Very traditional Zen Center, at least for America. If you are looking for a democratically run…read moreorganization this is not it. The teacher is definitely the authority in all matters here. Having said that, it runs more or less smoothly and people treat each other kindly and respectfully. If your focus is on the meditative aspects of practice, and you'd like to interact with others that have that focus as well, then this is a fine place.

I have been doing a lot of general reading about Buddhism over the past year or so, and a friend…read moreconvinced me to stop reading and start doing, so last month I went to the Saturday morning beginner's class at Kannon Do. This center is affiliated with the San Francisco Zen Center, also founded by Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki,s o they are mainstream, excellent pedigree, nothing cult-ish here. Unlike the San Francisco Zen Center, the program for beginners was intense even for me, and I don't think my attention span is as gnat-like as some people. We began by meditating after about a ten minute talk. We sat for 20 minutes, did about 15-20 minutes of walking meditation, took a 10 minute break, did another 20 minutes of meditation, then another 10 of walking, then another 20 of sitting. I was overwhelmed. All the books I read said to start a few minutes at a time, and that even that would be a challenge. I was really struggling. And I had no idea what the purpose of the meditation was. What exactly had I been reading about? If I could focus, to what end? This class was mainly meant to get you started on focusing your mind, and getting your body used to the posture. The nun was very nice, the facility was clean, tranquil, and the gardens beautiful. But this was just too intense for me, and from what I understand, much more intense than the beginners classes at the SF Zen Center. The Wednesday night sessions also have beginner's session, followed by 40 minutes of sitting, followed by a service, then a dhamma talk, which I'm sure would be great to listen to, but I got the distinct impression you couldn't come for just the talk. I don't expect to be good at this overnight, or to gain understanding or insight even after a few years at it, but I think I may need more guidance and a more gentle beginning. If you want to start though, these people are nice and you'll have plenty of time to think, focus, and work on posture.

My experience of taking classes, workshops and community musical gatherings at Crave spans several…read moremonths. The offerings are diverse and well curated. My profession spans 35 years of teaching Yoga and mentoring instructors in Silicon Valley. We joyously welcomed Crave into our community when Helena began her new management role and opened the studio four years ago. This Yoga establishment is fairly young AND considered as a treasure to yoga enthusiasts living in Mountain View. The moment you step into the space, you will feel a warm welcome in the environment and from the exceptional teaching staff. Be sure to meet the owner, Helena O'Brien McLoughlin. ~ Marti Foster, Executive Director at Marti Foster Yoga

I've been going to Crave Yoga specifically for their prenatal classes on Saturdays with Marti for a…read morefew months now. It's such an empowering, fulfilling and amazing experience with other mamas who want to strengthen and prepare for birth. So glad I joined and have taken these classes Highly recommend crave yoga and joining this great community!

Have never attended here, but was initiated in Washington DC in Spring 1973. TM is a great…read morespringboard into expanded awareness taking only minutes a day. Try it, you,'ll like it. ;)

Life-changing! Learning TM has been a deeply rewarding experience. The instruction was clear,…read morethoughtful, and well-structured. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to reduce stress, improve their health, and find greater inner peace.

My company invited Sylvia to teach gentle yoga/meditation class during staff development health…read morefair. We thought it would be difficult to accommodate people of different levels of experience, shape and lifestyle. Well, Sylvia did a perfect job. She provided both regular and gentle chair yoga options in one setting. She also personalized the session to address the professional needs of preschool teaches, giving them some ideas to bring to the classrooms as well. Everyone was relaxed, happy and refreshed after the class, badly needed and well deserved feeling. Sylvia came prepared and focused. We highly recommend her.

I met Sylvia at her organized meet up sessions for guided meditation, walking meditation, stress…read morerelief thinking and few basic yoga sessions. All in all, she has a very good heart, she's an old soul person who leave everyone touched at her sessions.

