“Happy New Year!!” say our friends, family, acquaintances and even strangers at this time of year. But what is happiness and where does it comes from?
Perhaps you know that “ananda” means joy and that Ananda Yoga is one “limb” of the 8-fold path of yoga which helps the practitioner to discover that:
Yes! Joy is inherent! It is our birthright — always there, no matter what is going on, completely independent of external circumstances.
I first realized this truth around 1993, about a year or so after I learned to meditate, while attending my grandmother’s funeral. As you can imagine, it was a sad, somber event. During the evening vigil service, I found a side pew area to sit quietly. While practicing a simple meditation technique, I was amazed at the deep inner joy and gratitude I felt for my grandmother’s life and all that I had received from her. I was blown away that I was at a funeral in a room filled with grief — and yet, this joy was so palpable!
As one of my students said a few years back, “the more I practice yoga, the better I feel!”
Wherever you are in the journey, I invite you to get started on the path of discovering that Joy is, in fact, within you. Any of the programs below are a great place to start. In-person series classes start soon! So click the links to register now.
Questions? Call 916-606-0799 or send an email.
All the best to you & yours in 2024,
Sandi Russi, E-RYT, RScP
Ready to jump-start your spiritual journey? Then begin the New Year with meditation. Establishing and maintaining a simple practice will sow seeds to create lifelong benefits.
Maybe you’ve tried it, but have been challenged or frustrated?! Challenges are common. In fact, a good number of regular meditators have gone through periods of starting and stopping.
No matter where you are in the journey, join Sandra Russi, E-RYT, RScP, to experience and develop, or further develop, this key tool. The upcoming January 2024 class is for beginners or anyone seeking to renew, redevelop or deepen their practice. Class topics include:
Facilitator Sandra Russi, E-RYT, RScP, has been teaching Ananda Yoga for over 23 years, which focuses on preparing practitioners for meditation.
*Limited Scholarships available for those with need. Contact Instructor if needed.
Safety is key! Learning, or reviewing, alignment principles and safety will help you get more out of your journey. Yoga is all about YOU: your body, your breath, your comfort.
Register for Yoga Basics to learn and/or review:
BONUS! Yoga Basics participants receive access to the ESY Content Library: a video collection of over 25 complete classes. Tap into this resource to practice at home in between class meetings.
Beginners as well as continuing students will benefit from the slow, gentle pace of this class. Become more aware of your breath, body and state of mind. We’ll focus on safety, alignment and comfort. Bring your questions and learn to modify postures to suit your particular needs.
Enrollment is limited! Click here to register for Yoga Basics. Choose either Thursday evenings or Monday late mornings. If you need to miss a class, you may drop-in at the alternate class meeting date/location.
Before practicing yoga nidra, it is helpful to release tension from the body and mind. So we begin with a gentle practice of Ananda Yoga for about 45-50 minutes. This practice is mindful with intentional rest periods in between the postures. In addition, affirmations are integrated which reflect the inner mood or attitude of each pose.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, Ananda Yoga + Yoga Nidra is designed to shift and uplift your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
A new series* begins each month:
Just go to the Class Schedule Page and click on class of your choice to register.
Prefer to drop-in? As long as space is available, you may use a drop-in pass to join a single class.
*From time to time, the monthly series may vary. You can always check the Class Schedule Page for any changes or updates.
Deeply relaxing, Yoga Nidra connects you to the subconscious mind facilitating the healing powers within your own being. Benefits include:
Be sure to join the mailing list to get the latest updates.
The post Ananda Yoga + Yoga Nidra first appeared on East Sac Yoga.]]>Day of the Dead is an annual celebration in many cultures and this year, we are including it as part of our Wednesday Group Silent Meditation. This free event is open to all at the Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento at 7:00 p.m.
This week, we’re creating an altar to honor those who have transitioned from the earthly plane. Feel free to arrive about 15 minutes early to help create the altar. You may bring any of the following:
We check in from about 7:00 – 7:15 pm, although we may take a bit longer this week to share about those we are honoring.
All are welcome — whether you are brand new to meditation or an experienced practitioner. This is a free event; donations are welcome.
Date: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Arrive about 15 minutes early if you want to help create the altar.
Location:
Center for Spiritual Awareness
1275 Starboard Drive
West Sacramento, CA 95691
For the month of November, our Ananda Yoga + Yoga Nidra will focus on Gratitude & Abundance. Whether you are a beginner or experienced practitioner, the class will help you gently release tension so that you can move into deep relaxation — shifting and uplifting your entire being to welcoming more gratitude and abundance in your life. Continue reading below the registration buttons to learn more about Yoga Nidra.
Attend either Thursday evenings or Monday mornings. You can also register for both series for a discount.
