Welcome to Spirit & Nature / East Sac Yoga, offering gentle Ananda Yoga!
FREE DAY of YOGA is HERE!
ESY is offering 2 FREE Classes 9/1/24 & 2 FREE* classes 9/2/24! Reserve your space with the links below or on the Schedule Page.
- 9/1: Chair Yoga at CSA (West Sac) at 1pm
- 9/1: Ananda Yoga + Nidra at SYC (Curtis Park area) at 4 pm
- 9/2: Gentle Yoga Online via Zoom at 9 am
- 9/2: Ananda Yoga + Nidra at LR at 11 am (East Sac)
*These classes are completely free; should you feel inspired, donations are warmly welcomed and gratefully received!
You are in the right place whether you’re:
- looking to enhance your well-being,
- seeking ways to alleviate stress and tension, or
- hoping to cultivate a profound sense of inner peace & joy
I’m here to provide you with the support you need.
I invite you to become a part of our community, either online or in person.
I appreciate your interest in ESY / Spirit & Nature and send my warmest blessings your way as you continue on your personal journey.
Sandra Russi, E-RYT, RScP
Owner, ESY/Spirit & Nature
In-Person Classes
In-person classes may vary from month-to-month. Please check the Schedule Page for updates. As of February 2024, ongoing in-person classes are as follows:
Ananda Yoga + Yoga Nidra
Each class is 75 minutes and includes approximately 45-50 minutes of Ananda Yoga followed by deeply relaxing and restorative Yoga Nidra. Learn more about Yoga Nidra.
Thursdays 6:00 p.m. at Sacramento Yoga Center
Mondays 11:00 a.m. at Lion’s Roar Dharma Center
Looking for something different?
ESY offers gentle, accessible yoga for all body types and experience levels. If you are looking for:
- Gentle yoga.
- Clear, concise instructions in plain English.
- A practice emphasizing safety & comfort.
- Time to learn & experience each pose rather than “jumping” from pose to pose.
- Distinct periods of stillness between postures to: rest, breathe, and deepen awareness.
- Understanding what is happening in the postures and how they affect body, mind, spirit.
- Learning more about your energy systems.
- Accessing a deeper place within yourself.
- Your own Inner Peace.
- And more!
Then join us! Classes are offered both in-person and online:
- Online 4x/week
- In-person 2x/week: Mondays 11:00 a.m. at Lion’s Roar Dharma Center, and Thursdays 6:00 p.m. at Sacramento Yoga Center. See the News & Updates page for latest information on in-person classes.
Online Classes
Whether you are new to yoga or experienced, online classes offer privacy and convenience. See the Schedule page for updates.
NEW TO ESY? A number of free online classes can be found on the East Sac Yoga Facebook Page. Also be sure to check out the New Student Pass: 30 days of unlimited attendance to Online Classes.
FOR WOMEN: Join the Yoga & Meditation for Women private FB Group.
Passes & Membership Options for Online Classes
- NEW students* may purchase the NEW STUDENT UNLIMITED ONLINE ATTENDANCE PASS for $30 (good for 1 month).
- Returning student? If you have been away from ESY for a year or more, you may purchase the NEW STUDENT UNLIMITED ONLINE ATTENDANCE PASS for $30 (good for 1 month) to begin enjoying regular practice again!
- Regular students: please purchase one of the regular pass or membership options available.
- Passes/tickets/membership good only for the series dates shown. No credits or refunds.
How to Join Online Classes
First, be sure you have an ACTIVE Pass and then make a Reservation:
- Go to the Class Schedule page and click on the desired class.
- Complete the reservation form. IMPORTANT: be sure to use the same email address that you used to purchase your pass/create your Customer Login.
- You will receive a confirmation email with a link to the Zoom URL for that particular class — and an additional reminder about 15-20 minutes before class begins.
Please join the mailing list for information on upcoming in-person classes, workshops, online classes and more.
Who do we serve?
Students are of all ages and experience levels, including those with physical challenges, such as past injuries or arthritis. Some are seeking a meditative yogic experience that allows them to slow down and go within. Please be sure to inform the instructor of any particular concerns you may have in order to help you adapt the practice to your needs.
Who are the teachers?
ESY was founded in 2000 by Cecily Stofle. Around that time, Sandra Russi, E-RYT, RScP, received Yoga Teacher Training at the Ananda Expanding Light Retreat Center in Nevada City. In the early 2000s, Sandra occasionally guest taught for ESY while developing her own classes at Sacramento Yoga Center, and the surrounding area.
Sandra became the owner and primary instructor of East Sac Yoga in June 2015. Guest teachers at East Sac Yoga also teach Gentle Yoga. Learn more about our other instructors here.
Ananda Yoga
Ananda Yoga is traditional hatha yoga. It strengthens & stretches the body, releases stress, calms the mind and enhances self-awareness. The practice facilitates breath, body and energy awareness with distinct rest periods in between postures and the use of affirmations, held mentally. Listening to the body and noticing the effects of each posture is encouraged. With practice, students become aware of the energy within, especially as it moves through the “inner” spine. Learn more about Ananda Yoga here.
More About the Owner / Primary Instructor
In 1992, Sandra began her training with meditation and philosophy courses at Ananda Sacramento. During an all-day meditation in 1992, she received a clear message to pursue Ananda Yoga Teacher Training. This came as a bit of a surprise! She previously had no thought of pursuing this course. Now with over 23 years’ teaching experience, her practice and love of yoga continue.
You will leave Sandra’s classes feeling relaxed, uplifted, re-energized and more aware of your own inner peace! Suitable for all experience levels and body types.
East Sac Yoga is gradually shift to a new identity: Spirit & Nature –offering yoga, meditation, essential oil education, licensed Practitioner services, private sessions, women’s services, and more.