Integral Yoga San Francisco

TRE® (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) Intro Workshop
2023-04-15 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Online | $55 or $50 early bird exp. 4/8/23
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
TRE is a simple, gentle and profound technique that facilitates the lengthening and relaxation of the psoas muscle and the release of physical and emotional tension and stress. The TRE exercises mildly tire the legs, triggering an involuntary shaking and trembling response, which begins in the legs and often spreads throughout the body. This natural response is the nervous system’s way of discharging long-held tension and unconscious body contraction, caused by everyday stress and traumatic life experiences, in order to restore the body to wholeness.
TRE was developed by Dr. David Berceli, a bio-energetic therapist and social worker, who used it successfully worldwide working with soldiers, firefighters, police officers and survivors of war, natural disasters and other traumatic circumstances to help alleviate the many symptoms of post-traumatic stress. TRE is taught in over 100 countries worldwide.
Reported benefits include:

Decreased anxiety
Release chronic tension
Discharged emotional and physical trauma
Increased energy and flexibility
Bettersleep and mood
Decreased aches, pains and symptoms of fibromyalgia and sciatica

This workshop is suitable for all ages and fitness levels as the exercises can be modified to accommodate any body’s need. Maria offers a FREE weekly online refresher class that workshop participants can attend.
CEU certificate available upon request from the teacher for psychotherapists and massage therapists.
Please read a downloadable pdf with important preparation instructions about your Online TRE® session. It will be sent to you with an enrollment confirmation email. This document contains information about how to set up your camera and mat and checklist of needed items.
For more information about TRE please visit TREcalifornia.com
Maria Alfaro is a native Italian living in Santa Cruz, California. She has over 30 years of yoga experience and a background in Chinese martial arts and massage. As a senior TRE® Certification Trainer she has taught thousands of people in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East since 2004. She assisted Dr. Berceli, TRE’s founder, in numerous trainings in the US, South Africa, Brazil and Japan and led hundreds of public workshops and over hundred certification trainings worldwide.
Maria is also the co-creator of Neurogenic Yoga™, the sister method of TRE.
Maria facilitates workshops and trainings globally. She creates a supportive environment that makes people feel safe as she leads her classes with compassion and a sense of humor.

New Beginnings Writing Group
2023-04-14 16:00 - 18:00
Online | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15 sliding scale, pay what you can.
Enroll/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 to 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 the IYI.

Satsang: Easter and Passover
2023-04-08 17:30 - 18:30
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 will contemplate with Swami Ramananda the message of Easter that even when our body dies, it doesn’t mean our Self (or soul) dies. Jesus Christ appeared to others after his bodily death to make clear that His essence was still alive.
Surya will introduce the Great Festival of Liberation and the profound rituals and ceremonies of Passover. Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the Jewish faith’s most sacred and widely observed holidays.
We will open a discussion about the holy day’s mystical and practical significance in Jewish, Christian and Yogic traditions. There will be time for personal sharing.
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 Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Mia Velez and Rashmi Dianne Galliano, MS, I-IAYT, E-RYT500, RPYTnanda 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.
Surya Stuart Dick – bio coming soon.

Full Moon Chanting
2023-04-05 20:00 - 20:30
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.

Ananda Rasa Kirtan
2023-03-25 19:00 - 21:00
In-person | $20
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
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.

Ask the Swami, Guidance for Personal Growth
2023-03-22 18:00 - 19:30
Online & In-Person | $15, $20
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.
This workshop is intended to offer guidance for your personal spiritual growth. Swami Ramananda will answer any questions about spiritual life and will address topics like how to make sustainable changes, resolve inner conflict, customize your practice and create healthy boundaries.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, 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.

