Integral Yoga San Francisco

Kirtan with Mirabai
2024-03-23 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
In-person | $25 Day of | $20 In advance, use promo code MIRABAI, exp. 3/22
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Kirtan, a call-and-response style chanting, is part of the path of Bhakti Yoga — the path of opening the heart through devotion and surrender. It is the music of the heart, and is sung freely from the heart. Using these practices, breathing and chanting helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Kirtan is a spiritual gathering treasure that nourishes our soul, heart and spirit.
No experience is necessary to participate, pre-registration is recommended.

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. mirabaiandfriends.com

New Beginnings Writing Group
2024-03-22 16:00 - 17:30
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 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.

Therapeutic Yoga and Sound Healing
2024-03-17 15:30 - 17:30
In-person | $45 | $40 Early bird, use promo code SOUND, exp. 3/10/24
20% off for active teachers
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Therapeutic Yoga and Sound Healing, led by Shalom Mayberg and Rachel Jennine Goudey, are remedies for the challenges of our stressful times, and blends restorative yoga with guided breath-work and sound healing.
Accompanied by the healing sounds of various instruments, you will be gently guided to relax into postures that allow for deep relaxation and restoration of the entire body including tight muscles, restricted fascia, overstimulated nervous systems, and an overactive or out of balanced mind, resetting and restoring a natural rhythm to your whole being. The practice creates a calm, supportive and nurturing environment in which you can relax and let go, allowing the innate wisdom of your body to naturally restore balance and well-being. Whether you just need to decompress from stress, recover from injury or if you’re dealing with chronic illness, this workshop will help your body, mind and spirit to relax, rejuvenate, and heal.
No prior yoga experience is necessary.
Please register in advance, space is limited. Thank you!

Shalom Mayberg, MIM
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 Jennine Goudey, Psy.D., C-IAYT
Rachel 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

Sunday Spiritual Talk: Yoga Sutras & AI
2024-03-17 11:00 - 12:00
Online | $5-$20 or 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 Raja Yoga teachers Kalyani and Kealoha for an immersive exploration of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, interwoven with the fascinating realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is no ordinary talk – prepare for an immersive exploration and engage in a vibrant Q & A where your burning inquiries spark profound discussions on how yogic principles can be enhanced and applied in our AI-driven world.
People of all faiths are welcome.

Kealoha Deluz has been a holistic health practitioner for 30 years, holds a Master of Divinity, Ph.D. in Holistic Studies, and is currently working towards a degree in transpersonal counseling. He has been an Integral Yoga Teacher since 2006 and is a Raja Yoga trainer, advanced level Hatha Yoga, meditation and stress management instructor. Kealoha is a licensed massage therapist, skin care practitioner, and holistic life coach. Kealoha Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, and currently lives and works in San Francisco, California.
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 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 Moon Hanuman Chalisa
2024-03-10 20:00 - 20:45
$5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join Snehan for in-person chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa with harmonium.
The Hanuman Chalisa is an ancient 40 line poem by Tulsidas extolling the many attributes and supernatural abilities of the Monkey God, Hanuman.
Sri Hanuman represents the ultimate devotee by his 100% commitment to his Dharmic path of serving Sri Ram, the Lord Itself.
Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa promises the removal of all pain and suffering. And Sri Hanuman is the Wish-fulfilling Deity…..ask for what you really want!
We will chant for 30 minutes or so and then sit in meditation for about 10 minutes more.

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.

Balance Your Hormones - A Yoga & Ayurveda Workshop
2024-03-09 14:00 - 16:30
In-person & online
$45 Early bird, use promo code BALANCE, exp. 3/2/24
$55 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
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
If you are experiencing symptoms of PMS, irregular periods, perimenopause and menopause related symptoms of low energy, hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, disturbed sleep, weight gain, changing cholesterol levels, frequent urination and lowered sex drive. Join us for a 2.5-hour immersion into yoga and Ayurveda as we explore the powerful and scientifically tested methods to naturally balance your hormones. It will offer participants practical tools to support hormonal balance and foster overall well-being.
Workshop Highlights:
Understanding Hormones

Explore the basics of hormonal health and their influence on your well-being.
Gain insights into common imbalances and their impact on physical and mental health.
Delve into the connection between stress, emotions, and hormonal balance.

Yoga and Ayurveda for Hormonal Balance

Experience and learn two separate yoga sequences designed to stimulate and soothe the endocrine system.
Explore asanas (poses) based in Iyengar and Kundalini traditions, pranayama practices (breath work), Tibetan yoga techniques and meditation.
Learn how to integrate Ayurvedic practices and yoga into your daily routine for sustained hormonal health.
Learn about nourishing foods, herbs, and lifestyle practices to support hormonal equilibrium.

