Opening gently to the peace within.
Welcome to East Sac Yoga
Ananda Yoga & Yoga Nidra
ESY is an excellent resource for anyone:
looking for a slow-paced practice with mindful rest in between poses
looking to enhance their well-being
seeking to alleviate stress and tension
desiring to cultivate inner peace & joy
ABOUT ME
Welcome! My name is Sandi Russi, and I have been teaching yoga for over 20 years. I am a certified Ananda Yoga Instructor (E-RYT500). My journey started in the early 1990s when a series of synchronistic events led me to Sacramento Ananda Sangha. Like many, I was seeking. I began in earnest, initially through meditation as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Much to my surprise, during an all-day meditation, I received a clear message to pursue the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training program. This meditative traditional hatha yoga is designed to strengthen and stretch the body, release stress, calm the mind and enhance self-awareness. To that end, the practice includes affirmations as well as distinct rest periods between the postures designed to facilitate breath, body and energy awareness.
Over the years, I taught at a number of studios, including East Sac Yoga (ESY). In 2015, when ESY original owner Cecily Stofle was ready to retire, the two of us worked together to create a seamless transition.
On-Demand / Home Practice
ESY's Sage Membership is designed for those who prefer to practice at home.
Private Sessions
Looking for guidance tailored to your specific needs & goals? Private sessions for 1 or more participants.
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"Sandi is a very special instructor. She gives personalized instruction throughout the class session (which is wonderful because you can think you're in the pose correctly, but her trained eye helps you fine tune and avoid injury). She's a very experienced instructor and mainly draws from Ananda Yoga and holds the poses with rests in between. This is great for anyone, but especially for an older student who can't go as fast with flow styles. She really loves yoga and this is expressed in her warm and caring attitude toward her students."
-Cecile D.
"Sandi is a very good instructor who made my experience extremely relaxing."
-Leslie J.
"I love yoga. I love the way Sandi teaches yoga. She is slow and gentle. She is precise and consistent. There is always something new, yet enough repetition to create muscle memory, learning and a level of comfort and familiarity. Sandi obviously loves yoga and loves teaching yoga and we all benefit from that."
-Nancy W.
"Sandi is a very good and kind teacher. She explains the poses in detail and makes sure we are properly aligned to assure that we do not hurt ourselves. I really enjoy her class."
-Georgann E.
"Sandi's Ananda Yoga classes are always a nice mixture of meditative and physical —and fun! She is very attentive to proper alignment and provides clear, step-by-step instructions for the poses. I also appreciate the alternative choices for those of us with knee issues and similar constraints. By the end of class, I feel relaxed and completely refreshed."
-Kathy D.
"I have been attending Sandi Russi's Ananda yoga classes for over 10 years. Sandi's approach to yoga is meditative and gentle with great care and attention given to taking care of both body and mind. No matter how hectic my day has been I leave her class refreshed and restored. When I practice yoga at home it is Sandi's gentle guiding voice that I hear in my head."
-Mary C.
"Sandi is a very special instructor. She gives personalized instruction throughout the class session (which is wonderful because you can think you're in the pose correctly, but her trained eye helps you fine tune and avoid injury). She's a very experienced instructor and mainly draws from Ananda Yoga and holds the poses with rests in between. This is great for anyone, but especially for an older student who can't go as fast with flow styles. She really loves yoga and this is expressed in her warm and caring attitude toward her students."
-Cecile D.
"Sandi is a very good instructor who made my experience extremely relaxing."
-Leslie J.
"I love yoga. I love the way Sandi teaches yoga. She is slow and gentle. She is precise and consistent. There is always something new, yet enough repetition to create muscle memory, learning and a level of comfort and familiarity. Sandi obviously loves yoga and loves teaching yoga and we all benefit from that."
-Nancy W.
"Sandi is a very good and kind teacher. She explains the poses in detail and makes sure we are properly aligned to assure that we do not hurt ourselves. I really enjoy her class."
-Georgann E.
"Sandi's Ananda Yoga classes are always a nice mixture of meditative and physical —and fun! She is very attentive to proper alignment and provides clear, step-by-step instructions for the poses. I also appreciate the alternative choices for those of us with knee issues and similar constraints. By the end of class, I feel relaxed and completely refreshed."
-Kathy D.
"I have been attending Sandi Russi's Ananda yoga classes for over 10 years. Sandi's approach to yoga is meditative and gentle with great care and attention given to taking care of both body and mind. No matter how hectic my day has been I leave her class refreshed and restored. When I practice yoga at home it is Sandi's gentle guiding voice that I hear in my head."
-Mary C.
"Sandi is a very special instructor. She gives personalized instruction throughout the class session (which is wonderful because you can think you're in the pose correctly, but her trained eye helps you fine tune and avoid injury). She's a very experienced instructor and mainly draws from Ananda Yoga and holds the poses with rests in between. This is great for anyone, but especially for an older student who can't go as fast with flow styles. She really loves yoga and this is expressed in her warm and caring attitude toward her students."
-Cecile D.
"Sandi is a very good instructor who made my experience extremely relaxing."
-Leslie J.
"I love yoga. I love the way Sandi teaches yoga. She is slow and gentle. She is precise and consistent. There is always something new, yet enough repetition to create muscle memory, learning and a level of comfort and familiarity. Sandi obviously loves yoga and loves teaching yoga and we all benefit from that."
-Nancy W.
"Sandi is a very good and kind teacher. She explains the poses in detail and makes sure we are properly aligned to assure that we do not hurt ourselves. I really enjoy her class."
-Georgann E.
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