Open House for 2-part 200-Hour Basic Teacher Training
2023-03-21 17:30 - 18:30
Free | ONLINE
Enroll
Come join us to learn more about our 200-hour Basic Yoga Teacher Training program that we are offering in a new 2-part format.
The first module, Yoga Immersion Program, provides a strong foundation for personal and spiritual development. It will offer well rounded in-depth yoga studies and an authentic experience of living Yoga whether you aim to become a teacher or not. Students can choose to register for this module alone if they are not interested in becoming teachers.
The module 2, Yoga Teaching Essentials, provides further understanding of Hatha Yoga and a thorough training in developing the skills necessary to become a confident, knowledgeable Yoga instructor. This module has a new expanded curriculum in anatomy, teaching methodology and professional development. Already certified teachers are welcome to join to refresh or deepen the teaching skills.
Meet the trainers and learn more about the curriculum. There will be time to ask any questions you may have. Sign up for one or both modules at the event and receive a discounted rate!
The program’s trainers are Swami Ramananda, Diana Meltsner and Mia Velez. The anatomy will be taught by Rashmi Dianne Galliano.
Visit our website for more information about the 200-hour Basic Yoga Teacher Training.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Mia Velez and Rashmi Dianne Galliano, MS, I-IAYT, E-RYT500, RPYTnanda 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.
Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, ERYT-500, 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.
dianameltsner.com
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.

Therapeutic Yoga and Sound Healing
2023-03-19 15:30 - 17:30
In-person | $45 or $40 early bird/exp. Mar 12
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.
***Save the date*** Our next session will be on 5/21 3:30-5:30pm – Offered every other month.
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, RYT-500, 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

Satsang: Yoga for Healing Collective Trauma
2023-03-18 17:30 - 18:30
Online | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Because of the high value that the dominant culture places on individualism, it’s common for trauma to be investigated and addressed through an individualistic lens. However, trauma experienced by a group of people is a collective experience—and transforming these wounds together reminds us that we’re not alone on our journeys.
In this workshop we’ll explore the role that Yoga can play in the transformation and healing of collective trauma—in particular, collective trauma experienced as a result of living under structural and systemic oppression.
Satsang, 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 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.
Kamala Itzel Hayward was a lawyer for over a decade before becoming a Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist specializing in trauma, addiction, and wellness. She is passionate about bringing Yoga and other healing modalities to adults facing chronic stress caused by living under oppression, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ableism, and more.
She is founder of the Integral Yoga Institute’s Scholarship-Based Yoga Teacher Training for Black, Indigenous, People of Color. For the last 12 years, she has been sharing Yoga with individuals facing housing insecurity and related challenges, including systemic barriers; structural oppression; social dislocation; physical, emotional, and mental health challenges; substance abuse; and addiction. She sits on the Advisory Board for the Trauma Prevention and Recovery Certificate Program at the City College of San Francisco.

The Shoulders Workshop
2023-03-16 18:00 - 20:00
Online & In-Person | $35
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.
Presented by the Integral Yoga Therapy Clinic
Have you ever felt like you were carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Are the neck and shoulders the area where you feel tension due to stress? Do you have recurring or chronic pain?
We will explore how to release the tension and also how to support the area with mindful movement.
In this workshop you will learn:

How to build supportive muscle strength
Basic anatomy of the shoulders
Discuss the common causes that trigger shoulder pain
Preventive measures that can minimize the recurring pain
Stretches and strengthening practices to incorporate into your personal Hatha practice
Ways to release strain in neck and shoulders with mindfulness practice

There will be time for questions. This workshop is open to students of all levels. There will be some seated (chair or floor) and some laying down practices.
Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, e-RYT500, started to offer individual yoga therapy sessions and working in clinical setting for Kaiser Permanente in 2005. She uses wide variety of yoga practices; including individualized physical postures, breathing, guided relaxation, meditation, mantra, as well as mindfulness practices. Her clients are often post-injury, post or pre-surgery, have chronic pain and other chronic illnesses, have pregnancy complications, and in the clinical setting are often recommended by Kaiser Permanente physicians. She focuses also on healing aspects of yoga on the mind; anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional health. Spiritual counseling is part of what is offered in the individual sessions as well as developing a healthy daily routine, when requested. Her personalized application of yoga teachings help to find healing and ability to move through life with increased ease, stress resilience, and intuition. Please visit her website for more information: dianameltsner.com

Kirtan
2023-03-11 19:00 - 20:30
In-person | $20
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Acharya Mangalananda has learned by deep immersion the traditional spiritual music of India. His kirtan is couched in the mystical ragas of India and is full of the lively ecstatic joy of the Divine Names.
Mangalananda has toured extensively throughout India, Europe and the USA, presenting kirtan concerts, yoga classes and workshop retreats. He is an Acharya (an appointed Spiritual Teacher) of Ma Anandamayi Ashram in Omkareshwar / Indore in the lineage of Sri Anandamayi Ma.
Chanting mantras and prayers are elements of the Bhakti Yoga path which leads to union with the Divine Consciousness. Chanting calms the nerves, purifies the emotions, heals the body and opens the heart. It elevates and concentrates the mind, preparing one for silent mantra repetition, meditation and communion with the Divine. Chanting done with a devotional attitude lifts the emotions toward selfless, divine love.

