YogiViews has Dharmadas and Nirmala as guests in a 2-part series. Antonio Sausys host of YogiViews discusses "Jesus the Yogi". Part B Yoga is a six thousand year old spiritual tradition that has reached global popularity in the latest years. Though generally associated with India, dedicated spiritual masters have passed it from one generation to the next at different times in history and in different parts of the world. Jesus Christ, one of the most revered masters of all times, may have very strong yogic roots and many find his teachings another expression of the knowledge of Yoga. Dharmadas and Nirmala are the spiritual directors of "Ananda Sacramento," a yoga community and teaching center in the Rancho Cordova area of Sacramento. They bring the experience of nearly 40 years of meditation, yoga, spiritual living and practice to their studied, taught and worked with teachings of Jesus from a mystical and yogic standpoint. In addition, they are both musicians who find joy in sharing spiritual teaching and inspiration through music. The center in Sacramento is part of Ananda, a global movement founded in 1968 by Swami Kriyananda, based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.

Antonio Sausys, host of Yogiviews interviews Dharmadas and Nirmala on "Jesus the Yogi". Part A of a 2-part series. Yoga is a six thousand year old spiritual tradition that has reached global popularity in the latest years. Though generally associated with India, dedicated spiritual masters have passed it from one generation to the next at different times in history and in different parts of the world. Jesus Christ, one of the most revered masters of all times, may have very strong yogic roots and many find his teachings another expression of the knowledge of Yoga. Dharmadas and Nirmala are the spiritual directors of "Ananda Sacramento," a yoga community and teaching center in the Rancho Cordova area of Sacramento. They bring the experience of nearly 40 years of meditation, yoga, spiritual living and practice to their studied, taught and worked with teachings of Jesus from a mystical and yogic standpoint. In addition, they are both musicians who find joy in sharing spiritual teaching and inspiration through music. The center in Sacramento is part of Ananda, a global movement founded in 1968 by Swami Kriyananda, based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.

Nayaswami Asha is a lifelong disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and has studied for more than 40 years with Yogananda’s direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda, the founder of Ananda Sangha, a global spiritual community based on Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings. She has devoted her life to bringing spiritual understanding to herself and others through teaching, counseling, and writing. In 1987, Swami Asha and her husband, Swami David, became spiritual directors of Ananda Palo Alto in California. Swami Asha is the author of Ask Asha: Heartfelt Answers to Everyday Dilemmas on the Spiritual Path, Swami Kriyananda As We Have Known Him, Loved and Protected: Stories of Miracles and Answered Prayers. YogiViews 70 Jesus Christ - a Yoga Guru w/Nayaswami Asha

George McLaird has been in the ministry since 1968 and served 4 Presbyterian Churches. Prior to retiring from Parish ministry in 2001, he served the Sausalito Presbyterian Church as pastor for 26 years and is currently the Pastor Emeritus there. For almost a decade now, he’s been teaching Spiritual Living at 4 different residential recovery programs. His class is not about religion but rather about Spiritual Living which is: being as healthy as possible every day in every way. While religion is pre-packaged with approved rituals, readings, songs, and worship styles. Spiritual Living encourages people to choose what they find nourishing to their body, mind, and spirit - now. In his new book, A Guide for Spiritual Living, he gives several hundred suggestions for nourishing oneself physically, mentally, and spiritually. YogiViews 42 A George McLaird Was Jesus a Yogi?

George McLaird has been in the ministry since 1968 and served 4 Presbyterian Churches. Prior to retiring from Parish ministry in 2001, he served the Sausalito Presbyterian Church as pastor for 26 years and is currently the Pastor Emeritus there. For almost a decade now, he’s been teaching Spiritual Living at 4 different residential recovery programs. His class is not about religion but rather about Spiritual Living which is: being as healthy as possible every day in every way. While religion is pre-packaged with approved rituals, readings, songs, and worship styles. Spiritual Living encourages people to choose what they find nourishing to their body, mind, and spirit - now. In his new book, A Guide for Spiritual Living, he gives several hundred suggestions for nourishing oneself physically, mentally, and spiritually. YogiViews 42 B George McLaird Was Jesus a Yogi?

