Integral Yoga San Francisco

New Beginnings Writing Group
2023-01-13 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Online | By donation $0, $5, $10, $15
Monthly on the fourth Friday
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Free follow-up Friday, January 27, 2023, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
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.

Releasing Emotional Psychic Blocks (Granthis) Through Yoga Practices
2023-01-09 08:00 - 09:30
ONLINE | $30
Enroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Free for IYTA Members. Please email membership@iyta.org for your member discount code.
Granthis are psychic, physical and emotional blocks in our chakra system which are brought about by past Samskaras, traumas, desires and old patterns.
This workshop will discuss the 3 major blockages and the techniques used to release these blockages or knots. When released, prana can flow freely through the body allowing the aspirant to experience better physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Continuing Education Credits: Yoga Alliance (YA), 1.5 contact hours. You can input your contact hours using your YA login information.
***This event will also be translated live into multiple languages***
Nalanie Chellaram, C-IAYT, BSYth, has been surrounded by spirituality for her whole life. She was raised by Hindu parents, educated at a Catholic school and studied philosophy in college. Nalanie began practicing the teaching of her Guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda in 1986 and continued to study the science of Yoga. She has been accredited by the Council of Teachers of the Satchidananda Ashram in Virginia, USA to teach Asanas, Pranayama and Meditation. She is also an accredited Teacher Trainer for Integral Yoga and a therapist under the British School of Yoga. She is the Chairwoman of the Integral Yoga Center in Gibraltar where she runs regular weekly satsangs, teacher training and counseling sessions. This Center is a registered Charity serving the community. Nalanie, who now lives in Spain, frequently lectures on the Science of Yoga, in Portugal, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, the USA and the Far East. She is the first of a new generation of spiritual teachers. Her particular upbringing and education has given her a special insight into both Hinduism and Christianity, inspired by her Beloved Guru.

21-Day Meditation Challenge
2023-01-09 07:15 - 08:00
Online | $108 or $54 discounted for those with limited resources
Free for active teachersEnroll/Online Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.
Sign up for the 21-day meditation challenge and jumpstart or deepen your meditation practice. Meditation reduces stress, brings Self-knowledge and more. It becomes a mini retreat where we connect with the inner calm, feeling whole and contentment of simply being. Meditation cultivates positive states of mind which lead to compassionate actions in our daily lives.
We will practice Integral Yoga-style pranayama and meditation. There will be guidance in the beginning and we will progressively reduce the instructions and increase time for practice.
Each session will include a topic relating to meditation, such as Why People Meditate, The Technique and Objects for Meditation, What to do with distracting thoughts, Affirmations, Chants & Prayers, Breathing Practices, Obstacles, Insights & Wisdom, Traditional Texts That Speak on Meditation. There will be time for Questions. We will create a space for sharing at the end of each week.
We will keep a sadhana chart to track the practice. A special reward will be offered to all with good attendance.

Diana Meltsner, E-RYT-500, C-IAYT, has been teaching variety of classes and workshops since 2001 and since 2017 offers yoga therapy sessions privately and at Integral Yoga Therapy Clinic in San Francisco. 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
Eric Gustafson embarked on a yoga journey more than 25 years ago. It became a foundation from which his life thrives and he serves. Many years of solid practice on and off the mat allows him to draw from experience and share yoga teachings with others as a teacher and a mentor to new teachers. Spiritual study, meditation and loving kindness are at the core of his daily practice. It is the source of inspiration for him and others and a bit of silliness is never far behind.

Swami Ramananda 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.

Satsang: Creating a Spiritual Vision
2023-01-07 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. A simple vegetarian meal will be offered after this in-person Satsang with a suggested donation of $5-10.
If we don’t have some clear sense of what we really want to do with our time and energy, we can easily be sidetracked by all the things calling for our attention. Please join us as we use guided reflection to create a personal vision for this lifetime and envision the immediate steps we want to take to fulfill this vision. Having such an intention in harmony with our hearts breathes spiritual life into our lives, frees us from being captive to the consumer-oriented messages of our culture, and guides our way to a meaningful life.
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 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.

