Scripture Study: Nirodha: The Journey and the Destination, 3 of 3-part

Online | $5-15 sliding scale | Free for active IYISF teachers

Please register in advance; a Zoom link will be emailed 1 hour before the session, or join Zoom directly via your Momence dashboard.

Each session offered individually. Mondays 6:00 – 7:00 pm:

  1. April 21
  2. April 28
  3. May 5

In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, nirodha appears right at the beginning, defining yoga as the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind-stuff (Sutra 1.2). This state of nirodha is a profound stillness, a remembering of our true essence as part of a greater energy. While it’s the goal of yoga, nirodha is also the pathway to achieve this stillness. Throughout the Yoga Sutras, each section (Pada) explores how nirodha serves as the means to attain this state of mental calmness.
Join Kalyani for a discussion on this foundational practice. Nirodha is more than just a concept; it’s a way of life. It’s about freeing the mind from ingrained habits and patterns, some of which may be unhelpful or even unconscious. This process of “going down” within ourselves—like a seed burrowing into the earth—allows us to “sprout up” with renewed awareness. By understanding our own minds, nirodha tunes us into our true inner nature.

The Yoga Scripture Study series is an offering in which participants learn and discuss how the teachings of Yoga apply to our daily lives. We read passages, take time to reflect upon them, and share with each other how these words and practices support us on the spiritual path. All are welcome to join any one or all of the sessions.


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

Sunday Spiritual Talk: The Essence

Cancelled, we apologize for any inconvenience.

$5-$20 | Enroll for free, use promo code FREE

Sri Swami Satchidananda stated, “Keep the essence clear and clean and everything else responds to that.”
Looking to the new year, it gives us an opportunity to ask, what is the essence of our lives? What is the essence of what we want from life and how do we get there and maintain it?

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 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.

2025-02-15T14:22:47-08:00December 24th, 2024|Tags: , , , |

Tuesday Tea Time Series

“Can We Know God? How Yoga Enlightens”

Online & In-person | $1-108 sliding scale

Please 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.

Please 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:

Live Streamed via Facebook and available to watch later, at your convenience.

Global times: 11:15 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


In celebration of Swami Ramananda’s upcoming 71st birthday, we have created a Fundraiser-raffle! Tickets are available online now! Raffle entries are $10 each or 12 for $108. The raffle draw will be held on Saturday, August 3, 11:00am – 1:00pm at Swami Ramananda’s Birthday Brunch Potluck.

Please visit the Yogic Wisdom Campaign GoFundMe page to learn more and pledge your support today. No amount is too small to help us reach our goal. Thank you for your support.


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.

2024-06-19T18:45:58-07:00March 20th, 2024|Tags: , , , , , |

Tuesday Tea Time Series

Surrender, Prayer and Grace

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.

Please 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.

Please 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:

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 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.

2024-03-22T17:47:51-07:00March 20th, 2024|Tags: , , , , , |
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