Integral Yoga San Francisco

4-Day Yoga Retreat: Uncovering Our Natural Wisdom and Joy
2023-09-14 17:00 - 2023-09-17 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
In-person
$675 Single room
$575 Shared room (per person)
$575 Active IYI Teacher single room
$475 Active IYI Teacher shared room (per person)
Enroll
This in-person 4-day retreat will include various Yoga classes for all levels of practice, workshops, meditations, inspirational evening programs, healthy vegetarian meals and free time for walks, resting or reading. In this spacious silence, we can free ourselves from all the tension and turmoil in the mind and uncover the source of wisdom and joy that is our essential nature.
We are blessed once again to use the Commonweal Retreat Center in Bolinas, known for the natural beauty of the ocean side location which is located on sacred Native American grounds. The practices of Yoga in this beautiful natural setting offer an opportunity to cleanse body and mind and find rejuvenation.
Check-in is on Thursday at 5 pm, with dinner at 6 pm.
Check-out and departure is on Sunday at 12:30 pm after a meal.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, 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.
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.
Mirabai Warkulwiz planted her yoga and meditation roots in San Francisco at the Sivananda Center in 1998. Amazed at her healing of a back injury and many other positive life changes, she became yoga certified through 200-hour teacher training programs both at the Integral Yoga Institute in 2004, and at the Greenpath Ashtanga Studio in 2005. In July 2008 she completed another 170 hour Intermediate Teacher Training program in Asana and Pranayama through the Integral Yoga Institute in Virginia. She is attuned to Reiki Level 1, studies Aurvveda, is a dancer, and enjoys being in communion with nature. She invites all of her yoga students to transcend physical, emotional, and mental blocks to experience more spaciousness, comfort, happiness, clarity, and inner peace. As a Kirtan musician (Mirabai and Friends Kirtan Band) Mirabai leads Kirtan around the Bay Area, and enjoys implementing chanting, sound, and music into class.

Ananda Rasa Kirtan
2023-09-23 19:00 - 21:00
In-person | $20, or $25 day of
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines. https://integralyogasf.org/attending-in-person
Ananda Rasa Kirtan, led by vocalist and musician David Estes, is rooted in traditional Sanskrit chants and mantras sung to original Indian raga melodies and explores the ecstatic and mystical moods of Bhakti in call and response chanting with the audience.

Therapeutic Yoga and Sound Healing
2023-09-24 15:30 - 17:30
In-person| $45 or $40 Early bird, exp. 9/17
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Therapeutic Yoga and Sound Healing are remedies for the challenges of our stressful times, and blends restorative yoga with guided breath-work and sound healing. Accompanied by the healing sounds of various instruments, you will be gently guided to relax into postures that allow for deep relaxation and restoration of the entire body including tight muscles, restricted fascia, overstimulated nervous systems, and an overactive or out of balanced mind, resetting and restoring a natural rhythm to your whole being. The practice creates a calm, supportive and nurturing environment in which you can relax and let go, allowing the innate wisdom of your body to naturally restore balance and well-being. Whether you just need to decompress from stress, recover from injury or if you’re dealing with chronic illness, this workshop will help your body, mind and spirit to relax, rejuvenate, and heal.
No prior yoga experience is necessary.
Please register in advance, space is limited. Thank you!
Rachel Jennine Goudey, Psy.D., C-IAYT, is a Certified Yoga Therapist, Educator and Doctor of Psychology. Specializing in trauma work and embodied practices for nervous system integration, Rachel helps clients increase their capacity for joy and love in life through somatic movement, breath work, sound healing, self-reflection, and cultivating healthy life choices. Rachel brings years of mental health experience working with at-risk and underserved populations, integrating Eastern and Western practices to help clients move past symptom relief into true healing. She has brought holistic yoga programs and professional trainings on yoga for mental health into community mental health centers, hospitals and schools. Rachel’s aim is to guide individuals into states of peace and trust in their life’s story through the mind and body, create community, and bring the teachings and practices of yoga into various settings around the world. Rachel’s classes meet each student where they are at while still challenging them to reach new heights of self-realization, acceptance, and strength and flexibility, both on and off of the mat. She will push you to challenge yourself while also guiding you to listen to your body and intuition, teaching from a place of authenticity, passion and playfulness. To learn more about Rachel and her work visit racheljenninewellnessandyoga.com
Heather Sevika Ford, C-IAYT, MFA Design, became a certified Yoga teacher in 2008 and a certified Yoga Therapist in 2017.
Her classical yoga training and approach to teaching guides individuals towards experiencing the essence of Yoga; a contemplative, mindful practice intended to remove obstacles and restore peace. Accessibly and collaboratively she supports her clients towards optimal health and wellness through mindful movement and postures, subtle practices such as Yoga Nidra, Pranayama and meditation, as well as Reiki, sound vibration and aromatherapy. These practices are intended to strengthen the body, increase flexibility, optimize and soothe the immune and nervous systems. Her training and experience enables her to work safely and mindfully with a range of clients with a variety of conditions including addiction recovery, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, stroke, pre and post-op, arthritis, cancer, peripheral neuropathy, post-polio syndrome, PTS, asthma, emphysema, nerve damage, obesity, joint replacements, and those experiencing limited physical mobility. sevikayoga.com

Scripture Study
2023-09-25 18:00 - 19:00
Online & In-Person | $5, $10, $15 sliding scale | Sessions offered individually
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
A Study of Yoga and Eckhart Toll
In this three-part scripture study series, Ramananda will discuss the common themes and universal truths found in the teachings of Yoga and the writings of Eckhart Tolle, primarily his book, A New Earth. By contrast and comparison, we will clarify the meaning and implications of these profound teachings, and how to integrate them into our lives. Optional: bring a copy of the Yoga, Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad-Gita, and or A New Earth by Eckart Tolle.
Each session offered individually:

Monday, September 11, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign-up
Monday, September 18, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign-up
Monday, September 25, 2023, 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, 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.

Full Moon Chanting
2023-09-29 20:00 - 20:30
Online & In-Person| Free
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
We gather once a month to chant the Gayatri Mantra, the great mantra of Light and Liberation, to maximize the spiritual benefits of the full moon.
“oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt”
– Rigveda 3.62.1011
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.

Karma Yoga Day
2023-09-30 14:30 - 18:00
In-Person | Free
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
“Work done in the right attitude becomes consecrated; becomes a sacred act. A life consecrated in doing selfless acts will become a divine life.” – Swami Sivananda
We will meet for a brief talk and share about how to practice Karma Yoga led by Swami Ramananda at 2:30pm, followed by engaging in a joyful service including classrooms and house cleaning, gardening and more. We will end the afternoon at 5 pm with a practice of guided deep relaxation and a communal meal.

Scripture Study: The Upanishads
2023-10-02 18:00 - 19:00
Online & In-person | $5, $10, $15 sliding scale
Monday, October 2, 9 & 16 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm | Offered individually
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Isha, Katha, Chandogya, Kena Upanishads
An examination of some of the oldest and most meaningful Upanishads which contain wonderful inspiring stories and very deep but accessible spiritual teachings and practices. These are the basis of Vedanta and Raja Yoga. Just reading even one of these Upanishads over and over will begin to strengthen one’s intellect and bring a deeper understanding and experience of true spirituality. We will aim to cover all the four Upanishads mentioned.
October 9th Sign-up
October 16th Sign-up
Swami Chidananda is a monastic and a longtime disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda and has managed the finances for Integral Yoga’s ashrams, institutes, and teaching centers for decades. He teaches Hatha Yoga and leads study groups on Yoga and Buddhist teachings and philosophy. Swami Chidananda also conducts spiritual pilgrimages to India and Nepal.

Satsang: Pratipaksha Bhavana—The Light and the Shadow
2023-10-07 17:30 - 18:30
Online & In-person | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
The Yoga Sutras outline a clear path for one’s spiritual growth. Often misunderstood as spiritual bypassing, Pratipaksha Bhavana is often interpreted as replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. However, when properly applied, it’s a beautiful practice that helps us discover our true, peaceful selves. If it’s misunderstood, Pratipaksha Bhavana can lead to suppression and denial.
Join us in a rich exploration and discussion of this vital practice. We will examine how it can accelerate our growth in a very clear and simple way.
A simple vegetarian meal will be offered after this in-person Satsang with a suggested donation of $5-10.
Satsang is a special time for us to come together as a community. In Sanskrit, Sat means truth and Sangha means community. Satsang offers an opportunity to come together to share spiritual teachings. The philosophy of Integral Yoga is explored often through an informal discussion. Although our spiritual paths may diverge, the act of sharing spiritual teachings with others is inspiring and creates a solid foundation for continued practice.
People of all faiths are welcome.
Swami Chidananda is a monastic and a longtime disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda and has managed the finances for Integral Yoga’s ashrams, institutes, and teaching centers for decades. He teaches Hatha Yoga and leads study groups on Yoga and Buddhist teachings and philosophy. Swami Chidananda also conducts spiritual pilgrimages to India and Nepal.
Mia Velez, E-RYT 500, entered Integral Yoga Institute in 2016 through the kitchen as a volunteer cook at their silent retreats, teacher trainings, and weekly community lunches. In 2018, she was certified as an Integral Yoga teacher to learn more about 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 saw undeniable parallels in Yoga and Kung Fu. She started teaching Kung Fu in 2014, incorporating Yoga insight and principles in her classes. Her goal in teaching is to facilitate a safer space for self-inquiry that hopefully leads to liberation. She shares her joy and knowledge of yoga as a co-trainer for the Basic Teacher Trainings at IYI, including the BIPOC Yoga Teacher Training; she teaches the healing properties of yoga to incarcerated men and provides stress management techniques to new parents. Yoga and Kung Fu are integrated into her daily life as a mother, a preschool teacher, and an advocate for gender, race and class equality through multiple non-profit groups.

Scripture Study: Upanishads
2023-10-09 18:00 - 19:00
Online & In-person | $5, $10, $15 sliding scale
3 Mondays: October 2, 9 & 16 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm | Offered Individually
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Isha, Katha, Chandogya, Kena Upanishads
An examination of some of the oldest and most meaningful Upanishads which contain wonderful inspiring stories and very deep but accessible spiritual teachings and practices. These are the basis of Vedanta and Raja Yoga. Just reading even one of these Upanishads over and over will begin to strengthen one’s intellect and bring a deeper understanding and experience of true spirituality. We will aim to cover all the four Upanishads mentioned.
October 2nd Sign-up
October 16th Sign-up
Swami Chidananda is a monastic and a longtime disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda and has managed the finances for Integral Yoga’s ashrams, institutes, and teaching centers for decades. He teaches Hatha Yoga and leads study groups on Yoga and Buddhist teachings and philosophy. Swami Chidananda also conducts spiritual pilgrimages to India and Nepal.

Tuesday Tea Time Series
2023-10-10 11:15 - 11:45
Online & In-person | $1-108, sliding scale
Please donate to the “Swami Ramananda’s Yogic Wisdom” GoFundMe page. Donations will help Swami Ramananda shift his focus from administrative tasks to writing and publishing his book Work, Love, Lunch & Laundry: Integrating Yoga Into Daily Life.
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.

