Swami Ramananda
Swami Ramananda served as the President of the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City and is a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition. He has been practicing Yoga for over 30 years. Through his affinity for and devoted study of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the teachings of yoga into daily life, and coping with stress, depression, and anger. He leads yoga teacher training programs and offers a variety of workshops in many locations. He is a founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals and he is currently the President of the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute.
Swami Ramananda served as the President of the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City and is a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition. He has been practicing Yoga for over 30 years. Through his affinity for and devoted study of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the teachings of yoga into daily life, and coping with stress, depression, and anger. He leads yoga teacher training programs and offers a variety of workshops in many locations. He is a founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes yoga teachers as professionals and he is currently the President of the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute.
Diana Meltsner
Diana Meltsner has been teaching Integral Yoga style Hatha classes in the Bay Area since 2001.
She has focused on the full spectrum of students and environments from children at schools to seniors in medical clinics. She also teaches prenatal and postnatal classes in yoga studios. Her classes encourage mindfulness and lead towards experiencing inner peace and self discovery. She has been staffing the IYI yoga teacher trainings since 2003.
Sadasiva Schroeder
Sadasiva began his yoga career as a karma yogi in 1996. Since then he has enjoyed continuous practice including instruction to other like-minded individuals seeking optimal health, inner peace and a deeper understanding of existence. Sadasiva began assisting yoga teacher trainings in 2007. Now, he is the main teacher of the basic level teacher trainings, and staffs other programs as well. He is currently a resident and serves on the board of directors of the SFIYI.
Jack Sanchez
In 1996, lying in deep relaxation, Jack received the instruction to observe his thoughts and was transformed for good. Realizing “I am not my thoughts” lifted him out of a longstanding clinical depression, and he rode off into the Sunset where he and his husband, Matt Rowell, enjoy caring for their vintage West Portal home. Since 1998 Jack has led regular hatha classes at SFIYI. As a double-decade survivor of HIV, for eight years he offerred a weekly class to those touched by the virus. He adores serving and learning in the IYI kitchen and remains in awe of the power of puja.
In 1996, lying in deep relaxation, Jack received the instruction to observe his thoughts and was transformed for good. Realizing “I am not my thoughts” lifted him out of a longstanding clinical depression, and he rode off into the Sunset where he and his husband, Matt Rowell, enjoy caring for their vintage West Portal home. Since 1998 Jack has led regular hatha classes at SFIYI. As a double-decade survivor of HIV, for eight years he offerred a weekly class to those touched by the virus. He adores serving and learning in the IYI kitchen and remains in awe of the power of puja.
Ian Waisler
Ian delights in sharing the purifying pratices of Hatha Yoga: chanting, moving, breathing, relaxing. We emerge more comfortable in our skin. His training in Integral Yoga has been steady since 2001. His aim is on you feeling open and bright all day, then sleeping well all night. Ian's Hatha II/III class at IYI is every Wednesday morning at 9:30am.
Ian delights in sharing the purifying pratices of Hatha Yoga: chanting, moving, breathing, relaxing. We emerge more comfortable in our skin. His training in Integral Yoga has been steady since 2001. His aim is on you feeling open and bright all day, then sleeping well all night. Ian's Hatha II/III class at IYI is every Wednesday morning at 9:30am.
Nalini Veronica Yunes
Nalini (Veronica Yunes) has been practicing Hatha Yoga since 2000 and completed her first teachers training in 2003 when she received her spiritual name, which in Sanskrit means "lotus flower the gentle one." She is a 500-hour Integral Yoga-certified instructor in Basic and Intermediate Hatha, Gentle Yoga, and Yoga for Children with Special Needs, all at SFIYI and Satchidananda Ashram, VA. Also, she has taken Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga training with Jane Austin at Yoga Tree and Anusara Yoga style Immersion and workshops. Nalini teaches individual and group classes to elders, teens, adults, and pregnant women. Her style includes asana, deep relaxation, breathing practices, chanting, visualization, and meditation. It is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with more experience. She also practices energy healing like Reiki and positive affirmations. Nalini is now teaching a new weekly Hatha II class on Saturdays at 11am.