New Beginnings Writing Group
2023-03-10 16:00 - 18:00
Online | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Free follow-up Friday, March 24, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Monthly on the fourth Friday
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 practicing yoga when she was 18 years old. Her first yoga teacher training was Accessible Yoga through Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) and began teaching in 2011. Susan has been an assistant trainer for the Basic Yoga Teacher at IYI since 2012. She specializes in Gentle Yoga and working with people with disabilities, heart disease, arthritis, anxiety, depression and asthma. Her focus is to help students to meet their bodies where they are by introducing and incorporating Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and meditation. Susan has been certified in Yoga for Arthritis, Therapeutic Yoga, Raja Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training.

Full Moon Chanting
2023-03-07 20:00 - 20:30
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 3.62.10[11]
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.

Integrative Yoga Therapy and Support Group for Trauma – 8 sessions
2023-03-07 18:00 - 19:30
This workshop is now full.
8 Tuesdays: March 7 – Apr 25, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
In-person | $425 or $385 early bird – exp. Feb 28th
Different emotional states affect the physical body and its systems differently. Trauma is not about the size or severity of what happens to you. Trauma is what occurs when you don’t feel safe, or feel too overwhelmed to feel emotional sensations due to an event that occurred. Through an Integrative Yoga Therapy program, one learns how to slowly and safely feel these states and allow the trapped emotional memory (i.e. energy) to move its way through and out somatically, thus finding balance and equanimity again.
In this Integrative Yoga Therapy and Support Group for Trauma, you will learn an in-depth understanding of the effects of trauma on the brain, nervous system, and the body on all levels (physical, energetic, mental, and spiritual). You will be guided through holistic practices to help navigate what’s been trapped and stuck within your body and find freedom and release through yoga, somatic practices, breathwork, sound healing, and meditation and deep relaxation techniques to integrate and balance your mind, body, and spirit, leaving the group with the tools to feel empowered, strong, and capable in your life.
*space is limited to 10 participants.
*This is a confidential yoga therapy group. No prior yoga experience is needed.
Rachel Jennine Goudey, Psy.D., C-IAYT 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 Rachel Jennine Wellness.

Satsang: The Shared Wisdom of the Tao and Yoga
2023-03-04 17:30 - 18:30
Online & In-Person | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
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.
When we fail to experience our innate connection with the web of life, our lives become a relentless effort to make the world conform to our limited vision. This can lead to a never-ending attempt to arrange and acquire things in order to be happy. Both the Tao, sometimes called the Watercourse Way, and the teachings of Yoga guide us to uncover our natural state and learn to live in harmony with the Universe, and the energy found in it.
Please join Gary and Ramananda for an exploration of how these traditions offer a way to let go of striving and stress, tune into our inner wisdom and learn to align ourselves with the natural flow of the Universe. 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 Ramananda,C-IAYT, 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 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.
Gary Kissiah was introduced to Eastern philosophy in college when he discovered the writings of Alan Watts which led to Zen. He found yoga in 2000 and has been studying and practicing yoga since that time. Gary has a Certificate of Yoga Philosophy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. He has studied yoga at Esalen Institute, Big Sur California; Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, India; and Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville, Virginia. He has led spiritual trips to Nepal, India and Tibet.
Gary is the author of “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali-Illuminated” which uses images to illuminate the inner meaning of the Yoga Sutras.
Gary is also a lawyer and teaches workshops on yoga philosophy, ethics and law for teacher training programs. Gary has been a frequent speaker for Yoga Alliance and has been on the Board of Directors of the Integral Yoga Institute-San Francisco.