Come and share a Cup of Tea (online or in-person) with Swami Ramananda, one of our most beloved IYI teachers!
This 30-minute tea time with Swamiji is an great opportunity take a break, join the discussion and explore how to integrate Yoga and meditation into your daily lives. Delve into how Yoga can be integrated into every action, every day to benefit our lives and the world. Discover how the timeless teachings of Yoga and meditation can help us transform the painful aspects of human experience into steps towards realizing our full potential.
Tuesdays, once a month. Save the dates:
November 14: How to Make Lasting Changes With Less Difficulty
December 12: The Saving Grace of Spiritual Community
January 16: Living with Your True Purpose at Heart
February 13: The Power of Love for Healing and Transformation
March 5: Resolving Inner Conflict and Painful Emotions
April 9: How Yoga Helps When the Going Gets Tough
May 7: The Secret to Authentic Joy
June 11: Surrender, Prayer and Grace
July 9: Can We Know God? How Yoga Enlightens
Join Us Live Streaming Online:
Each tea time session will be streamed live via Facebook and Zoom.
If you are unable to attend live, the video will live on our FB page for you to watch at your convenience.
Live Tuesday Tea Time Series with Swami Ramananda:
11:15 am PDT, 12:15 pm MDT, 1:15 pm CDT, 2:15 pm EDT
7:15 pm GMT, 8:15 pm CET, 11:45 pm IST
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, 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.

New Beginnings Writing Group
2023-10-13 16:00 - 18:00
Online | $1-$15 Sliding scale
Monthly on the second Friday | Free follow-up on second Friday, October 27, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
In these times of great change we will explore a path toward meeting ourselves where we are to give voice to all that matters! As we live with interruptions and chaos, we can deepen into the roots of our creativity, encouraging the river of expression to flow. Beginners and seasoned writers are welcome, as we explore various forms of writing: poetry, prose, short stories, memoir, among others. Through writing exercises using everyday life, place, family, images, poetry of others, while using pranayama, meditation and the guidance of the Sutras we will build a body of work. Participants are encouraged to go at their own pace.
Tools we will Practice:

The Art of Paying Attention
Acceptance
Play
Writing from the Heart

Together we will combine self-care with our writing and discover what a writing practice means to us and how it may take shape.
Susan Ford, C-IAYT, RYT-500, began teaching in 2011 and has been an assistant trainer for the Basic Yoga Teacher at IYI since 2012.She specializes in gentle yoga and yoga therapy working with people with disabilities, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, aging, bone health, anxiety, depression and asthma. Her focus is to help students to meet their bodies where they are by introducing and incorporating Therapeutic Yoga, Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, pranayama and meditation.
Susan has been a writer of poetry, short stories and plays most of her adult life and has been repeatedly featured in the storytelling events in Northern California. She has led writer groups, tutored many in writing, and regularly hosts poetry reading Satsangs at Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco.

Kirtan to the Divine Mother
2023-10-14 19:00 - 20:30
In-person | $20 in advance, use promo code DIVINE
$25 day of
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join Mirabai for an in-person Kirtan offering, a call-and-response style of chanting, and feel the joy as we sing the Names of Divine Mother.
Kirtan is part of the path of Bhakti Yoga — the path of opening the heart through devotion and surrender. It is the music of the heart, and is sung freely from the heart. Using these practices, breathing and chanting helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Kirtan is a spiritual gathering treasure that nourishes our soul, heart and spirit.
No experience is necessary to participate.
Mirabai Warkulwiz planted her yoga and meditation roots in San Francisco at the Sivananda Center in 1998. Amazed at her healing of a back injury and many other positive life changes, she became yoga certified through 200-hour teacher training programs both at the Integral Yoga Institute in 2004, and at the Greenpath Ashtanga Studio in 2005. In July 2008 she completed another 170 hour Intermediate Teacher Training program in Asana and Pranayama through the Integral Yoga Institute in Virginia. She is attuned to Reiki Level 1, studies Aryuveda, is a dancer, and enjoys being in communion with nature. She invites all of her yoga students to transcend physical, emotional, and mental blocks to experience more spaciousness, comfort, happiness, clarity, and inner peace. As a Kirtan musician (Mirabai and Friends Kirtan Band) Mirabai leads Kirtan around the Bay Area, and enjoys implementing chanting, sound, and music into class.

Navaratri - Celebration Honoring the Divine Mother - Durga Puja
2023-10-15 12:00 - 13:00
Online & In-person | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Navaratri is the celebration of the Divine Mother in the form of the three Hindu Goddesses: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
We’ll celebrate each of the three Goddesses over the 9 days of Navaratri. The celebration culminates with a special service called Vijayadasami. This is a special opportunity to bless your house and all the tools you use in your work. Please join us for this special celebration.
9-Day Navaratri Schedule / PT:

Durga Puja – Sunday, OCT 15 • 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lakshmi Puja – Wednesday,OCT 18 • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Saraswati Puja – Saturday, OCT 21 • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Vijaya Dasami: Tuesday, OCT 24 •12:00 – 1:00 pm | Final celebration

Swami Chidananda is a monastic and a longtime disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda and has managed the finances for Integral Yoga’s ashrams, institutes, and teaching centers for decades. He teaches Hatha Yoga and leads study groups on Yoga and Buddhist teachings and philosophy. Swami Chidananda also conducts spiritual pilgrimages to India and Nepal.

Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, 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.