For this workshop you will need:

Online participants should have a yoga mat, one long (10 foot) or two shorter yoga straps, at least two firm blankets, a yoga block, and space at a wall.
This workshop will be conducted in-studio and online via Zoom.
If you are not able to attend a live workshop, video recording will be available for 14 days after the event.

No previous yoga experience is necessary.
View a video introduction to this workshop here.

Ausra Duverge, C-IAYT, ERYT-500, YACEP, AHC, started teaching yoga in 2015. After the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Dubai, UAE, she has continued to expand her knowledge in Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy. In 2017 she completed an Ayurvedic Health Counselor program at Kerala Ayurveda Academy in Fremont, California. Ausra is a Certified Yoga Therapist from the Stress Management Center (SMC) of Marin in Larkspur, CA, and a training provider with Yoga Alliance. Ausra uses Yoga techniques and practices: movement, breathing, relaxation, meditation, yoga philosophy, and Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle recommendations to help safely manage existing health conditions, reduce symptoms, restore balance and vitality. Her approach to yoga is to use the practice to explore the body/mind connection and to bring awareness to everyday life. She is committed to exploring and meeting the individual needs of her students and clients, making yoga friendly and accessible to everyone. Ausra currently teaches Ayurveda basics at Yoga Therapist Training at the SMC of Marin and offers chair yoga classes for San Francisco Seniors. She also offers private yoga and Ayurveda sessions and works with a variety of health issues: hormonal imbalances – infertility and perimenopause, anxiety and depression, spinal injuries and misalignments. For more information, please visit her website at ayatherapy.me.
Ausra Shtarka, C-IAYT, Egoscue Postural Therapist, Cacao Ceremony Facilitator, Reiki Master. Ausra has been studying and practicing healing arts for more than 20 years. She has lead yoga, silent meditation retreats and workshops in California, Mexico and Lithuania. Ausra’s most influential teachers include Stephanie Snyder, Rusty Wells, Lama Tsultrim Allione, Frank Ostaseski, Max Strom, Robin Gueth, Kaya Mindlin. Ausra is known for an eclectic flair that weaves elements from many styles and traditions into her classes.
She currently offers in-person and virtual private classes. Her specialties include stress management, meditation, hormone yoga, customized yoga therapy sequences for neck and back pain. When Ausra is not teaching, she enjoys traveling, arts, swimming in open water and
being in nature.
“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness, will we discover the infinite
power of our light.” ~Brene Brown

Maha Shivaratri
2024-03-08 19:00 - 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.
Please join Baba Ghanshyam Puri and Snehan Born for the celebration of Maha Shivaratri, a major festival in Hinduism which 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.
Snehan will lead us through some responsive chanting. 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 brief service 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.

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.

New Beginnings Writing Group
2024-03-08 16:00 - 17:30
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.
Next session is March 22
In these times of great change we will explore a path toward meeting ourselves where we are to give voice to all that matters! As we live with interruptions and chaos, we can deepen into the roots of our creativity, encouraging the river of expression to flow. Beginners and seasoned writers are welcome, as we explore various forms of writing: poetry, prose, short stories, memoir, among others. Through writing exercises using everyday life, place, family, images, poetry of others, while using pranayama, meditation and the guidance of the Sutras we will build a body of work. Participants are encouraged to go at their own pace.
Tools we will Practice

The Art of Paying Attention
Acceptance
Play
Writing from the Heart

Together we will combine self-care with our writing and discover what a writing practice means to us and how it may take shape.

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

Open House for 2-part 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
2024-03-05 17:30 - 18:30
Free | ONLINE
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 Diana Meltsner, Mia Velez and Swami Ramananda online to learn more about our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program that we are offering in a new 2-part format. Modules 1 & 2, offered individually, combined they comprise our 200-Hour Yoga TT program.
Module 1: 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 newly expanded curriculum in anatomy, teaching methodology and professional development. 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. Receive a discounted rate when you sign up for one or both modules at the event!
The program’s trainers are Swami Ramananda, Diana Meltsner and Mia Velez.
Visit 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training to learn more about the program or click to apply to Module 1, Module 2 or both.
Join us for Open House #2 on Tuesday, APR 2 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm PT, ONLINE with Swami Ramananda, Diana Meltsner & Mia Velez

Diana Meltsner, C-IAYT, ERYT-500, YACEP, has been teaching variety of classes and workshops since 2001 and since 2017 offers yoga therapy sessions privately and at Integral Yoga Therapy Clinic in San Francisco. She has worked in the clinical setting for Kaiser Permanente since 2005 as a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and health educator and is teaching mindfulness and meditation to the medical staff. Her focus is on the healing aspects of yoga on the mind as well as the body by applying the teachings of Yoga, practices of breath-control, mindfulness and meditation. Diana helps her clients to find healing and the ability to move through life with increased ease, stress resilience, and intuition. Diana Meltsner works as a programs manager and serves on the board of directors at Integral Yoga Institute, an urban ashram in San Francisco. She is a yoga teacher trainer for the 200-hour and Meditation Teacher trainings. www.dianameltsner.com
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.
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.