A group of Yoga teachers have taken this idea to heart and formed an organization called ‘Off the mat and into the world’ The expression ‘off the mat’ refers to the sticky mat practitioners in the United States use to practice on. OTM uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and ignite grassroots social change. They do this by facilitating personal empowerment through leadership training, fostering community collaboration, and initiating local and global service projects. One of their initiatives is YogaVotes, a nonpartisan campaign to awaken a new demographic of mindful voters—sparking higher voter turnout among the 20 million United States citizens who practice yoga. At a recent gathering in San Francisco, I had the opportunity to interview Kerri Kelley, OTM’s Executive Director, who shared with me her passion for connecting who we are as yogis with who we are as voters. Show 38A - Kerri Kelly-YogaVotes

A group of Yoga teachers have taken this idea to heart and formed an organization called ‘Off the mat and into the world’ The expression ‘off the mat’ refers to the sticky mat practitioners in the United States use to practice on. OTM uses the power of yoga to inspire conscious, sustainable activism and ignite grassroots social change. They do this by facilitating personal empowerment through leadership training, fostering community collaboration, and initiating local and global service projects. One of their initiatives is YogaVotes, a nonpartisan campaign to awaken a new demographic of mindful voters—sparking higher voter turnout among the 20 million United States citizens who practice yoga. At a recent gathering in San Francisco, I had the opportunity to interview Kerri Kelley, OTM’s Executive Director, who shared with me her passion for connecting who we are as yogis with who we are as voters. YogiViews 38 YogaVotes-part 2

YogiViews 51 Sivananda Yoga Farm Swami Sitaramananda

Jenny Sauer-Klein has been studying and teaching yoga, circus arts, and healing modalities for over 12 years. She is influenced by her avid studies of Shadow Yoga and Taoist practices and is hugely inspired by the work of Abraham-Hicks and the therapeutic joy of dancing. She is dedicated to the path of partnership and is deeply grateful to travel this magnificent planet in service of love. It is impressive to witness the many ways in which Yoga continues to merge with other modalities in what’s an expression of the very core of Yoga’s concept that we are all One, amazingly integrated within ourselves and with everything else that exists. That is the case of a relatively new form of yoga named Acro Yoga. AcroYoga blends the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of healing arts. These three lineages form the foundation of a practice that cultivates trust, playfulness, and community. There are two schools in Acroyoga. Acroyoga Montreal, led by Jessie Goldberg and Eugene Poku, has used the term since 2001 bringing together acrobatics, yoga, and dance/performance. The other one is Acroyoga Inc., which began in California with Jason Nemer and Jenny Klein and was labeled as acroyoga in 2006. The latter practices bring together acrobatics, yoga, and Thai massage. Both schools offer teaching certifications, and despite some differences have many similar poses. YogiVIews 41 Acro Yoga

It is impressive to witness the many ways in which Yoga continues to merge with other modalities in what’s an expression of the very core of Yoga’s concept that we are all One, amazingly integrated within ourselves and with everything else that exists. That is the case of a relatively new form of yoga named Acro Yoga. AcroYoga blends the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of healing arts. These three lineages form the foundation of a practice that cultivates trust, playfulness, and community. There are two schools in Acroyoga. Acroyoga Montreal, led by Jessie Goldberg and Eugene Poku, has used the term since 2001 bringing together acrobatics, yoga, and dance/performance. The other one is Acroyoga Inc., which began in California with Jason Nemer and Jenny Klein and was labeled as acroyoga in 2006. The latter practices bring together acrobatics, yoga, and Thai massage. Both schools offer teaching certifications, and despite some differences have many similar poses. Jason’s younger brother brought him into gymnastics and from there he found acrobats playing at the gym and was hooked on both. During his teenage years, he trained with some of the top Russian and Bulgarian acrobatic masters. Competing among the best acrobats in the world inspired his practice and taught him about humility. In 1991, after years of dedicated practice at the age of 16, Jason represented the US at the World Championships of Sports Acrobatics in Beijing. In 1996, he performed acrobatics in the Opening Ceremonies at the Olympic games. Yoga came to him in his last semester of university. After that first class, there has been no looking back. Connection to the breath and the lifestyle philosophy of yoga filled him with so much joy. Currently, he travels to teach, study, and bring communities together through divine play. He believes this practice can be used as a tool to heal people and connect people in a playful dance that will benefit global peace. Jenny Sauer-Klein has been studying and teaching yoga, circus arts, and healing modalities for over 12 years. She is influenced by her avid studies of Shadow Yoga and Taoist practices and is hugely inspired by the work of Abraham-Hicks and the therapeutic joy of dancing. She is dedicated to the path of partnership and is deeply grateful to travel this magnificent planet in service of love. They recently organized the Third Annual Divine Play Festival at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, as an urban oasis for active yogis to play, learn, transform, and recharge for greater peace and playfulness. Each day, classes were offered for all levels from absolute beginner to advanced so participants could explore in-depth study with internationally renowned master teachers. Over 100 classes with certified AcroYoga teachers from around the world and master teachers in the respective fields of yoga, acrobatics, and Thai massage were enjoyed by the avid participants. YogiViews 41 'Yoga as Therapy' Australia

