Scripture Study: Abiding by the True Self, part 2 of 3
2024-10-28 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Online | $5-15 sliding scale
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
How does the Yoga Sutras guide us to discover our true selves? In a society bound by overarching institutions of bondage and destruction, the Yoga Sutras provide a map to the real purpose for this life. By honestly dissecting our reliance on oppressive systems, we can discover how we perpetuate them. Join Mia Velez in this 3-part series to delve into the Yoga Sutras and discover our path to liberation.
The Yoga Scripture Study series is an offering in which participants learn and discuss how the teachings of Yoga apply to our daily lives. We read passages, take time to reflect upon them, and share with each other how these words and practices support us on the spiritual path. All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.
Each session offered individually:

Monday, October 21
Monday, October 28
Monday, November 4

Mia Velez, E-RYT 500, 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.

2024-10-30 08:00 - 17:00
Online | $1-15 sliding scale
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
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 Training at Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco (IYISF) 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 IYISF.

Yoga for Healthy Bones
2024-11-02 15:00 - 17:00
$25 Early bird use promo code BONES, exp. 10/26 | $30 regular
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
About half of Americans over age 50 are at the risk of breaking a bone and should be concerned about bone health according to the Bone Health Foundation. Dr. Loren Fishman’s longitudinal studies over the past two decades demonstrated an increase in bone mineral density and improved bone quality with regular practice of 12 Yoga poses in people of all ages including those with osteoporosis, osteopenia, or without any of these conditions. Apart from bone health, yoga asanas offer several other benefits such as improved balance, posture, range of motion and coordination, greatly reducing the risk of fractures.
This workshop will cover basics of the bone building process and nutritional needs, followed instructions for doing the 12 poses recommended by Dr. Fishman. These 12 poses will be integrated into a basic Integral Yoga class format of poses, relaxation, breathing, and meditation. Instructions for doing the 12 poses will be offered at basic and intermediate/advanced levels with guidance for adapting the poses to your level. Resources/ links to information on bone health and practicing the 12 poses on your own will be provided. Previous experience with yoga poses is not necessary. If you have medical conditions including fractures, hip, or knee replacement, please consult with your doctor before doing yoga poses.
This class will be offered online. Please make sure you have access to a wall, chair, strap, block, yoga mat and a thick towel/blanket.

Saroja Subrahmanyan, E-RYT 500, has studied and practiced yoga for several decades. Her early yoga studies were in India followed by extensive teacher training in the Integral Yoga tradition since 1994 (Basic, Intermediate, Stress Management, Accessible Yoga Teacher Training, Laughing Yoga, Raja Yoga, Meditation). She also received training in other areas such as Therapeutic yoga, Laughter Yoga in the Madan Kataria style, Ayurveda, Reiki, iRest® Level 1 and a 20- hour teacher training course on Yoga vs. Osteoporosis offered by Dr. Loren Fishman in February 2024. She has taught yoga and stress management courses in a variety of settings and for varied audiences (colleges, gyms, offices, ashram, yoga studios and private classes) in the US, Singapore & India. For the past two decades, she has taught a popular yoga philosophy and practice course at Saint Mary’s College of California, where is also a tenured professor in the business school. She loves how yoga practices offer guidance for physical, mental, and spiritual health and can be practiced by anyone.

Satsang: Saints of India
2024-11-02 17:30 - 18:30
$5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE.
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Swami Divyananda spent eleven years in India, the sacred home of Yoga. In this unique workshop, she will share stories and teachings from the Indian saints of this last century, with importance given to those who were an influence on Sri Swami Satchidanandaji.
Part biography, part memoir, and part travelogue, this is for armchair travelers and spiritual seekers of all traditions.
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.

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.

