Art of Living has a balanced approach consisting of:…read more Yoga (body) Meditation (soul) Seva (community) IMO these three areas need to be nourished for most people to be feel purposeful in their life. The part i didn't really like at first was Seva being spreading the word - but then this is not a conventional service to be advertised using conventional methods of advertisements. Sharing experiences without "manipulation" is really what is requested to spread the word - it is the act of sharing that is main - not the result of whether. But then this org has programs accommodates and supports one and all.

I have learnt the SKY meditation technique and breathing exercises from this organization several…read moreyears ago. I am transformed due to weekly follow up and amazing care given by the teachers and volunteers of this organization. I am so pleased to see this in our neighborhood and am sure to use this place for weekly follow ups and connecting with like minded people to practice Meditation and other spiritual practices. I also look forward for Silence Meditation retreat which happens regularly.

Such a peaceful and calming place this is. I have personally done the sky program years back and…read moreattend the weekly follow-ups here without fail. It brings such serenity in my day to day life. I have also attended other completely free knowledge sessions here, and I can feel that my thought process and behaviour with others is getting so much better thanks to these sessions. The monthly satsangs are great too and the people who come in bring such light-heartedness and joy. It is a very open and secular place and the emphasis is on the breathing technique that is so simple yet tremendously transformational! A must-do, I just wish I had done this sooner!

This program is so worthwhile if you want to reduce stress, improve sleep, and be calmer and…read morehappier in general. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Covid Edition: I had my first reiki session with JEN back in November. She is amazing and has…read morehelped me work through blockages in my heart chakra, as well as working through self doubt/worth. At the time I was able to schedule a session with Jen directly, she took all precautions to make sure I was comfortable during our 1 on 1 session. It lasts for about an hour and figure a session is about $100 they do take card and have really cute stones, jewelry, books to help with moving forward in your spiritual journey. I'm ready to make my next appointment (covid allowing)

My life Balance and Business have soared since I've tapped into what the Zen room has to offer. I…read morehave been visiting the Zen room for over two years now. My experience every time has been different and fantastic. I love that they offer group meditation and individual meditation as needed. Also I enjoy the fact that I can walk in to their retail store and purchase anything from Stone's, Crystals, Jewelry, clothing, Tea and much, much more. I highly recommend if you're in the area you should visit the Zen room and experience the wonderful atmosphere for yourself! If you have time make an appointment with Dawn and experience all of the wonderful benefits she provides...

I love Balance Yoga Center. This is home! This is my safe zone. Mike and all instructors are…read morefriendly, welcoming, encouraging, and professional. Our classmates are very nice to each other as well. Sometimes I forced myself to get up of my bed and go to the studio; sometimes I was excited about the exercise even on my way driving to the studio; sometimes I had a challenge day so when Mike greeting me I looked unhappy. However, no matter how I was when I enter the studio; by the time I finished the class I would be in a much better mode. My mind got clearer, my chest felt lighter, I was happier. Balance Yoga Center not only brings me physical fitness, also mental and psychological health. I am so proud to be in this community, I love Balance Yoga Center!

LOVE this studio! All the instructors are great and the classes will kick your butt (in the best…read moreway). The rooms get nice and hot so you get a real good sweat going on. Some of my favorite classes are the yoga and Pilates with weights and bands. I am so grateful to how this studio has made me strong. No better feeling than walking out of this studio after a class and the cold air hits your red hot face lol. You gotta try it for yourself!

This was the most intensive retreat I have attended, compared to my previous experiences in…read moreThailand and India. There were moments when I wanted to leave early, but I am deeply grateful that I stayed and completed it. I sincerely thank the teacher (Sayagyi Daw Vimalanani), Ms. Ha Truong (coordinator), and all the volunteers. Their guidance and quiet support helped me understand my mind on a much deeper level. Letting go of my phone was not easy at first, but after 15 days, I felt less attached to it and more present with myself. Instead of being drawn into social media and news, I learned to spend my time more meaningfully, turning inward with awareness. The program is intensive, with eight one-hour sitting meditation sessions each day. The first two days were very challenging--I almost gave up due to the physical pain. However, after speaking with the teacher, her compassion and wisdom shifted me from fear to courage. I realized that pain is always present; in daily life, we are simply too distracted to notice it. Through her guidance on "noting," I gained valuable insight into my own patterns. The food was delicious. We ate two meals a day and stopped eating after noon. At first, I felt hungry, but my body gradually adjusted--and I found my sleep became easier and deeper. I also observed my mind moving from worry about not having enough, to noticing moments of greed, and eventually to a deep sense of gratitude. The accommodation was simple and comfortable, a clean private room, with thoughtful touches like extra blankets and an alarm clock. The shared bathrooms were always clean, and I never had to wait. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend giving this gift to yourself.

