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Robbie Wood 6/6/26 Robbie Wood 6/6/26

Explore the Inner Path: Kriya Yoga for Turbulent Times

Can peace be found amidst chaos? Senior Kriya Yoga teacher Ann Hayes discusses the inner path of Kriya Yoga as a refuge of light, steadiness, and soul guidance. Return to the center where true clarity and strength reside.

Rev. Ann Hayes is an ordained minister, meditation teacher, and spiritual counselor. She offers classes and retreats focusing on spiritual awakening. Ann has been studying in the Kriya Yoga tradition since 1998 and was ordained to teach in 2007 by her guru, Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian. Ann serves on the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment board of directors, is a retired nurse and former executive director and COO of several health-related nonprofit organizations. With her husband Rev. Jeff Collins, she is the co-founder of the CSE affiliate center, Santa Rosa Kriya Yoga Meditation Group which offers weekly online meditation to people locally, nationally, and internationally. The group was established in 2014. Ann also served as an assistant producer of The Yoga Hour from 2016 until earlier this year.

🧘 Meditate with Ann and learn more: https://www.santarosameditation.org/

🔗 Discover the upcoming Kriya Yoga retreat with Yogacharya O’Brian at Center for Spiritual Enlightenment (in-person or online)

Dr. Trujillo’s Comments

“My conversation with Rev. Ann Hayes is an excellent overview of the teachings of Kriya Yoga and how they can be helpful to us in turbulent times. We introduced listeners to the long history of Kriya Yoga as a spiritual path that is experiential, time-tested, and effective in helping us to experience our true nature. Our conversation focused on essential practices of Kriya Yoga as set forth in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, such as meditation, self-discipline, self-study, and self-surrender. We also gave an overview of the four F’s of meditation: Foster, Focus, Flow, and Finish. This is an episode that will be helpful to all in understanding more about Kriya Yoga and the peace that it can bring to us in challenging times.”

The Yoga Hour Listener Comments

“I really appreciated this episode for the clarity it brings about Kriya Yoga to seekers of an inner path. The dialogue with Rev. Ann Sarasvati Hayes begins by clarifying that Kriya Yoga is not a religion but a deeper knowing of God or Supreme Consciousness as our center, a guide in life. Kriya = actions. Yoga = Wholeness/Union. Kriya Yoga = Conscious Living. This is a perfect episode to share with those curious about Kriya Yoga and/or contemplating joining a Kriya Yoga retreat. It is also a wonderful reminder for those of us on the path for many years of how these ancient teachings are still relevant today.”

Robbie Wood 5/14/26 Robbie Wood 5/14/26

Invite the Yoga Sutras into Your Life

Join us as we discuss the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, Book One, with author and ordained minister David McGrath, based on his new commentary and exercises to integrate these teachings into your life.

David McGrath is a psychoanalytical psychotherapist and Kriya Yoga minister dedicated to exploring what it means to be human through both psychological inquiry and spiritual practice. Ordained in 2011 by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, David integrates the philosophical and practical teachings of yoga with a deep understanding of the unconscious mind.

His work bridges ancient wisdom and modern psychotherapy, helping individuals develop self-awareness, navigate inner conflict, and live with greater clarity and authenticity. Alongside his clinical practice, David offers one-to-one consultations, retreats, online programmes, and workshops.

Through his work, David invites people to engage directly with life—exploring consciousness, embracing transformation, and discovering a deeper sense of connection and meaning.

📚 This episode discusses David McGrath’s book: Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali: Book One: Samādhi Pāda — Concentrated Absorption

🔗 Learn more about David on his website, watch his videos on YouTube, and find him on Facebook

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: “I found David McGrath to be a delightful guest in his deep knowledge about yoga and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. We discussed his definition of Samadhi as “effortless concentration”, the importance of the teachings of the yoga Sutras in guiding our meditation and yoga practice, and some concepts of Samkhya philosophy which help ground our understanding of yoga philosophy. I particularly enjoyed his closing comments that the aim of yoga is to “soften our grip”, to allow us to practice non-attachment to our own ideas. This conversation is a wonderful place to start if you’d like to deepen your understanding of yoga.”

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: "I really enjoyed this conversation because both guest David McGrath and our host Laurel Trujillo have such a wonderful way of explaining essential concepts. I enjoyed the discussion about Samadhi (effortless concentration), Atha (now), and about neutralizing our thoughts rather than suppressing them during meditation. David is clearly a skilled and thoughful teacher."