Scripture Study: Upanishads
2023-10-16 18:00 - 19:00
Online & In-person | $5, $10, $15 sliding scale
Mondays: October 2, 9 & 16 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm | Offered individually
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines. https://integralyogasf.org/attending-in-person
Isha, Katha, Chandogya, Kena Upanishads
An examination of some of the oldest and most meaningful Upanishads which contain wonderful inspiring stories and very deep but accessible spiritual teachings and practices. These are the basis of Vedanta and Raja Yoga. Just reading even one of these Upanishads over and over will begin to strengthen one’s intellect and bring a deeper understanding and experience of true spirituality. (We may not be able to cover all the four Upanishads mentioned)
October 2nd Sign-up
October 9th Sign-up
Swami Chidananda is a monastic and a longtime disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda and has managed the finances for Integral Yoga’s ashrams, institutes, and teaching centers for decades. He teaches Hatha Yoga and leads study groups on Yoga and Buddhist teachings and philosophy. Swami Chidananda also conducts spiritual pilgrimages to India and Nepal.

Navaratri: Celebration Honoring the Divine Mother - Lakshmi Puja
2023-10-18 12:00 - 13:00
Online & In-person | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Navaratri is the celebration of the Divine Mother in the form of the three Hindu Goddesses: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
We’ll celebrate each of the three Goddesses over the 9 days, Navaratri. The celebration culminates with a special service called Vijayadasami. This is a special opportunity to bless your house and all the tools you use in your work. Please join us for this special celebration.
9-Day Navaratri Schedule / PT:

Durga Puja – Sunday, OCT 15 • 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lakshmi Puja – Wednesday,OCT 18 • 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Saraswati Puja – Saturday, OCT 21 • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Vijaya Dasami: Tuesday, OCT 24 •12:00 – 1:00 pm | Final celebration

Swami Chidananda is a monastic and a longtime disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda and has managed the finances for Integral Yoga’s ashrams, institutes, and teaching centers for decades. He teaches Hatha Yoga and leads study groups on Yoga and Buddhist teachings and philosophy. Swami Chidananda also conducts spiritual pilgrimages to India and Nepal.

Swami Divyananda Ma, E-RYT 500, has had a wealth of experience teaching Integral Yoga around the world since 1973. She has taught at corporations, universities, the Commonwealth Cancer Center, and for the Dr. Dean Ornish Reversing Heart Disease programs. She has also served as one of Integral Yoga’s Basic Hatha teacher trainers.
Swami Divyananda Ma took monastic vows in 1975 from the great saint and yogi, Sri Swami Satchidananda. Over the years she has served as the director of the Integral Yoga Institutes in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and as Ashram Manager at Yogaville. She also served for ten years as the director of the Integral Yoga Institute in Coimbatore, India; this immersion into the South Indian culture has given depth to her understanding and practice of Yoga.
Now an itinerant monk, Swami Divyananda is constantly “on the road.” She leads the annual Sacred India Tours to sacred sites in India in addition to international Yoga retreats and trainings. Learn more at sacredindiatours.org.

Ripples for Change, 1-day Retreat
2023-10-21 09:30 - 18:00
In-person | $200 or $185 Early bird, extended to Oct 11! Use promo code RIPPLES.
Your participation is a direct contribution to a scholarship fund that makes yoga training accessible to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) teachers.
All BIPOC and allies welcome!
Book now/In-person
Your participation directly contributes to making yoga trainings accessible to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Come together for day of rejuvenation and community action on a beautiful private estate among the redwoods in Woodside, CA. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Activities include:

Hatha Yoga
Drumming and Dance
Yoga Nidra and sound bath
Community empowerment
Henna
Intuitive reading
Poolside & more!

Can’t make the Retreat? You can support diverse representation of Yoga Teachers in Yoga and wellness communities by donating to the BIPOC 200-Hour Teacher Training BIPOC Yoga Teacher Training Scholarship Fund. Thank you!
Ripples for Change reminds us that everything is connected and has long lasting effects. The lotus symbolizes resilience, emerging through the mud out of the water. The frog symbolizes a complete lifecycle and transformation, which reflects our ongoing journey. The lily pad is deeply rooted and grounding the frog, giving it space to heal and reflect. The ripples in the water represent action/change, whether big or small it affects the self, the community, and our surroundings. We look forward to sharing a day of relaxation and activation with you all.
Hosted by
Andreína Maldonado (She/her) is a Venezuelan artist, consultant, and registered Integral Yoga practitioner. She’s the driving force behind BienStar Consulting, a hub that’s been fusing Performing Arts, Wellness, and Language Justice for over 6 years in the Bay Area and beyond. With a knack for bridging cultures and weaving connections, Andreína’s all about blending art, wellness practices such as yoga, and social justice into powerful actions. Currently, she’s sharing the joys of beginner-level Hatha yoga in Spanish, where mindfulness and self-care take center stage. Join her every Friday at Integral Yoga San Francisco for a revitalizing class that’s equal parts fun and intentional – you’ll leave not only refreshed but also more connected to yourself and those around you.
Mia Velez, (she/her), E-RYT 500, entered Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) in 2016 through the kitchen as a volunteer cook. She completed her first 200-hour teacher training in 2008 and certified with IYI in 2018. Mia is a disciple of Sifu Pete Pajil of the Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu lineage and is highly influenced by her martial arts training. To teach is a privilege and believes that learning is a reciprocal process between student and teacher. Her hope is to liberate herself and others from oppressive social conditioning. She teaches Ving Tsun Kung Fu, offers yoga to incarcerated men, and stress management techniques to new parents. She is a trainer for the Basic Teacher Trainings at IYI, including the BIPOC Yoga Teacher Training, and mentors new teachers. Yoga and Kung Fu are integrated into her daily life as a wife and mother, a preschool teacher, and an advocate for gender, race and class equity through multiple organizations.
K. Muktidevi Demafeliz is a born and raised San Franciscan and has been a yoga practitioner for 15 years. Her yoga practice began with her mentor Anthony “Tony” Garcia who guided her in the study of yoga in 2012. He encouraged her to pursue yoga teacher training, which she did, in the Integral Yoga tradition. She is certified in Basic Hatha I and Intermediate Hatha II, Accessible Yoga (Gentle) and her most recent certification, Mindful Resilience Training through the Veterans Yoga Project to teach trauma-informed yoga. She wishes to pursue future trainings in Prenatal Yoga and Yoga for First Responders as she is the Well-Being Champion for the San Francisco Police Department. YOGA IS HER PASSION, as she expresses her enthusiasm and love for the practice with those she comes in contact with, on and off the mat. Yoga has impacted and changed her life in such a positive and healthy way that she truly believes it is the saving grace for all. She is a Yogini who also lives with the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 25 years and uses the tools from yoga to help her maneuver through life’s challenges by continuing to live one breath, step, and day at a time – she would always say that she is still “learning and growing” every day, living her best life.
Rasmi Lorrett, a San Francisco native, whose love for yoga began more than twenty years ago. Through consistent dedication to daily practice, she always found a sense of balance and harmony. In 2019, she completed her teacher training at IYI. It was during this transformative experience that she delved even deeper in her Hatha yoga practice and unlocked new levels of self awareness. Committed to lifelong learning, her purpose is to share the invaluable benefits of yoga with others, guided by the wisdom of Patanjali, ” If you can control the rising of the mind into ripples, you will experience Yoga”. She hopes to inspire and guide others in their own journey towards physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Amanda Vigil, is a San Francisco-born and raised filmmaker, educator, & performance artist. Her work has been seen locally and internationally; Amanda believes in the power of the audience, through her work as a facilitator, director, and curator. Amanda is a recent graduate of IYTT 200 BIPOC teacher training program.She proudly focus her talents on making art/film, intergenerational impact and healing in the city of San Francisco.

