Many experts and talented indiviudals come to the ashram every year to share their knowledge and creative gifts. The following list includes many of these individuals with links to upcoming courses or events they will be involved with. Please note that the list is in alphabetical order by first name.
Dr. Cairo Rocha
Cairo Rocha OMD, PhD is a Brazilian-born researcher, acupuncturist, doctor of oriental medicine, and the author of the book, Anger Goes Up, Fear Goes Down: Emotions and the Hidden Link. He lectures on energy healing and oriental medicine around the world. www.cairorocha.com
~ Vidya Chaitanya ~
Vidya is a graduate of our fall-2007 course and is the person responsible for bringing our training to the Yoga Farm. She was one of the administrators and teachers at this farm for several years, and is currently Director of the Los Angeles Sivananda Yoga Center.
She will be returning to the farm to support the course and to help with instruction and teaching.
Vidya is a native of Australia spending many of her adult years in the UK. It was her love and devotion to Yoga that brought her to the US 7 years ago.
Advaita
Advaita is the drummer in The Temple Bhajan Band and hailes from Manila in the Phillipines. He is a master of the mrdunga drum and gives lessons on playing the instrument in his spare time. He is also the manager of Govinda's Restaurant in Los Angeles, where you can find him 6 nights a week. He has been with the band since the start and often prepares the vegetarian dinner that the band brings to its' events. Recently he has taken up catering events along with Sura, To contact Advaita, call 310-837-5283.
Albert Swiercz (Krishna)
Albert Swiercz (Krishna) is the director of Anahata Centre of Yoga Therapy and Massage based in the beautiful Laurentien Mountains 50 miles north of Montreal, Quebec. He has been teaching Thai Yoga Massage internationally since 2005 and is a Quebec certified massage therapist. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Albert was trained in yoga by Swami Vishnudevananda and has been a Sivananda teachers’ training instructor as well. In his massage practice he has seen the benefits of Thai Yoga Massage in treating yoga related injuries and it is for that reason he has taken from both his background in yoga and massage to create his unique courses.
Albert is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider.
Ambika (Jennifer Andrews)
Ambika (Jennifer Andrews) specializes in the ancient vedic healing sciences of Ayurveda and Yoga. She is the owner and founder of Ambikas Ayurveda.
Ambika has a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Nevada, Reno, Masters of Education degree from The University of Cincinnati, and certificates in Ayurveda from The Institute of Vedic Studies, Santa Fe, New Mexico , and The California College of Ayurveda, Grass Valley, California, and is a certified Sivananda yoga instructor.
www.ambikasayurveda.com
Angelika
Angelika is an internationally acclaimed performer, composer and recording artist, whose main intention is to promote Oneness, Peace, Healing, and Good-will amongst all people through her inspirational music.
Angelika is originally from Germany and now resides in Nevada City.
Her website is www.angelikahealingmusic.com
Anuradha Prabhashankar
Anuradha Prabhashankar is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer from the Bay area. She learned her art form in India at a very young age. Now a mother of two, she has been performing at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm for many years.
Bharatanatyam style of dance is rigorous in its foot work, facial expressions, eye movement and mudras (hand gestures). The abhinaya (mime) part of the dance often depicts mythical stories of Gods and Goddesses. It was originally a temple dance.
Anuradha dedicated all her performances at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm to her late father who is a devotee of Swami Sivananda.
Bill Levacy
Bill Levacy holds a BA in Literature, a Masters in the Science of Creative Intelligence, another Master's in Education with a specialization in e-Learning and is a PhD Candidate in Education at Capella University. Bill has published three books on Vedic astrology, including “Beneath a Vedic Sky.” Bill is also a management consultant for the aerospace industry. Bill has had a very busy Vedic Astrology practice since 1983 with clients from around the world. He teaches workshops on Vedic Astrology around the US, Europe and India and is President of the American College of Vedic Astrology (ACVA), with its recent emphasis on online learning. Bill will be speaking on the topics of Saturn, the lord of time and the development of a higher state of consciousness through jyotish.
Labor Day Weekend Retreat: 11th Annual Vedic Astrology and Yoga Conference
Bill Wilson
Bill Wilson is a teacher, communitarian and permaculturist, holding three Permaculture Design Certifications. He has been interviewed on National Public Radio, Peak Moment Television and other public programs. Bill has taught in a wide variety of locations, including the agricultural halls at Purdue.
He is a 32-year resident of the sustainably oriented community of Stelle, IL, which hosts its own community cooperatives including tool, garden, dinner and chicken co-ops. Bill and his wife/partner Rebecca are creating a permaculture oasis surrounding their traditional suburban home, pictures of which may be found on their website at www.MidwestPermaculture.com.
Brother Rolph Fernandes
Brother Rolph Fernandes is an international meditation and Interfaith teacher, native from Trinidad and citizen of Canada. He was a Franciscan monk for 43 years during which time he was mandated by the Franciscans as their Inter-Faith representative for the Canadian branch of their Order.
Rolph was sent by the Order to attend the Parliament of World Religions in 1983 and also international conferences in Melbourne, Australia, in Rome, Paris and Sarajeivo. Rolph visited India twice and met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1971 and received empowerment from His Holiness The Karmapa.
In 1981 to 1982 he lived in Shantivanam ashram in India, under the guidance of Fr.Bede Griffiths and also took retreat in a cave in the Himalayas. During his visits to India, he has visited many living Masters such as Ma Ananda Mayi.
He founded in 1987 in Montreal, "the Peace Prayer in the Spirit of Saint Francis" and was the main organizer of the event for 10 years. In 1993, he organized the "Interfaith Gathering " in Montreal to host the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Rolph now lives on his own and has been sharing his experience in Inter-faith Dialogue and also lecturing on Franciscan spirituality as seen in that light. He lectures on " Yoga and Christianity" , "Yoga and the Spirit of Saint Francis" , "Meditation", "Meditation Techniques of Eastern and Western Traditions". He also gives talks on his research between mystics of both Christian and the tradition of India.
Rolph sees St Francis as a saint of all times and as such , he seeks to show how St Francis lived through the difficulties of his time as an example for us today. In 2004, Rolph was ordained as an Interfaith minister in NY, and now he serves at AA retreats, Aids clinic, and do personal spiritual counseling. He believes strongly in the strength of a community and in the importance of a personal connection with God, supported by prayer and meditation.
Rolph@rogers.com
Craig Sim Webb
Executive Director of The non-profit DREAMS Foundation. Craig is a professional speaker/trainer and dream analyst/researcher/author. He has participated in pioneering dream research at Stanford University and Montreal's Sacre-Coeur Hospital, and has spent 15 years, practicing, studying, writing, and teaching about applied dreaming, dream interpretation, lucid dreaming, creativity, conscious communication and biofeedback with a refreshing, enthusiastic style that blends soul, science, heart and humor.
As an author/columnist and hired/invited expert for feature motion pictures, international TV shows, magazines, and others, he's broadcast/published numerous cutting edge practical psychology concepts as well as interviews with leading visionaries. He and his work have made hundreds of international public/media/corporate appearances in such places as The Discovery Channel, ABC, BBC, CBS, AOL, MSN, The London Times, The New York Times, internationally syndicated articles/radio shows, and many others. He has also designed biofeedback technologies with worldwide distribution, and helped found/produce Making Contact, a progressive international radio show airing weekly on ~200 stations for nearly 15 years.
Craig's empowering teaching/counseling approach has enabled CEO's, celebrities, doctors, professors, best-selling authors, students, and many other clients from all walks of life to make profound mental and emotional breakthroughs while having a heck of a lot of fun.
Dennis K. Chernin, M.D., M.P.H.
Dennis Chernin, M.D., M.P.H. has practiced and taught meditation for over thirty years. He practices holistic and family medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received his M.D. and M.P.H. from the University of Michigan and did residencies in psychiatry and preventive medicine. His publications include the books Health: A Holistic Approach, Homeopathic Remedies for Physicians and Laymen, The Complete Homeopathic Resource for Common Illnesses and How to Meditate Using Chakras, Mantras and Breath.
Dennis M. Harness, Ph. D - Mahadeva Dayananda
Dennis is a professional astrologer who holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology. For more than twenty years he has studied both Eastern and Western techniques of astrlogy. While Dennis enjoys tutoring students for the American College of Vedic Astrology (ACVA) certification program, he also teaches workshops on Vedic Astrology and Transpersonal Psycholody throughout the world. Dennis is the President of the American College of Vedic Astrology in Sedona, Arizona. He is the author of 'The Nakshatras: The Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology', published by Lotus Press.
www.dennisharness.com, www.ancientoracletours.com
Don Miller
Don is currently residing in Austin, Texas. He works at Austin Community College as an ESOL professor specializing in first language ASL teaching to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Don graduated from Gallaudet University in ASL Studies and McDaniel College in Deaf Education. Last summer, Don went to Sivananda Yoga Ranch in Woodbourne, NY to become a certified yoga instructor. He is teaching yoga classes in ASL several times a week. In his free time, he enjoys hiking with his dog, acting and directing in local theater productions, and traveling around the world.
Don Miller
Don is currently residing in Austin, Texas. He works at Austin Community College as an ESOL professor specializing in first language ASL teaching to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Don graduated from Gallaudet University in ASL Studies and McDaniel College in Deaf Education. Last summer, Don went to Sivananda Yoga Ranch in Woodbourne, NY to become a certified yoga instructor. He is teaching yoga classes in ASL several times a week. In his free time, he enjoys hiking with his dog, acting and directing in local theater productions, and traveling around the world.
Dr Timothy McCall
Timothy McCall, M.D., is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and a dedicated yoga practitioner who has traveled to India and throughout the United States observing, training with, and interviewing the world’s leading yoga teachers and therapists. He is the medical editor of Yoga Journal, and is the author of Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing (Bantam). Timothy studies with a traditional Ayurvedic Vaidhya (doctor) in Kerala, India and with a Tantric master in Bangalore, who is a direct disciple of Swami Sivananda. His primary yoga teacher in the United States since 1995 has been Patricia Walden, and more recently he has worked with Rod Stryker and Donald Moyer. He can be found on the web at www.DrMcCall.com
Yoga as Medicine - The Yogic Path for Health, Healing, and Personal Transformation
Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri)
David is the author of two books on Vedic Astrology, a Vedic Astrology course and twenty other books on Vedic subjects that have been published in more than a dozen languages over the last twenty-five years. His work on Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology and Yoga is widely respected in India and the West. He most recently authored the book entitled 'Inner Tantric Yoga: Working with the Universal Shakti: Secrets of Mantras, Dieties and Meditation'.
Dr. Marc Halpern (Dr. Siva)
Dr. Marc Halpern is the founder and President of the California College of Ayurveda. An internationally respected expert in the field of Ayurveda, Dr. Halpern received the award for Best Ayurvedic Physician from the Indian Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. A. Ramdas. He is a co-founder of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. He is on the advisory board of Light on Ayurveda Journal in the United States and the Journal of Research and Education in Indian Medicine in Varansi, India. Dr. Halpern has published articles in popular journals and magazines of Ayurveda and Yoga including Yoga Journal and the Journal of the International Association of Yoga Therapy. He is also a contributing writer in several important books on Ayurveda published in the USA and India (Globalizing Ayurveda, Ayurveda: Natures Medicine and Clinicians Guide to Complimentary and Alternative Medicine). Dr. Halpern is a regular speaker at Ayurveda and Yoga conferences and teaches regularly at the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers.
Dr. Uma Krishnamurthy
Dr. Uma Krishnamurthy has been exposed to spiritual teachers and yoga philosophy from early childhood. She is a psychiatrist by training from India with many years of experience in the field of healing, yoga psychology, and transformation of emotions that are currently her main areas of interest and research. She is the author of an upcoming book on Yoga Psychology.
Dr. Krishnamurthy has been traveling worldwide for the past ten years leading workshops and spiritual retreats on yoga psychology; in particular, she regularly conducts workshops at the Yoga Biomedical Trust in London, at Sivananda Yoga and Vednta Centers worldwide, and at Krotona Theosophical Society, Ojai, California.
Dr. Krishnamurthy has also received formal training in classical Indian dance. Her research on the similarities of yoga and classical Indian dance has received much acclaim.
Durga Leela (Catherine O'Neill)
Catherine ONeill (Durga Leela) is the founder of Yoga of Recovery, a comprehensive program that integrates Ayurveda and Yoga with recovery tools for a holistic mind, body and spirit approach for all those affected by addiction and self-destructive behaviors. Yoga of Recovery is currently offered as workshops, retreats and certificate courses. Durga holds the RYT-500 qualification, having completed both the Sivananda Yoga teachers Training Course and an Advanced Yoga Training. She is also extensively trained in Meditation and Vedanta. She is a Clinical Ayurvedic and Pancha Karma Specialist, trained at the California College of Ayurveda and also in Kerala, India. She is the Director of the Ayurveda Programs at the Yoga Farm in California and a professional member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). She is also a member of Yoga Alliance and International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
Ayurvedic Massage Rejuvenation Retreat
Ayurvedic Massage Rejuvenation Retreat
Ayurvedic Massage Rejuvenation Retreat
Ayurvedic Massage Rejuvenation Retreat
Ayurvedic Massage Rejuvenation Retreat
Labor Day Weekend Retreat: 11th Annual Vedic Astrology and Yoga Conference
Gajananam
Gajananam, a direct disciple of Swami Vishnu-Devananda, is the founder and director of the Vishu-Devananda Yoga Center in Berkeley, CA. He has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching since 1989.
Habib Khan
Pandit Habib Khan is regarded as one of the best sitar player in the country today. He was born in a family of musicians and can trace his lineage back several generations. He began his training at tender age and has carved out a distinctive style which is a blend of his father's traditional techniques and his own imaginative inventions. Pandit Habib Khan is the director founder of Habib Khan School of Music and Om Music Circle . He lives and teaches in San Francisco Bay Area and has published many distinctive CDs of his music. He has performed extensively all over the US and in India.
Hari Priya
Dr. Haripriya Dillon has been involved with the Healing arts for over 30 years. She is a gifted healer using a broad spectrum of sbtle energetic modalities that can coorect imbalances and dis-eases on all levels. She is offering her services out of her home office in Penn Valley . Her holistic health services include Flower Essence Therapy, Diet and Nutrition counselling, Homeopathy, Herbal therapy. She also works with a Quantum Energetic Machine that has over 900 holistic healing programs (QXCI).
Her website is www.holisticgift.net
haripriya108@sbcglobal.net
Hasu Patel
HASU PATEL, a disciple of Sitar legend Ustad Vilayat Khan Saheb is one of the few distinguished female artists performing today classical music on Sitar, the most popular string instrument of India. As a performer, composer, and educator, she has dedicated her life to preserving and propagating in its pristine purity the fascinating, highly evolved classical music of Ancient India.
After many years of rigorous training under her illustrious Gurus Prof. N.B. Kikani and Ustad Anwar Khan Saheb, she became the first woman to receive a music degree with a Gold Medal in the 75 years history of the Faculty of Fine Arts Baroda, India. She has received many awards, scholarships, and fellowships including at the age of 21, the first prize winner in the state of Gujarat for the stringed instrument competition held by All India Radio.
Hasu plays the Sitar in a special style known as Gayaki Ang (Singing Style), in which the sitar replicates fluidity and subtle nuances of the human voice. This innovative technique, which is credited to her Guru Ustad Vilayat Khan Saheb of Imdad Khani Gharana, is the most significant contribution to her music inheritance.
She has performed the Classical Music of India known as Raga Sangeet at various Performing Art Centers, Music Conferences, World/Jazz/Country music festivals such as Woodstock's 30th anniversary and Chicago Jazz festival, Universities, radio/television stations, churches/temples/meditation centers etc. around the country.
Hasu is affiliated with the Ohio Arts Council (Ohio Artists on Tour), Greater Columbus Arts Council, Mid-America Arts Alliance and International Alliance of Women in Music. Hasu teaches Sitar, Tabla, and Vocal music to many students at her Sursangam School of Music as well as credit hours course at Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College of Ohio.
To her, Indian classical music is a rare and divine art, which calls for absolute dedication called sadhana.
The music is spiritual and meditative, and rendered as such to bring forth the transcendental experience of the moods called rasas.
Web Sites : www.hasupatel.com and www.myspace.com/hasupatel
E-mail : hasu@hasupatel.com
James Kelleher
Author of the recently published two-volume book, 'Path of Light', Jim is a co-founder of the Council of Vedic Astrology (CVA). He recieved his initial training in India and worked for five years in London as the personal assistant to the world-renowned Jyotishi, M.K. Ghandhi. He then returned to the United States where he has been consulting, lecturing and teaching Vedic Astrology since 1984. He is a former board member of CVA and the American College of Vedic Astrology (ACVA). He has been awarded the titles of Jyotish Kovid and Jyotish Vachapasti by the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS). He maintains a busy private practice in Los Gatos , CA
www.jameskelleher.com
Janet Alexander
Deaf since birth, Janet Alexander went to the California School for the Deaf, Gallaudet College, and Riverside City College. She worked for the Bank of America for 30 years and also as a Corporate Security as an investagor. She attended the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course last June and received her teaching certificate. She is now teaching private lessons and learning about Raw Foods. She is currently working on her training to become a raw food instructor.
Janet Alexander
Deaf since birth, Janet Alexander went to the California School for the Deaf, Gallaudet College, and Riverside City College. She worked for the Bank of America for 30 years and also as a Corporate Security as an investagor. She attended the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course last June and received her teaching certificate. She is now teaching private lessons and learning about Raw Foods. She is currently working on her training to become a raw food instructor.
Jeff Sims (Jaya)
Jeff Sims is a teacher of Pathology (assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions), Structural Kinesiology (muscles and movement), Anatomy & Physiology, Neuromuscular Therapy (trigger point release), Orthopedic (musculoskeletal) Assessment, Myofascial Therapy, and Deep Tissue Massage Therapy.
As a licensed massage therapist, Jeff also maintains a private practice in a multi-disciplinary clinic specializing in acute and chronic injuries.
Jeff works with world class amateur and professional athletes. He also works with those who want to regain the quality of life compromised by postural distortions and overuse injuries.
Jeff began his hatha yoga and meditation practice in 1975.
Jeffrey Armstrong
Jeffrey Armstrong is a professional speaker, AyurVedic astrologer, award-winning author and frequent guest on radio and TV. He is a scholar of the Eastern teachings and has spent the last 40 years committed to yogic practices including Vedanta, Raja Yoga, Tantra and Mantra practices, having been initiated into these mysteries by Masters of these traditions. He has degrees in Psychology, Literature, and Comparative Religion. He is a member of the American Council of Vedic Astrology and over the last 40 years has read the horoscopes of over 30,000 clients. Armstrong was featured on FOX TV “Exploring the Unknown” for his incredible accuracy and sees it only as a credit to the great science of Vedic Astrology. He currently travels and lectures internationally on the Philosophy and Lifestyle of Yoga and Vedanta. He is the author of The Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar, Karma The Ancient Science of Cause & Effect, The Vedic Astrology Learning Deck, God the Astrologer, Soul Karma and Reincarnation, How We Continually Create Our Own Destiny and others. See www.JeffreyArmstrong.com. During our conference, Jeffrey will be discussing Upayas, Dharma and Freedom from Karma, and a New Psychology Emerging from Vedic Astrology and Ayurveda.
Labor Day Weekend Retreat: 11th Annual Vedic Astrology and Yoga Conference
Kailas Chaitanya
Kailas Chaitanya is one of the main teachers of Hatha Yoga and Meditation at the ashram. He graduated from the Sivananda Yoga Teacher's Training Course in 2007 and has been assistant director at the Los Angeles Sivananda Yoga Center since then. He is interested in yoga psychology and yoga philosophy and enjoys teaching positive thinking courses.
Yoga Teacher's Training Course (TTC)
Karnamrita Dasi
Karnamrita Dasi, international performer featured in her well acclaimed CD - Dasi, Prayers by Women - grew up in an ashram and has spent 10 years in Vrindavan, where she trained in the classical music of India and in Bhakti scriptures. Her uplifting voice and presence stem from great depth of devotion and her musical, spiritual discourses are uniquely sweet and touch your heart with important life lessons.
Kiran Patel
Kiran Patel has extensive experience with NVC, including completing a year-long NVC leadership program in 2003. She is certified as a conflict mediator since 1990 and has a M.A. in social psychology. She is a yoga instructor with advanced certification in the Sivananda tradition. Her workshops have reached thousands of individuals and numerous organizations in the U.S. and in India. Her writing on nonviolence and yoga has been published in 'India West'
Komilla Sutton
Komilla is the co-founder and Chair of the british Association for Vedic Astrology. She is an internationally renowned consultant, teacher and lecturer. Indian born, Komilla Sutton is one of the pioneers in making tis subject more accesible for the Western readers. She is the author of 'Vedic Love Signs', 'Vedic Astrology', 'The Essentials of Vedic Astrology' and 'Lunar nodes - Crisis and Redemption'.
www.Komilla.com
Labor Day Weekend Retreat: 11th Annual Vedic Astrology and Yoga Conference
Crisis and Redemption According to Karma as seen in your birthchart
Krishna Darshan
About Krishna Darshan
Krishna Darshan, who hails from Uruguay, is a direct disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda and has been a yoga and meditation teacher for more than 24 years in South America, Europe and USA. He has been the main Hatha Yoga instructor in numerous International Yoga Teachers Training Courses and has an in depth knowledge of the practice of Hatha and Raja Yoga and Vedanta philosophy. He is an able yogic sadhana counselor and he is Jyotish teacher and consultant, certified by the American College of Vedic Astrology (ACVA) and he has been teaching Vedic astrology courses at the Sivananda Ashrams and centers.
In his long practice, study and teaching of Yoga and Vedanta philosophy, Krishna has come to recognize the value of Vedic astrology as a tool to give better counseling and guidance to those on the spiritual journey. He has written numerous articles on Yoga and Jyotish. Some of these can be read on his website: www.9graha.com
Labor Day Weekend Retreat: 11th Annual Vedic Astrology and Yoga Conference
Kunji
One of the original members of the band in 1999, Kunji plays the beautiful esoraj. Her sweet voice and professional playing make her presence felt overwhelmingly in the performances.
Lila Lolling
Lila Lolling, founder of Deaf Yoga Foundation, has been studying, integrating and sharing Yoga philosophy for 10 years and within the Deaf community for the past 5 years. She is known for her activism in creating equal access for the Deaf community members to learn Yoga. She has been featured in Yoga+ & Yoga Journal magazines, and is the producer of the Deaf Yoga for Beginners DVD. Lila is also the author of a monthly Yoga column in SIGNews publication and was recently awarded "New Yorker of the Week."
Mahadevi (Nikola Skop)
Mahadevi (Nikola Skop) hails from Germany. She is a long-time Sivananda Yoga teacher with 10 years of experience teaching in USA, India, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Germany. She had her training in Grass Valley, CA and has been traveling with Swami Sitaramananda as her assistant for many years. She has been the director of the Yoga Shala, a yoga center dedicated to teaching the Sivananda tradition in Hanover, Germany, for many years.
She is graduated as Yoga teacher from the Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course (TTC) at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, Grass Valley, Advanced TTC from Sivananda Ashram in South India and "Sadhana Intensive Course" from Chateau du Yoga Sivananda at Orleans, France.
Mahadevi is a very dedicated and genuine practitioner of the tradition and a well-liked asana teacher.
Mahalaxmi
Mahalaxmi has been the lead female singer for the Temple Bhajan Band since 2001. Her sweet soprano voice brings a very celestial mood to the kirtan. She actually travelled with the Australian National Choir for 5 years and hails from Tasmania. Of course we know that state for their famous Tasmanian Devil, she has become famous as the Tasmanian Angel.
Mahashakti
Mahashakti, who hails from Uruguay, is a Yogini with 15 years of experience in teaching Yoga to all age groups. She has been assisting numerous International Yoga Teachers Training courses in South America, Europe and USA . She graduated from TTC and ATTC in South America. Mahashakti is also an expert in teaching Yoga for children. She has been the director of the Children's Yoga camp at the Sivananda ashram Yoga Farm for 10 years. The Camp offered a comprehensive residential Yoga program for children from ages 7-14 years old. Mahashakti taught children successfully , not only to do their asanas with joy , but also to learn the healthy and philosophical foundation principles of Yoga Life.
Manabu
Hailing from the island of Okinawa, in Japan, Manabu has been chanting Buddhist sutras since five and Vedic hymns since twenty. Now, close to fifty, Manabu is a full time resident of New Dwaraka where he gives tours of the Bhagavad-gita Museum. For tours and information please call (310) 845-9333.
Manjari Dasi
Manjari Dasi, daughter of early disciples of the renowned Bhakti-Yoga master, Swami Bhaktivedanta, was born in 1971, amongst the 1st generation of western bhakti-yogis. Kirtan is the most important practice of bhakti culture. Manjari Dasi is a beautiful devotional singer with much devotional and mystical depth. Manjari is also an Odissi dancer . Kirtan and devotional music, philosophy and arts have accompanied her from the womb. They were her nourishment, inspiration, life giving force and spiritual backdrop throughout her life.
Manoj Chalam
Dr. Manoj Chalam is a physicist and Vedantin. A graduate of Cornell University, he abandoned his career as a scientist and entrepreneur after discovering the wisdom contained within the Vedanta philosophy. He now spends his time travelling the globe as a modern troubadour, telling the stories of the Hindu deities and sharing Vedantic wisdom in a humorous, engaging and relatable manner. He the author of the book "Spiritual Art and Mythology of India: Anecdotes & Symbolisms" and the co-founder of Unique Arts, a company which imports statues of Hindu and Buddhist Deities from India. Manoj teaches at Yoga Journal conferences, Universities and spiritual retreats. He currently resides in San Diego with his wife, Jyothi Chalam, a talented musician, trained in the South Indian Classical style.
Manu Dawson, CYNth
Manu Dawson is a nutritional consultant of the Integral Yoga Natural Apothecary in New York. He is a dynamic teacher of yogic diet and nutrition and a workshop leader on topics of cleansing, fasting, and detoxification. For the last few years he has successfully and safely guided many guests of the Yoga Retreat through this program of detoxification.
Mark and Terra
Mark and Terra are disciples of Swami Ramdas(Papa) and Mother Krishnabai (Mataji) of Anandasram, Kerala. They are devoted to the path of love for the Divine or Bhakti yoga, and have developed meditation skills and studied Patanjali Yoga.
Mark studied tabla with Aloke Dutta, of West Bengal, and has been playing tabla for nearly 30 years, and also learned mridangam, pakhawaj, and sarod. Terra plays harmonium, dolak, kartals, and tamboura, and studied carnatic vocal music with Usha Bhat, a master of classical carnatic sangeetham from Kerala, south India.
Mark and Terra present a number of Kathas (musical, devotional storytelling) at the Ashrams in India and America, as well as concerts, workshops, classes, presentations in schools, benefits, religious ceremonies, memorials, inter-cultural events, and musical accompaniments, throughout the US and Bahamas.
They give workshops and lessons in harmonium, drums, and vocal instruction. They produced a CD entitled "Namamala"(Garland of Divine Names).
Mary Keeney (Bhavani)
Mary Keeney (Bhavani) has been teaching yoga and meditation for 16 years and is the co-founder of 'The Yoga Center' in Stockton, CA. She has been a registered nurse since 1966 and has 35 years experience as a teacher of Holistic Health Practice.
www.stocktonyoga.com
Mary Thompson
Mary Thompson, C.A.S., P.K.S., (Ayurvedacharya), is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda and senior teacher with certifications as a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Pancha Karma Specialist. Mary is a graduate of the first graduating class of the College in 1997. In 2008 she received the Charaka Award for Excellence in Ayurvedic Teaching and was given the title "Ayurvedacharya" (respected teacher of Ayurveda) by Dr. Halpern. She has been an invited speaker at several Ayurvedic conferences and is a founding member and former Secretary of the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. She is also the founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Everyday Ayurveda. Mary is in private practice in Grass Valley, California.
Mike Kluk and Sharada Devi (Susan Nelson-Kluk)
Michael Kluk and Susan Nelson-Kluk are homesteaders and recent refugees from 8-5 jobs. Susan has her master's degree in plant physiology but currently focuses on teaching yoga and practicing a simple life style. Mike is a former civil rights attorney who is an avid gardener and was recently certified as a permaculture designer. Guest instructors with expertise in recycling and permaculture will participate in this course as well.
Padma (Pham Thi Minh Phuong)
Padma (Pham Thi Minh Phuong)has been a serious yoga practitioner since 2006, and took the Sivananda Yoga teacher's training course in South India in 2008. After graduation, she taught yoga at Women Cultural House at HCM city in Viet Nam. She has opened a Sivananda Yoga studio above her home and has taught many students daily since then. She will be the Vietnamese consultant for the course.
Pandit Samavedula
Pandit Smavedula is a 6th generation Sama Veda pandit who was trained in the Vedas beginning at age 7. He attended the Shri Sarva Raya Veda Patha Shala school in South India, and after 12 years of study, received his Master's Degree in Vedic Studies (Ganapati Pandit). Panditji will perform the pujas and homas during the conference.
Labor Day Weekend Retreat: 11th Annual Vedic Astrology and Yoga Conference
Pandit Samavedula
Pandit Samavedula is a 6th generation Sama Veda pandit who was trained in the Vedas at age 7. He received his Master’s Degree in Vedic Studies (Ganapati Pandit) from Shri Sarva Raya Veda Patha Shala school in South India. Panditji will perform the Ancestor’s Workship Puja and Navagraha Homa during the conference.
Pieter Veltevrede
Pieter Veltevrede is a internationally recognized Dutch master artist with hundreds of exquisite paintings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, Yantras and Mandalas. He is a disciple of Harish Johari and also studied with Johari's art teacher, Master Chandra Bal, and Suresh Johari. He tours annually in India, Europe and the USA exhibiting his art and giving painting workshops. For more information on Pieter Veltevrede and his artwork, please visit www. sanatanansociety.com
Thanksgiving Retreat - Yoga and the Arts: Kindling the Creative Fire
Sacred Caravan
Sacred Caravan is two loving couples who sing and play music that glorifies the transcendent joy of the Universe. Teed Rockwell, a student of Hindustani Masters Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Shahid Parvez, is the only person in the world who plays Indian Music on his customized Touchstyle Veena (AKA Chapman Stick). Diana Stork (Harp and Vocals) can be heard on dozens of albums, including "Harpestry" on Universal Records, and "Sacred Light" on the At Peace Music label. She has been a frequent performer at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco for their labyrinth walks. Gangadhar Gerhard (Tabla and vocals) has traveled throughout India researching and singing Kirtan vocal music, and has performed with Jai Uttal, Bhagavan Das, and Allen Ginsberg. Rhonda Gerhard is a vocalist, yoga nidra teacher and psychotherapist. Together they create a sound which adds a new dimension to Kirtan Singing and Sacred Instrumental Music.
For more information, and music samples see:
www.myspace.com/teedrockwell
Sadasiva (Sam Geppi)
Sam Geppi (Sadasiva) is a Vedic astrologer, writer and teacher. He is the author of "The Ascendant-108 Planets of Vedic Astrology" and contributor to other spiritual magazines. He developed a training program for Ayurvedic practitioners in 2009 and is currently finishing a book on relationships.
You can "friend" him on Facebook at http://facebook.com/indianastrology
Labor Day Weekend Retreat: 11th Annual Vedic Astrology and Yoga Conference
Sankara (Clayton Montgomery)
Sankara (Clayton Montgomery)hails from USA. He is a Sivananda Yoga Teacher, serving as the main Hatha Yoga teacher at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, Grass Valley, CA, and has been assistant teacher in many Yoga Teacher's Training Courses (TTC) at the ashram. He took the TTC in Grass Valley in 2006 and the Advanced TTC in Grass Valley in 2008.
He is also serving as Swami Sitaramananda's assistant and has traveled with her to Vietnam and Cambodia. Sankara is a very dedicated Hatha yogi, with a passion for the mat and the scriptures.
Sara
Sara saw her first kirtan 10 years ago in a yoga studio in Santa Monica and dreamed to one day also be in a kirtana band, performing in yoga studios and inspiring others to chant and dance. In 2001, her dream came true when Sura asked her to be a part of the Temple Bhajan Band. Since then, Sara has been singing, dancing, and playing in the band. Her musical background includes playing the clarinet in her high school orchestra and singing in choirs through both high school and college.
Shreelata Suresh
Shreelata commenced her training at the age of six under Vyjayantimala Bali, the famous dancer and actress. After her arangetram in 1981, she studied under the illustrious Guru Kalaimamani K. N. Dakshinamurthy Pillai. Presently she is under the tutelage of Guru V. Krishnamoorthi, whose unique and innovative choreography has encouraged her to create a distinct style of her own. Shreelata has also mastered the dance form of Kuchipoodi from Guru Krishnamoorthi.
Gifted with a slim figure and an attractive stage presence, Shreelata has captivated her audiences in India and around the world. She has given over 150 stage and TV performances in over 20 countries including India, North and South Americas, France, Republics of Georgia and Azerbaijan in former USSR, Australia, South-East Asia and East Africa and has shared this rich cultural heritage of India with the local people there. Shreelata has participated in premier dance festivals held in the different states of India. She played the lead role of Ardhanari in Lalgudi Jayaramans dance drama, Jaya Jaya Devi that toured 25 cities of USA and Canada.
Her attractive style, expressive movements and fleeting footwork have won her many awards and titles. Bharat Kalachar, Madras, awarded her the title of Yuva Kala Bharathi in 1996. She was adjudged the finest young dancer in 1991 and again in 1993. In recognition of her talent she has also been awarded the titles of Natyananmani and Natyaratna.
Apart from being an active performer in the dance circuit, Shreelata is also a contemporary teacher of Bharatha Natyam in the pure classical style. She has founded Vishwa Shanthi, a dance school and an organization that promotes peace through dance and other allied arts.
www.shreelatasuresh.com
Shyam Das (Tuen Ping Yang)
Shyam Das (Tuen Ping Yang) took the Yoga Teacher's Training Course and Advanced Yoga Teacher's Training Course in Grass Valley, CA at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm under Swami Sitaramananda. He has been instrumental in bringing 60 Taiwanese to the Yoga Farm for a Yoga Retreat as well as another group to Da Lat, Vietnam. Shyam Das has authored many books on Yoga and is a very dedicated yogi intent on serving the Chinese and Tiawanese community with the gift of Sivananda classical teachings of Hatha Yoga and Yoga Philosophy. He was a consultant for the Chinese Yoga Association in Taiwan.
Shyam Das is originally from China, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, where he has worked as a film director.
Sita Chaitanya
Sita Chaitanya is a senior staff of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat with over 25 years of experience teaching yoga and yoga teachers' training courses. She has been directing fasting retreats for many years and shares much experience in guiding and supporting people as they go on this transformative journey.
Stephen Longfellow Fiske
Stephen Longfellow Fiske is a multitalented individual whose dedication to peace, humanitarian, environmental and spiritual concerns has always found expression through his artistic pursuits. Since his first album release, Seeds of Peace, in 1980, through his current CD, Angels and Miracles, Stephen has established himself as an inspired performer and veteran poet/spokesman of the times. An award-winning singer/songwriter, Stephen has also authored the poetic & philosophical handbook, The Art of Peace, A Personal Manual on Peacemaking and Creativity (New Paradigm Books), now in its second printing. The Art of Peace also features 40 of Stephen's drawings. A long time student of peace and advocate of non-violence, Stephen was formerly the director of The Institute For Peace Studies and the co-ordinator of the Peacemakers Camps/Retreats of the early l980's. Stephen is a poet in his own right, giving expression and insights through his music, writings and presence wherever he goes.
Stephen grew up in New York City. His mother was an opera singer and voice and piano teacher, and his father was a writer/editor. Stephen flourished in the arts and became a self taught guitarist composing his own original songs. An outstanding athlete, he attended NYU on a basketball scholarship and majored in art. But music became his main calling, and in 1968 he came to San Francisco and formed an acid-rock band "The Bycycle."
After two turbulent years in the rock scene, he embarked upon his solo career and became a traveling troubador-minstrel man. Since then he has performed widely, entertaining and uplifting audiences with his insightful, poetic and often humorous songs and stories, and has recorded eight albums. His music has been featured in various films and videos, and he has written for, sung and done voice-overs on TV and radio commercials. He has raised a family of three children with his wife Nikki, and has also been a yoga teacher, a basketball coach, an avid backpacker/mountaineer, and a lecturer and workshop leader. Stephen has written, produced and performed his one man musical theater piece, "Minstrel Man" at the Electric Lodge Theater in Venice, California to enthusiastic audiences.
He has won numerous awards including "The International Peace Music Award" in 1994, and has had his songs recorded by Luther VanDross and Jose Feliciano, among others.
Thanksgiving Retreat - Yoga and the Arts: Kindling the Creative Fire
Sura
Sura is the lead singer and organizer of The Temple Bhajan Band. He plays harmonium and plans all of the events for the band. In his college days he used to play folk music in coffee houses in the midwest, and has transfered that propensity to kirtan and mantras. His raspy voice combined with the purity of Maha's heavenly singing creates a beauty and the beast kind of scenario. To contact Sura, call 310-837-5283
Swami Medhananda Puri
Swami Medhananda Puri is a senior monk in the renowned Kailash Ashram in Rishikesh, India. His knowledge of Hindu scriptures, along with his ability to explain Vedantic topics in a lucid, friendly, and humorous way, make him a gifted Vedanta teacher. This will be the first time that he teaches in the West.
