Sherri Baptiste was born and raised in a family of revolutionary thinkers. Her parents Magana and Walt Baptiste have been leaders, poineers and visionaries in the world of Human Potential. They are well known for their master classes in the field of yoga, dance, physical fitness and peak performance training. They established centers in San Francisco and the Bay Area in the 1940's and were the first in San Francisco to open a Yoga Center in the 1950's. In 1999 and 2002 the city of San Francisco and Mayor Willie Brown proclaimed a special Walt Baptiste Day and a special Magana Baptiste Day. Follow the links to read their Proclamations.

This pioneer-spirited Baptiste family has gone on to incorporate dance, nutrition, meditation, spas, retreats and body building into multi-dimensional wellness offerings that have spanned many decades. Indeed, many long-time San Francisco Bay Area residents consider the Baptiste family contributions to be a highlight in the history of that beautiful city by the bay. The growth and recognition of Yoga in the main steam of America has been deeply benefited by their work.

In her teens Sherri began teaching the time-proven Baptiste Method of Yoga based on traditional time-tested Hatha postures (asanas) and the fundamentals of deep breathing (pranayama), while incorporating a dynamic system of mind and body fitness. She teaches Yoga as a consciousness-based approach to living and to life. A broad spectrum of enthusiastic students, past and present, report all encompassing benefits -- development and control of a deep breathing pattern, increased flexibility, stress reduction, accurate body alignment, and enhanced sense of health and well being.

Today Sherri Baptiste Freeman brings her rich heritage to life, continuing to practice and augment the Baptiste family traditions, personally as well as professionally. As you can imagine Sherri's heritage brings much color, texture, substance and depth to her teaching. In addition to regularly scheduled yoga classes, private sessions and guest instruction at spas, she offers spiritual retreats and specially designed workshops.
The revered family mantra from her childhood
"You get in life not what you want but what you are. . . and THAT you can change" is embodied in all of her endeavors!

If you are interested in additional information follow this link Sherri Baptiste Freeman and her yoga background or please fill out the Baptiste Power of Yoga contact form.

The Baptiste Method of Yoga

The purpose of this dynamic system of mind/body fitness is to stretch, strengthen and purify the muscles of your mind as well as those of your body. The class is based on a series of traditional time-tested Hatha Yoga postures [asanas] held in accurate alignment, giving full range of motion of muscles, bones and joints, as well as learning to develop and control a deeper breathing pattern. The Baptiste Method of Yoga, a system developed over many years, includes not only Hatha Yoga, but a variety of old and new skills for accessing and sustaining mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

With Your commitment, this system delivers change and you will discover greater energy vitality, and vigor. class is energetic and active yet suited to all levels of personal fitness. You will learn to work within whatever level of proficiency you bring. The main thrust of this class is to bring about a transformation of the physical body. Through inspiration, perspiration and hard work, we relieve stress, sculpt muscles develop flexible, supple bodies and inspire a greater sense of calm.

Yoga is the gym for your spirit....the perfect counterbalance for stress.

The Baptiste Family

The Baptiste family has personally trained celebritiesthat include Helen Hunt, Elisabeth Shue, Raquel Welch, Ali McGraw , Chynna Phillips, NHL and NFL players and their owners. Athletes attending Sherri’s classes also have included U.S.Olympic Team members. Leaders in the field of health and fitness, media personalities, poets, dancers, athletes, creative artists, psychologists, healers, corporate leaders, educators, philosophers, spiritual teachers and householders all over the bay area and around the world are among the thousands and thousands of people who have been touched by the Baptiste Family Fitness and Peak Performance Programs.

People are choosing Sherri’s yoga classes for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Series of flowing movements with breath mobilize energy and massage the internal organs. Static holding of dynamic yoga postures strengthens and stretches the muscles of the mind as well as the body. Yoga has more to offer; focusing on real life strength, gracefulness and composure it gives a true cleansing, a real stress release, it offers physical challenge and toning and opens the door to realizing your highest potentials. You get more for your time commitment—more in your hour, and it makes for a beautiful physique.