Yoga & Meditation Ctr

My husband and I were encouraged to try the Yoga and Meditation Center because I suffer from back problems and he suffers from multiple injuries sustained in a auto accident. That was almost three years ago and now we don't know what we would have done without it. Shashi uses his infinite wisdom of yoga and the body to teach the healing powers of yoga. Not only have we grown in physical health but we have grown spiritually and mentally. By far the most appealing feature of practicing yoga at the Yoga and Meditation Center is it's instructor, Shashi. We drive several miles to take yoga with Shashi despite having a local yoga studio a couple blocks from our house. The knowledge and wisdom Shashi has to share with his students is worth any distance. We feel like every week we learn something new even after three years. We feel blessed to have had Shashi come into our life. He is not only a wonderful and caring teacher but a friend as well. more

I began my first yoga class almost five years ago at the age of 60. At the time I had been suffering from Fibromyalgia for 20 years. I had done just about everything, including taking yoga at another yoga center. Nothing helped, all I had to hang on to were several useless medications that were temporary solutions. My first class with Shashi really inspired me. Shashi makes everyone feel comfortable in the class. His attitude toward his students is one of caring. Everyone is important to him. It doesn't matter if it is your first day or you have been going to classes for years. Since that first day a lot has happened. I gradually began to feel better and was able to get off my medications. Members of my family have also taken group or private classes because they know how far I have come. Today I have a new goal. I am currently training with Shashi to become a yoga instructor so that I can help others with similar problems. If you want to take yoga I don't think there is another studio that even comes close to what Shashi has to offer. Shashi has a wealth of knowledge in science, philosophy, and of course yoga positions and breathing techniques. I could never thank Shashi enough for all that I have learned and all that I continue to learn. Shashi is a great instructor. He has a great sense of humor and above all is caring. more

I have been a student of yoga for a few years now and I have had many different teachers as well as practiced different styles of yoga. Sri Shashi is an excellent teacher because I find that he makes good use of association in is teachings. He also keeps the class uplifting, fun, and spontaneous... an element that many teachers forget. Pros: Captivating teacher with good use of imagery and humor Cons: That there is only one of him in this sea of yoga instructors in the U.S. more

I started going to the ""Yoga and Meditation center"" because I was suffering from a health issue and was told that reducing stress will ease my problem. I was recommended to this center by my friend and decided to give it a try. Right after the first class I started to feel different. Sashi is an awesome teacher. He makes the class interesting and focuses on every part of the body. I had a shoulder sprain once - tried all the balms and nothing helped. I just told Sashi about this and he made me do some shoulder exercises. After the class, I had no pain! Earlier I would hate going to any yoga class - I even now hate going to the gym yoga classes - but this is one class I look forward to going. Thank you Sashi for everything! Pros: All yogaa benefits - flexibility, breathing Cons: Nothing! more

I really do recomend this yoga center. What you will get is great yoga excercises, as well as spiritual talk while doing the yoga which to me it is having the best of both worlds. The class is fun, exciting and very satisfying. Sashi , our yoga instructor is an angel, a very knowledgable man. He offers phillosophical workshop on saturdays, for free, and you know when some one does that it comes from the heart. \r He has his heart and soul invested in to this yoga business. \r Please try it if you are undecided about where to go.\r Nastaran Gaughan Pros: reasonable pricing, great teacher, friendly and peaceful atmosphere. more

Yoga and Meditation Center is comfortable and welcoming from the moment you step in the door. Sandra is a sweetheart and Shashi is a yogi in a turtleneck. He is not what you expected; he is so much more. Classes can be a mix of breathing, postures, and philosophy. If you are looking for a wonderful life experience and not just an exercise session; this is the place for you. Pros: A wonderful experience. Cons: Get there early, classes fill up. more

Shashi's yoga and meditation center is a one-of-a-kind facility. Decades of knowledge coupled with selflessly serving anyone who walks in the doors, makes for the perfect yoga experience. I have been practicing yoga for about 2 years and Shashi is by far my favorite instructor...and I've had over 10. No matter your age, weight, level of activity, or experience with yoga there is a class for everyone. What I love most about everyone that teaches there is their unwavering loyalty and compassion to helping others. They not only serve adults coming into the studio but also go out of their way to teach yoga at community centers, schools, and have specialized programs for youth and the deaf communities. Your mind will be shifted, stress reduced, body toned, energy increased, and your spirit lifted!!! I can't say enough about what they are working to accomplish and I am blessed to have found them! Pros: Compassionate,relaxed atmosphere, very inviting Cons: small room, might be out of the way for some in the SD area, but worth the drive! more