Annual Virtual Memorial Service
2024-11-03 10:00 - 12:00
Presented by the Integral Yoga Ministry
ONLINE | Free | Donations welcomed
Register with Integral Yoga Ministry by clicking the button belowBook now/Online Register to receive Zoom link.
Welcome once again to our Annual Integral Yoga Virtual Memorial Service. We know that the loss of a loved one is difficult and can’t be easily adjusted to no matter how long ago they passed. We also have seen first hand how that pain can be made easier with emotional and spiritual support. We want to provide you with that support.
When we lose a family member, a friend, and even an animal family member, we want to honor them in a way that shows love and recognition of how they have given meaning and joy to our lives. Likewise, all the great spiritual traditions teach us different ways of honoring loved ones as they pass on.
In order to commemorate our family and friends, as well as recognize that Truth is One, Paths are Many, we hope you can join us in our virtual Integral Yoga Memorial Service to invoke divine blessings upon the departed souls and to bring us all comfort and peace.
The service will highlight:

Our Faith Representatives will share their insights and prayers
An Integral Yoga Arathi (Waving of Light as a Blessing for All)
A slide show of loved ones and their qualities to warm us with sweet memories and inspiration
A beautiful candlelight ceremony to send prayers to our loved ones as they continue their soul’s journey.

Please join us online for this virtual service
PLEASE NOTE: If you wish us to include your loved one in the memorial slide show, please send us their picture, full name, date of birth and of passing, and two to three positive qualities for which they will be remembered. Email this information to iyministryboard@gmail.com no later than Monday, October 21.
Also please bring a candle for the candle lighting part of the service.
MEET OUR INTERFAITH LEADERS

Scripture Study: Abiding by the True Self, part 3 of 3
2024-11-04 18:00 - 19:00

New Beginnings Writing Group
2024-11-08 16:00 - 17:30

Kirtan with Astrud and Friends
2024-11-09 19:00 - 20:30
In-person | $20 In advance, use promo code MANTRA, exp. 11/8 |$25 Day of
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join Astrud and her dear friends for an evening of Kirtan or mantra meditation.
We use mantra, sound and vibration to polish the mirror of the heart and dismantle the illusion of separation. Man means mind and tra means instrument. Mantras are instruments or tools used to redirect our mind to the Source, Peace and ultimately to the heart.
The collective consciousness is healing and fun. We use this time to celebrate being alive, send prayers to those in need and be in community.
We sing in the key of “WE”, join us!
No experience is necessary.

Astrud is a celebrated kirtan wallah and yoga teacher currently living in Los Angeles. She has been sharing the art and practice of kirtan for over two decades and has toured throughout the U.S. and Europe sharing her passion for Mantra Meditation and Bhakti Yoga. Astrud teaches teachers in training the essence of Bhakti and basic harmonium skills. She has been teaching asana infused with Bhakti since 2000.
“Astrud’s kirtans immerse the mind in a sea of sacred sound and melt open the heart” -Swami Ramananda.
You can find her album Hari Om and other singles on Spotify, and all other music platforms.

Yoga after 60 - Strength Building
2024-11-10 11:15 - 13:00
Online & In-person | $27 Early bird, use promo code 60, exp. 11/3
$35 Regular
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease 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 and strength needed for sustaining good balance.
How can we integrate necessary strengthening into our practice?
We will address:
• Safety tips for strength building without straining the muscles, connective tissue or joints.
• How to support joints and their decreased flexibility and stiffness due to a number of changes.
• The necessity for personalized alignment in poses and transitions.
• Why to give priority to developing and sustaining strength as we age.
• Balancing
• Strong connection to our body through body and breath awareness practices.
This workshop will include a gentle chair and a mat practice, presentation and sharing. You are welcome to bring a couple water bottles or light weights to use (not required).
This workshop will be recorded and shared with participants for later viewing.
CEUs 2 hours for Yoga Alliance offered to attending teachers upon request.

Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, ERYT-500, YACEP, has been teaching a 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

Full Moon Chanting
2024-11-15 20:00 - 20:30
This event has been cancelled.
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.