Yoga Nidra Personal Retreat
2023-03-04 09:00 - 16:00
IN-PERSON
$180.00
$150.00 early bird exp. 2/19/23
Enroll
During this two-day program, Dr. Marc Halpern and Dr. Andrea Deerheart will be your guides as you go on a deep and personal inner journey of discovery, relaxation, and deep healing through the sacred practice of Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra is an ancient, classical practice of entering in a deeply relaxed but entirely conscious state of awareness. From this state of consciousness, each individual is empowered to remove the obstacles that are in the way of attaining optimal health and peace of mind and then set out on a new path of conscious creation – the manifestation of life as you dream it to be.
Schedule:
Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 am-12:00 pm & 1:30 pm-4:00 pm
This program consists of a combination of practicing Yoga Nidra* and group processing. The doctors will share stories both classical and personal and each student is supported and encouraged to be as open as possible. Sacred space, trust, and safety are core principles of this program.
*Please bring a blanket, a pillow and a yoga mat.
Dr. Marc Halpern is the founder and President of the California College of Ayurveda. An internationally respected expert in the field of Ayurveda, Dr. Halpern received the award for best Ayurveda Physician from the Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Ramdas. He is the co-founder of the National Ayurveda Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurveda Medicine. Dr. Halpern is also the author of five textbooks on Ayurveda and Yoga and the #1 best-selling recording: Yoga Nidra and Self-Healing. A classically trained Sivananda Yoga teacher, Dr. Halpern has dedicated his life to the removal of suffering.
Dr. Andrea Deerheart is the passionate founder of the HeartWay, a non-profit foundation dedicated to Embracing life and Honoring Death. Using wisdom gathered from decades of guiding the living and dying; physically, emotionally, and spiritually, Deerheart has provided care and healing on the journey of conscious living and dying for more than 20 years. With a doctorate in Depth Psychology, her primary work focuses on issues relating to aging, cultural mythology, death and dying, as well as grief and loss. Deerheart is also a RYT 500 yoga teacher and a certified classical Yoga Nidra Instructor. She is also the author / narrator of the recording, Yoga Nidra: Graceful Transitions.

The Power of Love for Healing and Spiritual Transformation – Part 2
2023-02-28 18:00 - 19:30
Online & In-Person | $20 (Parts 1 & 2 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.
The experience of love and compassion flowing through the heart is a powerful element of human life and an important part of the spiritual path. This two part workshop provides an in-depth exploration of how the energies of the heart can assist us in meeting challenges and accessing a wellspring of inner strength.
Part 2 • Tue. Feb. 28: We will use guided reflection, discussion and ritual to clarify for each of us a personal doorway to Grace. We can all learn to tap into this aspect of ourselves to find meaning, inspiration and the profound peace that is our true nature.
Part 1 • Tue. Feb. 21: Swami Ramananda will focus on the yogic approach to concepts like surrender and devotion. We will explore together how genuine forms of love and compassion free us from deeply ingrained patterns of thinking and behavior, and bypass the intellect to open the spiritual heart.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, RYT-500, 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.

Open House for 2-part 200-Hour Basic Teacher Training
2023-02-28 17:30 - 18:30
Free | ONLINE
Enroll
Come join us at one of our upcoming open houses to learn more about our 200-hour Basic Yoga Teacher Training program now offered in a 2-module format.
The 1st module, Yoga Immersion Program, provides a strong foundation for personal and spiritual development. It will offer well rounded in-depth yoga studies and an authentic experience of living Yoga whether you aim to become a teacher or not. Students can choose to register for this module alone if they are not interested in becoming teachers.
Module 2, Yoga Teaching Essentials, provides further understanding of Hatha Yoga and a thorough training in developing the skills necessary to become a confident, knowledgeable Yoga instructor. This module has a new expanded curriculum in anatomy, teaching methodology and professional development. Already certified teachers are welcome to join to refresh or deepen the teaching skills.
Meet the trainers and learn more about the curriculum. There will be time to ask any questions you may have.
The program’s trainers are Swami Ramananda, Diana Meltsner and Mia Velez. The anatomy will be taught by Rashmi Dianne Galliano in the second module.
If you can’t join us for this open house, we hope to see you at our 2nd open house on Tuesday, March 21 from 5:30 – 6:30pm.
Visit our website for more information about the 200-hour Basic Yoga Teacher Training.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Mia Velez and Rashmi Dianne Galliano, MS, I-IAYT, E-RYT500, RPYTnanda 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.
Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, ERYT-500, 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.
dianameltsner.com
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.