I've always been curious about meditation and decided to give this place a try based on other Yelp…read morereviews. My husband and I enrolled in the Level 1 Meditation class, which is free, and lasts for 12 weeks. It definitely is a commitment, but we attended all but one class (due to Thanksgiving break) and really found it so enjoyable and fulfilling. To note, this is Zen Buddhism that they are teaching, so if you are particular about that, it's something to consider. The Shifu who runs the class is really insightful and funny. (I think he's absolutely endearing!!) He made the classes fly by. The way they go is that the first half of class is dedicated to teaching you the basics of Zen meditation (chanting, sitting, walking). The second half is lecture in the dining hall, otherwise known as Dharma talks, which teach you a lot of the practical and traditional aspects of Zen Buddhism and meditation. Overall, going here has helped my hubby and I connect a lot better and learn how to handle stress in a more calm way. We definitely would have joined the level 2 class if we hadn't moved up north. I try to visit and meditate here whenever I am in the South Bay :)

I've visited many temples in the past due to my Buddhist mother dragging me, but this temple is the…read moreonly one that I really enjoy and actually will go on my free will. :P I took the level 1 meditation class in English, which I find is really rare. The other temples that I've been to only speak Chinese or Vietnamese. I don't understand Chinese very well, so I was very happy to find English courses here. The teacher is Shifu JianYing, who is a happy and funny monk. The atmosphere is very warm and welcoming. The lectures are enlightening, fun, and enjoyable. I highly recommend taking the class if you have time (once a week for 2 hours for 12 weeks), and it's free too! :)

I didn't realize I could review IMC on Yelp but it's a place after all, so why not. And it's not…read morejust a place, it's a very lovely place. It's the real real. No flash, all substance. Truly, it changed the direction of my life. I am still myself, always will be, but this place and its people transformed and impacted me in ways I couldn't have predicted. My introduction to the practice and teachings from IMC was very important for my personal development and spiritual growth. When I lived in RWC 5 years ago I was located on Main Street near the In-N-out which was walking distance to the meditation center. I ended up going to the center weekly, regularly. I've been living in Arizona since that time and I am still very much connected to this group. I come back yearly to attend silent vipassana meditation retreats at their center in Santa Cruz, simply named Insight Retreat Center. I told you, no flash. It's refreshing to support and be connected to a place that isn't part of the heavily capitalized society we live in, in which everything seems to come down to its monetary value. Not here my friend! IMC has core employees but what it really runs on is the commitment of volunteers. I typically function as a retreat manager when I come to IRC and if I lived closer I would happily give time to this place. In 2017 when I came often, it really helped me with personal challenges I was experiencing. I gained a community of practitioners that are serious about the dharma yet also kind people. I've met some amazing teachers and found my personal teachers of Gil and Max to be wonderful people in the world. 2 of my favorites :D IMC is a Buddhist meditation center that has some very excellent teachers and programs overall. It used to be a former church, turned Buddhist meditation hall. Very peaceful place. It's a place of refuge and to learn about the practice of mindfulness and get your feet wet. Or, be a longtime meditator and get your practice even more in depth. Whatever you are looking for on this path, it's there. I couldn't recommend this place enough. Don't miss it, you could easily walk by it not noticing, and never know the treasures it holds within. If you're unsure how to navigate coming here for a first time, a tip is to go online to their website. They have a robust schedule of classes, guided meditation sits, and general information about the place and people. It's very useful.

Incredible place and teachers, especially Gil who is the pillar of IMC. They hold frequent online…read moreand in person gatherings, kind community, and food for thought. Highly recommend

I have been coming to Ananda Tenple for more than a year, and I found all what I need for my…read morespiritual growth. Classes , satsang support in my journey , meditations and friends. The Sunday service is very inspirational with music , readings, short meditation and very meaningful sermon . I highly recommend for everyone , starters in the yoga path as well for more advanced practitioners. Love , peace and friendship is the fragrance in this holy temple .

