Sandi Russi, E-RYT 500, RScP
Sandi is a certified Ananda Yoga Instructor and is registered with the Yoga Alliance as an experienced instructor with a minimum of 500 hours training (E-RYT 500). She has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 25 years and has taught since 2000, including at the YMCA, Rise Yoga Studio, Ananda Sacramento, the Expanding Light at Ananda Village, Natomas Charter School, Sacramento Yoga Center, and the California Homeschool Association annual convention, to name a few.
Focused on bringing the essence of yoga to her students, Sandi teaches traditional hatha yoga classes designed to strengthen and stretch the body, release stress, calm the mind and enhance self-awareness. You’ll leave her class feeling relaxed, re-energized and more aware of your own inner peace. Sandi thoroughly enjoys practicing yoga at home, in the studio, and especially in nature. She loves learning and attends as many classes as possible to keep her practice and teaching inspired and fresh. Her mission as a yoga instructor is to share peace and to help others discover their own inner peace.
Ongoing classes
Over the years, Sandi was an occasional Guest Teacher for East Sac Yoga. In the spring of 2015, Sandi took over as the main teacher for ESY when the founder, Cecily Stofle, retired. In June 2016, ESY classes began at Lion’s Roar Dharma Center, near McKinley Park. Currently, Sandi offers 2 classes a week at Lion’s Roar and 3 classes a week at Sacramento Yoga Center in the Curtis Park neighborhood.
Online options
For those who prefer to practice at home, access to the online Content Library is available with the Sage Membership. New Student pass holders and Lotus members also receive access to the online Content Library.
Private sessions
Sandi is available for private, semi-private yoga sessions, and/or small group events. Learn more here.
Licensed Spiritual Practitioner
In 2022, Sandi became a licensed spiritual practitioner (RScP) through Centers for Spiritual Living. She serves locally at the Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento and is available for private practitioner sessions.
A Licensed Spiritual Practitioner is a person of high spiritual consciousness and deep understanding, extensively trained in the study and use of the Science of Mind principles, active listening, and the art, science and skill of Affirmative Prayer. A Practitioner is dedicated to the cause of helping others, licensed to practice professionally by Centers for Spiritual Living, and bound by a high code of ethics with deep respect for your privacy.
A Practitioner is not a counselor or therapist and generally refrains from giving advice during a confidential session. Rather, the Practitioner helps you uncover hidden false beliefs behind the conditions that express as challenges in your life, whether in the area of relationships, career, health issues, prosperity, or spiritual growth. From there, the Spiritual Truth of the matter is taken into a powerful form of affirmative prayer known as Spiritual Mind Treatment. In addition, a Practitioner may suggest specific techniques or practices to support the client’s ongoing experience.
ESY Guest Teachers
Tracy Grimes
Tracy was first introduced to yoga at age 12 in a gym setting, where she discovered slowing down to be both an empowering physical experience and an emotional refuge. Though her practice was inconsistent throughout her teen years, she found her way back to yoga in her twenties. It was during this time that she began to explore the deeper, non-physical dimensions of the practice-wisdom that continues to guide her through this messy, beautiful life.
As a teacher, Tracy is passionate about sharing accessible practices that support well-being, including movement (asana), breathwork (pranayama), and meditation. She has shared yoga in diverse settings-workplaces, psychiatric hospitals, recovery homes, studios, and parks– meeting people where they are with compassion and authenticity. With a background in environmental work, her teaching is often inspired by the natural world and its rhythms.
Her approach weaves together insights from a variety of yoga lineages and modalities to create classes designed to help students cultivate healthier, more balanced lives.
Mae Denman
Mae began practicing yoga in 1974, and taught her first class in 1980. Over her four decades of yoga experience, she has taught individuals and groups in office locations, community centers, experimental colleges, and private homes. Mae has studied Hatha Yoga with teachers of the Iyengar, Kundalini, Ashtanga, Svoorpa, Bikram, Ananda, Kripalu, and Viniyoga traditions. Mae has completed the Yoga Alliance certified teacher’s training at the Kripalu Center for Yoga, and maintains membership in the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association. In addition, she has completed Yoga Alliance certified 500 hour teacher’s training at the American Viniyoga Institute with Gary Kraftsow. Currently, she works with individuals privately as well in group classes.
In addition to yoga certification, Mae has been certified in several falls prevention training methodologies. Currently she is teaching Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention developed by Dr. Lam and offered around the world. This course is recognized by the Center for Disease Control and Arthritis Foundation for documented results.