Tuesday Tea Time Series
2024-03-05 11:15 - 11:45
Resolving Inner Conflict and Painful Emotions
Online & In-person | $1-108 sliding scale
Please consider donating to the “Swami Ramananda Yogic Wisdom” GoFundMe page in support of Swami Ramananda’s shift from administrative tasks to writing and publishing a book describing how to integrate the teachings of Yoga into everyday life.
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via email 1 hour prior to the session. You can also join zoom directly from your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.

Share a cup of tea with Swami Ramananda, one of our most beloved IYI teachers. Swami-ji will be hosting monthly 30-minute “tea break” discussions exploring how to integrate Yoga and meditation in our daily lives. In-person students can join us right after the 9:30 am Yoga class!
Join in community and explore how Yoga can be integrated into every action, every day to benefit our lives and the world. Discover how the timeless teachings of Yoga and meditation can help us transform the painful aspects of human experience into steps towards realizing our full potential.
Tuesdays • Monthly • Save the dates:
April 9: How Yoga Helps When the Going Gets Tough
May 7: The Secret to Authentic Joy
June 11: Surrender, Prayer and Grace
July 9: Can We Know God? How Yoga Enlightens
Live Streamed via Facebook and available to watch later, at your convenience.
Global times: 11:15 – 11:45 am PT, 12:15 pm MDT, 1:15 pm CDT, 2:15 pm EDT
7:15 pm GMT, 8:15 pm CET, 11:45 pm IST

Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.
He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He is a co-founder of the Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.

Scripture Study: Next Steps on the Spiritual Path, 3-part
2024-03-04 18:00 - 19:00
“The power of spiritual discrimination and how to develop it..”
Online or in-person | $5-15 sliding scale
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session. You can also join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Swami Ramananda will focus on select verses from the Bhagavad-Gita to show how these profound teachings can propel us forward on the spiritual path, awakening the natural source of wisdom and contentment that lies at the heart of our being.
3-Mondays 6:00 – 7:00 pm

February 19 – How to correctly understand spiritual surrender, grace, and receiving guidance from the Divine force within.
February 26 – How to take action and make choices with courage, confidence and a guilt free heart.
March 4 – The power of spiritual discrimination and how to develop it.

No prior knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita required. All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.

Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.
He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He is a co-founder of The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.
Event Tags:
Bhagavad-Gita, Online Yoga studies, Spiritual Community, spiritual decernment, Swami Ramananda, Yoga Scriptures

Bhakti Circle - Devotional Path
2024-03-03 16:00 - 19:00
In-person | $80 Early bird, use promo code Bhakti, exp. 2/25
$108 Regular
Book nowPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Jai Uttal invites you to sit together, sing together and explore together the world of Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of the Heart. In this intimate and spacious afternoon, we will connect to our devotional hearts, and reflect on how this connection ripples outward to all of our relationships and the flow of life.
The simple practices of Bhakti Yoga enliven the well of emotions within us and awaken the long forgotten memories of Divine Love that live in the DNA of every being.
Through the practice of Kirtan we explore, express, and share the deepest caverns of our souls and, ultimately, find the eternal spring of love. Jai creates a safe environment for people to open their hearts and voices.
No previous experience is needed. This is an exploration and expression of the heart and the spirit.
Jai Uttal, grammy nominee, kirtan artist, and world music pioneer has been a leading influence in the Bhakti tradition for the past 50 years. Jai considers devotion to be the core of his musical and spiritual life, and he whole-heartedly shares his passionate heart through his voice and songs.
jaiuttal.com

Making Sense of Suffering
2024-03-03 10:30 - 12:00
Online | $20-30 sliding scale
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via email 1 hour prior to the session. You can also join zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Suffering rarely seems to have a positive side. It often assaults us with its senselessness, making us bitter, depressed, confused, fearful, angry, or doubt the existence of God.
Why does God allow suffering?
Can it be avoided?
Does it bring any benefit?
The biblical story of Job strikes at the heart of the mysteries of suffering. It is a tale that staggers the heart and confounds the mind. In it, we encounter God prompting Satan to plague Job with staggering losses of possessions, family, health, and position. Yet, God repeatedly refers to Job as, “A good and honest man who fears God and shuns evil.”
We will accompany Job through trials that lead him to question – as we might – God’s judgment, wisdom, and compassion for allowing senseless suffering. Discover how suffering holds the key to profound peace and a deeper understanding of life and the Divine.

