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!

One of my favorite place to do Hot Yoga! I actually found this place on Groupon and it was only $20…read morefor unlimited classes for a whole week. That's honestly a steal so definitely check Groupon every now and then for amazing deals. I tried so many classes with different instructors to see which class called to me and I honestly love Hot Yoga the most. I have tried the Warm Vinyasa class and Hot Pilates as well. They were both lovely and fun classes to take but something about Hot Yoga and being in a heated room (90-105 degrees Fahrenheit) sounds so nice and soothing to me. This type of environment is believed to enhance flexibility, improve circulation, and promote detoxification through sweating. I have been doing Hot Yoga (Bikram Yoga aka 26 postures and two breathing exercises) for almost 2 months now and I truly believe Hot Yoga has improved all of those things for me. My whole body doesn't hurt as much from sitting at the desk all day and I can actually feel myself feeling healthier and looking much happier. A tip I would like to mention is that staying really hydrated the day before a Hot Yoga class helps tremendously! Listen to how your body feels to avoid overheating. No need to push yourself to take classes everyday and to take it at your own pace!

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.

One of our favorite temple to come to during new years and to visit anytime of the year. Nicely…read moredecorated though parking can be chaotic

Excellent holiday vibes every year. Lots of community support and donations for them. This place is…read moretotally worth visiting during Lunar New Year, the busiest time around here filled with vibrant colors and beautiful views. Must give credit to good management and upkeep. Food vendors are great people and customers are pretty dedicated to making good vibes happen. Dining area is always packed on special holidays. It's a true blessing to have this place in the busy neighborhood. Their own parking lots can't fit many cars, so the best option is to find neighborhood street parking or retail parking spaces nearby and just walk over here. Heavy traffic on a rainy new year day is normal. Folks were burning incense/praying for the goodness and all the luck that new year can bring. There's all kinds of Vietnamese holiday foods/beverages/snacks to enjoy. All staffs young and old are hardworking here. Great place to celebrate. Most people come here for beautiful photo shoots since colorful lanterns and fresh flowers are displayed. $2/$3$/$5/$6/$7$10 cash can get you plenty of goodies. I wish the lot was much bigger because they can really accommodate a lot of people inside. It's great to see people enjoying after all these pandemic years. It's definitely a good blessing to walk around on new year of the fire horse year 2026. Strong and exciting place. Worth visiting annually.

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.

This review is long overdue! I met Marti as my first ever prenatal yoga instructor in 2023! I was…read moreblown away by her class! She had a full class and we put in work and were sweating in person and in birthing ball class via zoom! As this was my first pregnancy, I wanted it to be special for me. I was interested in having my belly decorated and a Blessing way for the birth of my son in 2024. I googled and asked around, but no1 could help me locally. I decided to ask Marti and she said she performed them! It was meant to be! I was so happy that she would be the one to put on this ceremony because after meeting her in yoga I could tell she was experienced and a true purist to the practice and traditions, but open to my hear my personal vision of what I wanted on my special day over a zoom meeting. Marti introduced me to her womb artist and she did not disappoint! I inivited a few of my closest friends over. My husband was the photographer and he made a charcuterie board and a few delicious drinks for me and my guests! My other prenatal yoga instructor, aariel helped make my ceremonial chair as Marti was so sweet to mentor her in how to prepare for a blessing way. The ceremony took place in the backyard as the sun was setting. My blessing way consisted of smudging the home and nursery, a blessing prayer & affirmations during the foot washing ritual with rose petals and adorning me with bracelets and flower anklets. Poetry was recited, a nature mandala and flower petal pathway in the backyard led to my beautiful ceremonial chair. Marti had a beautiful mama queen crown for me. Lovely instruments such as a drum, rainsticks and singing bowls were incorporated for everyone to be part of my blessing way. I couldn't have pictured it going any other way. Marti really brought my vision to life! My blessing way couldn't have gone better with anybody else but Marti! Thank you Marti! See you soon for baby #2!!

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!

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.)

Maria and Mark have put in a lot of care into making Kapwa a welcoming, safe place and you can feel…read moreit the moment you walk in. Over the past year, I've gone to the healing nights, sound baths, spiritual circle and full moon gatherings. Maria's classes have helped me develop my intuition, connect with my ancestors, and have kept me grounded during stressful times. I always leave feeling lighter and ready to handle life's challenges. They're super sweet people and even offer snacks on the way out! I can't say enough good things about this place