Rev Steven Ross M.Div

Throughout my years on the path I have been amazed by the great teachers and opportunities I have received. After going through a period of loss I took a chance and moved to America in 2001. Within the first week of being here, I had my first ever epiphany. A voice within me guided me to seek the deeper meaning of life. Out of nowhere a thirst for knowledge came to me that continues to this day. My struggle with anxiety eventually led me to dive into eastern teachings, energy healing and meditation. I began to perceive subtle energies and became a spiritual healer. 

Shortly after my mentor encouraged me to visit a traveling Indian guru. Upon entering the gathering I heard sacred mantras being sung, mantras being chanted and received darshan, the blessing of a saint. The experience was anciently familiar to me. I felt as if I had come home. I became a devotee and began to learn the traditions of the life of a yogi. The urge to serve others and teach emerged during those years and yearned to quit my career as an accountant. Thanks to my wife Elsa and her encouragement we quit our jobs and moved to Austin in 2008. It was a major turning point in my life's mission. I spent the summer intensively studying with Srivatra Ramaswami, immersed in vinyasa krama, Yoga Sutras, chanting and more. 
 

In 2009 we opened Eastside Yoga and over the course of nine years built a thriving yoga community. We offered classes to thousands of people and became known for a commitment to yoga as a spiritual practice. I am so grateful to the many teachers and students who supported our work. During this time I explored creating raja yoga classes. Raja yoga combines yogic meditative practices, utilizing philosophy and devotion, as well as asana and pranayama. 

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One summer I went on a pilgrimage to Ananda Village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. Two of my soul sisters and I went on retreat with devotees of 20th century yoga master Paramhansa Yogananda. The Village was founded by Swami Kriyananda and is my spiritual home on this planet. For the last ten years I have been a disciple of Yogananda and a kriyaban dedicated to his methods for Self realization. 

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In 2018, Elsa and I said goodbye to our beloved yoga community and I joined the exclusive Miraval resort as a wellness specialist and an intuitive medium. Offering workshops, lectures and meditations to thousands of people from around the country has allowed me to explore the many nuances of yogic philosophy. My gift of intuitive mediumship has come to the surface through offering hundreds of sessions to our guests. 

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For the last three years I have been studying world religions and sacred traditions, as part of my masters in divinity. Recently I was ordained as an interspiritual minister. This provides me many tools and practices that can support people from many religious or non-religious backgrounds.

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There is so much more to my story. Now with all the experiences I encountered, especially the negative ones, has left feeling seasoned and ready for this next chapter collaborating with the fabulous Jenny Fairbank.

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