Nalini (Veronica Yunes) has been practicing Hatha Yoga since 2000 and completed her first teachers training in 2003 when she received her spiritual name, which in Sanskrit means "lotus flower the gentle one." She is a 500-hour Integral Yoga-certified instructor in Basic and Intermediate Hatha, Gentle Yoga, and Yoga for Children with Special Needs, all at SFIYI and Satchidananda Ashram, VA. Also, she has taken Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga training with Jane Austin at Yoga Tree and Anusara Yoga style Immersion and workshops. Nalini teaches individual and group classes to elders, teens, adults, and pregnant women. Her style includes asana, deep relaxation, breathing practices, chanting, visualization, and meditation. It is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with more experience. She also practices energy healing like Reiki and positive affirmations. Nalini is now teaching a new weekly Hatha II class on Saturdays at 11am.
Lila Laura Hahn
Lila graduated from the IYI Basic Teacher Training in 2008, and currently instructs the Level 1 class on Saturdays at 8:00am. She also completed the IYI Yoga for Healing teacher training in 2009, and after graduating from that training went on to complete the Intermediate Teacher Training. She just completed a Yin Yoga Teacher Training in January 2011 with Paul and Suzee Grilley. She is the co-founder of Divine Essence Yoga, a donation-based studio located in Potrero Hill, SF.
Lila graduated from the IYI Basic Teacher Training in 2008, and currently instructs the Level 1 class on Saturdays at 8:00am. She also completed the IYI Yoga for Healing teacher training in 2009, and after graduating from that training went on to complete the Intermediate Teacher Training. She just completed a Yin Yoga Teacher Training in January 2011 with Paul and Suzee Grilley. She is the co-founder of Divine Essence Yoga, a donation-based studio located in Potrero Hill, SF.
Jaymie Meyer
Jaymie is a wellness educator with certifications in stress management, bereavement counseling, yoga therapy and Ayurveda. She is also a Reiki Master. She has been delivering Resilience for Life® workshops for over 10 years. She is on faculty at the Integral Yoga Academy in Virginia, where she teaches Stress Management teacher training every summer. Her articles on health and well-being have appeared in Corporate Wellness Magazine, Yoga Therapy in Practice, Integral Yoga Magazine, NSA's Health and Wellness Newsletter, and NAMASTE.
Jaymie is a wellness educator with certifications in stress management, bereavement counseling, yoga therapy and Ayurveda. She is also a Reiki Master. She has been delivering Resilience for Life® workshops for over 10 years. She is on faculty at the Integral Yoga Academy in Virginia, where she teaches Stress Management teacher training every summer. Her articles on health and well-being have appeared in Corporate Wellness Magazine, Yoga Therapy in Practice, Integral Yoga Magazine, NSA's Health and Wellness Newsletter, and NAMASTE.
Asoka Fernando Gonzalez
Asoka practiced yoga for over two decades prior to becoming a certified Yoga teacher in 2010; he became an intermediate level instructor in August 2011. He has taught locally and internationally. He currently teaches Hatha I weekly (Saturdays @ 11:00am) at the San Francisco Integral Yoga and at the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Asoka practiced yoga for over two decades prior to becoming a certified Yoga teacher in 2010; he became an intermediate level instructor in August 2011. He has taught locally and internationally. He currently teaches Hatha I weekly (Saturdays @ 11:00am) at the San Francisco Integral Yoga and at the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Sarani Fedman
Sarani Fedman is the mother of three and has been teaching yoga for fifteen years. She also spent many years teaching young children in the classroom setting and has an advanced degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education. She specializes in teaching Family Yoga including prenatal, postnatal, and children’s classes. In all of these aspects of her life, sharing the strength, wisdom, and joy of yoga is the thread that sustains her.
Sarani Fedman is the mother of three and has been teaching yoga for fifteen years. She also spent many years teaching young children in the classroom setting and has an advanced degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education. She specializes in teaching Family Yoga including prenatal, postnatal, and children’s classes. In all of these aspects of her life, sharing the strength, wisdom, and joy of yoga is the thread that sustains her.
