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Satsang: Understanding and Befriending the Ego

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By donation $0, $5, $10, $15, sliding scale, pay what you can.

Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.

The teachings of Yoga can help us understand the ego as a self-image we have formed, that distorts our experiences and ultimately causes us to suffer. The practice of Yoga can free us from identifying with habitual thought patterns and see things as they are. We can benefit enormously from understanding that we do not need to judge or reject the ego, but to educate and transform it, thus manifesting our full potential to know deep peace and joy.

Satsang, a special time for us to come together as a community. In Sanskrit, Sat means truth and Sangha means community. Satsang offers an opportunity to come together to share spiritual teachings. The philosophy of Integral Yoga is explored, often, through an informal discussion. Although spiritual paths may diverge, the act of sharing spiritual teachings with others is inspiring and creates a solid foundation for continued practice.
People of all faiths are welcome.

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.

2021-09-22T15:58:12-07:00August 27th, 2021|Tags: , , , |

Student of the Month: Wen Huang

Wen Huang is our student of the month for July. We are excited to highlight her as she is currently taking her second teacher training this year with Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) San Francisco.

Dayalan: “What drew you to explore yoga and meditation?”

Wen: “I was feeling discomfort in my back and sacrum from sitting in the office. I went to the doctor, but the medicine didn’t seem to work.”

In 2013, I decided to take my first  200-hr Hatha Yoga Training in Beijing, China. I felt that something was missing. The teachers didn’t seem very experienced. I moved to the US in 2014.

In January 2020, I took a 200-hr Teacher Training with Yoga Works. In February 2021, I attended the Meditation Teacher Training with Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco and am currently in the Raja Yoga Teacher Training here. I have found the Yoga Sutras very helpful.”

Dayalan: “What teachers have been an inspiration for you?”

Wen: “I am inspired by a lot of the IYI teachers, especially Swami Ramananda, Swami Divyananda Ma, Snehan Born, Mia Velez, and Diana Meltsner.

IYI really helped me through the COVID pandemic. I still felt connected.”

Dayalan: “What else would you like to share?”

Wen: “Through this work, I purify myself as well. “Tapas.” I see so many people who are unhappy. If you are truly happy, truly peaceful, nothing can destroy your peace. My presence can help create a behavior change in people.

I am currently teaching yoga for the YMCA. I have 6 ladies who attend regularly, and I love to see their faces at the end of class. I also tell my co-workers about yoga and meditation too, and refer them to IYI.

My biggest interest right now is Integral Yoga. I love the chanting and attend noon meditation often. I began a vegetarian diet in May, and help others realize that it can be done.”

Dayalan: “What would you like to do in the future?”

Wen: “I would like to teach yoga classes in Mandarin and reach people who have interest. I may develop videos for a Youtube Channel that people can subscribe to. I follow Adriene Mishler, one of the most followed yoga teachers on Youtube, and have enjoyed her classes. She offers shorter 15-min to 30-min videos for those who want to work on a particular area, or don’t have time for a full hour. I may consider that too.”

Dayalan: “What else do you enjoy doing?”

Wen: “I enjoy swimming, hiking and being in nature.”

Dayalan: “Thank you Wen! I appreciate you sharing your story with us! I wish you great success in your teaching journey.”

2021-07-27T16:19:10-07:00July 27th, 2021|Tags: |

Mastering the Game of Life, Raja Yoga 2-part series

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$45  for both sessions

Saturday, December 11, 2021 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday, December 12, 2021 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm

Raja Yoga: There’s a Reason It’s Known as the Royal Yoga. Is life a rat race or a bowl of cherries? Everyone would like to live peaceful, meaningful, and happy lives. How can this be achieved in a world filled with so much uncertainty and change?

Raja Yoga, rooted in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, offers a two-pronged path:

  • Know the rules of life: avoiding pitfalls and finding the open roads to travel.
  • Cultivate a mindset that naturally allows peace, harmony, and meaning to flourish.

Straightforward and practical, Raja Yoga offers a deep understanding of the nature of the mind and life, providing step-by-step guidance on finding inner peace. Learn how to still the mind and rise above life’s clamor and confusion. Experience the clarity and unshakable joy of your Innermost Self, and then how to retain this joy under any circumstance.

These classes are appropriate for both experienced students and those new to Yoga.

Raja Yoga, the science of joy, teaches how to discover the joy and fun in living life.

Reverend Jaganath Carrera has been teaching all facets of Yoga theory and practice at universities, prisons, Yoga centers, and interfaith programs since 1974. He established the Integral Yoga and Yoga Life Ministries, and co-developed the highly regarded Integral Yoga Meditation and Raja Yoga Teacher Training Certification programs.

He is the founder and spiritual head of the Yoga Life Society and has authored the 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

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021-10-08T16:05:52-07:00May 28th, 2021|Tags: , |

Journey into the Heart of Peace – week 4 of 4

$15 individual session
$45 for all four ($15 savings) | Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.

4 Sundays from 11:30am – 12:30pm:

Week 1: April 25 click to enroll  This 4 part series now starts May 2nd
Week 1: May 2  click to enroll
Week 2: May 9  click to enroll
Week 3: May 16  click to enroll
Week 4: May 23 click to enroll

Enroll in all 4 sessions

Using Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as a guidebook, we will continue the exploration of our inner landscape in all its challenges and magnificence.

You’re welcome to attend each session individually.

Swami Divyananda Ma, E-RYT 500, has had a wealth of experience teaching Integral Yoga around the world since 1973. She has taught at corporations, universities, the Commonwealth Cancer Center, and for the Dr. Dean Ornish Reversing Heart Disease programs. She has also served as one of Integral Yoga’s Basic Hatha teacher trainers.
Swami Divyananda Ma took monastic vows in 1975 from the great saint and yogi, Sri Swami Satchidananda. Over the years she has served as the director of the Integral Yoga Institutes in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and as Ashram Manager at Yogaville. She also served for ten years as the director of the Integral Yoga Institute in Coimbatore, India; this immersion into the South Indian culture has given depth to her understanding and practice of Yoga.

Now an itinerant monk, Swami Divyananda is constantly “on the road.” She leads the annual Sacred India Tours to sacred sites in India in addition to international Yoga retreats and trainings. Learn more at sacredindiatours.org.

2021-05-03T10:07:55-07:00May 1st, 2021|Tags: , , , , , , |
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