Wellness looms large in the life of Gerri Asuncion. She’s not only the owner of Yoga Amansala, she’s the creator of the Alameda Yoga and Wellness Festival, Gather, which returns for its second year on Sunday, June 14th.
The day-long event marks the launch of Alameda’s Citywide Wellness Day, a new initiative to promote movement and community wellbeing, and brings a full day of programming to the Radium Runway that includes meditation and sound baths, yoga, mat Pilates, and soulful flow.
Gerri Asuncion (center) and friends at last year's Gather Festival(Courtesy of Gerri Asuncion)
“Gather grew out of what we were witnessing every day at Yoga Amansala,” explains Asuncion. “The energy, the community, the desire for connection around wellness was bigger than our four walls could hold. Gather festival was the answer to that, a way to bring yoga and wellness outside of the box, into the community.”
In addition to guided movement classes, internationally-acclaimed meditative soundscape producer Sol Rising—a DJ who’s appeared at Burning Man and Wanderlust, among other major events—will provide the soundtrack for a two full hours of ecstatic dance beginning at 2pm. The set is just one of the things Asuncion is excited about this year.
“We're bringing in vendors and practitioners from outside of Alameda, people and brands that our community may not have discovered yet,” she says. “Part of what makes Gather special is that element of introduction. You might walk in knowing only your yoga studio and walk out with a whole new corner of your wellness world opened up.”
Since Gather only comes once a year, we asked Asuncion to share the places she turns to for self care and wellbeing in Alameda and the East Bay the other 364 days. From community-centered yoga and Pilates studios to social mixers and acupuncture practitioners, here are the seven spots she highly recommends.
// Gather: Alameda Yoga & Wellness Festival is Sunday, June 14th from 9am to 5pm at Radium Runway, 2151 Ferry Point (Alameda); get tickets and info at alamedayogawellnessfestival.com
A class at Yoga Amansala(Courtesy of @yogaamansala)
Yoga Amansala: Infrared Radiant Heated Yoga + Mat Pilates
“Yoga Amansala is my home studio! The infrared radiant heat is nothing like what you'd expect from hot yoga. It's warm and therapeutic, not suffocating. The instructors are genuinely caring, the space is always immaculate, and they end every class with a cold lavender-scented washcloth—which sounds like a small thing until you experience it. The community here is real. These are people who show up for each other.”
What do you recommend here? “Any class on the schedule—they're all designed to work for every level. The $35 intro week (unlimited classes) is the best way in.”
// 1217 Park St. (Alameda), yogaamansala.com
Kin Studio: Reformer Pilates + Results-Driven Clinical Facials
Kin Studio founder Chris Tam has 30+ years in beauty and wellness, trained under the creator of Lagree Pilates, and developed her own skincare line. The depth of expertise in this studio is rare. Chris was super welcoming and helped me adjust to the reformer. Lots of modifications are offered. Even as a beginner, it was very accessible and a great workout.”
What do you recommend here? “A reformer class followed by one of Chris's signature facials. Doing both back to back = chef’s kiss!”
// Pilates at 2414 Central Ave., Ste. A (Pilates) + Skin Studio at 2241 Central Ave., Ste. C (Alameda), kinstudioalameda.com
Hanuman Holistic Living: Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Qigong/Tai Chi, TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) + More
“Tammy offers something I haven't found anywhere else in the East Bay: a multi-modality practice that actually meets you where you are. I've done one-on-one TRE and Mediumship sessions with her personally, and both were genuinely powerful. TRE is one of the most effective tools I've ever experienced for facilitating the release of stored stress and trauma from the body. If you've never tried it, it's a must. She's non-dogmatic, deeply skilled, accessible, and—not for nothing—really fun to be around. One of her clients described her as ‘the perfect mix of gentle, spiritual, professional, friendly, and even comedic,’ and honestly, that tracks.”
What do you recommend here? “A private TRE session it's unlike anything else on this list, and the effects are immediate and lasting. Also, keep an eye on her retreat schedule!”
// 1134-E Ballena Blvd. #7 (Alameda), hanumanholisticliving.com
Karen Beckles is a certified Reiki Master Tacher and life coach.(Courtesy of @the_funky_truth)
The Funky Truth Healing: Reiki, Intuitive Life Coaching + Community Wellness Gatherings
“Meeting and being around Karen Beckles, certified Reiki Master Teacher and life coach, is magic! Karen has built something rooted in real community. The practice is honest, grounded, and deeply healing.”
What do you recommend here? Try the 60-minute in-person Reiki session to start [they also do remote sessions], or attend The Unleashed Life Gathering for her signature in-person community events.”
// 564 Central Ave. (Alameda), thefunkytruthhealing.com
Renew Collective: Alcohol-Free Community Events, Social Mixers, Wellness Workshops, Yoga Flows + More
“Wellness is social. Renew Collective figured that out and built a whole movement around it. Their events draw people who are sober-curious, fully alcohol-free, or just craving connection that feels good the next morning. The caliber of conversation and community at these gatherings is genuinely different.”
What do you recommend here? A Social Mixer or Wellness Vibes event to start. Check their calendar, it fills fast.”
// Various locations in the East Bay, SF, and beyond, therenewcollective.com
Alameda Acupuncture: Traditional acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Fertility Support + More
“Dr. Jenny Nieters works with the San Francisco 49ers, which tells you everything about the level of care here. She and her husband, Dr. John, run a practice that treats the whole person using traditional Chinese medicine backed by current clinical research. This is definitely not a spa experience; this is medicine.”
What do you recommend here? “A first visit with Dr. Jenny for sports medicine, pain, or orthopedic work. Cosmetic acupuncture and facial rejuvenation are also worth exploring.”
// 2258 Santa Clara Ave., Ste. 1 (Alameda), alamedaacupuncture.com
A sound bath with Lori Costabile of Bloom with Lori.(Courtesy of @bloomwithlori)
Bloom with Lori: Personal Sound Baths, Breathwork, Heart-Centered Life Coaching + More
“Lori Costabile is a seasoned Embodied Healing Coach and Medicine Woman who brings decades of lived experience and genuine intuitive depth to her work. Her sound baths are personal and immersive in a way that group experiences rarely are. You feel held the entire time.”
What do you recommend here? “The personal sound bath session with infrared sauna blanket”
// 2241 Central Ave. (Alameda), bloomwithlori.com
