and bodies, is awe-inspiring. Each session is not only a reminder of sound’s profound healing power. It is also a humbling teaching experience.

See details for Purvi’s in-person September 12 workshop at IYISF – Sound Healing & Breathwork

For more about Purvi, visit https://www.playrx.life/

Marilyn Russell2026-08-23T16:01:37-07:00August 24th, 2026|

Simplicity

by Swami Ramananda

Lately I’ve been reflecting on the practice of simplifying my life as a way of counteracting the culture of consumerism that surrounds us. Simplicity is not merely about owning fewer things; it is a way of relating to life. It invites us to appreciate what we already have instead of dwelling on what we imagine we need. It is not a denial of our basic needs, but an invitation to distinguish between our genuine needs and the endless desires that so easily occupy the mind.

An entire industry exists to convince us that we will be healthier, safer, happier, or more fulfilled if we acquire one more product. There is nothing inherently wrong with enjoying the comforts and beauty that material things can offer. The problem arises when we begin to depend on possessions as the source of our happiness. Then we find ourselves caught in a never-ending cycle of wanting, acquiring, and wanting again, because the satisfaction they bring is always temporary.

Yoga reminds us that there is another source of fulfillment—one that is already within us. As meditation quiets the restless movement of desire, a natural contentment begins to emerge. We discover a quiet joy that does not depend on circumstances or possessions. We experience the heart opening when we serve others or give freely to someone we love. Gradually, giving becomes more satisfying than getting, and connection replaces accumulation as the source of lasting fulfillment.

Simple living can become a powerful support for spiritual life. It may be reflected in a wholesome diet of fresh, uncomplicated foods that nourish the body without excess. Such simplicity conserves both physical and mental energy, leaving more vitality available for service, meditation, and spiritual practice.

We can also simplify our schedules. Modern life encourages us to fill every moment, to multitask, and to measure our worth by our productivity. Yet constantly rushing from one activity to another fragments the mind. By doing one thing at a time with our full attention, we cultivate presence, deepen our concentration, and carry the spirit of meditation into daily life.

Perhaps the deepest expression of simplicity is to reflect honestly on what matters most. When we become clear about the highest purpose of our life, our choices naturally become simpler. We no longer feel compelled to chase every opportunity or distraction. Instead, we begin to use our time, energy, and attention with greater intention, guided by what truly nourishes the heart.

In a world overflowing with distractions, endless entertainment, and promises of fulfillment through external means, this clarity is more important than ever. Simplicity is not about deprivation; it is about freedom. It frees us from the constant pull of unnecessary desires so that our lives become aligned with our deepest values. When our outer life grows simpler, the inner path becomes clearer, allowing us to direct our energy toward what matters most: awakening to our true nature and expressing that truth through the way we live.

Marilyn Russell2026-08-02T09:37:10-07:00August 3rd, 2026|

Service and Self-Care

by Swami Ramananda

Most of us, at one time or another, struggle to find the right balance between caring for others and caring for ourselves. Many of us were raised with a strong work ethic, reinforced by the “gotta get ahead” mentality of modern culture, the value placed on sacrifice in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and Yoga’s emphasis on selfless service. While each of these has much to offer, they can also leave us uncertain about where healthy giving ends and unhealthy self-neglect begins.

Depending on our state of mind, we may find ourselves caught in familiar inner dialogues: “Why should I have to do this? It’s not fair.” Or just as easily, “I should do this. I’ll show them how capable and generous I am.” Though these thoughts seem quite different, both arise from the ego’s tendency to compare, judge, and seek validation. Rather than responding from wisdom, we become driven by the need either to protect ourselves or to maintain a particular image of ourselves.

Selfless service, of course, is one of Yoga’s greatest practices and one of life’s deepest sources of fulfillment. But genuine service includes the well-being of everyone—including ourselves. It is not a form of self-denial. When we consistently ignore our own physical, emotional, or spiritual needs in order to appear indispensable or admirable, we eventually become depleted. Over time, exhaustion can give way to resentment, and resentment often swings us toward self-protective or self-centered behavior.

Even when we recognize our need for rest, nourishment, or solitude, caring for ourselves may feel self-indulgent. Yet consider an infant. A baby never hesitates to express hunger, fatigue, or discomfort. There is no guilt or self-consciousness—only a simple trust that genuine needs deserve attention. In the same way, honoring our own well-being is not opposed to service; it is what makes wholehearted service possible. When we care for ourselves wisely, we are able to offer others sustained energy, a clear mind, and an open heart.

Sri Swami Satchidananda expresses this beautifully in The Golden Present: “You yourself should know how much you can give. You cannot give beyond your capacity. If you have done a lot of service that day, and if you are really tired, you should say no. Otherwise you are saying no to your own body or mind.”

Finding the balance between service and self-care is an ongoing practice of discernment. Sometimes we are called to stretch ourselves in generous service; at other times, the wiser choice is to rest, restore, and replenish. A regular meditation practice greatly supports this process by cultivating the clarity and self-awareness needed to recognize when we are slipping into either overextension or self-absorption. As we observe our habitual tendencies with honesty and compassion, we gradually learn when to extend greater kindness toward ourselves and when to reach beyond ourselves in service to others.

