Teachers
“Father, I will reason, I will will, I will act, but guide Thou my reason, will, and activity to the right path in everything.”
Paramhansa Yogananda
In 1981, thirty-three-year-old Jackie Doumanian walked into a used bookstore and randomly gazed upon a tattered book entitled, “Autobiography of a Yogi,” by Paramhansa Yogananda. As she began to read his words, a longing was awakened within her to learn more about this author and his spiritual teachings.
Jackie always wanted a close relationship with God and Jesus but when she went to college, she lost interest in her spiritual search and stopped praying altogether. Now, through divine intervention, she had found a book that was reigniting her desire to know God and inviting her to learn more.
Jackie bought the book and read it cover to cover. It contained stories about Eastern religious traditions, rituals of the ancient yogis and universal teachings common to all true faiths. She realized that she had found the teachings and the spiritual pathway that would lead her to soul liberation.
Over time and with dedication to deepening her Ananda meditation practices, Jackie became a devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda. She was motivated to become an Ananda certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher and earned a number of specialized certifications. From 1993 to 2020 Jackie taught Yoga and Meditation. In 2000, Jackie and Cynthia Saffell started the Ananda Fresno Meditation Group; to this day AFMG is guided by Jackie’s leadership, now part of the broader Worldwide Ananda Sangha.
In a college Comparative Religion class in the 1970’s, Scheid was assigned to read Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramhansa Yogananda; this would be her introduction to the Tradition of Yoga and meditation and her first reading of this great book. The rich telling of this Yogi’s life resonated with her deeply.
In the early 1990’s, Scheid moved to California for a teaching position at Fresno City College. She discovered the tradition of Yoga and Meditation that she read about in college, was available to her in Fresno. This was an unexpected perk connected to relocating for her new job. She embraced the opportunity of learning to meditate, studying the Art and Science of Raja Yoga, and making pilgrimages to Ananda for continuing study.
Some 50 years later, firmly walking the path of Kriya Yoga, and blessed with a spiritual community, she now teaches meditation and the universal truths she read about in Autobiography of a Yogi.
All of her life, Carol has had a strong spiritual connection to the Catholic faith. As a young adult, her career pathway led her to become an elementary school teacher and eventually an educational administrator. Over time, she became friends with a gifted art teacher who was a devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda. Carol was introduced to his book, “The Autobiography of a Yogi,” and because of the universal Truths contained in his book, she felt there was a strong connection of Yogananda’s spiritual teachings to her own personal faith.
Over the years, Carol discovered the Ananda method of Kriya yoga and meditation introduced to the West by Yogananda. After much study, Carol made the commitment to integrate these spiritual practices into her daily life. These practices along with her deep Catholic faith, have allowed her to experience the depth and freedom that focused prayer and meditation can bring. Through the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and her spiritual pathway, Carol has come to believe that Freedom in God allows one to find Purpose and Joy in daily living.
Now in retirement, Carol demonstrates her commitment to the universal teachings of Yogananda by serving as a co-leader in the Ananda Fresno Meditation Group and as a volunteer for several Christian based nondenominational ministries.
Glena is a retired nurse and has been a member of Ananda Fresno Meditation Group (AFMG) for over 12 years. After reading Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda she was drawn to the spiritual ideals of the Indian saints and mystics. Further study of Yogananda’s teachings inspired her to become a devotee and Kriya yogi. She is especially drawn to the practices that raise an awareness that health and healing come from within. She finds joy in sharing the practice of meditation with others and is glad to support all members of the AFMG in their spiritual journey.
In a college Comparative Religion class in the 1970’s, Scheid was assigned to read Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramhansa Yogananda; this would be her introduction to the Tradition of Yoga and meditation and her first reading of this great book. The rich telling of this Yogi’s life resonated with her deeply.
In the early 1990’s, Scheid moved to California for a teaching position at Fresno City College. She discovered the tradition of Yoga and Meditation that she read about in college, was available to her in Fresno. This was an unexpected perk connected to relocating for her new job. She embraced the opportunity of learning to meditate, studying the Art and Science of Raja Yoga, and making pilgrimages to Ananda for continuing study.
Some 50 years later, firmly walking the path of Kriya Yoga, and blessed with a spiritual community, she now teaches meditation and the universal truths she read about in Autobiography of a Yogi.
In 1981, thirty-three-year-old Jackie Doumanian walked into a used bookstore and randomly gazed upon a tattered book entitled, “Autobiography of a Yogi,” by Paramhansa Yogananda. As she began to read his words, a longing was awakened within her to learn more about this author and his spiritual teachings.
Jackie always wanted a close relationship with God and Jesus but when she went to college, she lost interest in her spiritual search and stopped praying altogether. Now, through divine intervention, she had found a book that was reigniting her desire to know God and inviting her to learn more.
Jackie bought the book and read it cover to cover. It contained stories about Eastern religious traditions, rituals of the ancient yogis and universal teachings common to all true faiths. She realized that she had found the teachings and the spiritual pathway that would lead her to soul liberation.
Over time and with dedication to deepening her Ananda meditation practices, Jackie became a devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda. She was motivated to become an Ananda certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher and earned a number of specialized certifications. From 1993 to 2020 Jackie taught Yoga and Meditation. In 2000, Jackie and Cynthia Saffell started the Ananda Fresno Meditation Group; to this day AFMG is guided by Jackie’s leadership, now part of the broader Worldwide Ananda Sangha.
All of her life, Carol has had a strong spiritual connection to the Catholic faith. As a young adult, her career pathway led her to become an elementary school teacher and eventually an educational administrator. Over time, she became friends with a gifted art teacher who was a devotee of Paramhansa Yogananda. Carol was introduced to his book, “The Autobiography of a Yogi,” and because of the universal Truths contained in his book, she felt there was a strong connection of Yogananda’s spiritual teachings to her own personal faith.
Over the years, Carol discovered the Ananda method of Kriya yoga and meditation introduced to the West by Yogananda. After much study, Carol made the commitment to integrate these spiritual practices into her daily life. These practices along with her deep Catholic faith, have allowed her to experience the depth and freedom that focused prayer and meditation can bring. Through the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and her spiritual pathway, Carol has come to believe that Freedom in God allows one to find Purpose and Joy in daily living.
Now in retirement, Carol demonstrates her commitment to the universal teachings of Yogananda by serving as a co-leader in the Ananda Fresno Meditation Group and as a volunteer for several Christian based nondenominational ministries.
Glena is a retired nurse and has been a member of Ananda Fresno Meditation Group (AFMG) for over 12 years. After reading Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda she was drawn to the spiritual ideals of the Indian saints and mystics. Further study of Yogananda’s teachings inspired her to become a devotee and Kriya yogi. She is especially drawn to the practices that raise an awareness that health and healing come from within. She finds joy in sharing the practice of meditation with others and is glad to support all members of the AFMG in their spiritual journey.