Introducing Seva Starters:

The Purusha Seva Project provides funding for the implementation of programs proposed by members of the community. After reviewing a recent group of applications, the Board of Directors has chosen the following Seva Starters:

Elizabeth Samet was introduced to formal yogic practices when she was 14. During the same time she fell in love with Osho’s Dynamic meditation. This system consists of emotional release through active movement, stillness, and celebration through dance. This early exposure to conscious movement paved the way for experiential education of the Chakras which she began at age 18 with Sonya Sophia Illig in Austin TX. Here she co-facilitating Godd-ess Awakening Workshops leading students to experience and heal through their Chakras. She has studied with Anodea Judith, and Iyengar teachers: Manouso Manos, and Evlaleah Howard. She’s taught yoga asanas, meditation, mindful movement, raw and macrobiotic cooking to diverse populations including athletes and people recovering from psychiatric instability. She passionately guides students to trust themselves and their bodies by embracing and celebrating whatever they discover inside themselves.

Tara Samiy has been a student of yoga for over 10 years. Her formal training began in Los Angeles with two Yoga Alliance registered teacher training programs. She completed the Yoga Works 200 hour teacher training, which synthesizes classical Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Viniyoga styles. In addition Tara studied with Linda Lack, PhD, developer of The Thinking Body-The Feeling Mind™SM, a developmental movement technique based on classic Hatha Yoga, movement therapy and kinesiology principles. Moreover, Tara has completed numerous other workshops with a focused interest in the psychology and therapeutic applications of yoga.
In 2006, Tara began doctoral studies in clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, where she has also explored her interest in the therapeutic potential of movement practices, body-oriented therapies and other non-verbal expressive therapies as sources of personal transformation. Since beginning her graduate studies, Tara has continued her training in yoga through personal practice and local teachers. She has been particularly inspired by her studies with Joy Ravelli and Jnani Chapman. Tara has taught as guest teacher for the Purusha Yoga Therapy Training, and currently teaches yoga privately, and assists and teaches yoga therapy at St. Mary’s Hospital. Tara particularly enjoys teaching yoga (asana, pranayama, and restorative) to those who are new to yoga, seeking modified practices, or seeking to build a home practice.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Agustina Villar has been exposed to yoga almost her entire life through her mother Virginia, a yoga teacher herself. It was not until living in San Francisco, however, that she formalized her yoga education and went through the 200-hr Yoga Certification with Purusha Yoga School. Agustina is currently taking her 500-hr level of training.
Purusha is the Sanskrit term for "true self," so the style of yoga accommodates to each person as an individual and seeks to teach each person in a way that suits them best. This style resonates with Agustina's heart-calling for self-exploration and is transfered into her teaching as she believes that the practice of yoga can benefit anyone regardless of their ability, age, or flexibility.

We offer our deepest congratulations. We are grateful for your hard work and dedication
to our mission of providing wellness classes to at-risk populations.
Please contact Joy to apply for funds to start your own Seva program!