Yoga Society of San Francisco — Local services in San Francisco

This is one of the two most authentic ashrams I've found outside of India. I walked into their temple for a kirtan (call and response chanting) after spending four days at Bhakti Fest, non-stop chanting in the Joshua Tree desert, and the energy and the bhav in the temple was even more potent. I never wanted to leave! It is a gift to offer something so powerful and at the same time so accessible.

I thought I was just passing through on my way home, only stopping by for the kirtan after searching for one on Google, but I ended up staying for three days. I had the thrill and delight of meeting and studying with Dr. R. K. Sharma, an eminent Sanskrit scholar who makes periodic visits to teach in depth Sanskrit courses, one of my passions. Their Sanskrit library alone is breathtaking. The residents, teachers, and visitors all live, study, and practice together in harmony, which is what an ashram is all about. I immediately felt like a member of the family, and I consider this one of my homes on the planet. It truly...

I recently stayed for 6 nights at the ashram whilst visiting my son who moved to San Francisco to live from Northern Ireland, and was just around the corner from where he was living. I was warmly welcomed and received into this community. I was able to take part in all their programmes during my stay there, unfortunately because of the Christmas holiday season most of their yoga classes where cancelled. I loved their daily fire ceremony and meditation in the mornings and evenings which brings the community of people staying at the ashram together. I had a lovely private room which the sun streamed through in the morning. Although the building an old Victorian one iit had so much character and was warm and cosy. The New Year's Eve Breath Session with Brickshaw( don't think I spelt that correctly) was lovely so calming and peaceful followed by a delicious meal together. Thank you Yoga Society for a lovely stay and maybe someday hopefully I shall be able to...

I have been coming to the Goddess Flow class, taught by Lydia, at the Yoga Society of San Francisco for the past little while. What a phenomenal class this is! The poses, instruction and overall experience is quite feminine, I think (although men defintely benefit as well!)... both soft and gentle yet strong and firm all at once. The class ranges from gentle motion to a faster pace - and Lydia will always ask you what you'd like from the class, how intense you are feeling that day, etc. She is a great instructor, very intuitive and kind and full of range. It's also the first yoga class I've experienced that is so open and fluid, emphasizing constant light motion as opposed to abruptly starting and stopping poses, which is wonderful and makes the whole class feel very holistic in a way. Lots of hip openers! Definitely...