Mukundaand Marc

Mukunda is a Sanskrit word that translates as the giver of mukti or moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirths).

Mukunda is cited as the 515th incarnation of the 1000 names of Lord Vishnu, the lord noted as the “Preserver” of all creation. (There are three main godheads in the hindu religion – Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu who take on various incarnations or avatars based on situations or time. They are said to incarnate or arrive when needed.) Mukunda is also an Indian first name.

A familiar reference of the name Mukunda is in the well-known book, “Autobiography of a Yogi” written by Paramahamsa Yogananda.  Before Yogananda was gifted with that spiritual name, his boyhood name was Mukunda, given to him by his parents.

This name was given to Marc as his spiritual name after the teacher training at the Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville in 2009. Receiving a spiritual name upon request is a tradition with Integral Yoga (common in many faiths) where a name is chosen by the Swamis and training staff in order to assist the spiritual journey of the student. It reflects a natural tendency in the student as well as the life lessons that may help further illuminate one’s unfolding. Swami Divyananda was the main trainer and continues to be a spiritual teacher for Marc. In the spirit of supporting others who wish to learn more about Yoga and the path of the spirit, Marc transferred the name Mukunda to the studio in order to share this as a message for one and all.  Yoga is often defined as union, joining together as one by going inward to dispel individual ignorance. The path of liberation is also an outward and expanding energy. Both forces of movement enable a balanced life and a culture of well-being.

Mukunda Studio is an inclusive activation and well-being center based in San Francisco, California. Through both its physical space (a beautiful, rentable studio with video recording services) and its digital space (an online platform with private and group classes, workshops, and community resources), our mission is to create a sacred environment for powerful conversation, cultivate the journey of mind-body spirit, and to explore the eight limbs of yoga.

Our intimate space moves beyond the typical Yoga studio. We promote awareness of the full practice originated in South Asia that includes conversations on ethics, social justice and integrative well-being. We join the movement for greater equity and broader awareness of individual and collective mental/physical health with emphasis on welcoming our LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.

Mukunda Studio was founded by Marc Masao Morozumi, a certified Integral Yoga Hatha and Raja yoga teacher with specialized certification as a meditation and stress management facilitator. He is a Lead Trainer with Integral Yoga and Accessible Yoga with over 5000 teaching hours, ERYT-500 certification, and a CMT in the state of California.

In 2010, Marc founded YogaMukunda as his personal brand as a Yoga teacher. He taught a Saturday class with SF Integral Yoga from September 2009 – February 2020. After coaching support and epiphany, Marc left his full-time employee status for the entrepreneur’s path. In 2017 he founded M Spa Yoga by YogaMukunda as a pop-up inside of a men’s spa, M Spa in The Castro. In 2019, he teamed up with MX3 Fitness and created the Yoga Loft @ MX3 Fitness. Marc was approached by former boss and friend, Tim McQuaid to develop Mukunda Yoga in 2019.

The grand opening was set for March 2020 and by the grace of Tim, the universe and a rebranding to Mukunda Studio, the mission continues. Located in the historic SoMa district, known today as West SoMa, Marc proudly welcomes and collaborates with the Leather, Kink and LGBTQ+ communities for street fairs, studio rentals, events and classes. Marc initiated the seasonal Well-being Fair as a collaboration with TendWell Collective in December, 2022 to promote the topic of Yoga and well-being as a shared experience for the Bay Area and beyond.

Marc’s diverse career history, which has varied from a life in the arts to working in a high-paced event world, unifies in one voice today as a health and wellness entrepreneur. May all beings be free and have access to the Peace within. May our hearts break open enough times until we dispel the ignorance of separateness.