Reverend Jaganath Carerra 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

Satsang: Facing Adversity
2024-03-02 17:30 - 18:30
$5-$20 or 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. https://integralyogasf.org/attending-in-person
In this Satsang, our Integral Yoga San Francisco teachers Arpita, Muktidevi and Swami Ramananda will share how they have used the teachings and practices of Yoga to face adversity.
At some point in our lives, we all face situations that are traumatic or overwhelming to us. We may feel like giving up. We seek ways to grapple with disability, chronic illness or anxiety and grief.
We will discuss together the importance of having compassion for ourselves and maintaining our equanimity to make wise choices. With the right guidance and support, we can all learn how, ultimately, every difficult situation can be an opportunity to deepen our connection to the unchanging source of life within us.
A simple vegetarian meal will be offered after this in-person Satsang with a suggested in-person 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, 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.
My name is Arpita Roy, RYT 500. I am an Accessible Yoga Teacher Trainer living in Hyderabad, India. I am also a certified in Yoga Psychology, guided meditation and as a stress management coach.
In 2006 I lost both of my legs in an accident, from above the knee. I began practicing yoga in 2015 and became a yoga teacher in 2019. I believe that Yoga is for anybody and if I can practice it then anybody can.
My community is mostly amputees who need hope to get out from the trauma of their accident. I teach those with specially-abled bodies, amputees, able bodies and kids. I have led workshops with the Central Reserve Police force in India, taught for Yoga Alliance Teaching for Equity Program as well as other specially-abled groups. In addition to teaching yoga, I am a motivational speaker and have appeared in various colleges and Yoga conferences both virtual and in-person.
Photo: Arpita.jpg
K. Muktidevi Demafeliz is a born and raised San Franciscan and has been a yoga practitioner for 16 years. Her yoga practice began with her mentor Tony Garcia who guided her in the study of yoga back in 2012 through the SFO Airport’s Wellness Program. He encouraged her to pursue yoga teacher training, which she did, in the Integral Yoga tradition. She is certified in Basic Hatha I, Intermediate Hatha II, Accessible Yoga (Gentle), and certified in Mindful Resilience Training through the Veterans Yoga Project to teach trauma-informed yoga. She wishes to pursue future trainings such as Meditation Teacher Training in addition to Yoga for First Responders as she is the Well-Being Champion for the San Francisco Police Department. YOGA IS HER PASSION, and she expresses her love and enthusiasm for the practice with those she comes into contact with, on and off the mat. Muktidevi mentors and supports teacher trainees as well as newly certified teachers to help them continue to develop and grow while on their yogic path. She also supports the BIPOC Sangha which was born at the Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco (IYISF) and continues to serve these communities to help create ripples for change to establish a space of healing and empowerment. With that, yoga has impacted and transformed her life in such a positive and healthy way that she truly believes it is the saving grace for all. For 26 years, Muktidevi has been living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and continues to carry out the practices of yoga to help her maneuver through life’s challenges when facing adversity. She is a lifelong learner and strives to become the best version of herself to live her best life, regardless of what life may bring.

Scripture Study: Next Steps on the Spiritual Path, 3-part
2024-02-26 18:00 - 19:00
“How to take action and make choices with courage, confidence and a guilt free heart.”
Online or in-person | $5-15 sliding scale
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session. You can also join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Swami Ramananda will focus on select verses from the Bhagavad-Gita to show how these profound teachings can propel us forward on the spiritual path, awakening the natural source of wisdom and contentment that lies at the heart of our being.
3-Mondays 6:00 – 7:00 pm:

February 19 – How to correctly understand spiritual surrender, grace, and receiving guidance from the Divine force within.
February 26 – How to take action and make choices with courage, confidence and a guilt free heart.
March 4 – The power of spiritual discrimination and how to develop it.

No prior knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita required. All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.

Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.
He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He is a co-founder of The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.

Ananda Rasa Kirtan
2024-02-24 19:00 - 21:00
$20 In advance, use promo code KIRTAN, exp. 2/23
$25 Day of
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Ananda Rasa Kirtan led by David Estes is rooted in traditional Sanskrit chants sung to original raga melody compositions and explores the mystical and ecstatic moods of Bhakti in call and response chanting with the audience.

David Estes is a lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and Ananda Rasa band leader, grew up in India and spent several years immersed in the spiritual practices of kirtan, Sanskrit text chanting, meditation and seva as a full time Ashram resident. He also runs his harmonium brand and business Ragamala and has offered drum support for Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Nina Rao and many more.

