About Samantha      Booking Samantha      Past Workshops & Training

"Looking behind, I am filled with gratitude.  Looking forward,
I am filled with vision.  Looking upwards, I am filled with
strength.  Looking within, I discover peace."
Quero Apache Prayer

About Samantha

Samantha Shakti is the dedicated mother of a beautiful two year old boy named Kiran Samuel. Kiran and Samantha live on thier family organic grape farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains with Samantha's husband and Kiran's father, Bradley Brown and thier two dogs Krishna and Piccolina.  Samantha is a Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor who is currently apprenticing directly with the founder of Anusara Yoga, John Friend. Known for her laughter and playfulness, Samantha also weaves into her teaching a great depth of wisdom and the gift of sound. Her classes are both physically challenging and therapeutic, as well as being infused with spiritual insight. Sam is deeply committed to awakening the heart's true nature and the hidden potential in all her students, at all levels of ability. Through her 23 years of teaching she has become known for her ability to inspire students while addressing each of their unique needs. Even within the context of a large class, Sam is able to give her students the sense of being seen and deeply supported.

Samantha is a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500-hour Certified Instructor, and a Certified AcroYoga Instructor. She holds multiple certifications in massage and energy therapy, which she naturally integrates into her Yoga teaching, and are the inspirations for her very own Yoga expression called “Embodied Freedom.” Embodied Freedom is a way of life that celebrates our infinite beauty and goodness while engaging the world on and off the yoga mat.

Samantha began studying Yoga 23 years ago, and has studied with masters from the major Yoga traditions of the world including Ashtanga, Iyengar and Anusara. During her years of dedicated Yoga study, Samantha spent extensive time living in India where she was given the name “Shakti,” which in Sanskrit means: the creative power within us all. Samantha’s namesake, Shakti, has greatly informed the creative expression of her own Yoga practice, her teaching, and her life.

She is a highly respected teacher in Silicon Valley, and teaches workshops, retreats, and teacher training's globally. She and her husband Bradley founded the Shakti Yoga Shala on the grounds of Big Basin Vineyards in Boulder Creek, CA.

Booking Info

Samantha Shakti is available for workshops, teacher training's, Anusara Immersions, Mini-Immersions, retreats and multi-media events at private studios, conferences and festivals. For all booking information and rates, please contact:

Samantha Shakti Brown • Boulder Creek, California • Email Samantha

List of Sample Workshops by Samantha Shakti and Friends

The best way to experience the breadth and depth of Samantha Shakti is to book her for one of her signature mini-Immersions and workshops which always include practices that are dynamic, restorative, therapeutic and incorporate chanting, yoga philosophy, storytelling and music throughout. Please see the sample list below of some of her signature workshops and mini-immersions.

Upcoming Events>>

Integrative Alignment with Samantha Shakti and Shawn Bek, Doctor of Chiropractic

A brand new, 3-hour workshop offered in collaboration with well-known Chiropractic doctor, Shawn Bek. Samanatha Shakti and Dr. Bek will present a revolutionary approach to alignment in your Anusara Yoga Practice. Samantha will teach the Universal Principles of Alignment in conjunction with therapeutic adjustments given by Dr. Bek. This workshop will offer safe and therapeutic ways to achieve new levels of alignment and wake up areas of your body that have been disconnected or asleep.

Freedom Expanding

A 3-hour Mixed levels Anusara Yoga Mini-Immersion designed to expand your courage and inspiration in your practice. Samantha will be your dedicated guide through understanding the foundations of the Universal Principals of Alignment, as taught by John Friend and how they apply to standing poses, back bends, hip-openers and arm balances.

Chakra Activation

This can be taught in a 3-6 hour format. In the Chakra Activation workshop, Samantha uses asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath techniques), and chanting to stimulate the chakras. In the Hindu tradition, the chakras are energy centers of the body that if balanced can harmonize your physical, mental and emotional experience. Samantha’s teaching is accompanied by live guitar, carefully attuned to each chakra. This workshop leaves students feeling restored and rejuvenated.