The Ananda Teaching Centers in Santa Cruz County were my spiritual home for decades. That all…read morechanged in September 2020 for obvious reasons. As sad as it was to lose my local Ananda community, I had the chance to move to the Ananda Community in Mountain View and become part of the most dynamic, centered, compassionate, self-aware group of people I have ever known. I love the opportunities to be of service to others as they find their spiritual path. The Ananda Temple is not really the physical structure on the corner of El Camino and College. The congregation of Truth seekers who come together to serve, meditate, practice yoga, and have fun...those people are the true Ananda Temple. I love the diversity. I love Sunday Services. I love the yoga classes. I love the classes on how to be happy in a chaotic world. I love being in a space with others where I can close my eyes, be still, and feel the presences of the Divine in me and all around.

The place is a sanctuary for peace. It is warm and welcoming and is there to provide healing for…read moreyour aches and pains, a place to find comforting nourishment, soothing energy, and a destination where you can get lost in the calmness of it all. I have been here several times. The staff are wonderful. The place is impeccably clean and peaceful. The service is top notch. I have done massages, enjoyed soothing tea, and experienced sound baths here. A must-visit place in Midtown.

I've been going to Shanti Dhara Wellness for a while now, and it's one of those places that always…read morefeels grounding the moment you walk in. The space is calm and thoughtfully designed, and nothing ever feels rushed. I really enjoy their custom crystal experiences -- being able to choose and work with the crystals in a personal, intuitive way makes each visit feel a little different and very intentional. It never feels gimmicky, just quietly meaningful. Every session leaves me genuinely relaxed and clear-headed, not just for an hour but well after. If you're looking for a wellness space in Palo Alto that's peaceful, sincere, and personalized, this is a place worth returning to.

A serene place on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto…read more.. If you ever needed a time out, Windhover would be a great place for you. I read about this meditation site from another review. It's located right next to the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden. To enter, you need a student ID which opens the door with a swipe. My friend's son is a student here. My friend is an alumnus of Stanford. They're so fortunate to be a part of this wonderful institution! Windhover was on the warm side. I didn't feel any air conditioning on this warm summer day in July, so I quickly walked through and viewed the artwork and felt calmer from the water feature. This was a nice break in our busy day. I saw students sitting and lying down in a meditative state and wished them well...

When I was an Andrew Mellon postdoctoral humanities fellow here @Stanford, calm and healing places…read morelike the Windhover meditation center did not yet exist. Now, they do. Students, faculty, staff, and their guests can access the inside seating areas designed for mediation & quiet work, but even casual visitors to the Stanford campus can use the outdoor areas, like the stone bench by the reflecting pool or the wooden seating area by the lone Japanese maple and bubbling square shaped water fountain. Also, you can walk the labyrinth as well. See my pics for details and my WordPress blog, sempervirens117.com for more information on cool, under the radar screen places to visit at Stanford if you have the time and energy for some real adventures. Highly recommended!

Fon led a guided sound bath at one of our Mancini's Sleepworld stores and brought a deep sense of…read morerelaxation to all our guests. She made everyone feel welcome and comfortable, and even incorporated simple stretches people could use at home. Overall, she created a warm, calming experience and was truly a joy to collaborate with.

When I met Fon, I was having blocks and resistance around moving forward and becoming more bold and…read morevisible in my business. I felt fear, hesitation. I was procrastinating getting things done that would create momentum. I was scared of my own success, of becoming overwhelmed, and of being judged or rejected. Fon helped me to identify the limiting beliefs that were hiding behind these blocks and see how they weren't serving me. We also worked on shifting these beliefs into ones that support bold action. Now I'm excited to serve the clients who need me! After working with Fon, I feel much lighter, freer and more inspired. I am ready to share my gifts with the world and be rewarded for it. Fon herself has a special and unique presence. Coaching with her felt like a conversation with a wise friend. She stood for my greatness where I had doubts. Thank you, Fon!