Deeply relaxing, Yoga Nidra connects you to the subconscious mind facilitating the healing powers within your own being. Reported benefits include:
Limited enrollment – use the buttons below to register soon.
Be sure to join the mailing list to get the latest updates.
The post Ananda Yoga + Yoga Nidra for Gratitude & Abundance first appeared on East Sac Yoga.]]>EO = Essential Oils — EO Spotlight articles help you learn about the amazing power of essential oils. They are MUCH more than “nice natural scents!”
The post EO* Spotlight: Nutmeg first appeared on East Sac Yoga.]]>These types of questions align with the yogic practice of swadyaya which means self-study, as well as jnana yoga – the path of wisdom. In addition to yoga, there are, of course, many ways to learn about yourself: self-help books, counseling / therapy, workshops, 12-step programs, journaling, or taking a pilgrimage or spiritual retreat.
Since ancient times, humankind has been admonished to “know thyself.” Indeed, no matter where you are in life, the inner depths of your being await discovery. As Ernest Holmes states in This Thing Called You, there is something infinite within you, “waiting your recognition.” For those who are ready to take a deep dive into the very essence of your being, I invite you to join me for an amazing class: “Infinite You as the Universe.”
Come learn about this latent power residing within your own being, your mind. Topics covered include:
Sandra Russi, RScP, E-RYT, has been teaching for over 20 years. She is a licensed Science of Mind Practitioner with a rich spiritual background including study and practice of Ananda Yoga (25+ years) and A Course in Miracles (13+ years). As a licensed practitioner, she focuses on the foundation of meditation, the healing power of forgiveness, and the creative process of the mind.
Tuesdays at Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento, just off Highway 80 at 1275 Starboard Drive.
6 weeks: 10/10 – 11/14, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Register by 10/1/23 for discounted rate of $195. After 10/1/23, the fee is $225.
Use this link to register online.
Contact Sandra Russi, E-RYT, RScP, at 916-606-0799 or via email.
The post This Thing Called You! first appeared on East Sac Yoga.]]>AND YES, if you need to miss a Thursday evening class, you may join a Monday 11:30 a.m. class as a “make-up.”
We’re all getting older! That may mean it’s time to pay attention to your joint health. Maybe you’re starting to feel your joints in ways you never did before – or maybe you have been noticing them for some time. No matter your situation, you can improve your joint health and mobility. In this series, we will practice a simple routine designed specifically to support the joints and remove energy blockages.
Yoga for Joint Health is excellent not only for anyone affected by rheumatism, arthritis or stiff joints but also for those with high blood pressure, heart problems or other ailments where vigorous physical exercise is not advised. The program is particularly useful for eliminating energy blockages in the joints of the physical body, and for improving coordination, circulation, self-awareness and self-confidence.
In addition to the basic routine, we will incorporate simple postures and movement to facilitate joint mobility. Let’s keep these body vehicles tuned up! What you do today lays the foundation for your ongoing health and wellness.
The program is suitable for beginners as well as anyone challenged with the concerns mentioned above – or just general stiffness. You may either:
The hour-long class is offered 2x/per week which is recommended to gain maximum benefit. However, if desired, you may attend1x/week at the location and time that best suits your schedule.
Contact Instructor Sandra Russi if you have any concerns about participating in this program. You may also reach Sandra by phone at (916) 606-0799.
This is an in-person class. East Sac Yoga / Spirit & Nature also offers gentle online classes 4 mornings per week for those who prefer to practice at home. See the Schedule here. New Students may join online classes for a discounted rate of $30 for 30 days of unlimited attendance.
The post Yoga for Joint Health: New October Series first appeared on East Sac Yoga.]]>Sacramento’s official Free Day of Yoga is Labor Day, Monday, September 4th. However, East Sac Yoga will offer an in-person class, Sunday, September 3rd as well as an online class, Monday, the 4th.
With over 23 years’ teaching experience, Sandra Russi, E-RYT, RScP, welcomes all body types and experience levels to practice and enjoy the many benefits of yoga. Rooted in the Ananda style, which includes powerful affirmations, Sandra’s classes help reduce stress and tension, while strengthening and stretching the body.
Sunday’s class includes the deeply restful and healing experience of yoga nidra after the asana practice. See the details below.
If you are new to yoga, this is a great way to begin your exploration of yoga as a powerful tool for enhancing your health and well-being! Please inform instructor of any medical conditions or concerns.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 2022
TIME: 1:00 pm – 2:20 pm – Ananda Yoga + Yoga Nidra — limited space: click here to reserve your place in class.
PLACE: Sacramento Yoga Center, 2791 24th Street, Room 6 (in the Sierra 2 Center)
DATE: Monday, September 4, 2022
TIME: 9:00 am – 10:00 am – Ananda Yoga + Yoga Nidra
PLACE: Online from the comfort of your home!
Thank you for taking a moment to: