I miss Anchor so much! It had such an impact on my life when I was living in San Francisco. I…read moreeven bought one of the comfy beds and I'm searching for them again if anyone knows where I can buy them? I bought it back in 2021 and don't have records of where. Sand is amazing!

Prior to lockdown, my group of three attended a handful of classes here & I was thoroughly…read moreimpressed by the variety of meditation practices available. Focuses ran the gamut from breathing techniques to chakra clearing, but always with the intention of making you the best, most open version of yourself that day. I never take the initiative to mindfully slow down & leave earthly worries behind, I actually function well under stress & chaos; with that said, I could see myself carving out a block of time to be peaceful, & in some cases, heal mental (& spiritual, for those who vibe with that concept) blockages with regular monthly practice here. Though the virtual world that has become our new norm can never compare to in-person interaction, Anchor offers 45-minute virtual classes to give you a feel for what their community offers.

I've tried a few meditation practices. I found this one to be flat on my expectations. You're asked…read moreto give a donation based on income. I donated 1k and when I arrived the mediation coach was warm and friendly but she complained to me about the fact that she knows how much people make and that their donations don't reflect that. I found that strange to share. I wouldn't recommend this place - there are so many others in SF that are more effective imo.

Jane and Brett are wonderful teachers. I had heard about TM before and finally decided to try it…read morebecause I'd read that there are studies that show it can help with high blood pressure and anxiety. I'm always a skeptic but I figured it couldn't hurt! The cost of the program is not low, but I appreciate that they are very upfront about it (no hidden fees or add ons or upsells - just one course fee) and it does scale with income. No one has asked me to pay for anything since then and I'm always welcomed back for group check ins or meditations. About a month in, other people have already noticed positive changes in my mood and general anxiety. I also really enjoy the meditation sessions. And for what it's worth (small sample size, I know) my blood pressure is down about 8-10 points on average. The training was absolutely worthwhile for me. I'm really glad I decided to start doing TM and I highly recommend Brett and Jane as instructors.

I didn't take part in the online programs(zoom) with the Zen Center, but I went back tonight for…read moreYoung Urban Zen. Zazen meditation and dharma talk with a small group discussion. Other than St. Ignatius Easter mass, this is the religious activity I did after covid.

I reflected on my experience at the zen center the other day. It was rude of me to say it is not a…read moreplace for people seriously interested in awakening. I think the teachings here have merit (not that I'm the judge). What I *will* say is any sangha in the west has to be prepared for deeply wounded / traumatized / self hating individuals to walk in. I couldn't "let go" until I had access to embodied safety and also self love. The work of Deidre Fay is excellent for this. I needed help building a developmental scaffold to get from where I was to where I wanted to be -- and that was uncharted territory. To the extent that SFZC wants to welcome people with differing levels of access to embodied safety, I would love if each talk had advice tailored to both kinds of people -- those with porous ego structures and those with more "typical" egos as well for whom letting go without any preamble is solid advice.

Class with Kari is deep medicine and true sangha. I always feel so seen and all parts of me…read morewelcomed here. Kari carries such a depth of wisdom and experience in her practice and teaching and that is really palpable. Her Himalayan Kundalini class always opens me up, grounds me, and brings me into direct contact with my True Self. It's more of a spiritual and mental workout than a physical workout, but it is also very physically and mentally challnging doing some of the kriyas. I always come back to this class and am so grateful that Kari is continuiing to offer it online so that anyone anywhere in the world can join. Much love!

Kari is an incredibly gifted massage therapist and healer; she is intuitive and skilled at…read moreco-creating a sacred energetic container for one to go deep. I've had bodywork with other amazing practitioners, who left me relaxed and helped me release muscle tension and stress. However, my sessions with Kari have gone beyond deep tissue release and into subtler layers of my being. She integrates Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki and massage in a way that encourages an unwinding of my nervous system and a clearing of mental fog. I feel a profound trust in her that allows me to let go and surrender so completely that I feel as though generations of holding and patterns are shifting and being healed. When I leave my time with her, I feel like a renewed being - clear, open and strong. I highly recommend Kari if you are looking for a healing experience that offers you access to this type of depth!

I recently had a distant reiki healing session with Arianne and it has been one of my favorite ones…read moreover my reiki healing journey, which began a few years ago. I felt immediate comfort with her and I felt in my heart that she had the best intentions for me and for humanity. She was able to help me focus on a few areas and helped me release energies that no longer served me in order for me to continue my healing journey. Arianne always made me feel at ease and was patient with my questions and thoughts I had for her. I can't wait to see her again soon!

Distant Reiki Healing Session review! I am currently 3,000 miles away on the opposite coast from…read moreArianne and just received a distant healing session from the comfort of my own bed. I wasn't totally sure how the session would go due to all the time/space between us but it was no different than the times I've seen Arianne in person. In fact, I may have been more comfy since being at home allowed me to drop in with less self-awareness, anxiety, fear, etc! The care and healing Arianne facilitates is so, so special and powerful ~ to feel this grounded and good after a distant session speaks to her abilities! Thank you Arianne!!

Unique, fun, relaxing experience…read more The instructor isn't for everyone--my friend who went with me the first time said he prefers a different type of yoga. This one seems to have a lot of stretching, some planks, downward dogs, warrior poses... I love the Grace Cathedral space. It's cavernous and reminds me of Europe--that alone is worth the price of admission! You can buy tickets there, and you can get a multi-class pass to save money. The clientele is diverse--people old and young, men and women. There's quite a bit of meditation as well. There's volunteers to help with your poses. Some reviews say come early, but I usually go 5 minutes before start time and snag a seat on the side. Very friendly people. I try to go almost every Tuesday now and they also have Saturday mornings!

Love this class and experience. Such a beautiful, unique and peaceful venue. The instructor is so…read morecalming and good. She delivers great messages as well as gives an appropriate amount of challenge. Highly recommend trying this out. The music is great as well.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program was essential to my transition into 30s and what is an…read moreadult view on life, self-care and handling of emotions. Rik was an incredible facilitator, his voice along brings me into a meditative state :) I could not recommend this program enough - it helped me deal with life's challenges, helped me improve my relationships with immediate family, I learned to verbalize my emotions (that was a biggie!), got control over my social anxieties and even flying (the turbulence used to freak me out!). It changed my relationship with time (I used to always hurry and always be late), and I came to terms with death (was not an intention of the program, but a discovery that showed itself after my second MBSR course) so that when my relatives were passing, I could handle it with grace and peace of mind, and was able to provide support to the deceased and their family instead of avoiding this subject altogether (the previous me would do that). Overall, I took 2 MBSR courses throughout the years, and try to participate in day-longs every year (open to graduates). I am convinced this program is the best thing I've ever done for my well-being, and an investment that will be bringing the returns throughout the lifetime. Thank you, Rik!!

Before coming to this place, I was anxious, had low energy, and was hyperreactive to the stresses…read moreof life. After learning insight meditation there, and by going for regular practice, I felt like a new person - I became calm, full of energy, and I feel capable of overcoming the stresses of life.

This was my first time stepping into a Brahma Kumari meditation center. What an amazing way to…read morekick-off my solar return weekend! Everyone there was welcoming...the collective energy very positive. Atmosphere was peaceful...the harp added an angelic touch. Spirtual teachings were profoundly deep...the different exercises created a progressive relaxing and centered state. I was uplifted and transformed!! I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to enhance or to begin their meditation practice. They have weekly meditations, weekend retreats/workshops, courses, etc. This elevated experience made my first trip to SF very very special. Brothers and Sisters of Brahma Kumaris, I deeply appreciate YOU ALL.

This is a house run by people from India! They hold meetings and events everyday. You can find it…read moreon the website and sign up. I saw a harp recital the other day. It's a house with a meeting space. It's nice. India!