Yoga Therapy Tools for Processing Sadness and Anger
2024-11-16 13:00 - 16:00
ONLINE only | $49 Early bird, use promo code TOOLS, exp. 11/9 | $58 regular
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Our feelings inform us of how we experience our lives, how we relate to others and ultimately, who we are. In turn, they influence our decision-making process determining how we behave. But what happens when a feeling ceases to be an informant and becomes a slave driver leading the way? Then we are ushered into dysfunction, trapped in an emotional hamster’s wheel.
Participants will learn:

General Information about Sadness and Anger
4 Simple Steps for processing feelings
Simple yoga exercises that address symptoms and help processing sadness and anger for personal growth
Helpful techniques, thoughtful insights, and useful tips for staying functional in life!

Antonio Sausys, MA, IGT, CMT, C-IAYT is a somatic psychologist and yoga therapist specializing in grief counseling and therapy.He studied with Hugo Bilsky and Yoga masters and teachers such as Indra Devi, Ram Dass, Swami Shankaradevananda, Swami Ekananda, Babashi Singh and Swami Mairtreyananda. He has continued his professional development with training in Integrative Grief Therapy with Lyn Prashant, Foot Reflexology, Swedish Therapeutic Massage and Reiki.
Antonio presents his work both nationally and internationally at Schools and Universities and leads retreats at Ashrams, Retreat Centers and Yoga Studios., is a member of the World Yoga Council, the International Association of Yoga Therapists, a TV Host for YogiViews and the founder and Executive Director of ‘Yoga for Health’ the International Yoga Therapy Conference.
He is the author of ‘Yoga for Grief Relief: Simple Practices for Transforming Your Grieving Mind and Body’ (New Harbinger) and a contributor for Yoga and Science in Pain Care – Treating the Person in Pain (Edited by Shelly Prosko and Neil Person – Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019) and New Techniques of Grief Therapy: Bereavement and Beyond by Robert Niemeyer (Routledge 2019).

Sunday Spiritual Talk: The Mystery of Death
2024-11-17 11:00 - 12:00
ONLINE | $5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE.
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
We live in a culture that generally avoids thinking and speaking about death, even though it is inevitable and often arrives unexpectedly.
What fears and questions does death bring up in us? Zubin and Ramananda will share teachings from the Sufi and Yogic traditions and guide us in an open discussion about these issues that we all must consider at some point in our lives.
People of all faiths are welcome. Although our spiritual paths may diverge, the act of sharing spiritual teachings with others is inspiring and creates a solid foundation for continued practice.

Sheikha Magdalena Zubin Goldman was first initiated into the Sufi Ruhaniat International by Murshid Wali Ali Meyer in 1973. She is a certified Leader in the Dances of Universal Peace, a timeless tradition of body prayer and sacred dance. She is ordained interfaith minister, a Cherag, offering the Service of Universal Peace sharing the beauty and wisdom of diverse religious traditions.
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 co-founded 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
2024-11-22 16:00 - 17:30
Cancelled
Online | $1-15 sliding scale
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 Training at Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco (IYISF) 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 IYISF.

Yoga Therapy for Grief Relief; Spiritual Practice to Nourish the Self
2024-11-23 13:00 - 17:00
ONLINE & IN-PERSON | $54 Early bird, use promo code GRIEF, exp. 11/16 | $65 regular
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
The fact that grief is a normal reaction to loss doesn’t make it any easier to go through. Even though it is thought to be mostly emotional, grief also presents specific physical and spiritual symptoms. Yoga for Grief Relief is a somatic psychotherapeutic protocol using Yoga techniques to address the physical, mental and spiritual symptoms of grief towards the re-identification process that follows an important loss.
This combination of theoretical lecture and experiential work can help the heart of anyone who is grieving a loss or those working with them.
The physical, mental, and spiritual release that doing the practice provides truly does help your body pain decrease, your mental fog lift, your engagement with life return, and eventually you begin to “ring the bells that still will ring.”~ Jessica Bell

