The beginning of a new year is a natural time to reflect on and re-envision our lives. The tradition of New Year’s resolutions can be life-changing or it can be a temporary way of fooling ourselves with lofty ideas that fade when reality hits. Clarifying our...
In this episode of the Integral Yoga Podcast, senior Integral Yoga monk Swami Gurucharanananda (Mataji) shares insights into her life journey and spiritual path, first as a Catholic nun and later meeting her Guru, Swami Satchidananda. Born in Washington DC on April...
What does it mean to be a yogi? You can find out when you spend four weeks immersed in the Living Yoga Training program and discover a newfound peace. The Living Yoga Training (LYT) program offers a transformative experience for those seeking spiritual growth. In the...
Stephen Ishwara Futral belonged to that rare first generation of Western seekers who encountered Sri Swami Satchidananda not as an established global teacher, but as a living mystery—one whose presence quietly rearranged the inner lives of those who crossed his path....
We are told we are divided and we may also feel divided. I feel it when I watch the news or spend time on social media, but I seldom experience the divide in routine human-to-human interactions in which we are all busy simply going about our daily lives. Even if the...
At the close of our morning meditation, the residents of the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute reaffirm the intention we hold for our spiritual growth while living together in community. Last month, we chose a phrase from this affirmation as our focal practice:...
As we enter a new year, we can make good use of this landmark in time to reflect on the way we make decisions and choices in our lives. Is there an overarching purpose behind the way we use our time and energy, or are we “going with the flow?” Are we acting on the...
Why do we gossip? This question might appear trivial at first, but when examined deeply, it opens a window into human psychology, social dynamics, and the level of spiritual evolution or lack thereof. Gossip is not merely idle talk, it is more. It is both idle and...
At a satsang at the Integral Yoga Institute in Buenos Aires years ago, I spoke and led a discussion about three essential elements of spiritual life: discrimination, equanimity, and service. The reflections shared that day brought out the complementary nature of...
Prejudice exists not only in the world around us but also, often unconsciously, within us. Whether we see it or not, it shapes how open—or closed—our hearts are to others. Recognizing the subtle ways prejudice arises in us can be a powerful step toward living with...
Krishna Das, the Grammy-nominated sacred music composer conducts a workshop in Yogaville annually. During his 2019 program, he sat down with Avi Gordon (Integral Yoga Teachers Association director) for a podcast. Having traveled extensively in India, where he met his...
In this inspiring conversation led by host Avi Gordon (director of Integral Yoga Teachers Association), Swami Ramananda (senior monk and president of the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco) shares profound insights on finding peace in chaotic times through...
When I feel defeated by all of the distractions and information I consume on a daily basis, I go to the river near my home. On the shore, my senses are inundated with beauty — the light in the trees, a heron passing by, the roar of water over stones that drowns out...
In this featured hybrid program, at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, Dr. Dean Ornish will explain why a whole foods plant-based diet, moderate exercise, stress management techniques, and love/social support are so beneficial in treating and preventing a...
The Living Yoga Training Program at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville is an opportunity to experience inner peace, achieve spiritual growth by living the life of an Integral Yogi for 28-days in spiritual community. The Living Yoga Training (LYT) program offers a...
In this recent Integral Yoga Podcast, Avi Gordon (director, Integral Yoga Teachers Association) talks with Ram Wiener about forgiveness, the experience of finding a Guru, and allowing the universe to shape us into someone we like. Ram (vice-president of business at...