About - Excelsior Yoga

WHY WE DO
We believe in humanity.

It starts with loving nourishment to your own mind, body & breath. Develop healthy, holistic awareness to align with your personal goals. Increase your physical and emotional well-being, focus on fitness, deepen your yoga practice and self-realization, all while having fun!
We are an 'old school', independent boutique studio sticking to traditional hatha practices. Yoga may seem exclusive, but our philosophy blends science and spirituality, free from dogma or religious belief. You can reset your emotions and nervous systems to counteract the stresses and responsibilities of everyday life.
The true benefits of yoga start with, but go far beyond, the physical. You resonate and operate at a higher level in all aspects of life. Often an authentic inner alchemization will begin.
How We Do What We Do
Yoga classes are 90 minutes of traditional hatha yoga, with no music or heat. Classes are intentionally designed so no two are the same. You'll be inspired and taught in a lighthearted, easy-going way.

Our emphasis is on maintaining mindful breathing while moving practically and responsibly through a series of complex exercises — not on athleticism, flexibility or competition. Classes end with a light meditation, guided imagery relaxation, and the final position, shavasana.

Explore a path that is personally enriching and transforming. Let it take you to your optimal health. Be well.
We'll show you how to grow and sustain an effective practice that fits your unique and busy lifestyle. Yoga is both physically and mentally challenging. Give a sincere effort to come in for classes as often as possible. Three times a week or more on a set schedule is optimal for generating steady, noticeable progress in your physical training, for accelerating you towards reaching your self-development goals.

When your in-studio practice reaches 108 hours, you will achieve "108 status". This gives you access to free specialty micro-classes. Expand your yoga experience and explore aspects of yoga beyond the postures, such as pranayama, yoga nidra, chakras, mantras, mudras and more!
Who We Are
Laura Shannon
Lead Instructor & Co-founder

Laura Shannon is a San Francisco, Excelsior district native. She has always been interested in physio-therapies, but found a powerful spiritual resonance with Hatha yoga in the early nineties that is still there.

It's not uncommon to see her in a class practicing right alongside you. Yoga is a cornerstone for Laura, as well as nature, dance, martial arts, music, Love, laughter and exotic holidays.

While living in Hawaii she earned a third degree black belt in Dan Zan Ryu Jujutsu, the healing art Seifukujutsu massage & Mizujitsu. She formalized her yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India.

In 2011, Laura and (husband) Nilo moved back to the neighborhood to establish Excelsior Yoga in 2012 and spread the benefits of yoga & other natural, complementary restorative modalities to the community. She is:
Excelsior Yoga Founder
Lead Instructor/Yoga Teacher Trainer
E-RYT 200 & YACEP
Sensei ni of the San Francisco Jujutsu Kodenkai (SFJK)
A kupale©| Women’s Self-Defense Instructor
A Reiki master energy healer
Nilo (Danilo) Madeja
Lead Instructor & Co-founder

Nilo Madeja began a personal yoga practice over thirty years ago, in Anacortes, Washington. A friend suggested he try yoga to help with back problems he developed as a high school wrestler.

Later, yoga became crucial to his rehabilitation after an accident left him with two broken kneecaps. He realized the holistic benefits were profound and hasn't stopped since!

While living on Oahu, Hawaii, he earned a black belt in surfing concurrently with a fourth degree black belt in Dan Zan Ryu Jujutsu & the healing art of Seifukujutsu massage. His yoga studies and training were done in Rishikesh, India.

Nilo moved to San Francisco and the Excelsior with (wife) Laura in 2011, and shortly after founded Excelsior Yoga. He is:
Excelsior Yoga Founder
Lead Instructor/Yoga Teacher Trainer
E-RYT 200 & YACEP
The in-studio masseuse
Sensei of the San Francisco Jujutsu Kodenkai (SFJK)
A kupale©| Women’s Self-Defense Instructor
A Reiki master energy healer
Experienced Registered Yoga Teachers, Registered Yoga School, Continuing Yoga Education Providers

WHY WE DO

We believe in humanity. It starts with loving nourishment to your own mind, body & breath. Develop healthy, holistic awareness to align with your personal goals. Increase your physical and emotional well-being, focus on fitness, deepen your yoga practice and self-realization, all while having fun!

How We Do What We Do

Who We Are

We believe in humanity.

It starts with loving nourishment to your own mind, body & breath. Develop healthy, holistic awareness to align with your personal goals. Increase your physical and emotional well-being, focus on fitness, deepen your yoga practice and self-realization, all while having fun!