Our Teachers
Jayadevi Laricchiuta
Living up the street has made coming home to the Institute a no-brainer for Jayadevi. After five years as a Karma Yogi, she took a leap and traveled to India for Teacher Training in 2006. She completed the Raja Yoga and Gentle Teacher Trainings, and in February 2011 took mantra initiation. Drop in any Wednesday night and join Jayadevi for the familiar flow of Integral Hatha Yoga: deep attention to our breath, the joy of turning inward, and Gurudev's guidance to our own peace.
Living up the street has made coming home to the Institute a no-brainer for Jayadevi. After five years as a Karma Yogi, she took a leap and traveled to India for Teacher Training in 2006. She completed the Raja Yoga and Gentle Teacher Trainings, and in February 2011 took mantra initiation. Drop in any Wednesday night and join Jayadevi for the familiar flow of Integral Hatha Yoga: deep attention to our breath, the joy of turning inward, and Gurudev's guidance to our own peace.
Fernando Bhaktan Rivera
Bhaktan is a Certified Integral Yoga Teacher. For over 8 years he has taught Yoga classes for beginners, Yoga for Seniors, Stress Release and Restorative Yoga, and Yoga in Spanish in the San Francisco area.
Bhaktan is a Certified Integral Yoga Teacher. For over 8 years he has taught Yoga classes for beginners, Yoga for Seniors, Stress Release and Restorative Yoga, and Yoga in Spanish in the San Francisco area.
Anandi Anita Slater
Anandi was hooked on yoga after her first deep relaxation. Upon moving to San Francisco she found a home away from home at IYI where she continued to take several teacher trainings including Gentle, Intermediate and Childrens’. In her classes she wishes to impart her love. She also wants to share the joy of exploring the body, mind and spirit and to find moments of stillness within the chatter.
Anandi was hooked on yoga after her first deep relaxation. Upon moving to San Francisco she found a home away from home at IYI where she continued to take several teacher trainings including Gentle, Intermediate and Childrens’. In her classes she wishes to impart her love. She also wants to share the joy of exploring the body, mind and spirit and to find moments of stillness within the chatter.
Uma Webb
Uma has practiced at the Integral Yoga Institute for years. She completed her Basic Teacher Training in 2007 and has taught consistently since that time. In 2009 Uma completed Raja Yoga Teacher Training and strives to incorporate the wisdom of the sutras in her classes.
Uma has practiced at the Integral Yoga Institute for years. She completed her Basic Teacher Training in 2007 and has taught consistently since that time. In 2009 Uma completed Raja Yoga Teacher Training and strives to incorporate the wisdom of the sutras in her classes.
Jerry Jai Bezaire
Jerry Jai Bezaire has been teaching Integral yoga since 1997 emphasizing a practice in Gentle hatha yoga. In 2002 he completed Raja yoga teacher training and he presents workshops relating to the Yoga Sutras. He frequently assists the Teacher Training programs. He brings to his teaching Sri Gurudev's conviction that yoga is much more than just the practice of asana, and that everyone is capable of benefiting from this practice, right now. Jai teaches a Gentle Yoga class on Mondays at 9:30am.
Jerry Jai Bezaire has been teaching Integral yoga since 1997 emphasizing a practice in Gentle hatha yoga. In 2002 he completed Raja yoga teacher training and he presents workshops relating to the Yoga Sutras. He frequently assists the Teacher Training programs. He brings to his teaching Sri Gurudev's conviction that yoga is much more than just the practice of asana, and that everyone is capable of benefiting from this practice, right now. Jai teaches a Gentle Yoga class on Mondays at 9:30am.
Bryna McLane
Bryna has been practicing Integral Yoga since 2000. She completed basic Hatha training in 2005, Gentle training in 2007 and Intermediate training in 2008. A devoted karma yogi, Bryna has served as a receptionist, cook and teacher training assistant at IYI. Outside of IYI, she serves as volunteer teacher at the San Francisco County Jail.
Bryna has been practicing Integral Yoga since 2000. She completed basic Hatha training in 2005, Gentle training in 2007 and Intermediate training in 2008. A devoted karma yogi, Bryna has served as a receptionist, cook and teacher training assistant at IYI. Outside of IYI, she serves as volunteer teacher at the San Francisco County Jail.