Shakti Awakening

A 2 hour multi-media journey led by Samantha Shakti, Michelle Bouvier, & friends.

This practice is devoted to the invocation of Shakti, your creative power, and designed for all levels of experience. The hypnotic soundscapes of Dr. Jeff Magolian begin your journey and accompany the empowering practice of Anusara Yoga. Your journey builds from back bends and arm balances to a DJ-lead ecstatic dance jam. Free form, poi, and hoop dances all converge in celebration of your creative awakening!

Yoga for Stiff People

Offered in a 2-3 hour format, Yoga for Stiff People is perfect for the athlete! Yoga is 50% strength and 50% flexibility and stiffness is often a great sign of strength. Students come away with an understanding of how to use their strength to their advantage in gaining more flexibility and exploring the fundamental principles of yoga.

Exploring the Transformative Power of Yoga and Sacred Sound

Join Samantha & sound healing expert, Devaa Mitchell-Dinan for an inspirational day of weaving together Anusara Yoga & Sacred Sound. You will take away yoga and sound tools that you can use at home & integrate into your daily life. These tools will help you to heal pain and remove blockages in your body, mind and heart.

Deep Therapeutic Yoga with Planetary Gongs

Samantha Shakti accompanied by Guy Douglas, founder of The Conduit 
http://www.gongtheplanet.com/

This 2-3 hour workshop will focus on the shoulders and hips, incorporating the use of Anusara therapeutics, led by Samantha Shakti, and the vibrational frequency of planetary gongs, as developed by Guy Douglas. The session will end with a long Yoga Nidra-style savasana with the beautiful, healing, and balancing sounds of the planetary gongs.

The Tantric Exploration of Yoga & Wine

A Creative Exploration Weaving Together Anusara Yoga and Wine Appreciation

A full day experience offered at the Shakti Yoga Shala on the grounds of Big Basin Vineyards. The day begins with a fun-filled two hour mixed levels yoga session taught by Samantha Shakti. The practice is designed to expand the power of your wisdom, sensitivity, and curiosity. Following the yoga session, you will be served a delicious and healthy Ayurvedic lunch prepared by a local chef. After lunch, Bradley Brown, acclaimed wine maker, will take you on a hiking tour through the vineyards. After the hike, we will sit down to enjoy a fun and playful wine tasting accompanied by tasty food pairings as your curiosity is heightened, your senses stimulated and your understanding and appreciation of wine greatly enhanced as Bradley guides us on this creative journey.

Unity in Community - Celebrating Connection Through AcroYoga & Anusara Yoga

Yoga is not only a powerful tool for self-discovery, but also a playful and intimate way to connect with others. In this 2-hour class, you will refine your own connection to your practice and learn safe partner yoga practices to extend the light of yoga out into the world of partnership and community.

Yoga for Music Festivals
Samantha Shakti has performed and/or taught at the following Festivals:

Wanderlust Festival in Squaw Valley, CA,
The Rothbury Music Festival in Rothbury, MI
Burning Man, Black Rock Desert, NV
The International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh, India,
The International Healing Arts Festival in Valetta, Malta

Yoga for Dancers

Been dancing all night? Want to shake down more, but your hips are pooped, your knees are creaking & your ankles are tweaking? This class will get you rejuvenated for another night on the dance floor.

AcroYoga & Hoopdance Playshop for All Ages! Flying and Spiraling By Samantha Shakti & Michelle Bouvier

This day will be a celebration of life and community with great music, Hoopdancing, and AcroYoga. (accessible to all ages and abilities).

Hoopdance (Hula Hooping) is a powerful mind-body practice that is art, play, meditation, and a rockin' workout all at the same time! Hoopdance relieves stress, ignites self-confidence, tones the entire body, speeds weight loss, clears the mind, transforms emotions, and generates smiles and laughter.

AcroYoga blends the spiritual wisdom of yoga, the loving kindness of Thai massage, and the dynamic power of Acrobatics. These three ancient lineages form the foundation of a unique new practice that cultivates trust, connection, and playfulness.