Vijaya Dasami: Celebration Honoring the Divine Mother
2023-10-24 12:00 - 13:00
Online & In-person | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
Book now/Online
Please register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Please join us for the ﬁnal celebration of Vijaya Dasami. After 9 days of Navaratri, celebrating the Divine Feminine in the forms of the three goddesses: Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, we honor the Divine Mother and her victory over evil. We will discuss and celebrate our own victories and challenges we have overcome on our spiritual path.
This is a very auspicious occasion where we bless all the tools we use during the year as well as our surroundings. After discussion, we’ll celebrate with chanting, an Indian worship service (puja) and home blessing.
To bless your home, you can prepare one or more of the following: a candle, incense or sage, small bowl of clean water, flowers, or a bell. Have your house clean and ready to receive a blessing as well as the objects you would like to bless. We will offer guidance in how to do the personal space blessing and practice it together.
Everyone is welcomed. No experience necessary.
9-Day Navaratri Schedule / PT:

Durga Puja – Sunday, OCT 15 • 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Lakshmi Puja – Wednesday,OCT 18 • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Saraswati Puja – Saturday, OCT 21 • 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Vijaya Dasami: Tuesday, OCT 24 •12:00 – 1:00 pm | Final celebration

Swami Divyananda Ma, E-RYT 500, has had a wealth of experience teaching Integral Yoga around the world since 1973. She has taught at corporations, universities, the Commonwealth Cancer Center, and for the Dr. Dean Ornish Reversing Heart Disease programs. She has also served as one of Integral Yoga’s Basic Hatha teacher trainers.
Swami Divyananda Ma took monastic vows in 1975 from the great saint and yogi, Sri Swami Satchidananda. Over the years she has served as the director of the Integral Yoga Institutes in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and as Ashram Manager at Yogaville. She also served for ten years as the director of the Integral Yoga Institute in Coimbatore, India; this immersion into the South Indian culture has given depth to her understanding and practice of Yoga.
Now an itinerant monk, Swami Divyananda is constantly “on the road.” She leads the annual Sacred India Tours to sacred sites in India in addition to international Yoga retreats and trainings. Learn more at sacredindiatours.org.
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.

Yoga after 60
2023-10-26 18:30 - 20:30
Online & In-person | $25
Book online/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
In a very natural way and as the body changes with age, the approach to how and what we practice changes as well. In this workshop, Diana Meltsner, certified yoga therapist will address the needs of the changing body to stay strong and mobile, to support the joints, to sustain good balance. How can we continue to experience contentment with our Yoga practice? Sometimes that means letting go of the “Yogi” we used to be and finding the Yogi who is deeply grounded in Peace in the midst of life’s changes.
This workshop will include a gentle chair and a mat practice.
Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, ERYT-500, YACEP, 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. She has worked in the clinical setting for Kaiser Permanente since 2005 as a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and health educator and is teaching mindfulness and meditation to the medical staff.
Her focus is on the healing aspects of yoga on the mind as well as the body by applying the teachings of Yoga, practices of breath-control, mindfulness and meditation. Diana helps her clients to find healing and the ability to move through life with increased ease, stress resilience, and intuition.
Diana Meltsner works as a programs manager and serves on the board of directors at Integral Yoga Institute, an urban ashram in San Francisco. She is a yoga teacher trainer for the 200-hour and Meditation Teacher trainings. www.dianameltsner.com

Meditation / Inspiration & Guidance
2023-10-27 12:00 - 13:00
Free | Donations accepted
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
We welcome a very special guest and longtime friend of Integral Yoga Swami Maruthachalam. Join us in his powerful, yet peaceful presence for this Friday’s extended 30-minute meditation session with added guidance and an inspirational talk. There will be time afterward for questions about meditation or any aspect of spiritual life.
Sri Swami Maruthachalam comes to us from Perur, a town close to Coimbatore India. He is the spiritual head of the Perur Ashram in South India. Swami Marutachalam’s guru, Sri Santalinga Ramaswamy Adigalar, was a lifelong friend of Sri Gurudev. Swami Maruthachalam first came to the United States to perform the Mahasamadhi ceremonies for Gurudev and has been back several times, winning the hearts of all he meets through his pure radiant spirit. To this day, Swamiji maintains a close relationship with Yogaville. Swami Maruthachalam works tirelessly to spread his love and uplifting teachings all over the globe, and we are fortunate to be able to share this time with him.