Full Moon Chanting
2024-02-23 20:00 - 20:30
Online & In-person
$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. You can also 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]

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.

New Beginnings Writing Group
2024-02-23 16:00 - 17:30
Online | $1-15 Sliding scale
Meets second & fourth Friday of each month.
Book now/Online FEB 23Please register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session. You can also 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 (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.

Scripture Study: Next Steps on the Spiritual Path, 3-part
2024-02-19 18:00 - 19:00
“How to correctly understand spiritual surrender, grace, and receiving guidance from the Divine force within.”
Online or in-person | $5-15 sliding scale
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session. You can also join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Swami Ramananda will focus on select verses from the Bhagavad-Gita to show how these profound teachings can propel us forward on the spiritual path, awakening the natural source of wisdom and contentment that lies at the heart of our being.
3-Mondays 6:00 – 7:00 pm

February 19 – How to correctly understand spiritual surrender, grace, and receiving guidance from the Divine force within.
February 26 – How to take action and make choices with courage, confidence and a guilt free heart.
March 4 – The power of spiritual discrimination and how to develop it.

No prior knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita required. All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.
Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.
He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He is a co-founder of The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.

Satsang: Finding Genuine Joy
2024-02-17 17:30 - 18:30
$5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via email 1 hour prior to the session. You can also join zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
We live in a culture that emphasizes gritting our teeth and pushing ourselves to the limit as a normal approach to life; then waiting for time off to relax and enjoy ourselves. Join Ramananda as he explores how the teachings of Yoga offer the secrets to enjoying our lives now, having fun in the midst of our service, and connecting with a natural sense of contentment that is not dependent on events outside ourselves.
A simple vegetarian meal will be offered after this in-person Satsang with a suggested in-person 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, 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.

Alchemy of Sound & Silence with Manose
2024-02-16 19:00 - 20:30
In-person | $25 In advance, use promo code ALCHEMY, exp. 2/15 | $30 Day of
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join Manose, a world renowned musician for a night of chanting and flute music, an enchanting sound bath which creates a bridge between the East and the West. This form of devotional music is uplifting and helps connect man’s mind, body and spirit. It takes the spirit to higher realms of consciousness.
Video links:

Deva Premal , Miten, Manose and Friends “Twameva”
Joy Within by Manose

Manose, Nepal’s first Grammy nominated multi instrumentalist & composer, has been touring for more than two decades. Spreading the power of healing music, he has won millions of hearts all over the world.
His interest in flute was ignited at the age of 8 when he heard the mesmerizing flute tune coming through his window. Soon, his music lessons started after being initiated by a shenai player Madan Dev Bhatta, a disciple of Ustad Bismillah Khan. He learned classical raga music that still influences his work with devotional touches from both Hinduism and Buddhism.
His offering of 111 days of free daily meditations on his social media became a lifeline for many during the COVID pandemic.

Tuesday Tea Time Series
2024-02-13 11:15 - 11:45
The Power of Love for Healing and Transformation
Online & In-person | $1-108 sliding scale
Please consider donating to the “Swami Ramananda Yogic Wisdom” GoFundMe page in support of Swami Ramananda’s shift from administrative tasks to writing and publishing a book describing how to integrate the teachings of Yoga into everyday life.
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance, a Zoom link will be provided via email 1 hour prior to the session. You can also join Zoom directly from your Momence dashboard.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.

Share a cup of tea with Swami Ramananda, one of our most beloved IYI teachers. Swami-ji will be hosting monthly 30-minute “tea break” discussions exploring how to integrate Yoga and meditation in our daily lives. In-person students can join us right after the 9:30 am Yoga class!
Join in community and explore how Yoga can be integrated into every action, every day to benefit our lives and the world. Discover how the timeless teachings of Yoga and meditation can help us transform the painful aspects of human experience into steps towards realizing our full potential.
Tuesdays • Monthly • Save the dates:
March 5: Resolving Inner Conflict and Painful Emotions
April 9: How Yoga Helps When the Going Gets Tough
May 7: The Secret to Authentic Joy
June 11: Surrender, Prayer and Grace
July 9: Can We Know God? How Yoga Enlightens
Live Streamed via Facebook and available to watch later, at your convenience.
Global times: 11:15 – 11:45 am PT, 12:15 pm MDT, 1:15 pm CDT, 2:15 pm EDT
7:15 pm GMT, 8:15 pm CET, 11:45 pm IST

Swami Ramananda, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco, C-IAYT, and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.
He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program with Swami Vidyananda, has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings, and has taught mind/body wellness programs in many locations. He is a certified Yoga therapist and founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals. He is a co-founder of the Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.

