Transcendental Meditation is a welcoming and accommodating experience. The teachings I received…read morefrom my TM teacher, Utsav Bajgain, yielded immediate, positive results that I have found to be repeatable and applicable to all areas of my life. I have experienced so many benefits. From having a more positive and empathetic view with regard to people and situations to myself evolving more emotionally and spiritually. This all came faster and easier than I expected. I am immensely looking forward to evolving further. I already see a big change in how I am handling the major stresses in my life. With all the profoundly impacting and worrisome issues within our world along with so many people struggling with mental illness. I feel it is more important now than ever to be embracing this beautiful practice of Transcendental Meditation. Not only was my teacher, Utsav Bajgain, extremely knowledgeable and patient but I also now have these amazing and transformative resources available to me for the rest of my life through the app. This type of support is so very hard to find and simply priceless in today's scary and stressful world. I now feel at peace, relaxed and focused. I can't thank my teacher Utsav Bejgain and the entire Transcendental Meditation Community enough. This is only the beginning for me and I feel better and blessed for it.

Learn it. Do it. Keep it forever. Practice daily. This will change your life if you go with it.read more

I've been Vibe's client for over three years now and he is undoubtedly an amazing person and a…read morepowerful healer. One thing he made sure over these years is that he can only take you as far as you allow. Meaning he does not overstep unless you want and ask for help. As he mentioned in the comment below, he's not there to fix you, he's only providing you with help so you can heal yourself. And I'm so glad he's that way. I'm glad he doesn't wanna fix you, but instead shows you how powerful you can be if you allow yourself to be. I'm glad he's not for everyone. Especially the one who chooses fear. Because then you know - it was you and you only who chose Love and allowed healing to happen.

Vibe has a great personality and sense of humor. I have felt comfortable from the first second I…read morecame to his office for healing hands appointment. He introduced himself in the beginning, why he chose this path to help people, also he was asking me different questions before he started to work with my energy. And I think it's important part of the process as I want to know a person who is going to heal me on spiritual, body and mind level. The only issue was a price. Yelp states that the price for session is 120$, I also checked website and there were no price information. So I was expecting the price I found on Yelp but 120$ was actually per hour(no time limit was mentioned). Our session was about 2,5 hours. I would recommend to update the price information to make it more clear and avoid confusing situations in the future.

I have been attending the Puget Sound Zen Center, both on Vashon and more recently in West Seattle,…read morefor about three years. It is a wonderfully open, cheerful, and thoughtful community, both for experienced practitioners and for those coming for the first time. There are great tips for first-timers here: https://pszc.org/new-to-zen/. I would add two quick things if you are coming for the first time. First, it is a good idea to arrive 15-20 minutes early, regardless of which meditation you attend. It is helpful to get a few pointers on where to sit and what to expect. People will be glad to offer suggestions, and there is always someone assigned specifically to help newcomers. Just ask for "the Shoji." Second, if you do not need wheelchair access, the entrance is right up the steps in the front of the building. The front is the side that looks out on the driveway where you drove in. Like Zen itself, the place has many doors. Like Zen itself, this can be a little confusing. If you need a more accessible entrance, the double doors will be on your right. If they are not open, just knock and someone will no doubt let you in. There is also a satellite Zen Center in West Seattle that meets on Monday nights at Fauntleroy UCC. You can find the schedule and other information for both Zen Centers here: https://pszc.org/.

Warm, supportive community dedicated to learning and applying Zen principles. The practice is…read morerooted in a centuries-old tradition (Rinzai Zen), which feels strong, something I can lean into. When you first start, it might feel foreign, very different, but don't let that dissuade you; the practice, here, is to be true to the discipline while also learning how to teach & apply it in our culture. I also love that there are so many ways to be involved -- from working in the meditation garden, or working in the food garden (food is donated to the food bank), the Racial Healing group - or sitting in meditation on Zoom (every day there's at least one sit). But the thing I appreciate the most is the feeling I get that everyone is sincere, not judgmental or self-righteous. Really just learning how to practice no-self and, from within, transform greed, hatred and ignorance (the vows we say at every sit).

Two years ago I had never taken a yoga class in my life and was terrified of the mat. Fast forward…read moreto the present--now I'm a dedicated practitioner thanks to Joel and Yogasmith. Joel is hands-down the most patient, knowledgable, and honest yogi I've met. He blends philosophy and meditation with physical strength. One of the things he says in class is that "yoga is a breathing practice...with postures." For someone like me who is wound up really tightly, having a mentor who reminds me to slow down and breathe has changed the quality of my whole life. Joel works hard to create a community at the Smith. It's more of a family and less of a gym. He has an optional co-op program that allows members a discount on classes, and in exchange, we contribute to helping cancer patients practice for free. Classes are affordable, focused, and manageable for all levels of expertise. I find the curriculum challenging but not frustrating. I get a good workout and I always feel better after class. I love looking around the space and seeing an array of body shapes, skin colors, and ages. No egotistical show-offs here, just lovely people excited to do yoga together. The Smith is always clean, warm, and safe. It even smells good! I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders every time I climb the stairs. Highly recommended for newbies and old pros alike. Much love for Joel and Yogasmith!