Antonio Sausys MA, IGT, CMT, C-IAYT is a somatic psychologist and yoga therapist specializing in grief counseling and therapy.He studied with Hugo Bilsky and Yoga masters and teachers such as Indra Devi, Ram Dass, Swami Shankaradevananda, Swami Ekananda, Babashi Singh and Swami Mairtreyananda. He has continued his professional development with training in Integrative Grief Therapy with Lyn Prashant, Foot Reflexology, Swedish Therapeutic Massage and Reiki.
Antonio presents his work both nationally and internationally at Schools and Universities and leads retreats at Ashrams, Retreat Centers and Yoga Studios., is a member of the World Yoga Council, the International Association of Yoga Therapists, a TV Host for YogiViews and the founder and Executive Director of ‘Yoga for Health’ the International Yoga Therapy Conference.
He is the author of ‘Yoga for Grief Relief: Simple Practices for Transforming Your Grieving Mind and Body’ (New Harbinger) and a contributor for Yoga and Science in Pain Care – Treating the Person in Pain (Edited by Shelly Prosko and Neil Person – Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019) and New Techniques of Grief Therapy: Bereavement and Beyond by Robert Niemeyer (Routledge 2019).

Vivek Anand in a Hindustani Vocal Concert: Jog aur Tyaag
2024-11-23 19:00 - 20:30
In-person |$20 In advance, use promo code VOCAL, exp. 11/22 |$25 Day of
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Please join us for a South Asian Hindustani Classical Vocal Concert by our neighbor Vivek Anand, joined by Bay Area artists – Nikhil Pandya on Tabla and Ben Kunin on Sarod. This trio recently presented Vivek’s solo concert, Now My Boat – Ab Mori Naiyya, at Noe Valley Ministry. We are delighted to host them in sharing a brand new concert, composed just for Integral Yoga Institute, titled Union and Renunciation – Jog aur Tyaag, Songs exploring the Connection between Romantic Love and Transcendence. Many of you know that Jog or Yoga is a joining, a Union, whereas Tyaag is a letting go, a Renunciation. The songs will explore both themes in dialogue with each other, through romantic and reflective ragas and lyrics.
Come and experience musical forms such as khayal, tarana, bhajan and sufiyana bandish. Khayal gayaki or the art of singing khayal music consists of elaboration of the raga and lyrics through exploration and improvisation. Vivek is part of a Bay Area musical community in which this music is explored through fresh and alive interactions between exponents of musical traditions, which in turn are hundreds of years old. Please reserve your tickets now for this exciting concert, in an intimate setting within the Integral Yoga Institute.

Vivek Anand is a vocalist with a focus on emotional and spiritual meaning. He is also a poet, lyricist and life-long student, practitioner and champion of South Asian Classical/Hindustani Classical vocal traditions. Vivek has studied and sung with his guru, Rita Sahai (vocalist of the Seni Alāuddin Gharānā and Benāres Gharānā, and accomplished student of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan) for the last twenty-five years, and with his ustad, Sukhawat Ali Khan (vocalist of the Shām Chorasi Gharānā, and son of Ustad Salamat Ali Khan) for the last sixteen years. Through this training he has acquired his emotional and spiritual focus, a knowledge of rāgas, composition, lyric writing, elaboration, rhythm, and language. His extensive repertoire includes Hindustani classical, semi-classical, bhajans, Sufi songs, ghazals, and raga-based collaborations with jazz and world musicians.
Nikhil Pandya, tabla
Nikhil Pandya is a well-known virtuoso tabla player and figure within the Hindustani music community of the Bay Area, and has been inspiring audiences for over 25 years. Nikhil has a unique ability to relate and communicate with vocalists and other musicians on stage. Nikhil’s training under Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri has given him a strong foundation in the subject of tabla. He has had the privilege of performing with many senior musicians and vocalists, and has also collaborated with western musicians and other performers of non-classical Indian music, making him an extraordinarily versatile performer.
Ben Kunin, sarod
Ben is one of today’s most accomplished sarod players in the Bay Area. He learned his instrument and the tradition of North Indian classical music over more than 25 years of study under the legendary Maestro Ali Akbar Khan at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, CA. He also learned tabla from Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. In 2006, he began training with Pandit Chitresh Das and the Chandam School of Kathak Dance as an accompanist on the sarod. Ben performs frequently as a soloist and as well as accompanist.