Sufi Devotional Music from North India and Pakistan
2023-10-28 18:30 - 20:00
In-person | $20 in advance use discount code SUFI
$25 day of
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join us in exploration of Sufi devotional music from North India and Pakistan lead by Sukhawat Ali Khan, an eleventh generation singer of the Sham Chaurasi Gharana of hindustani music in Pakistan.
In the first hour, we will focus on listening and learning the expressions of basic raags ( ragas) in sufi songs. Sukhawat ji will teach the basic characteristics and phrasing of basic raags (ragas) commonly used in qawwali music. We will introduce new materials in addition to raags we covered during our July workshop. We will also discuss the importance of poetry and music in Hindustani Sufi spiritual tradition.
After a short break, the audience is expected to participate in call and response format and sing 2 -3 popular qawwali songs lead by Sukhawat Ali Khan. We will provide the lyrics sheet with English translation.
Sample of Sukhawat Ali Khan ji’s Sufi music performances:
Ghulam Ali
Raste Juda Juda
Skhawat Ali Khan will be accompanied by Jun Ishimuro on keyboard, Daljeet Singh on acoustic guitar, and Ryan Melnick on cajon. Jun is a musician and music producer behind Qb Moda Jazz in soundcloud, a former member of Astrud Castillo Cosmic Caravan and a student of Hindustani music.
Bio:
Skhawat Ali Khan, (born 1950), son of Indian-Pakistani vocalist Ustad Salamat Ali Khan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamat_Ali_Khan) and nephew of Nazkat Ali Khan is a classical singer of Sham Chaurasia gharana (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sham_Chaurasia_gharana) tradition founded in 16th century as well as a performer of North Indian and Pakistani classical music and related folk music. He began singing and playing at age seven and has performed around the world.”

Full Moon Chanting
2023-10-28 20:00 - 20:30
Online & In-Person| Free
Book now/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
We gather once a month to chant the Gayatri Mantra, the great mantra of Light and Liberation, to maximize the spiritual benefits of the full moon.
“oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt”
– Rigveda 3.62.1011
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.

Satsang for Peace
2023-11-04 17:00 - 18:30
Online & In-Person | $5- $100 sliding scale, all donations go to Purusha Seva Project and the Spiritual Action Initiative
To join for free please email joy@purushayoga.org
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-person At Purusha Yoga 3729 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121
Satsang For Peace is a collaborative event brought to you by Purusha Yoga School, Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco. The meeting is held at Purusha Yoga Studio at 3729 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121
Your donations go towards supporting The Purusha Seva Project and the Spiritual Action Initiative, non-profits.
The word satsang is derived from Sanskrit; ‘Sat’ meaning “truth” and ‘Sangha’ meaning “community”. A Satsang is an opportunity to come together in community to share spiritual teachings, often through an informal discussion. Although our spiritual paths may diverge, the act of sharing spiritual teachings with others is inspiring and creates a solid foundation for continued practice. This is a non-denominational gathering. All are welcome.
This Satsang for Peace invites you to share your truth in a safe environment of peace-seeking individuals from a variety of backgrounds. This evening will include:

1. Self Care practices to maintain inner calm and well-being.
2. Community Support to strengthen our ability to be together.
3. Group Discussion to share needs, ideas, and solutions.
4. Natural Steps Forward personally and in our community.
We welcome everyone to come together in a safe space where all feelings and ideas may be expressed and heard.

Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, 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.
Joy Ravelli is a lifelong student of yoga, movement, art, and health education. She is the founder and director of the Purusha Studio, the non-profit Purusha Seva Project andt the IAYT accredited Purusha Yoga School. Joy’s teaching and leadership is steeped in the mission to empower individuals and create thriving communities. Joy brings yoga to marginalized groups as well as those who may use these practices to influence and lead others.

Scripture study: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Part 1 of 3
2023-11-06 18:00 - 19:00
Online | $5, $10, $15 sliding scale
Book nowPlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Are you seeking a deeper understanding of the Yoga Sutras and how they can enrich your life? Join Kealoha, a holistic health practitioner on this transformative journey into the heart of yogic wisdom.
The Yoga Sutras are a collection of 196 sutras, or aphorisms, that were written by the sage Patanjali in the 2nd century BCE. They offer a timeless and practical guide to living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
In today’s world, where stress and anxiety seem to be ever-present, the Yoga Sutras offer a valuable path to peace and well-being. They can teach us how to calm the mind, focus attention, and cultivate a more positive outlook on life.
This three-part scripture study series will explore the Yoga Sutras’ relevance to modern life, offering insights and practical guidance for applying their wisdom to our daily challenges and spiritual practice.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, this study series can help you discover the transformative power of the Yoga Sutras.
All are welcome. No prior knowledge of the Yoga Sutras required.
Each session offered individually:

Monday, NOV 6, 6:00-7:00 pm
Monday, NOV 13, 6:00-7:00 pm
Monday, NOV 20, 6:00-7:00 pm

Kealoha Deluz has been a holistic health practitioner for 30 years, holds a Master of Divinity, Ph.D. in Holistic Studies, and is currently working towards a degree in transpersonal counseling. He has been an Integral Yoga Teacher since 2006 and is a Raja Yoga trainer, advanced level Hatha Yoga, meditation and stress management instructor. Kealoha is a licensed massage therapist, skin care practitioner, and holistic life coach. Kealoha Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, and currently lives and works in San Francisco, California.