Tucked away above the Jules Maes Tavern in Georgetown, Yogasmith is a serene refuge from the…read morestressors of the modern world. Siddhartha sits by the entrance, greeting practitioners as they arrive for class. A creaky staircase leads to an inviting space with brick walls, beautiful hardwood floors and ample windows throughout. A majestic gong sits front and center in the room and is surrounded by singing bowls. Music plays softly and, depending on the time of day, candles flicker. Merely entering the space stirs a sense of well-being. Yogasmith offers a variety of classes for students of all levels. These include an introductory series, as well as all-level, men's, restorative and cannabis-friendly classes. In addition to classes, there are workshops and special events such as a monthly Sound Bath. The instructors at Yogasmith come from different backgrounds, each bringing his/her own unique expertise. The studio is open seven days a week, which makes scheduling easy. Students can sign up for a series (or "stream" in Yogasmith lingo) or drop-in. Director Joel Benjamin is the soul-epicenter of Yogasmith. His approach to teaching is gentle, good-humored and encouraging. And as founder of the studio, he has gone to great length to create a community that is vibrant and inclusive. He is exquisitely mindful of how world events impact this community and is diligent in his efforts to offer comfort, resources and tools in response. There are always tea and snacks in the kitchen at Yogasmith. There is also a living room area with a library full of books on meditation, yoga and various spiritual traditions. Hang after class is highly encouraged. There are numerous coffee shops and restaurants around the bustling Georgetown neighborhood for anyone seeking a more substantial post-class nibble. I've been practicing at Yogasmith for a little over three years now, and the benefit has been invaluable. I always leave feeling better than when I came in. And with each practice, I learn something that I can take with me and apply to daily life. As a fairly recent empty nester, I'm especially grateful for the community I've found here. Whether you're a first-time student or a lifelong practitioner, there is something for you at Yogasmith. I encourage all to give it a try.

It has been many years since I had been to Shambhala (the last time was when it was on Pike)…read more So I was glad to discover that it is still around, in Madison Valley. The website lists a number of programs, including meditation. It is still inspiring to hear the dharma, so I'm hoping to spend more time with Shambhala. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S57G9rFHOG8 That said, I am interested in how the local chapter is dealing with serious allegations of sexual misconduct at the top (of the international organization).

I was overworked for many years and my body got to the point of feeling tired everyday from head to…read moretoe. For some time now, I have stopped working and I've been trying to rest/heal myself. During this time, I have tried meditation, yoga, swimming, etc. None of them got me very excited. I found Uplift Yourself through a meet-up website and decided to give it a try. I learned that they are a non-profit organization, so anyone is welcome to join their class, regardless of the tuition. Also, I was fortunate to spend some time alone with one of the Qigong teachers, Kathy Fogarty. The individualized attention I received from her was truly a blessing. I also noticed that I have had less stress and tension in my body whenever I am in this place. I think I finally found something that I will enjoy doing and gives great benefit to myself mentally and physically.

Uplift Yourself was a gem to find! The practice of Qi Gong has helped calm my mind, relaxed me and…read moregiven me tools to use when I begin feeling stressed. The group of teachers and staff at Uplift Yourself are incredibly welcoming, friendly and intelligent. Their monthly Open House events are an easy "in" to learn more, and wonderful that they are free for the community!

I enjoy services here. Sermons are in English and Japanese. Parking on Weller is sometimes scarce.read more

Nichiren Church Serves the best home-made Chow Mein every year for their fundraiser at the end of…read moreSeptember. I've been going to this church since I was a kid and was married here Japanese style with three tiers of sake. My parents were married here too. Recently, the reverend resigned in July. So the members are waiting for another new reverend to start. There's Sunday service in half in English and half Japanese sutras at 10:30am, unless there's a special service like Buddha's Birthday or St. Nichiren's Memorial Service called Oeshiki. I visited the head temple in Ikegami Honmonji Temple in Tokyo, during Oeshiki. It's when a million pilgrims show up and parade up to the temple chanting and beating their hand-held drums. They also carry these large Cherry Blossom lanterns. When St. Nichiren died in Oct. cherry blossoms began to bloom again. He lived in the 13th Century and was a radical in his time and paid the price since the Japanese government tried to execute him. But a storm brewed and legend said, lightning struck the samurai who was to behead him. So they stuck him on a rock in the middle of the sea. He survived another attempt on his life. He also prayed to help defend against the Mongols who wanted to invade Japan. The Mongols ran into stormy seas and wasn't able to take over the country. Later, they exiled him to Sado Island and he was able to teach his disciplines. During services, it's exciting to hear the drums compared to the quiet Zen sect where you will have to medidate for hours. For Nichiren the meditations are for only a few minutes so it's not painful. Every Wednesday, there's a Shodo (calligraphy) Club that meets and the church ladies help out to cook the Beef Bowl for the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival at Seattle Center. They are the best cooks and members are treated to the best Japanese Bento Box during New Years! But you will need to be a member to get this bento box.

Great church, they finally made it to Renton. Been a fan…read morefrom the beginning. Great religious science message. Love Rev. Gayle! Love the music. The Carco theatre it a great space. Come on down.

This is the spiritual home I searched for for forty years. I've done a lot of "church-hopping", but…read moreI knew this one was the place I was looking for before the first service was over. Genesis teaches ancient wisdom and new thoughts about it. It doesn't matter if you come from a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or atheist background. It doesn't matter if you're gay straight or somewhere in between. It doesn't matter if you are white or a person of color. We are all God in Form, and by changing your thinking you can change your life. Genesis teaches the spiritual tools to do that. It's more than a church: this is a home for living a spiritual - not religious - life.

This place has fostered the best Ecstatic Dance for over a decade. Built community, provided safe…read morerefuge from the hustle and bustle of city life, while catering to the healthy boundaries and consent of attendees. They accept people, welcome those who are struggling, and provide a healing container to let your energy out and flow through music. A must-visit while coming to Seattle!

Excellent play for kids to tap into their inner creativity and birthday parties. Highly recommendread more