Come join us at the Sutro Native Plant Nursery for conservation projects such as habitat restoration or nursery activities. Activities of the day may include invasive species removal, native plant plantings, plant propagation, seed processing, transplanting, pot washing and much more! Help us work towards our mission of building community, connecting people with nature, and protecting and enhancing Mount Sutro, one of the city’s wildest and most beautiful green spaces.

In response to the reopening of San Francisco, we are asking all volunteers to continue to provide their own masks. Please bring your own water and snacks and make sure to wear clothes you can get dirty in. All tools and supplies for the day will be provided. You may bring your own gardening gloves if preferred.

Please RSVP to receive an info packet with more detailed information about what to expect as well as our 2 participation waivers! Participants under 18 will need a parent or guardian signature.

We will meet in our nursery located at 476 Johnstone Drive. Head past the first yellow gate and down the driveway near the volunteer check-in sign.

Parking is available in parking stalls with red numbers near signs marked "Aldea Visitor Parking". Street parking is available along Clarendon Avenue and a short walk to the nursery.

Please email us at info@sutrostewards.org with any questions or concerns!

Here is the link to sign up. A group of SAI volunteers are going on Wednesday, January 12th from 9:30-11:30. Contact Sarani Fedman at thefedmans@gmail.com for carpool information.

Please find the information packet for our Wednesday & Thursday volunteer stewardship projects here to view

We are witnessing numerous world crises unfold right before our eyes, from disastrous climate events, to food and water shortages, to unheard of political and economic polarization. Can we separate our personal spiritual growth from our participation in the world community? Join us for this program to analyze together the impact of our personal choices and learn about specific steps we can take now to make a difference. By taking personal responsibility now, we can together help alleviate much suffering and experience the peace that comes from compassionate action.

Any questions, just let us know!

The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) is an interfaith group dedicated to supporting the earth and its inhabitants through education, action and advocacy for personal and policy-wide changes in our society. By approaching challenging issues through the eyes of love, nonviolence, and truth telling, we act from a heart-centered awareness of our inherent peace and oneness to benefit all beings

Swami Ramananda is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential. He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America.

Honoring Mother Earth, A Personal and Collective Practice

Hosted by Spiritual Action Initiative

Our Earth nurtures and supports us every day. Please come join us in an Earth Day celebration of gratitude for all that she provides us. At this gathering, we offer the opportunity to reciprocate her support and love.

• Indigenous Spiritual Counselor Yvonne Velasco Brock will lead an invocation of the teachings of The Cardinal Directions Blessing based on Indigenous wisdom ~ a sharing of how we are all connected to each other, Mother Earth and all of nature, so we may come into right relation with all;

• Nakai Brock will share a Jingle Dance, an important Native American healing dance;

• Joy Ravelli will facilitate a small an and large group discussion on ways to protect our Earth and all its inhabitants during this time of great crisis;

• Two Indian dancers will teach us the traditional dancers’ salutation to Mother Earth (bhumi pranam), and share a classical Indian dance performance celebrating the divine spirit of spring; and

• Swami Ramananda will perform a brief puja (Indian devotional homage ritual and prayer) and make offerings of gratitude in her honor.

* * * * *

Honoring Mother Earth, A Personal and Collective Practice
Thursday April 22, 2021, 5:00pm to 6:30pm

Free Online Event

Please register so we can send you the zoom link

For questions, contact Spiritual Action Initiative at info@spiritualactioninitiative.org

The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) is an interfaith group dedicated to supporting the earth and its inhabitants through education, action and advocacy for personal and policy-wide changes in our society. By approaching challenging issues through the eyes of love, nonviolence, and truth telling, we act from a heart-centered awareness of our inherent peace and oneness to benefit all beings. www.spiritualactioninitiative.org

Swami Ramananda is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential. He leads beginner, intermediate and advanced level Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco, and offers a variety of programs in many locations in the U.S., Europe and South America.

Nakai Brock is a 17 year old High School Junior of Mixteca, Maya, Apache, and French/German/Irish origin, who has been active in Youth Native Leadership in the Bay Area, and is looking to Major in Anthropology or Ethnic Studies.