Scripture study: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Part 2 of 3
2023-11-13 18:00 - 19:00
Online | $5 – $15 sliding scale
Book nowPlease register in advance
Are you seeking a deeper understanding of the Yoga Sutras and how they can enrich your life? Join Kealoha, a holistic health practitioner on this transformative journey into the heart of yogic wisdom.
The Yoga Sutras are a collection of 196 sutras, or aphorisms, that were written by the sage Patanjali in the 2nd century BCE. They offer a timeless and practical guide to living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
In today’s world, where stress and anxiety seem to be ever-present, the Yoga Sutras offer a valuable path to peace and well-being. They can teach us how to calm the mind, focus attention, and cultivate a more positive outlook on life.
This three-part scripture study series will explore the Yoga Sutras’ relevance to modern life, offering insights and practical guidance for applying their wisdom to our daily challenges and spiritual practice.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, this study series can help you discover the transformative power of the Yoga Sutras.
All are welcome. No prior knowledge of the Yoga Sutras required.
Each session offered individually:

Monday, NOV 6, 6:00-7:00 pm
Monday, NOV 13, 6:00-7:00 pm
Monday, NOV 20, 6:00-7:00 pm

Kealoha Deluz has been a holistic health practitioner for 30 years, holds a Master of Divinity, Ph.D. in Holistic Studies, and is currently working towards a degree in transpersonal counseling. He has been an Integral Yoga Teacher since 2006 and is a Raja Yoga trainer, advanced level Hatha Yoga, meditation and stress management instructor. Kealoha is a licensed massage therapist, skin care practitioner, and holistic life coach. Kealoha Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, and currently lives and works in San Francisco, California.

Tuesday Tea Time Series
2023-11-14 11:15 - 11:45
Online & In-person | By donation $1 – $108
Please donate to the “Swami Ramananda’s Yogic Wisdom” GoFundMe page. Donations will help Swami Ramananda shift his focus from administrative tasks to writing and publishing his book Work, Love, Lunch & Laundry: Integrating Yoga Into Daily Life.
By donation $0, $5, $10, $15 sliding scale | Please register in advance
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Come and share a Cup of Tea (online or in-person) with Swami Ramananda, one of our most beloved IYI teachers!
This 30-minute tea time with Swamiji is an great opportunity take a break, join the discussion and explore how to integrate Yoga and meditation into your daily lives. Delve into how Yoga can be integrated into every action, every day to benefit our lives and the world. Discover how the timeless teachings of Yoga and meditation can help us transform the painful aspects of human experience into steps towards realizing our full potential.
Tuesdays, once a month. Save the dates:
November 14: How to Make Lasting Changes With Less Difficulty
December 12: The Saving Grace of Spiritual Community
January 16: Living with Your True Purpose at Heart
February 13: The Power of Love for Healing and Transformation
March 5: Resolving Inner Conflict and Painful Emotions
April 9: How Yoga Helps When the Going Gets Tough
May 7: The Secret to Authentic Joy
June 11: Surrender, Prayer and Grace
July 9: Can We Know God? How Yoga Enlightens
Join Us Live Streaming Online:
Each tea time session will be streamed live via Facebook and Zoom.
If you are unable to attend live, the video will live on our FB page for you to watch at your convenience.
Live Tuesday Tea Time Series with Swami Ramananda:
11:15 am PDT, 12:15 pm MDT, 1:15 pm CDT, 2:15 pm EDT
7:15 pm GMT, 8:15 pm CET, 11:45 pm IST
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, 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.

New Beginnings Writing Group
2023-11-17 16:00 - 18:00
Online | $1-$15 Sliding scale | Monthly – every second Friday (no follow up session in November due to holidays)
Book now/Online
In these times of great change we will explore a path toward meeting ourselves where we are to give voice to all that matters! As we live with interruptions and chaos, we can deepen into the roots of our creativity, encouraging the river of expression to flow. Beginners and seasoned writers are welcome, as we explore various forms of writing: poetry, prose, short stories, memoir, among others. Through writing exercises using everyday life, place, family, images, poetry of others, while using pranayama, meditation and the guidance of the Sutras we will build a body of work. Participants are encouraged to go at their own pace.
Tools we will Practice:

The Art of Paying Attention
Acceptance
Play
Writing from the Heart

Together we will combine self-care with our writing and discover what a writing practice means to us and how it may take shape.
Susan Ford, C-IAYT, RYT-500, began teaching in 2011 and has been an assistant trainer for the Basic Yoga Teacher at IYI since 2012.She specializes in gentle yoga and yoga therapy working with people with disabilities, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, aging, bone health, anxiety, depression and asthma. Her focus is to help students to meet their bodies where they are by introducing and incorporating Therapeutic Yoga, Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, pranayama and meditation.
Susan has been a writer of poetry, short stories and plays most of her adult life and has been repeatedly featured in the storytelling events in Northern California. She has led writer groups, tutored many in writing, and regularly hosts poetry reading Satsangs at Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco.