Revitalize the Spirit: BIPOC mini-retreat
2024-02-10 11:30 - 19:30
$75-108 Sliding scale
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
The New Moon ushers in a fresh start and personal growth, inviting us to plant the seeds for a blossoming Year of the Dragon. Join us in this cosmic reset, with practices that will help us shape our path. We invite BIPOC folx to harness the power of the moon to revitalize the spirit with the guidance of our dedicated teachers, Andreina Maldonado, Gautam Mulchandani, Mia Velez, Muktidevi Demafeliz, Raśmi Lor Angue, Zipporah Vidya Roxas and special guest Dominique Dela Cruz. Handcrafted mocktails, snacks, and vegetarian dinner will be served (dietary needs will be accommodated). Engage in practices to renew yourselves to carry you throughout the year:

Revitalize your energy with Hatha yoga
Craft your intentions through creating your vision board.
Soothe your system with restorative yoga, sound bath and Reiki in one session.
Nourish yourself with plant based cuisine and mocktails
Enter a raffle to win a swag bag

Read the recent blog post, Why BIPOC Only by Mia Velez to learn more about this BIPOC events.
Space is limited, so don’t miss your chance to connect with a supportive BIPOC community. Begin the Lunar New Year with renewed intentions and vibrant energy.
Andreína Maldonado (She/her) is a Venezuelan artist, consultant, and registered Integral Yoga practitioner. She’s the driving force behind BienStar Consulting, a hub that’s been fusing Performing Arts, Wellness, and Language Justice for over 6 years in the Bay Area and beyond. With a knack for bridging cultures and weaving connections, Andreína’s all about blending art, wellness practices such as yoga, and social justice into powerful actions. Currently, she’s sharing the joys of beginner-level Hatha yoga in Spanish, where mindfulness and self-care take center stage. Join her every Friday at Integral Yoga San Francisco for a revitalizing class that’s equal parts fun and intentional – you’ll leave not only refreshed but also more connected to yourself and those around you.
Gautam Mulchandani, is a certified 200 hr yoga teacher, reiki ll master and has completed level 1 & 2 Intuitive guidance through the Academy of Intuition Medicine. He has self-studied and taken an array of courses, certificate programs in Crystal Therapy, Astrology, Ayurveda, Vedanta and NLP. He has a deep understanding of energy systems and the inter-relationship between man and the Cosmos. Moreover, he continually harnesses the gifts of his INFJ – MBTI Personality, (the “perceiver / advocate”) and gleans insights from his innate ability to read energy from the collective, within a room or during a reading. His unique gift is his sense of knowing or “claircognizance”, along with “clairsentience”, the felt experience. His warm aura, depth of wisdom and perception allow him to guide and provide clarity on a variety of personal and professional areas. He serves clients the world over and is top rated on Google and Yelp. To learn more visit: gemsofclarity.com
Mia Velez, (she/her), E-RYT 500, entered Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) in 2016 through the kitchen as a volunteer cook. She completed her first 200-hour teacher training in 2008 and certified with IYI in 2018. Mia is a disciple of Sifu Pete Pajil of the Moy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu lineage and is highly influenced by her martial arts training. To teach is a privilege and believes that learning is a reciprocal process between student and teacher. Her hope is to liberate herself and others from oppressive social conditioning. She teaches Ving Tsun Kung Fu, offers yoga to incarcerated men, and stress management techniques to new parents. She is a trainer for the Basic Teacher Trainings at IYI, including the BIPOC Yoga Teacher Training, and mentors new teachers. Yoga and Kung Fu are integrated into her daily life as a wife and mother, a preschool teacher, and an advocate for gender, race and class equity through multiple organizations.
K. Muktidevi Demafeliz is a born and raised San Franciscan and has been a yoga practitioner for 16 years. Her yoga practice began with her mentor Tony Garcia who guided her in the study of yoga back in 2012 through the SFO Airport’s Wellness Program. He encouraged her to pursue yoga teacher training, which she did, in the Integral Yoga tradition. She is certified in Basic Hatha I, Intermediate Hatha II, Accessible Yoga (Gentle), and certified in Mindful Resilience Training through the Veterans Yoga Project to teach trauma-informed yoga. She wishes to pursue future trainings such as Meditation Teacher Training in addition to Yoga for First Responders as she is the Well-Being Champion for the San Francisco Police Department. YOGA IS HER PASSION, and she expresses her love and enthusiasm for the practice with those she comes into contact with, on and off the mat. Muktidevi mentors and supports teacher trainees as well as newly certified teachers to help them continue to develop and grow while on their yogic path. She also supports the BIPOC Sangha which was born at the Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco (IYISF) and continues to serve these communities to help create ripples for change to establish a space of healing and empowerment. With that, yoga has impacted and transformed her life in such a positive and healthy way that she truly believes it is the saving grace for all. For 26 years, Muktidevi has been living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and continues to carry out the practices of yoga to help her maneuver through life’s challenges when facing adversity. She is a lifelong learner and strives to become the best version of herself to live her best life, regardless of what life may bring.
Rasmi Lorrett, a San Francisco native, whose love for yoga began more than twenty years ago. Through consistent dedication to daily practice, she always found a sense of balance and harmony. In 2019, she completed her teacher training at IYI. It was during this transformative experience that she delved even deeper in her Hatha yoga practice and unlocked new levels of self awareness. Committed to lifelong learning, her purpose is to share the invaluable benefits of yoga with others, guided by the wisdom of Patanjali, ” If you can control the rising of the mind into ripples, you will experience Yoga”. She hopes to inspire and guide others in their own journey towards physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Zipporah Vidya Roxas (she/her) took her first Integral Yoga class in 2018 and completed her 200-hour Teacher Training at IYI SF in 2023. Through a regular meditation and yoga practice she cultivated a connection to the body, a deeper understanding of the self, and a sense of inner peace that is often muted by the modern world. An immigrant from the Philippines, Zipporah advocates for improved BIPOC representation across media, technology, and yogic spaces.
Special Guest:
Dominique Dela Cruz (she/her) is a Bay Area sound practitioner, multi-instrumentalist, registered nurse, and meditation teacher. Her journey into the world of wellness started in her teenage years when she entered her first yoga class and experienced the transformative power of the mind-body-and spirit connection. This led her down a path of deep reflection and liberation, which began with studying yoga and meditation in Rishikesh in 2016. Since then, Dominique has expanded her own studies and teachings to include modern meditation, leadership coaching, and the ancient practices of sound healing. With over 25 years as a musician, she uses melodies, harmonies, and textures to create sonic soundscapes that transport listeners into a state of restoration and peace while cultivating a practice of mindfulness and active listening. Currently, you can find Dominique leading virtual sound meditations through the Modern Meditation Club and in-person sound experiences that resonate with the soul.