Aryahi Onaga is a member of the Spiritual Action Initiative, an interfaith group dedicated to supporting the earth and its inhabitants and social justice for all. She is a member of Susila Budhi Dharma (Subud), a spiritual practice originating in Indonesia, and has an extensive history in activism including in international human rights, immigrant rights, women’s rights, environmental justice to address environmental racism, and multicultural education. She has worked in the U.S., Latin America, Brazil, Africa, Asia and Europe, and speaks fluent English, Japanese, and Spanish, and conversational Portuguese and French. She is an attorney, an artist and a Holy Fire/Karuna reiki master with training in music and sound healing; she completed the IYI 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2019.

Free | Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.

Monthly, every fourth Sunday

Please join us for exploration of the roots of racism and the changes we need to see in ourselves and society.
The discussion will be guided by the books How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi and Gather by Octavia Raheem. We will use these books and other resources to spark discussion and deep looking at ourselves and our culture. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo is available in ebook and audiobook (free on youtube) and from your libraries.

Next meeting and book pages will be announced in the class.

Send any questions to info@spiritualactioninitiative.org

Sarani Beth Fedman has studied, practiced and taught yoga for over 20 years. Most of her teacher training was completed at Yogaville, Virginia, the home of Satchidananda Ashram. These teacher trainings through Integral Yoga include Basic and Intermediate Hatha, Prenatal and Postnatal, Meditation, Raja (Philosophy), Children’s and Special Needs Yoga, Restorative, Reducing Anxiety, Accessible and Therapeutic Yoga. She has also studied Mindfulness Yoga with Frank Jude Boccio and Buddhist Meditation with Thich Nhat Hanh, Sharon Salzberg, and Joseph Goldstein. Her approach is inclusive and adaptive with the understanding that everyone can benefit from the practices and teachings of the ancient wisdom of yoga. Each of her therapeutic students receives support through a practice plan with the goal to reduce stress and discomfort and promote healing and a deep sense of well being. She has received her yoga teacher certification from Yoga Alliance at the RYT-500 level and is a certified yoga therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Sarani is a co-founder of The Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI) which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world.

Envisioning Change:
Restore and Reset for 2021

Sunday, January 17, 2021
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Hosted by Spiritual Action Initiative

Sliding scale: $1, $10, $20, $35 | Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email.

Attendees will vote at the gathering to select a social justice organization to receive the proceeds.

A special event to share hope and inspiration for bringing healing and transformation to our world, including ourselves. 

Join us for a heart meditation and embodied awareness practice to connect with our inner strength and deep peace, and from this joyful foundation envision our way forward. Together we will develop a vision of the world we wish to see, to be circulated as a call to the incoming administration and all people; then reflect on our personal intentions for the year in small groups. Plus get a fun Japanese fortune for 2021!

This workshop is presented by Spiritual Action Initiative (SAI), an interfaith group dedicated to supporting the earth and its inhabitants through education, action and advocacy for personal and policy-wide changes in our society. By approaching challenging issues through the eyes of love, nonviolence, and truth telling, we act from a heart-centered awareness of our inherent peace and oneness to benefit all beings.

For more information contact us!

Vishwam Heckert is the founder of Flowing with Life (UK) and a Heart Of Living Yoga Teacher & Teacher Trainer. Originally from Iowa, Vishwam attended Grinnell College before moving to Scotland where he wrote his PhD on the connections between social movements, anarchist ideas and loving relationships. He is overjoyed to be part of the Spiritual Action Initiative, bringing together his passion for equality and freedom with his dedication to peace, gentleness and the transformative power of love.

Visham is also a poet working on his first collection entitled Medicine Poems. He currently lives in Matlock, Derbyshire with his partner and their second permaculture forest garden.

Beyond the Book Group:
How To Be An Effective Ally & Advocate For Racial Justice

A Four-Session Series:
Tuesdays, Nov. 17-Dec. 8, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM PT

Hosted by Attuned Living

With Itzel Hayward (click here for bio)
and Kathy Simon (click here for bio)

About the four-session series:

Oppression of people of color is embedded in social systems, not just in the behavior of individuals. The racial justice movement needs allies and advocates to confront and transform these systems as they play out in policies in education, politics, policing, corporations, and more.