This is one of the best-kept secrets in San Diego! Don't worry if you've never done yoga before, you will be welcomed into a Yoga Family of students! Shashi is a Master Teacher, and very down-to-earth. He teaches yoga for physical, mental and emotional health. The classes are VERY affordable. I am physically stronger and mentally calmer, and more confident. more

I've been a student of Shashi Pottathil at the Yoga and Meditation Center for several years now. He is an incredible teacher, having over 30 years of experience and a family heritage of teaching Hatha Yoga. (Feel free to Google the phrase ""Great Yoga Teacher"" and read my article about him.)\r \r He is a true role model of positive energy and higher consciousness, with advanced knowledge and understanding of classical Yoga. His teaching style combines core principals of traditional Hatha Yoga with advancements and modifications (based on his personal experience in teaching and practice, as well as his educational background in science and research) to accommodate the realities of modern living. To quote Shashi, ""knowledge must be updated, continually..."" echoing a principle I first learned in Taoist martial arts, that the only constant in our Universe is change itself. \r \r Shashi's knowledge is not limited to the mechanics of Yoga. He is highly knowledgeable and familiar with both Eastern and Western fundamentals of physiology, biology, and medicine. He draws upon both (East and West) in his curriculum at Yoga and Meditation Center. Besides learning Asanas (i.e. ""poses"" ) you will learn breathing techniques ( and their importance to your health), guidelines for proper diet and hydration, as well as philosophy that you can apply in daily life to manage stress and overcome negativity.\r \r The ashram (studio) offers plenty of highly qualified, and very supportive, student teachers and assistant teachers, all trained and certified by Shashi. The studio space, recently remodeled, is clean, well cared for, and imbued with a nurturing, meditative feel and aesthetic. The student body is a diverse mix, ranging from engineers to college students and retirees, and most recently, kid's classes have been introduced. The general mood and attitude of the students is one of maturity and personal commitment to growth (not a social club or meat market.)\r \r It's a truly exceptional place. Pros: Great Teacher(s), Great Environment, Powerful Teaching, Positive Energy Cons: Not Open 24 Hours? ( That is, there are no ""cons"" ! ) more

I've taken yoga classes for years and I'm in my 60's. Sashi, the yoga instructor, makes fixing the body his priority and accomplishes this by breaking down the parts of yoga poses in to units that gradually improve functioning. There is a logical flow to the class and a very different emphasis on breathing, especially, that I feel is very helpful. I go twice a week and try not to miss his class. Pros: Peaceful, friendly, non competitive atmosphere. Cons: Space is small. more

July 3, 2008: \r \r I have been learning and practicing Yoga for almost 20+ years and it was only since I started attending Yoga & Meditation center since Aug 2007 that I fully realized the value and function of the various exercises. Shashi (the teacher) has phenomenal knowledge of how each exercise works with the various parts of our body. His philosophy is extremely valuable in shaping our lives. He is jovial and has a great sense of humor. His classes are very captivating and each class I leave with a sense of great accomplishment. One of the most UNDER-PRICED Yoga center in town. He should be charging more for the value that is being delivered. This center is nothing but the best value in town to pamper your own body and health. Just like an apple-a-day keeps the doctor away, an-hour-a-day of his teachings will keep you young and energetic to the very last day. So, people should STOP complaining about ""lack of time"" and try out his sample sessions to learn more about how to rejuvenate your body. He has workshops on every Saturday (not on July 5th) that tackles various areas, such as, eye exercises, breathing, back pain, etc. These are donation based classes and everyone can come and try it out and learn and watch.\r \r Don't miss this fantastic Yoga center! I was a patient of severe back pains and now those are past history. I have seen/heard of many other students who have recovered from serious ailments after religiously following Shashi's teachings. As with anything in life, success required some hard work -- no magic!\r \r ..sp Pros: Great teacher and staff, clean and easy access. Cons: None! more

I feel so fortunate I found this place! I've been coming now for almost a year and yoga here has completely changed my body physically. I lost over twenty pounds and my body has become tone and I have so much more strength. More then that though my mind has become quiet and I can focus on any task I do! My stress has decreased dramatically! \r I have enjoyed learning yoga from this center so much that I decided to become a teacher so that I can share all I've learned with others. This center has a teachers certification program.\r Shashi is a wealth of knowledge! He has over 40 years experience teaching classical hatha yoga. He teaches breathing techniques to help students manage their stress levels, postures to fix the body, and he is always willing to explain the science behind every movement to students.\r This place is a jewel. I really feel like anyone who comes here is really lucky and will benefit tremedously. Shashi is an incredible instructor willing to go the extra mile for students. Prices are VERY reasonable and the knowledge students take with them from this place last a lifetime.\r If you live in San Diego this place is a MUST SEE!!!!!! They have classes everyday to fit everyone's schedules! Pros: Everything! Teachers! Atmosphere! Classes! Cons: NONE!!! more