New Moon Hanuman Chalisa
2024-02-09 20:00 - 20:45
In-person | $5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Join Snehan for in-person chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa with harmonium.
The Hanuman Chalisa is an ancient 40 line poem by Tulsidas extolling the many attributes and supernatural abilities of the Monkey God, Hanuman.
Sri Hanuman represents the ultimate devotee by his 100% commitment to his Dharmic path of serving Sri Ram, the Lord Itself.
Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa promises the removal of all pain and suffering. And Sri Hanuman is the Wish-fulfilling Deity…..ask for what you really want!
We will chant for 30 minutes or so and then sit in meditation for about 10 minutes more.

New Beginnings Writing Group
2024-02-09 16:00 - 17:30
Online | $1-15 Sliding scale | Meets second & fourth Friday of each month.Book now Please register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Next session is February 23 and is open for enrollment.
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 (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.

Scripture Study: Yoga Sutras for Modern Times, 3-part series
2024-02-05 18:00 - 19:00
Online | $5-15 sliding scale per session
3 Mondays, January 22, 29, & February 5 | 6:00 – 7:00pm
Each session offered individually | Please register in advance.
Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book JAN 22/Online
Book JAN 29/Online
Book FEB 5/Online
How do we cultivate peace and harmony when everything else around us seems to be in turmoil? How can our spiritual practice really affect change? Sometimes discipline isn’t accessible (for various reasons), and sometimes protecting our peace at all cost seems too selfish. Although written thousands of years ago, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali provide clues on how to conduct a life that leads to harmony and peace.
Join Mia Velez in this 3-part series to delve into the Yoga Sutras and get fresh perspectives on the age-old scriptures.
All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.
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.

Sound Bath–Yoga Nidra
2024-02-04 16:00 - 17:30
In-person | $35 Day of, $25 in advance – use promo code ENERGY, exp. 2/3.
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Treat yourself to these complementary healing practices. In this workshop you will receive a brief introduction to the origin and practice of Yoga Nidra and be guided through centering, pranayama and gentle movement. We will spend 40-50 minutes deeply relaxing into a guided Yoga Nidra practice accompanied by live, healing instrumental sounds creating ideal conditions to recalibrate the nervous system, support self-healing and connect us with personal intention or Sankalpa (in Sanskrit).
Our bodies are densely packed fields of energy. The day-to-day challenges of life, no matter how large or small, create stress hormones in the body that can depress the immune system. Bathing in sound can break the stress-cycle in a safe, relaxing and non-invasive way, while recalibrating our own vibrational frequency. The practice of Yoga Nidra supports the body in doing what it is wired to do)rejuvenate, repair, and restore our bodies on both cellular and energetic levels. Some of the benefits of Yoga Nidra and sound bath include lowered heart rate and blood pressure, relaxed brain wave patterns, reduced respiratory rates, a boost of natural opiates in the physical body and improved sleep. Experience these profound practices for rebooting your nervous system, realizing optimal health and expanded consciousness.
Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. We will be lying down on our backs for approximately 40-50 minutes. If coming to the floor is not available to you, props and folding chairs will be available.
No experience is necessary.