Unfortunately after COVID the whole vibe of this great center has changed. It was great when Ha and…read moreShaun were retreat coordinators , their level of practice is evident from the way they engage with other people, ever mindful and full of brahma vihara. They have stopped weekend retreats for good. Can't imagine the level of Bad kamma generated by the people that might have initiated this new regime. By preventing interested short term practitioners to practice and use the retreat center resources "as weekend retreats" and preventing wholesome dana possibilities for dana sponsors on weekend retreats. All retreats are charged $$$ per day, and the attendee rules have got stricter ( check new print meditators handbook ) I have not seen any Panditharama center charge for its sessions anywhere else. May be they have financial troubles, may be they became too business minded , may be there is new leadership that don't have any sense of what real true Buddhist practice is. Very sad. But i am grateful for all the weekend retreats TMC conducted in the past, they have helped me and many others develop the path. I transfer all those merits to the people who made it possible. Having said this I think TMC is still providing good service for our local Vietnamese and Burmese community. So i left 2 stars.

Very beautiful place I highly recommend this for Buddhist people Even teaches young people like…read morekids Vietnamese and about Buddha,Wonderful Place if you are looking to clear ur mind or find peace I definitely recommend here, My kids go to the Vietnamese School every Sunday. It is Amazing very clean and they sell vegetarian food, it is so so so pretty on tết they have Vietnamese lanterns all around and little kids singing and dancing. So yeah very peaceful and calm you can go into the main hall and just sit and here the nuns and monk praying and it helps clear all worries and stress and helps you dung ur inner peace and quiet.

I've been to Duc Vien Temple multiple times! It's one of the best places to worship Buddha, pray…read moreand meditate. Normally on Sunday at lunch time, there will be a vegan food market where you can buy delicious pre-made vegan food to donate for the temple and nuns. I came here all the time, not just because I wanted to pray but also to savor the best Vietnamese vegan dishes. The food here are just chef's kiss, some of the dishes I suggest you to try are vegan bun Hue, corn sweet dessert, Vietnamese sandwiches (some days they have it), vegan spring rolls. They're all affordable, $15 for noodle dishes, $5 for sweet treats, $7 for spring rolls. Rice dishes are complimentary in Buddha's spirit (but do help temple's works in return for the food). Even though they're cash only, they do accept Zelle as payment. Also, this peaceful place has a very serene garden, beautiful latern decorations. You should visit this place during lunar new year or mid autumn festival because the temple is best decorated during that time. They also host big events for Viet buddhists and you can check schedule on their Facebook page!

Beautiful and serene place of worship. It was busy today because it is MLK day, yet it felt so…read morepeaceful and calm. Beautiful architecture and it was wonderful and centering to hear the monks chanting. They were also giving out free food for everyone, which was a nice gesture. Unlike some other places of worship that I've been to, where I am clearly not from the primary cohort of people who go there, this spot was very welcoming, and I did not feel out of place.

Tucked away in the old part of San Jose, Pao-Hua Buddhist Temple is visible from far away with its…read morebeautiful architecture but the entrance is easy to miss. The temple feels like a hidden oasis surrounded by an ordinary neighborhood. The temple is especially beautiful in the spring with its vibrant gardens filled with blooming flowers. The ponds add to the serenity and peacefulness. The temple itself is not very big and you can quickly explore all of it. Everything is kept clean and neat. There is usually plenty of parking and there are even restrooms for guests. On busy weekends and holidays you may have to park outside the premise. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. Overall, I'd highly recommend visiting Pao-Hua Buddhist Temple whether you are spiritual or not. It's a peaceful spot to reflect and enjoy.