Benefit Thanksgiving Yoga Class
2024-11-28 09:30 - 11:00
ONLINE & IN-PERSON | $15-$108 (class cards users ok)
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines. https://integralyogasf.org/attending-in-person
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 BIPOC scholarship program. We acknowledge that accessibility is one of the obstacles that perpetuate systemic racism, therefore, we utilize a sliding scale fee structure meeting students where they are financially for our upcoming 2-Module 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We recognize the lack of diverse representation in Yoga classes. In an effort toward dismantling this imbalance, IYI SF is offering this scholarship based Yoga Teacher Training.
Donate or invite others to donate via our Generosity page.
Donate

Andreína Maldonaldo (She/her) is a Venezuelan interdisciplinary performing artist and registered Integral Yoga practitioner based in Yelamu, Ohlone Territory, colonially known as San Francisco, California. She currently teaches beginner level Hatha yoga in Spanish, and in English by request. She guides her students through the powerful practice of Integral yoga by centering mindfulness, joy, and self-care. Join Andreina in this fun and intentional class that will leave you feeling renewed, empowered, and more connected to self and others.

Join after class for Thanksgiving Puja, Sharing & Potluck with Swami Ramananda. We will have time for personal sharing on the many blessings we have received. Enjoy a potluck meal afterward. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share (no meat, fish or eggs).
Thu. NOV 28 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm PST
Online​ & In-person | Free
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
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 and Potluck
2024-11-28 11:15 - 12:15
Online​ & In-person | Free
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
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).

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 co-founded 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.

Join us earlier for a Benefit Thanksgiving Yoga Class ONLINE & IN-PERSON with Andreína Maldonaldo
All proceeds will support the Institute’s BIPOC scholarship program.
Thu. NOV 28 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am PST
ONLINE & IN-PERSON | $15-$108 (class cards users ok)
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.

Scripture study: Living Divinity; Interweaving The Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, Part 1 of 3-parts
2024-12-02 18:00 - 19:00
Online | $5-15 sliding scale
Free for active IYISF teachers
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
The Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras complement each other beautifully, providing a holistic approach to spiritual growth. While the Gita offers philosophical insights through storytelling, the Sutras present a systematic path to inner transformation. By studying them together, we gain greater insight into daily living and a richer understanding of yoga’s ultimate goal – union with the Divine Self.
Join Kalyani on an illuminating journey exploring how two of India’s most revered spiritual texts offer guidance for navigating life’s challenges and attaining inner peace. This series will delve into the intersecting wisdom of these timeless works, revealing practical tools for living.
The Yoga Scripture Study series is an offering for anyone to wants to learn and discuss how the teachings of Yoga apply to our daily lives. We read passages, take time for reflection, and share how these words and practices support us on the spiritual path.
All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions. Offered individually:

Monday, 12/2 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up
Monday, 12/9⋅ • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up
Monday, 12/16 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up

Kalyani Carlee Cohen Barr first found herself at the Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) in 2001 and began teaching Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and meditation in 2005 after receiving her certification with Swami Ramananda at IYI Bacalar, Mexico. The name Kalyani is a spiritual name given to Carlee by Swami Ramananda which signifies a state of auspiciousness, recognizing blessings, and bliss. Kalyani has attended numerous workshops and trainings over the years, including Pranayama, meditation, Mantra, Mudras, Dharma, nutrition, Yoga Therapy for Cancer and Chronic Illness (YCAT), Yoga for the Special Child (IYINY), and Anusara Yoga. She is now certified in Raja Yoga (IYISF), weaving the yoga sutras into her teachings. Kalyani has led classes and small group sessions for musicians of all ages at Interplay Jazz Camp in Vermont, has co-lead a retreat in Northern India, has led “Yoga Day” classes for 150 students, and has appeared on Canadian public television. She co-founded Simply Yoga in South Florida. “Yoga has many facets that contribute to a peaceful, happy, healthy life. Yoga has transformed my life on many levels, and my favorite thing is sharing this gift with others.” Join Kalyani to find your breath and balance, and enjoy the benefits of increased energy, health, and overall well-being.