Full Moon Chanting
2023-01-06 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-RYT500, has four decades of experience with yoga and has been teaching Integral Yoga since 2000. Snehan resides at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, where he serves as assistant to Swami Ramananda, teaches yoga classes and is a lead teacher trainer. He has also led trainings at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville, Virginia, The Integral Yoga Institute in New York City and privately in Hawaii where Snehan co-created the Metamorphous Yoga Studio. 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 and “Life of a Yogi” certification from Sri Dharma Mittra. In 1997 Snehan studied with Deepak Chopra in Goa, India and again in 2001 in Agra, India where he was asked to teach an Integral Yoga class to about 250 participants. Also, in 2001 he received “Conscious Eating”, a live foods certification from Dr. Gabriel Cousens at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Arizona.
Snehan has lived and traveled extensively within India (over 9 trips) 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.

New Year's Eve Program
2022-12-31 20:00 - 22:30
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.
Ring in the new year together. Join Swami Ramananda, Swami Vimalananda and Sangha for an evening of inspiration, mantra, dance, poetry and intention setting

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Meditation and Prayers for World Peace: The beginning of a New Year is a potent time to pause from our daily pursuits, reflect on our personal goals and send out heartfelt prayers for the spiritual upliftment of all beings. Swami Vimalananda will offer a message of inspiration and lead us in chanting mantras dedicated to world peace followed by meditation. The stillness of meditation allows us to enter the New Year charged with a natural sense of Oneness
9:00 pm – 9:30 pm Universal Dances for Peace: Swami Ramananda will lead us through some dances of universal peace as a form of moving meditation and prayer which brings healing to our own hearts.
9:30 pm – 10:30 pm​ ​Guided Reflection and Intention Setting: The Swamis will also offer a guided reflection with intention setting to keep our spiritual journey inspired and authentic and share their favorite stories and poem

Enjoy Mixed Level Hatha Class Sunday JAN 1, 10:30 AM – 12:00 pm
ONLINE with Snehan Born. This traditional yoga class is a comprehensive and balanced class with a steady flow, relaxation between poses, and guided instruction throughout. First-time students are welcome.
Enjoy 50% off ALL single class purchases during the month of January! Use promocode “FRIEND” and share with your friends. Happy Holidays

Swami Ramananda is the Executive Director of Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 40 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 trains Yoga teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.
Swami Vimalananda Ma, RYT500, is an Integral Yoga sannyasi – monk. She has been involved with Integral Yoga since 1971 and Director of the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute from 1992-2011. She specializes in teaching yoga philosophy and spiritual counseling.

Christmas Eve Satsang
2022-12-24 16:00 - 17:30
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 us for a special service to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and his embodied teachings with a discussion of the deep meaning he shared through his words and example. Our program will include a worship service and Christmas music with Mirabai, and end with sharing cookies and other traditional refreshments. You are welcome to bring food, cookies or drinks to share.
Join us for New Year’s Eve Program Saturday, DEC 31, 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm PT
ONLINE & IN-PERSON with Swamis Ramananda and Vimalananda and Sangha. Ring in the new year with an evening of inspiration, mantra, dance, poetry and intention setting.
Enjoy Mixed Level Hatha Class Sunday, JAN 1 10:30 AM – 12:00 pm PT
IN-PERSON with Snehan Born. This traditional yoga class is a comprehensive and balanced class with a steady flow, relaxation between poses, and guided instruction throughout. First-time students are welcome.
Enjoy 50% off ALL single class purchases during the month of January! Use promocode “FRIEND” and share with your friends. Happy Holidays

Swami Ramananda is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.
He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He is a co-founder of The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.
Snehan Born, E-RYT500, has four decades of experience with yoga and has been teaching Integral Yoga since 2000. Snehan resides at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, where he serves as assistant to Swami Ramananda, teaches yoga classes and is a lead teacher trainer. He has also led trainings at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville, Virginia, The Integral Yoga Institute in New York City and privately in Hawaii where Snehan co-created the Metamorphous Yoga Studio. 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 and “Life of a Yogi” certification from Sri Dharma Mittra. In 1997 Snehan studied with Deepak Chopra in Goa, India and again in 2001 in Agra, India where he was asked to teach an Integral Yoga class to about 250 participants. Also, in 2001 he received “Conscious Eating”, a live foods certification from Dr. Gabriel Cousens at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Arizona.
Snehan has lived and traveled extensively within India (over 9 trips) 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.