Supporting Each Other, Community Meeting & Potluck
2023-02-25 11:00 - 12:30
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.

The pandemic has really highlighted to us the importance of community and the benefits of supporting each other. Please join us in-person or online for this gathering. We’ll discuss current news about the Integral Yoga organization, the San Francisco Institute and our plans for the coming year. There will be time for questions, sharing and spiritual practice. We always welcome your feedback on how we can best serve you going forward.
After the meeting, we will share a potluck meal in the backyard garden. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share (no meat, fish or eggs). There will be tea and cookies for everyone to enjoy. Masks and social distancing are only required as needed.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, RYT-500, 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.
Board Members

The Power of Love for Healing & Spiritual Transformation – Part 1
2023-02-21 18:00 - 19:30
Online & In-Person | $20 (Parts 1 & 2 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.
The experience of love and compassion flowing through the heart is a powerful element of human life and an important part of the spiritual path. This two part workshop provides an in-depth exploration of how the energies of the heart can assist us in meeting challenges and accessing a wellspring of inner strength.
Part 1 • Tue. Feb. 21: Swami Ramananda will focus on the yogic approach to concepts like surrender and devotion. Together we will explore how genuine forms of love and compassion free us from deeply ingrained patterns of thinking and behavior, and bypass the intellect to open the spiritual heart.
Part 2 • Tue. Feb. 28: We will use guided reflection, discussion and ritual to clarify for each of us a personal doorway to Grace. We can all learn to tap into this aspect of ourselves to find meaning, inspiration and the profound peace that is our true nature.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, RYT-500, 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.

Love, Wisdom and Will
2023-02-19 11:00 - 12:30
Online | $5, $15, $25, $54 sliding scale
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Love, wisdom and will are the three great yogas of the Bhagavad Gita.
The energies of heart, head and hands are recognized in many traditions around the world.
We are all given these three gifts — heart, head and hands. What we do with them defines our destiny.
Please join us for this workshop with our beloved guest teacher Michael Lerner.
Michael Lerner is president and co-founder of Commonweal in Bolinas, California. He co-founded Commonweal in 1976. His projects include the Commonweal Cancer Help Program, Healing Circles, CancerChoices, The New School at Commonweal and Omega. A Harvard graduate, he received a PhD and taught at Yale in the early 1970s before moving to Bolinas, California in 1976. He received a MacArthur fellowship for contributions to public health in 1984. He has been engaged with integral yoga since 1982.

Maha Shivaratri
2023-02-18 19:00 - 21:00
Online & In-Person | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
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.
Please join us for the celebration of Maha Shivaratri, a major festival in Hinduism. This sacred festival marks the remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, bathing, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as honesty, non-injury to others, charity, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva. Swami Ramananda, Babaji and Snehan will contemplate Shiva, his attributes and forms as well as the austerities in yoga practice as they relate to the modern time yogis. The program will be concluded with puja and extended chanting.
You are welcome to join the traditional fasting on this day. After finishing morning practices and bathing, take a vow (Sankalp संकल्प) to observe full day fast, pledging for self-determination throughout the fasting period and seeking blessings of Lord Shiva to finish the fast without any interference. Traditionally, before doing Shiva Puja or visiting temple in the evening, the devotees take a second bath on this day to cleanse themselves. Shiva Puja is done during night and the ardent devotees observe this celebration by staying awake all night. The fast is broken the next day after taking a bath.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, RYT-500, 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.
Baba Ghanshyam Puri is a Bhakta who has practiced yoga for over twenty five years and is certified to teach all levels of Hatha Yoga and Stress Management. He is a former attorney who became an Integral Yoga Teacher in 2010. He has taught in the United States, Mexico, Spain, and India. “Yoga can point the path to the Divine”, he sustains.
His devotion to the Guru, Swami Satchidananda, led him to India to experience the teachings of Gurudev directly. Puri resided temporarily at the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India, where he studied at the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy. The following years, Babaji went on extensive pilgrimages throughout all India, Nepal, and other countries. In 2017 he completed the Maha Yatra or great trip to the Twelve Temples of Lord Shiva known as Jyotirlingas. Subsequently, he took Vel Kavadi for purification purposes in 2018. The following year he attended Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj and took Shahi Snan (holy bath for purification) with the order of Naga Babas of Juna Akhara. Puri took Diksha or initiation and became a member of Juna Akhara in February 2019 at Kumbh Mela. Babaji is an Ayurvedic Life-Style Consultant, leads yoga retreats in Mexico, teaches classes online, and since 2011 has been leading community classes in 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.