Meditation: Sure Ways for Success
2024-12-07 10:00 - 12:00
ONLINE | $25
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
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.

Reverend Jaganath Carrera has been teaching all facets of Yoga theory and practice at universities, prisons, Yoga centers, and interfaith programs since 1974. He established the Integral Yoga and Yoga Life Ministries, and co-developed the highly regarded Integral Yoga Meditation and Raja Yoga Teacher Training Certification programs. He is the founder and spiritual head of the Yoga Life Society www.yogalifecenter.org and has authored highly regarded books. • Awaken: Inside Yoga Meditation • Inside the Yoga Sutras: A Comprehensive Sourcebook for the Study and Practice • Inside Patanjali’s Words: Explore the Heart of Yoga

Kirtan
2024-12-07 19:00 - 20:30
In-person | $20 In advance, use promo code NADA | $25 Day of
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Joanna Manqueros and Gurdeep Singh Hira will present an evening of Bhakti Yoga and Sufi Kirtan. The call and response tradition allows us to open our hearts together. In Nada Yoga, we practice with sound, using the ancient art of kirtan. Join us for a night of music for the soul, in the traditional style of harmonium and tabla. The evening brings Sufi music into this tradition, and the music can be quite rhythmic.
Youtube

Joanna Manqueros plays harmonium and sings with the kirtan ensemble Rasa Lila. Joanna hosts Music of the World on KPFA. She has studied with Rita Sahai, Jaipur Uttal and currently with Sukhawat Ali Khan. Joanna teaches Yoga for Trauma recovery and feels Kirtan is a powerful way to heal, connecting the voice with others.
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Gurdeep Singh Hira is known in the Bay Area as the tabla player with the best beats. Gurdeep performs in the great traditions of devotional music, Kirtans, Sikh, Sufi, Jain and classical. Gurdeep has the beats.

Breath: Mysterious and Therapeutic
2024-12-08 10:00 - 12:00
Online & In-person | $32 Early bird, use promo code BREATH, exp. 12/1 | $39 regular
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines. https://integralyogasf.org/attending-in-person
The Breath can be used in multiple therapeutic applications to promote healing on a physical, emotional and mental level. It is something our body does continuously on its own. It can be challenging to really take a good look at one’s own breathing.
Breath has a potential to open doors to a greater awareness, a path to our spiritual awakening. Many traditions use the breath as a vehicle for transformation, healing, and looking beyond ordinary perception of day-to-day life.
In this workshop we will explore the breath gently and from different perspectives. You will learn:

getting to know your breath with mindfulness practices
the basics of physiological and energetic aspects of the breath
an introduction to pranayama, yogic breath control, its benefits and basic techniques
assessing your nervous system (NS) with breath awareness
assessing your nervous system (NS) with breath awareness
activating vagus nerve and regulating your NS
basics of self-healing with the breath
scriptural references as well as western medical research

We will explore the breath in asana, yoga nidra, pranayama and meditation practices. Lecture and discussion will be included. We will tailor our explorations to your interests.
This workshop will be recorded and shared with participants for later viewing.
CEUs 2 hours for Yoga Alliance offered to attending teachers upon request.

Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, ERYT-500, YACEP, has been teaching a 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 been working 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 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

Scripture study: Living Divinity; Interweaving The Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, part 2 of 3-parts
2024-12-09 18:00 - 19:00
Online | $5-15 sliding scale
Free for active IYISF teachers
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
The Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras complement each other beautifully, providing a holistic approach to spiritual growth. While the Gita offers philosophical insights through storytelling, the Sutras present a systematic path to inner transformation. By studying them together, we gain greater insight into daily living and a richer understanding of yoga’s ultimate goal – union with the Divine Self.
Join Kalyani on an illuminating journey exploring how two of India’s most revered spiritual texts offer guidance for navigating life’s challenges and attaining inner peace. This series will delve into the intersecting wisdom of these timeless works, revealing practical tools for living.
The Yoga Scripture Study series is an offering for participants to learn and discuss how the teachings of Yoga apply to our daily lives. We read passages, take time for reflection, and share how these words and practices support us on the spiritual path.
All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.

Monday, 12/2 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up
Monday, 12/9⋅ • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up
Monday, 12/16 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up

Kalyani Carlee Cohen Barr first found herself at the Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) in 2001 and began teaching Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and meditation in 2005 after receiving her certification with Swami Ramananda at IYI Bacalar, Mexico. The name Kalyani is a spiritual name given to Carlee by Swami Ramananda which signifies a state of auspiciousness, recognizing blessings, and bliss. Kalyani has attended numerous workshops and trainings over the years, including Pranayama, meditation, Mantra, Mudras, Dharma, nutrition, Yoga Therapy for Cancer and Chronic Illness (YCAT), Yoga for the Special Child (IYINY), and Anusara Yoga. She is now certified in Raja Yoga (IYISF), weaving the yoga sutras into her teachings. Kalyani has led classes and small group sessions for musicians of all ages at Interplay Jazz Camp in Vermont, has co-lead a retreat in Northern India, has led “Yoga Day” classes for 150 students, and has appeared on Canadian public television. She co-founded Simply Yoga in South Florida. “Yoga has many facets that contribute to a peaceful, happy, healthy life. Yoga has transformed my life on many levels, and my favorite thing is sharing this gift with others.” Join Kalyani to find your breath and balance, and enjoy the benefits of increased energy, health, and overall well-being.

New Beginnings Writing Group
2024-12-13 16:00 - 17:30
Online | $1-15 sliding scale
Meets twice a month on 2nd and 4th Friday, offered individually.
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
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.
This ongoing workshop meets twice a month, on 2nd and 4th Fridays – offered individually.(There will not be a workshop Dec 27th. Next upcoming dates: Friday, January 10 and 24, 2025).

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 San Francisco (IYISF) 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 IYISF.

Community Kirtan
2024-12-14 19:00 - 20:00
In-person | $5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join Snehan Born for an ‘open mic’ community Kirtan. We will share and take turns in leading call and response chanting. All are welcome to participate in leading or join in with your voice for responding only. No music experience is necessary.
Kirtan is the Yoga practice of chanting Sanskrit mantras, sacred sound formulas that create a peaceful and uplifting vibration. Singing these holy mantras together calms the thinking mind, illuminates the heart and awakens the spiritual consciousness within. Kirtan is a form of Bhakti Yoga, singing the names of the Divine and a calling out of the soul for support, protection and guidance.

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.

Therapeutic Yoga and Sound Healing
2024-12-15 13:30 - 15:30
In-person | $37 Early bird, use promo code SOUND, exp. 12/8 | $45 regular
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 breathwork 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!

Dedicated to holistic well-being and spiritual exploration, Shalom Mayberg is a yoga instructor, energy healer, and sound healing practitioner. Through the practice of yoga, he guides individuals on a mindful journey through movement, breath, and self-awareness harmonizing the body, mind, and soul. Shalom has also been working in the healing arts for over 13 years and uses modalities such as Reiki, Energy Medicine, and Intuition to facilitate holistic healing. In addition, the medicine of sound is prominent in his practice and is used to create transformative experiences for people of all backgrounds. Shalom recently graduated from the Academy of Intuition Medicine and offers 1:1 work, training in Reiki and sound healing, and group events. To learn more, visit shalom360.com.
Rachel is an 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 racheljenninewellnessandyoga.com.