Every day offers countless opportunities to practice this balance—while driving, listening to a friend, standing in the grocery line, caring for our family, or working alongside colleagues. The deepest motivation for serving others does not come from obligation or the desire for approval, but from directly experiencing compassion flowing through the heart and the quiet joy that naturally arises from giving freely.

Ultimately, service and self-care are not opposing values but complementary expressions of the same truth. As we grow in awareness, we discover that caring for ourselves enables us to care more fully for others, and that every genuine act of love—whether directed inward or outward—awakens us to the underlying unity of life itself.

Marilyn Russell2026-07-13T08:39:30-07:00July 13th, 2026|Tags: balance, Self-care, Service|

Tap Intuition, Ignite Creativity and Reclaim Power: An Invitation

by J. Pranavi McLean

The moment we know, without thinking, that it’s time to move on.

The realization that we’ve stumbled upon the perfect gift for a loved one.

The inexplicable sense that a particular motion or a particular sound will soothe an inconsolable infant.

The all-consuming confidence that washes over when everything about someone we’ve only just met seems completely right.

Whether arising from a gut instinct, a flash of genius, or an embodied insight, intuition is the innate ability to understand without reasoning. This universal form of unconscious knowing is widely considered to be a sacred gift – an essential partner to the rational mind in guiding a person’s beliefs, values, judgments, and actions.

I have always found intuition to be one of the most magical and mysterious qualities of life. How do we know without thinking? How can we discern without feeling? When does knowing become thought, or feeling become knowing? And vice versa? Stranger yet, how can it be so easy to lose grip of intuition? How can decision-making get bogged down so rapidly by the narratives within our own minds?

I am not alone in my fascination – intuition is a topic of wide and everlasting interest. Today, journals across the disciplines of business, education, psychology, and medicine are populated by countless studies of the physical origins and practical applications of intuition. And for millennia, ancient texts from across Eastern and Western philosophies have provided perspectives on the spiritual source of intuition, as well as the reasons and ways intuition can be cultivated to overcome the enduring pressures of society, family, and even one’s own mind.

I am deeply appreciative of methods to reclaim intuition.

One of the biggest draws of yoga has been its ability to help me calm the mind and hear the voice within. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a guide to self-realization through yoga dating back to the 2nd century BCE, the sage Patanjali’s very definition of yoga describes it as a state of stillness of the mind – a mind free of chattering (Sutra 1.2 Yogaś citta-vritti-nirodhah). Patanjali also states that as yogic practices strengthen through practice, intuition can emerge (Sutra 1.17 Samprajnata samadhi), and subsequently, give rise to all understanding (Sutra 3.33 Prātibhāt-vā sarvam). Indeed, the more I practice yoga, the more tangible my intuition seems to become.

Creative practices also serve as a powerful tool for cultivating intuition. One practice I particularly enjoy is INTUIT Cards – personal oracle cards created together in community. Developed by San Francisco artist Cynthia Tom, INTUIT Cards utilize simple collage techniques to make inner wisdom visible. INTUIT Card workshops have been used by therapists, teachers, artists, and communities of women, immigrants, and other marginalized people to encourage self-inquiry, stimulate curiosity, and open intuition. INTUIT Cards have helped people to explore family patterns, overcome personal fears, manage the symptoms of chronic or intergenerational trauma, and unlock dreams and desires. In fact, it was in part through INTUIT Cards that I found my way to the Integral Yoga Institute for a yoga teacher training.

How about you? Are you looking for ways to tap intuition, to ignite creativity, and to reclaim power?

I am thrilled to offer an INTUIT Card workshop for the Reclaim Your Power & Ignite Your Creativity Retreat at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco (IYISF) on Saturday, August 8, 2026. This retreat, hosted by IYISF’s Ripples for Change, is a fundraiser to support the IYISF BIPOC Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Scholarship Fund. As a graduate of the 2025 BIPOC YTT program with deep experience working in the social movement space, I can attest to the quality of this exceptional offering. IYISF’s BIPOC YTT teachers provide an inclusive, safe space for students of diverse backgrounds to explore the wisdom of the sutras, asanas (poses), meditation and other subtle practices of yoga. At this August 8 retreat, participants will explore fun new ways to access intuition — through INTUIT cards, writing, yoga, healthy eating, and more — in support of a YTT program which will not only help future yoga teachers to access intuition, but also teach others to do the same.

Whether you’re a community member looking for ways to unleash your creativity, an aspiring yoga teacher curious to learn more about the Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco, a creative person seeking new tools to cultivate intuition, an experienced yogi in need of new opportunities for community, or someone who supports equity and diverse representation in contemporary American yoga, all are welcome. No yoga experience or artistic abilities are necessary.

I hope to see you there! I can’t wait to see what you create, and to discover together what your intuition — and the amazing opportunities at this retreat — open up for you.

Marilyn Russell2026-06-21T12:59:58-07:00June 22nd, 2026|Tags: creativity, intuition, personal power, reclamation, spiritual discernment|

12 Next