In the day to day, allies and advocates are also called upon to address harmful behavior of individuals who are blatantly racist or who are upholding racist ideas—including family members, old friends, and co-workers.

Using practices and insights based in Nonviolent Communication, in this four-session series, we’ll talk about the need to challenge racist words and ideas in everyday life, and how it can be done in a way that’s most likely to encourage individuals to change—or at least have openness to looking at their beliefs and behavior.

The four-session series curriculum includes:

Tues., Nov. 17, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Skills for speaking about race and racism in ways that people who disagree with you can hear

Tues., Nov. 24, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Skills for listening—even when people say things that are hard to hear

Tues., Dec. 1, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Our inner worlds: skills for holding our own reactions with acceptance

Tues., Dec. 8, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Putting it all together: showing up in ways that transform the conversation

Cost: $80-$180 sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds)

For further details and to register, please visit Attuned Living.

Voting and Beyond: Building your spiritual foundation for an increasingly political world with Mazin Jamal

Sunday, November 1, 2020

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Hosted by Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco

$20, $35 | Please register in advance, a Zoom link and passcode will be provided via confirmation email

To register, please visit IYSF.

It becomes more evident every day that the times of non-participation in our society have come and gone. Many people, and the planet, are making it clear in more and more blatant ways that they have had enough. With the upcoming election, let us set up a spiritual foundation through a community practice so that we can move through this time with resilience, clarity and our hearts connected to what’s most important to us and the bigger-picture
Questions we will explore:

• What is our role as spiritual people in engaging with these political systems?

• How do we find the balance of personal security and wellness, taking care of our loved ones, contributing to our community, living our purpose?

• What can I be doing so I can look at this time with no regrets, and go to bed at night knowing that I have done my part?

The teachings of “right action” and “karma yoga” show us that through aligning our soul with the actions we take, we can find meaning, purpose and balance in this complex world. In this interactive gathering, we will each have the opportunity to explore how powerful principles of political engagement from a spiritual foundation can take form in our own lives.

Mazin Jamal is an activist, artist, and coach supporting the success and integrity of social movement and business leaders. He supports individuals and teams to live according to their while balancing the many responsibilities of work and life. Mazin’s work ranges from the indigenous-led environmental movements of Borneo, to Diversity and Inclusion in the Heart of Silicon Valley Largest Companies.
Mazin has 9 years of experience as an activist focused on bringing end Police Brutality and Mass Incarceration, as well issues such as Healing Toxic Masculinity and Ending Genocide in his Parent’s Homeland, Sudan.

Mazin’s approach to activism centers on raising consciousness and increasing the capacity of leaders and teams to engage in a way that is true to them and their personal standards of Integrity. His work calls forth the creativity, compassion and fierce love of justice that lies in the human heart, and encourages grounded, strategic and authentic action that holds a holistic perspective on social change. holisticunderground.org – mazinjamal.com

The officials we elect this November will have an enormous impact on the issues we care about, whether it be climate change, Black Lives Matter, or other social justice and environmental causes.
If you are a U.S. citizen, please join our letter writing parties on: 
Saturday, October 10
11:30 AM -12:30 PM

Sunday, October 11
7:00 - 8:00 PM

You must register on VoteForward.org 3 days in advance to participate and gather the required supplies. Refer to the VoteForward.Org web page for general information and this link for specific preparation and other details about our meetings on October 10th and 11th. Send us your name and email address via our CONTACT PAGE and we will send you the Zoom links.

The officials we elect this November will have an enormous impact on the issues we care about, whether it be climate change, Black Lives Matter, or other social justice and environmental causes.
If you are a U.S. citizen, please join our letter writing parties on: 
Saturday, October 10
11:30 AM -12:30 PM

Sunday, October 11
7:00 - 8:00 PM

You must register on VoteForward.org 3 days in advance to participate and gather the required supplies. Refer to the VoteForward.Org web page for general information and this link for specific preparation and other details about our meetings on October 10th and 11th. Send us your name and email address via our CONTACT PAGE and we will send you the Zoom links.

A Virtual Event with Swami Ramananda, Kamala Itzel Berrio, and Sarani Beth Fedman.
We will explore together a number of options we can take now to bring positive change. From “Get Out the Vote” actions, to Climate Crisis actions, to Racial Equity actions—small and large—we will explore ways we can kindle hope and participate consciously in personal and system wide change. Now is the time. We’ll also share important practices to stay centered and compassionate as we support transformation in ourselves and our world.