Full Moon Chanting
2024-12-15 20:00 - 20:30
$5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease 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]

Scripture study: Living Divinity; Interweaving The Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, part 3 of 3-parts
2024-12-16 18:00 - 19:00
Online | $5-15 sliding scale
Free for active IYISF teachers
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
The Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras complement each other beautifully, providing a holistic approach to spiritual growth. While the Gita offers philosophical insights through storytelling, the Sutras present a systematic path to inner transformation. By studying them together, we gain greater insight into daily living and a richer understanding of yoga’s ultimate goal – union with the Divine Self.
Join Kalyani on an illuminating journey exploring how two of India’s most revered spiritual texts offer guidance for navigating life’s challenges and attaining inner peace. This series will delve into the intersecting wisdom of these timeless works, revealing practical tools for living.
The Yoga Scripture Study series is an offering for participants to learn and discuss how the teachings of Yoga apply to our daily lives. We read passages, take time for reflection, and share how these words and practices support us on the spiritual path.
All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.

Monday, 12/2 • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up
Monday, 12/9⋅ • 6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up
Monday, 12/16 • ⋅6:00 – 7:00 pm Sign up

Kalyani Carlee Cohen Barr first found herself at the Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) in 2001 and began teaching Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and meditation in 2005 after receiving her certification with Swami Ramananda at IYI Bacalar, Mexico. The name Kalyani is a spiritual name given to Carlee by Swami Ramananda which signifies a state of auspiciousness, recognizing blessings, and bliss. Kalyani has attended numerous workshops and trainings over the years, including Pranayama, meditation, Mantra, Mudras, Dharma, nutrition, Yoga Therapy for Cancer and Chronic Illness (YCAT), Yoga for the Special Child (IYINY), and Anusara Yoga. She is now certified in Raja Yoga (IYISF), weaving the yoga sutras into her teachings. Kalyani has led classes and small group sessions for musicians of all ages at Interplay Jazz Camp in Vermont, has co-lead a retreat in Northern India, has led “Yoga Day” classes for 150 students, and has appeared on Canadian public television. She co-founded Simply Yoga in South Florida. “Yoga has many facets that contribute to a peaceful, happy, healthy life. Yoga has transformed my life on many levels, and my favorite thing is sharing this gift with others.” Join Kalyani to find your breath and balance, and enjoy the benefits of increased energy, health, and overall well-being.

Sunday Spiritual Talk: Swami Satchidananda's Jayanthi
2024-12-22 11:00 - 12:00
$5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE.
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Join us for this special event honoring the birthday of our spiritual teacher, Sri Swami Satchidananda. There will be a short talk on his life and teachings, and an opportunity to share how his teachings have touched our lives. We will also offer a brief Puja (spiritual service) with chanting and meditation in gratitude for the blessings of his teachings and guidance.
People of all faiths are welcome.

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 co-founded 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.

Christmas Carols Satsang
2024-12-24 16:00 - 17:30
$5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
We will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with Christmas Carols and a discussion of the deep meaning he shared through his words and example. Our program will include a worship service, inspiring and joyful singing, and end with sharing cookies and other traditional refreshments. You are welcome to bring food, cookies or drinks to share.

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 co-founded 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 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.

Kirtan with Prajna Brianna Vieira
2024-12-28 19:00 - 20:30
In-person | $25 Day of | $20 In advance, use promo code PRAJNA
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Kirtan is the Yoga practice of chanting Sanskrit mantras, sacred sound formulas that create a peaceful and uplifting vibration. Singing these holy mantras together calms the thinking mind, illuminates the heart and awakens the spiritual consciousness within. Kirtan is a form of Bhakti Yoga, singing the names of the Divine and a calling out of the soul for support, protection and guidance.
No music experience is necessary. Watch on Youtube

Prajna Brianna Vieira is known for her work with the Mukti Kirtan Ensemble, Jai Uttal and other artists. She has dedicated her life to studying, practicing, and sharing traditional yoga practices and Bhakti arts. https://www.youtube.com/user/prajnavieira