I am very fortunate that I found Marti! I first met Marti during my pregnancy, and her classes were…read moresuch an important part of preparing both physically and mentally for delivery and postpartum recovery. She creates such a warm, supportive, and welcoming environment. Now I attend her mom-and-baby yoga classes at Pioneer Park Mountain View, and they have become one of the highlights of my week. The classes are not only fun and relaxing, but also a wonderful way to connect with other moms and babies in the community. The yoga poses and stretches have helped so much with postpartum recovery, especially relieving the back, shoulder, and neck pain that comes from feeding and carrying a baby all day. Marti is an expert, incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and attentive, and she truly understands what postpartum moms need. If you are pregnant, postpartum, or looking for a supportive mom-and-baby activity, this is where you want to go!

I loved the prenatal baby and me yoga class with Marti in the park! It's such a relaxing and…read morerejuvenating experience, especially after a winter postpartum. My baby also absolutely loved it. She was smiling and babbling the entire time. It was also so lovely to spend this time with other mothers going through similar journeys. I happened upon the class in the park one day and walked up to Marti to see how I could sign up for the class. She was so gracious and welcoming and immediately got my phone number and send me the sign up details. She also brought an extra mat and blanket for me because I was traveling from out of town and didn't have a mat in my Airbnb. Marti is clearly a huge asset to the yoga community in the Mountain View area and I am excited to go to her class again when I come back.

Shirani has the gift of getting to the heart of the matter easily, kindly and with lightning speed…read more She is a shining talent in the field of couples coaching and counseling and she is highly tuned to nuance in language and communication that sets her apart from other relationship counselors. She announced a new service, Couples Intensive Day-long, and I needed more information as soon as I heard her passion come through about it. She is a master of illuminating the function of "triggers" and the dismantling of their power over relationship dynamics. Thank you Shirani for your illuminating light and gentle kind way of handling a thing as precious as a loving relationship.

I have done several things with Shirani and she is amazing! Since the fist moment I met her I was…read moreattracted to her energy. I have done Lunch Time Meditation, Chakra Workshop & Rebalancing Meditation and Energy Healing. I have always learned many things with Shirani and felt more balanced, centered, and grounded. I feel working with her brings me back from the stressful and hectic life to my center. I'm able to clear my mind and be at peace. I recommend her 100%!

Kapwa Wellness is such a wonderfully welcoming space. I've been able to attend several sound baths…read moreso far and I can say that I always leave feeling better than when I arrive. They offer two sessions for sound baths a week in the early evenings on Wednesdays and Fridays. While I am not local to the area, it is definitely worth the drive out. I've brought a couple friends with me recently and they also expressed how relaxing the sound bath was and how it was just what they needed. Also unlike some other sound baths I've attended, Kapwa Wellness has the space all set up for each attendee. They provide not only the yoga mat, but also a blanket, bolsters, and also yoga blocks that help with the comfort and the experience of the sound baths. While I can't always come as often as I'd like, coming back always feels like a haven for me - especially during the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Can't wait for my next visit! If you're thinking about visiting or trying out a sound bath for yourself I'd say do it. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain. (Also if that's not your cup of tea quite yet, they also host other uplifting and educational workshops and also Qi Gong sessions! I haven't had the chance to try out these other offerings yet, but hoping to be able to in the near future.)

I attended Danville Yoga, now known as Kapwa Wellness, over a period of years. I promoted them at…read moreno benefit to myself and brought numerous guests with me to attend soundbath. Mark sold memberships to my friends without informing that the visits could not be used when they relocated the business a few minutes away under a new name, and they changed their policy to disallow me from having others use my visits. The shift in good will and energy was palpable. They didn't increase their prices, but instead started having super rigid new policies. And I understand a business needs to make money, but I stopped feeling positive energy around Mark, and was treated as if i wanted to take advantage of them. It was odd. Maria never had negative energy. But I don't feel safe in that environment and wouldn't bring my trauma survivors there due to the negative passive aggressive energy from Mark. It was hurtful and unnecessary and hostile and not in the spirit of assertive communication, healthy boundaries, trust, or healing AT ALL