Kirtan with wah!
2023-02-12 17:00 - 18:30
$20 | In-person
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Wah! performs Sanskrit mantra using Ableton Live. Loops, beats, samples, live vocals and harmonium create upbeat music for yoga and celebration. Her albums High Energy 1 and High Energy 2 showcase her work creating electronic mantra. Bring your jubilant Self!
Wah! has performed at festivals worldwide, including Bhaktifest, Ecstatic Chant, Floyd Yoga Jam, and Yoga Journal Conference.
You can expect:

Loops and beats
Sanskrit mantra and English lyrics
A few words of inspiration
Live singing by Wah!
Upbeat, danceable electronic music

Many people know Wah! through her music. Her music is used worldwide for yoga, meditation and relaxation. She was featured on iTunes in 2011 with a compilation titled ”Greatest Yoga Music Ever.” In 2012 she started performing her multi-media relaxation event (“Healing Concert”) at planetariums, theatres, expos, conferences and universities throughout the country, including UC Boulder’s Fiske Planetarium, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Loyola Marymount University, and NJ State Museum in Trenton. Ladies Home Journal says she has a “natural gift of music to help people with healing.” wahmusic.com

New Beginnings Writing Group
2023-02-10 16:00 - 18:00
Online | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15 | Monthly on the second Friday
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Free follow-up Friday, February 24, 2023, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Monthly on the fourth Friday
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 practicing yoga when she was 18 years old. Her first yoga teacher training was Accessible Yoga through Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) and began teaching in 2011. Susan has been an assistant trainer for the Basic Yoga Teacher at IYI since 2012. She specializes in Gentle Yoga and working with people with disabilities, heart disease, arthritis, anxiety, depression and asthma. Her focus is to help students to meet their bodies where they are by introducing and incorporating Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and meditation. Susan has been certified in Yoga for Arthritis, Therapeutic Yoga, Raja Yoga and Meditation Teacher Training.

Full Moon Chanting
2023-02-05 20:00 - 20:30
Free
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
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 3.62.10[11]
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: Mystical Poetry Night
2023-02-04 17:30 - 18:30
By donation $0, $5, $10, $15 | Online & In-Person
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.
Join us for an evening of shared poetry that reﬂects the voice of our soul. We will read and discuss that which awakens inspiration, delight and peace in the heart. All are welcome to have a poem or two to share or simply listen and enjoy. Mystical poetry and sacred songs are powerful expressions of the human experience, a dynamic meeting of the mind with the Grace of the Divine that crosses the lines of time and specific religious views. A simple vegetarian meal will be offered after this in-person Satsang with a suggested donation of $5-10. Pre-registration is required for all in-person attendance.
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.
Susan Ford, C-IAYT, RYT-500, began teaching in 2011 and has been an assistant trainer for the Basic Yoga Teacher Training at Integral Yoga Institute (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 storytelling events in Northern California. She has led writer groups, tutored many in writing, and regularly hosts poetry reading Satsangs at the IYI.
Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, RYT-500,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.
dianameltsner.com

Intro to the Chakras, 2-part Workshop
2023-02-04 11:00 - 12:30
$40 for both sessions | Online & In-Person
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.
Saturday, February 4
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Saturday, February 11
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Enhance your Hatha practice using the 7 chakra system. Learn the key aspects of each chakra and how to identify energetic imbalances through Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, and journaling to find your way back to balance. This is an interactive workshop, so come prepared with questions as we practice and discuss how we can use the chakra system in everyday life.
About Mia
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.

