by Sonya Genel (www.SonyaYoga.com)

I have heard many interpretations of the Sanskrit word Sankalpa. It roughly translates to “will, purpose, or determination” but I believe it can best be understood as an affirmation of intention. In the practice of yoga, working with a clear and honest Sankalpa consistently over time is incredibly powerful and often utterly transformative.

For me, yoga has always been so much more than just exercise. By weaving in a Sankalpa, I sense that each pose is both a dedication and a reflection of the intention in my heart. The physicality of this translation from mental words into embodied actions generates great power. The experience is profound. In doing asana, I am making prayerful art with my body. more »

Curious about teacher training at Yoga Garden SF?

Choosing a teacher training program is easier when you can talk to those that know first hand.  Meet your teacher trainers, teacher training alumni and current trainees at  Master Class on Sunday, March 24. 

Enjoy a 90 minute Master Class taught by Teacher Training Advanced Studies Director Michelle Myhre. This will be a strong, fun, all-levels vinyasa yoga class followed by food, refreshments, and mingling.

It’s a chance to learn more about the program, and get insights and perspectives from those who’ve been there.   You can also learn about our alumni on our Graduates Page, but once again, tasty snacks are only available at the Master Class.  more »

Yoga Stride®–Take your yoga practice outside!

Fridays 11:00am-12:30pm and now Saturdays 9:15am-10:45am! Warm up with a brisk walk through neighborhood hills and parks, followed by a 50-minute yoga practice in a beautiful outdoor setting. Build heat, endurance, strength, flexibly, and balance while inspired by San Francisco’s amazing weather and scenery.

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Core Training for Yoga Students & Teachers

The YTU Core Immersion enhances your connection to the abdominal core and is filled with practical tools for effectively integrating profound core work into your practice and teaching. Learn how to apply conscious core moves into your daily fitness or yoga practice, as well as ways of “core”ganizing and sequencing the exercises within a classroom setting. more »

When you do a yoga posture in class, your teacher gives you cues to deepen the posture and to further experience the essence of the pose.  As this pregnant student practices Virabhadrasana 2 (Warrior 2), she is bending her right knee and turning it outward; straightening her left leg, pressing it back and turning it outward;  lifting and broadening her chest, releasing her shoulders, etc., all the time attending to a steady breath, solid footing, and inward focus.

One of the main themes in our teacher training program is how these alignment cues are actually the pathway to personal transformation, or growth. In the pursuit of these alignment ideals, the benefits of yoga are delivered. How does alignment bear in this process and what are the misconceptions or misuse of alignment cues?

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Curious about teacher training at Yoga Garden SF?

Choosing a teacher training program is easier when you can talk to those that know first hand.  Meet your teacher trainers, teacher training alumni and current trainees at  Master Class on Sunday, March 10. 

Enjoy a 90 minute Master Class taught by Teacher Training Lead Instructor Katrin Kuttner. This will be a strong, fun, all-levels hatha flow yoga class followed by food, refreshments, and mingling.

It’s a chance to learn more about the program, and get insights and perspectives from those who’ve been there.   You can also learn about our alumni on our Graduates Page, but once again, tasty snacks are only available at the Master Class. Plus, all attendees will receive an insider discount on the teacher training program if they choose to enroll. more »

Yoga Garden SF owner and instructor Marisa Toriggino has been on retreat since Friday and she’s written a letter home!  Here she shares the highlights of her experience studying with Patricia Walden (recently returned from studying with B.K.S. Iyengar) at an abbey in southern Louisiana.

Marisa’s travels will continue when she and Gabriella Yates host their own Mediterranean Yoga Retreat on the island of Ischia in Italy this June.  There’s still time to register for the Italy retreat with a $100 discount before February 15th.

Read Marisa’s letter: more »

Handstands are not just for gymnasts. Standing on our hands offers a wide range of physical, energetic, and emotional benefits. It strengthens our wrists and fingers, opens our shoulders, helps us to be more playful, and offers us a new perspective from which to view the world. Handstands also teach us how to be more fearless and free—on and off the mat.

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Hearing your feedback, we’re thinking about making a change to our class schedule.  Vote here to help us decide!

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Yoga Garden is happy to welcome, Paulina!  A Yoga Garden Teacher Training Program alumnus, our newest yoga instructor will be teaching our newest yoga class, Yoga en Español.

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