Heather Sevika Ford, C-IAYT, MFA Design, became a certified Yoga teacher in 2008 and a certified Yoga Therapist in 2017. Her classical yoga training and approach to teaching guides individuals towards experiencing the essence of Yoga; a contemplative, mindful practice intended to remove obstacles and restore peace. Accessibly and collaboratively she supports her clients towards optimal health and wellness through mindful movement and postures, subtle practices such as Yoga Nidra, Pranayama and meditation, as well as Reiki, sound vibration and aromatherapy. These practices are intended to strengthen the body, increase flexibility, optimize the immune and soothe the 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, post-polio syndrome, PTS, asthma, emphysema, nerve damage, joint replacements, and those experiencing limited physical mobility. She offers individual Yoga Therapy and teaches classes and workshops for Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco, Stanford University and Alta Mira Recovery Center. Learn more at sevikayoga.com.

Satsang: Mystical Poetry Night
2024-02-03 17:30 - 18:30
Online | $5-$20 – Enroll for free, use promo code FREE
Book now/OnlinePlease register in advance. Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Join Diana Meltsner and Susan Ford for an evening of shared poetry that reﬂects the voice of our souls. We will read and discuss that which awakens inspiration, delight and peace in the heart. All are welcome to bring 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.
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, ERYT-500, YACEP, has been teaching variety of classes and workshops since 2001 and since 2017 offers yoga therapy sessions privately and at Integral Yoga Therapy Clinic in San Francisco. She has worked in the clinical setting for Kaiser Permanente since 2005 as a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and health educator and is teaching mindfulness and meditation to the medical staff. Her focus is on the healing aspects of yoga on the mind as well as the body by applying the teachings of Yoga, practices of breath-control, mindfulness and meditation. Diana helps her clients to find healing and the ability to move through life with increased ease, stress resilience, and intuition. Diana Meltsner works as a programs manager and serves on the board of directors at Integral Yoga Institute, an urban ashram in San Francisco. She is a yoga teacher trainer for the 200-hour and Meditation Teacher trainings. www.dianameltsner.com

Integrative Yoga Therapy and Support Group for Trauma, 8 sessions
2024-01-29 18:00 - 19:30
8 Mondays – In-person | $385 Early bird use promo code TRAUMA, exp. 1/15/24
$425 Regular
Book now/In-PersonPlease review our In-person Safety Guidelines.
Trauma is what occurs when you don’t feel safe, or feel too overwhelmed, to feel emotions in the body. Emotions are energy in the form of sensation. Different emotional states affect the physical body and its systems differently. Through an Integrative Yoga Therapy program one learns how to slowly and safely feel these states/emotions and allow the trapped emotional memory (i.e. trauma) to move its way through and out, experiencing a sense of freedom and ease in the body and thus in the mind as well.
In this upcoming Integrative Yoga Therapy and Support Group for Trauma, you will be guided through holistic practices to help navigate what’s been stuck within your body and find freedom and release through the practices of Qigong, Yin and Restorative Yoga, Somatic Meditation, Sound Healing, Chanting, Breathwork, Guided Self-massage and Acupressure.
In this series you will learn:

The somatics of emotion – how emotions show up in the body and how to work with them.
Somatic meditation – how to mindfully and compassionately name and be with the sensations in your body as they arise.
How trauma affects your brain, body, and nervous system and how to find balance across these systems.

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 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

Scripture Study: Yoga Sutras for Modern Times, 3-part series
2024-01-29 18:00 - 19:00
Online | $5-15 sliding scale per session
3 Mondays, January 22, 29, & February 5 | 6:00 – 7:00pm
Each session offered individually
Please register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.
Book JAN 22/Online
Book JAN 29/Online
Book FEB 5/Online
How do we cultivate peace and harmony when everything else around us seems to be in turmoil? How can our spiritual practice really affect change? Sometimes discipline isn’t accessible (for various reasons), and sometimes protecting our peace at all cost seems too selfish. Although written thousands of years ago, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali provide clues on how to conduct a life that leads to harmony and peace.
Join Mia Velez in this 3-part series to delve into the Yoga Sutras and get fresh perspectives on the age-old scriptures.
All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.
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.