Please go to www.integalyogasf.org to register for this event. A Zoom invitation will be sent to you.

Location: Ecology Center | 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702

Pests are an unfortunate, but manageable part of the gardening experience. In this class, Lori Caldwell, owner of CompostGal Consulting will show participants easy and budget-friendly non-toxic pest control techniques to help tackle and prevent typical garden pests.

Lori Caldwell is an Alameda County Master Composter, a Stopwaste Educator, a Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Professional and an avid edible gardener. She has been teaching sustainable gardening classes since 2007.

This is part three of a four-part series. Don’t forget to register for the final class!
https://ecologycenter.org/events/garden-pests-and-non-toxic-ways-to-control-them-2/

RSVP Here!
A digital convening hosted by the San Francisco Foundation, San Francisco Rising Action, and the San Francisco Interfaith Council. Featuring:

• Mayor London Breed

• Fred Blackwell, CEO, San Francisco Foundation

• Additional community leaders to be announced shortly

Two viruses have defined 2020 - COVID-19 and systemic racism - and we have an election that could be the tipping point leading to either recovery and reform or further disregard for the health and well-being of our communities. In this profound time of change, we invite you to join us for a rich dialogue about what is at stake for our city and state this election season. The conversation will touch on voter turnout strategies and key measures on the November ballot including Prop. 15 - the Schools and Communities First measure that will raise $12 billion for California's schools and local governments. 

This event is intended for San Francisco community leaders, advocates, faith-based organizations, and non-profit agencies. Attendees will learn strategies to mobilize neighborhoods, communities, and constituents for the election. 

Event Host Committee: Michael Pappas, San Francisco Interfaith Council; Neva Walker, Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth; Tessa Rouverol Callejo, San Francisco Foundation; Emily Lee, San Francisco Rising Action.

Hosted by Attuned Living, Kathy Simon and Itzel Berrio Hayward

Using practices and insights based in Nonviolent Communication, in this free introductory session, we’ll talk about the need to challenge racist words and ideas in everyday life, and how it can be done in a way that’s most likely to encourage individuals to change—or at least have openness to looking at beliefs and behavior. Perhaps counter-intuitively, we’ll start with ways of listening that can support true transformation.

This free introductory session will be followed by a four-session series. 

September 1 at 1pm. Here's the Facebook link. Hope you can make it!
https://www.facebook.com/events/294177415143337/

Location: Ecology Center | 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702

Food waste is the 3rd biggest contributor to Global Warming on earth! Where and how can we get involved?After her highly acclaimed “Simple Culinary Delights from Food Scraps” class last year, Stop Waste Environmental Educator, Chef Helga Alessio, will explore the many ways that you can intercept the Food Waste cycle right in your own kitchen.

Using practices and insights based in Nonviolent Communication, in this free introductory session, we’ll talk about the need to challenge racist words and ideas in everyday life, and how it can be done in a way that’s most likely to encourage individuals to change—or at least have openness to looking at beliefs and behavior. Perhaps counter-intuitively, we’ll start with ways of listening that can support true transformation.

Zoom link will be provided to participants
This free introductory session will be followed by a four-session series. 

Please click here for more information

RACE AND EQUITY IN YOGA: DISRUPTION AS A PRACTICE
https://online.accessibleyogatraining.com/race-equity#section-1592172694041

We are seeing a rise in awareness that a shift is necessary. People are awakening. Big change only happens through individual actions that lead to a collective shift. You can be part of the solution. This course is an opportunity for you to learn a new way of showing up in all your relationships, including your relationship to yourself, your teaching, your students, your yoga community, and your world. Get clear on your role in dismantling white supremacy and activate your yoga practice for social justice.

This virtual class focuses on permaculture and sustainable techniques for your home garden. Lori Caldwell, owner of CompostGal Consulting will cover topics that include sheet-mulching, the benefits of compost and much, bio-intensive edible gardening, hydrozoning, using recycled water, drip irrigation and native plants will also be covered.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-sustainable-practices-for-water-wise-gardening-tickets-93028882893