Meditation: Sure Ways for Success
2023-01-28 11:00 - 13:00
$25 | Online
Enroll/In-person Please review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join Rev. Jaganath as he explores some compelling reasons for practicing meditation and sure ways for success – with what he calls the Essential Triad: Intention, Attention and Nonjudgmental Attitude.
Rev. Jaganath writes in his book Awaken: Inside Yoga Meditation, “Meditation speaks eloquently of the inborn impulse to find deep and lasting fulfillment. We look for something that can bring our anxieties, restlessness, questions, and insecurities to a satisfying resolution. When we’ve exhausted name, fame, possessions and attainments in our search for happiness, we turn to the only place we may not have looked- within.”
For Beginners and Experienced Meditators alike.
Sri Guruji Reverend Jaganath Carrera is the founder and spiritual head of Yoga Life Society and its first Yoga Life Center in Woodland Park, NJ. He is a direct disciple of world renowned Yoga master and leader in the ecumenical movement, Sri Swami Satchidananda, the founder and spiritual guide for the Integral Yoga Institutes and Satchidananda Ashrams worldwide. Guruji has taught at universities, prisons, Yoga centers, and interfaith programs both here and abroad. He was a principle instructor of both Hatha and Raja Yoga for the Integral Yoga Teacher Training Certification Programs for over twenty years and co-wrote the training manual used for that course. He established the Integral Yoga Ministry and developed the highly regarded Integral Yoga Meditation and Raja Yoga Teacher Training Certification programs.
He served for eight years as chief administrator of Satchidananda Ashram – Yogaville and founded the Integral Yoga Institute of New Brunswick, NJ. He is also a spiritual advisor and visiting lecturer on Hinduism for the One Spirit Seminary in New York City.
He is the author of Inside the Yoga Sutras: A Sourcebook for the Study and Practice of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and Awaken: Inside Yoga Meditation.

Satsang: The Limitless Benefits of a Regular Spiritual Practice
2023-01-21 17:30 - 18:30
Online & In-Person | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
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.
Join Raama and Snehan for their first Satsang together. After gathering for a brief kirtan, we will explore the results of a regular spiritual practice. There are many such Sadhana (spiritual practices) to discuss/consider and we will delve into the unlimited benefits that inevitably come for long term practitioners. There can also be so many challenges, or obstacles. We can all share tips and techniques, then practice together to overcome these Kleshas (obstacles) and benefit from the collective wisdom of the group. So let us find support for each other by coming together as satsangha, a tribe of spiritual seekers.
A simple vegetarian meal will be offered after this in-person Satsang with a suggested donation of $5-10. Pre-registration required.
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.
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.

Awakening your Inner Rhythms – A Sound Healing Journey
2023-01-20 18:00 - 19:30
$30 | In-person We apologize, this event has been cancelled.
Please mark your calendars for upcoming date for Awakening your Inner Rhythms – A Sound Healing Journey:

Friday, April 28
August 25
Sunday, December 17

Each session will be 6pm-7:30pm.

Clear the Path for 2023
“Your mother’s heartbeat is the first sound you ever hear, and your heartbeat is the last.” — Dave Brubeck
Connect with your inner rhythm through a healing journey. Be guided by sounds to release old energies that no longer serve you. You will create space to embrace the new, ignite your creativity and clarity, and nourish your body, mind, and spirit.
Bettina Neumann will guide you through this journey with sound healing instruments, her voice, movement, image-making, and creative writing to calm your mind and access your inner wisdom. So explore your desires and wishes, and set your intentions and medicine to lead you through 2023.
What to bring:

Comfortable clothing. Dress in layers
Anything else that would comfort you
A journal

Come early and settle in before we start. The door opens 15-minutes before the start time. We will begin promptly.

Bettina Neumann, PT, CST, LLCC, is a licensed Physical Therapist, a certified Integral Sound Healer, a practitioner of Health Rhythms, and a student in the Life/Art Process. She founded Aurras Transformation and Rising Sun Physical Therapy. Her life experience as a mother and cancer survivor lead her to her passion for expressive dance, movement, art, and ritual, which she calls her medicine. However, her healing journey and nature’s elements are her most consequential teacher. Thirty-five years as a physical therapist made her firmly believe the body can heal itself. Holistic, intuitive, evidence-based medicine and methods helped thousands of patients recover from cancer, lymphedema, chronic pain, and pelvic floor dysfunctions. She combines her experience, tools, and intuition to guide people through transformative journeys and open up the opportunity to lead a joy-filled life.