Rod Stryker is the founder of ParaYoga and the author of The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity, and Freedom and also blogs for The Huffington Post. He has taught for more than thirty years, training teachers and leading corporate seminars, yoga retreats, and workshops throughout the world. He met Yoga master Kavi Yogiraj Mani Finger and his son, Yogiraj Alan Finger whom he studied for 20 years, and is a current disciple of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. Yoga's deepest quest relates to happiness and how to live a fulfilled life through spiritual realization; however, This state does not exist in absolute isolation from the world and worldly matters and invites practitioners to develop a commanding sense of purpose, capacity, and meaning. According to the Vedas, one of Yoga’s inspiring scriptures, our soul has four distinct desires, which collectively are described as purushartha, "for the purpose of the soul." YogiViews 40 Rod Styker Four Desires

Nicole DeAvilla is an Ananda Yoga Therapist with a background in Sports Medicine Research, chiropractic physiotherapy, dance, and writing and the author of a book entitled "The 2 Minute Yoga Solution: FAST and EASY Stress and Back Pain Relief for ANYONE at ANY TIME". She was one of the pioneer yoga instructors in prenatal/postpartum yoga and yoga therapy and is currently a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists Accreditation Committee. YogiViews 48 The 2 Minute Yoga Solution – Nicole DeAvilla

Yoga Therapy, a modern version of the ancient Yoga chikitsa and a cousin of Ayurveda. Despite the fact that this adaptation of Yoga has been effective for thousands of years our modern social organization style expects to have defined standards to understand what course can accredit someone as a Yoga Therapist. The International Association of Yoga Therapists, an organization based in the United States and mostly comprised of American individuals and schools, has been making solid efforts to come up with educational standards. Nicole DeAvilla is an Ananda Yoga Therapist with a background in Sports Medicine Research, chiropractic physiotherapy, dance, and writing and the author of a book entitled "The 2 Minute Yoga Solution: FAST and EASY Stress and Back Pain Relief for ANYONE at ANY TIME". She was one of the pioneer yoga instructors in prenatal/postpartum yoga and yoga therapy and is currently a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists Accreditation Committee. YogiViews 47 part 1 of 2

Yoga Therapy, a modern version of the ancient Yoga chikitsa and a cousin of Ayurveda. Despite the fact that this adaptation of Yoga has been effective for thousands of years our modern social organization style expects to have defined standards to understand what course can accredit someone as a Yoga Therapist. The International Association of Yoga Therapists, an organization based in the United States and mostly comprised of American individuals and schools, has been making solid efforts to come up with educational standards. Nicole DeAvilla is an Ananda Yoga Therapist with a background in Sports Medicine Research, chiropractic physiotherapy, dance, and writing and the author of a book entitled "The 2 Minute Yoga Solution: FAST and EASY Stress and Back Pain Relief for ANYONE at ANY TIME". She was one of the pioneer yoga instructors in prenatal/postpartum yoga and yoga therapy and is currently a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists Accreditation Committee. YogiViews 47 part 2