Kirtan with Astrud Castillo
2023-11-18 19:00 - 20:30
In-person
$20 In advance use promo code Mantras, exp. 11/17
$25 Day of
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines. https://integralyogasf.org/attending-in-person
Please join us for call and response chanting and meditation.
No music experience is necessary.
As a group we are inspired by the sacred sounds and love to sing in the key of “WE”. We share what is known as KIRTAN, a call and response of sacred sounds and mantras. It is the relationship to these mantras that illuminates our heart and awakens our consciousness. It is not important that you can sing or that you understand the words. KIRTAN is an experience. It is a practice to release you out of the thinking mind and drop you gently into the heart. MAN means ‘mind ‘and TRA means ‘instrument’. So it is through these sacred sounds we are able to conduct the instrument of the mind.
Together we create this sacred union with healing intentions for the whole of the world.
Astrud Castillo has been teaching yoga since 2001 and sharing Kirtan internationally for the last 10 years.She trained in NYC at Laughing Lotus, currently known as Body and soul Yoga collective and is a senior teacher and teacher trainer. She has studied the basics of yoga therapeutics and Vedic chanting with T.K.V. Desikachar in India. Her teaching has been inspired by her mentor and friend Mark Whitwell over the last 20 years. Astrud’s classes are warm, welcoming and all inclusive. Her love and relationship to Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion, is always illuminated in her teaching. There is always chanting in Astrud’s classes, awareness around the breath and mindful movement. Astrud leads annual pilgrimages to India, teaches Bhakti yoga with teachers in training and currently lives at the IYI in SF. Her slow flow class weaves together poses in a creative and mindful way using the breath as the bridge to deepen and explore the balance between effort and surrender and focus the mind.

Scripture study: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Part 3 of 3
2023-11-20 18:00 - 19:00
Online | $5 – $15 sliding scale
Book nowPlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Are you seeking a deeper understanding of the Yoga Sutras and how they can enrich your life? Join Kealoha, a holistic health practitioner on this transformative journey into the heart of yogic wisdom.
The Yoga Sutras are a collection of 196 sutras, or aphorisms, that were written by the sage Patanjali in the 2nd century BCE. They offer a timeless and practical guide to living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
In today’s world, where stress and anxiety seem to be ever-present, the Yoga Sutras offer a valuable path to peace and well-being. They can teach us how to calm the mind, focus attention, and cultivate a more positive outlook on life.
This three-part scripture study series will explore the Yoga Sutras’ relevance to modern life, offering insights and practical guidance for applying their wisdom to our daily challenges and spiritual practice.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, this study series can help you discover the transformative power of the Yoga Sutras.
All are welcome. No prior knowledge of the Yoga Sutras required.
Each session offered individually:

Monday, NOV 6, 6:00-7:00 pm
Monday, NOV 13, 6:00-7:00 pm
Monday, NOV 20, 6:00-7:00 pm

Kealoha Deluz has been a holistic health practitioner for 30 years, holds a Master of Divinity, Ph.D. in Holistic Studies, and is currently working towards a degree in transpersonal counseling. He has been an Integral Yoga Teacher since 2006 and is a Raja Yoga trainer, advanced level Hatha Yoga, meditation and stress management instructor. Kealoha is a licensed massage therapist, skin care practitioner, and holistic life coach. Kealoha Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, and currently lives and works in San Francisco, California.

Benefit Thanksgiving Yoga Class
2023-11-23 09:30 - 11:00
ONLINE & IN-PERSON
$15-$108 (class card use available)
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join us for a morning yoga class on Thanksgiving. As we move through a yoga practice, we will focus on gratitude and on the profound effects that the cultivation of gratitude has in our lives.
All the proceeds from this Yoga class will support the Institute’s outreach program “Serving our Community through the Practice of Yoga” to fund free in-person yoga offerings in the Mission’s Spanish-speaking yoga classes at Women’s Building and prenatal/postnatal yoga class at Casa Doula. We are motivated by love, respect, and a desire to serve our Latino people in this San Francisco neighborhood through sharing the classical teachings of yoga and helping members of our community to find peace within themselves, and bring that peace into their lives.
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 was 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 parallels 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 are integrated into her daily life as a mother, a preschool teacher, and an advocate for gender, race, and class equality through multiple non-profit groups.
Your support allows for low cost access to living and sharing the classical teachings of Yoga; Cultivating peace within ourselves, our communities and around the world.Thank you for your support.Donate

And join us after the Thanksgiving Yoga Class for Thanksgiving Puja, Sharing & Potluck with Swami Ramananda, Thu. NOV 23 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm PST
Online​ & In-person | Free
Whether join at the Institute or online gather together for a sacred ceremony to invoke the Spiritual Light and guide us in a reflection on the profound spiritual practice of gratitude. We will have time for personal sharing on the many blessings we have received. It’s our ability to be grateful for whatever we have that allows us to connect with the Joy and Divinity already within us.
We will share a potluck meal afterward and enjoy each other’s company. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share (no meat, fish or eggs).

Thanksgiving Puja, Sharing & Potluck
2023-11-23 11:15 - 12:15
Online​ & In-person | $5-108 sliding scale
To enroll for free use discount code FREE
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via confirmation email.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join Swami Ramananda at the Institute or online as he performs a sacred ceremony to invoke the Spiritual Light and guide us in a reflection on the profound spiritual practice of gratitude. We will have time for personal sharing on the many blessings we have received. It’s our ability to be grateful for whatever we have that allows us to connect with the Joy and Divinity already within us.
We will share a potluck meal afterward and enjoy each other’s company. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share (no meat, fish or eggs).

Your support allows for low cost access to living and sharing the classical teachings of Yoga; Cultivating peace within ourselves, our communities and around the world.  Thank you for your support.Donate
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, 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.