Elle Anandi d'Orado
Elle Anandi is a Yoga enthusiast who has been practicing and teaching a variety of styles and traditions since 1994. She is dedicated to the Path of Yoga beyond the physical postures: Sanskrit studies, meditation, service, Bhakti Yoga. She teaches both Hatha and Kundalini Yoga in San Francisco, including free/donation yoga classes. Elle Anandi is a 2010 graduate of Integral Yoga Advanced Teacher Training, and teaches class on Tuesdays at 9:30am weekly; plus look for her Sunday afternoon workshops on Chakras, Mudras, and Kundalini. Elle Anandi also resides, works, assists teacher training, and leads Kirtan at the SFIYI. Jai Gurudev!
Elle Anandi is a Yoga enthusiast who has been practicing and teaching a variety of styles and traditions since 1994. She is dedicated to the Path of Yoga beyond the physical postures: Sanskrit studies, meditation, service, Bhakti Yoga. She teaches both Hatha and Kundalini Yoga in San Francisco, including free/donation yoga classes. Elle Anandi is a 2010 graduate of Integral Yoga Advanced Teacher Training, and teaches class on Tuesdays at 9:30am weekly; plus look for her Sunday afternoon workshops on Chakras, Mudras, and Kundalini. Elle Anandi also resides, works, assists teacher training, and leads Kirtan at the SFIYI. Jai Gurudev!
Prabha Vicki Duffett
Prabha has Integral Yoga certificates for beginning, intermediate, gentle, and Raja yoga, and has completed prenatal training. She has staffed gentle, beginning and intermediate trainings in San Francisco, and with Swami Asokananda in Yogaville. She is certified in Restorative Yoga and has completed advanced training with Judith Lasater, whom she assisted in Dallas and the SF Yoga Journal Conference. She has taught since 1999 at IYISF and the Epiphany Recovery Center in the City.
Prabha has Integral Yoga certificates for beginning, intermediate, gentle, and Raja yoga, and has completed prenatal training. She has staffed gentle, beginning and intermediate trainings in San Francisco, and with Swami Asokananda in Yogaville. She is certified in Restorative Yoga and has completed advanced training with Judith Lasater, whom she assisted in Dallas and the SF Yoga Journal Conference. She has taught since 1999 at IYISF and the Epiphany Recovery Center in the City.
Bhavani (Rena) Ivy
Bhavani was certified as a Hatha Beginner instructor in 2002 and a Yoga Based Stress Management instructor in 2006. She has taught at the Integral Yoga Institutes in New York and San Francisco. She has taught yoga, stress management and deep relaxation in community settings such as libraries, religious institutions, mental health organizations, health clubs and battered women's shelters and has helped people recovering from illness in gentle practices. Bhavani believes that the loving teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda can be practiced by and benefit all of us as we age.
Bhavani was certified as a Hatha Beginner instructor in 2002 and a Yoga Based Stress Management instructor in 2006. She has taught at the Integral Yoga Institutes in New York and San Francisco. She has taught yoga, stress management and deep relaxation in community settings such as libraries, religious institutions, mental health organizations, health clubs and battered women's shelters and has helped people recovering from illness in gentle practices. Bhavani believes that the loving teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda can be practiced by and benefit all of us as we age.
Madhuri Flynn
Madhuri, a dedicated yogini, found and fell in love with Yoga on her arrival in San Francisco from London. She has been teaching Integral Yoga since '97. At the Integral Yoga Institute, she has served as Head of Teachers and as a trainer for Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Children's Yoga Teacher Trainings, and she continues to serve on the Board of Directors. Her passion is sharing the deeper teachings of yoga, which offer the precious treasure of true freedom and liberation. Madhuri teaches Family Yoga every first Sunday of the month.
Madhuri, a dedicated yogini, found and fell in love with Yoga on her arrival in San Francisco from London. She has been teaching Integral Yoga since '97. At the Integral Yoga Institute, she has served as Head of Teachers and as a trainer for Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Children's Yoga Teacher Trainings, and she continues to serve on the Board of Directors. Her passion is sharing the deeper teachings of yoga, which offer the precious treasure of true freedom and liberation. Madhuri teaches Family Yoga every first Sunday of the month.