Swami Narayanananda
Swami Narayanananda, who hails from England, is a Yoga and Meditation teacher for 10 years in the US where he served at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in California, the New York Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, and the Sivananda Ashram in Woodbourne, Catskills, NY. He is presently the director of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Chicago.
Swami Padmapadananda
Swami Padmapadananda was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and began his yoga practice in 1970. He is a senior disciple of Swami Vishnu devananda and was initiated as a sannyasi in 1979. He was named after a disciple of Sankaracharya, Padmapada, the "lotus-footed one". Noted for his heart and humor, he is by nature a 'Bhakta', one who is easily drawn to Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion).
Swami Padmapadananda has directed Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers in Israel, London, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the Yoga Ranch in upstate New York.
He presently directs the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in San Francisco. He is part of the teaching team of the Yoga Farm, where he conducts various programs during the year.
Yoga Teacher's Training Course (TTC)
Yoga Vacation Week and Positive Thinking
Swami Pranavananda
Swami Pranavananda took the vow of Sannyas in 1995. He is a gifted teacher who is the main hatha yoga teacher at the ashram and teaches the Anatomy and Physiology section of our Teachers Training Course. He co-directed the San Francisco Center for five years.
A talented musician, he enjoys leading kirtan and bhajan chanting sessions during satsang.
Yoga Teacher's Training Course (TTC)
Prana, Pranayama and Sutra Study
Swami Sitaramananda
Swami Sitaramananda is a Yoga and Meditation teacher for more than 25 years. She is presently the main teacher of the Yoga Teachers Training Courses offered at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, Grass Valley, CA where she is serving as the director. She also teaches at other Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Ashrams & Centers in India and Nassau, Bahamas, Asia, as well as Centers along the West Coast USA, including her birth country, Vietnam.
She is a direct disciple of Swami Vishnu-devananda. She was nominated by her teacher as Goraknath acharya (spiritual teacher, one of the holders of the lineage) in 1989. Her lectures are based on the four classical paths of yoga as well as the 5 points of Health.
Yoga Teacher's Training Course (TTC)
Labor Day Weekend Retreat: 11th Annual Vedic Astrology and Yoga Conference
Navaratri - Divine Mother Festival
Sadhana, Silence and Yoga Sutras
Thanksgiving Retreat - Yoga and the Arts: Kindling the Creative Fire
Yoga For a Change - Practical Yoga Philosophy Applied to Times of Transition
Meditation & Self Study Certificate Course
Sylvia Nakkach
Silvia Nakkach, MA, MMT, named by Utne Reading magazine as one of 40 cutting-edge artists that will shake the art world in the new millennium. Silvia has cultivated a voice that transport the listeners into the heart of devotion, she is an award-winning composer, psychologist, author, and pioneer in the field of sound, transformation of consciousness, and music shamanism. She is the founding director of Vox Mundi School of the Voice, an international school devoted to teaching and preserving sacred music traditions, with centers and training in Bahia and Rio, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and California. She is the creator, faculty, and main academic advisor for the Sound, Voice, Music Healing Certificate at the California Institute of Integral Studies, in San Francisco. She is also the founder of the The Path of Dhrupad Singing School in the States. She holds Master Degrees in Psychology, Psychodrama, Music Therapy, and Music Composition from Mills College. For more than 26 years Silvia has studied classical Indian music with maestro Ali Akbar Khan and Dhrupad singing with Dr. Ritwik Sanyal. An internationally accredited specialist in cross-cultural music therapy training, Nakkach has pioneered the integration of ancient sacred sound with contemporary practices of chanting, somatic and music psychotherapy. She has been involved in clinical research in the areas of micro-tonal singing and uses of the voice to induce meditative states. Her work has been integrated in a comprehensive curriculum of scientific vocal and sound healing applications known as The Yoga of the Voice�, a training that offers national certification. Silvia's interest in indigenous music cosmology and spirituality brought her to collaborate with many spiritual masters of Indian and South American shamanic traditions. In addition to published articles. Silvia is the contributor author of various books, including Music and the Human Process, Music in Human Adaptation, The Transpersonal Consciousness, Music Therapy and the End of Life. Silvia is presently working on her latest book. She has released several CD albums that have worldwide distribution. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit her work at : www.voxmundiproject.com
Thanksgiving Retreat - Yoga and the Arts: Kindling the Creative Fire
Synn Kune Loh
Synn Kune Loh is an international lecturer, quantum thinker, philosopher, psychologist, visionary artist, classical Feng Shui designer and healer with a rare blend of East/West thinking and a brilliant concept of time, space, conditions and destiny.
He is originally from China and resides in Vancouver, Canada with his wife, Deviyani. He is famous in Mexico for his innovative ideas and designs. He is available for personal consultations on creative solutions, and will help you to work with your business ideas, life ideas and how to realize them. His email is synnkune@hotmail.com.
Tara Durga Devi
Tara Durga Devi has been teaching yoga and meditation for 32 years and is the co-founder and owner of 'The Yoga Center', an affiliated yoga center of Sivananda system, in Stockton, CA. She has been trained in Yoga Therapy, and is a graduate of the Sivananda Yoga teacher's training course (TTC) and Advanced Yoga teacher's training course(ATTC). Tara Durga Devi is one of the rare yoga teachers trained by Swami Vishnu-Devananda, with whom she took TTC in 1976.
www.stocktonyoga.com
Theresa Tram
Ms.Tram Nguyen (Theresa) took the Yoga Teachers Training course in Grass Valley, CA in 2006 and the Advanced Teachers Training course in South India in 2008. After her graduation, she enrolled as a volunteer staff serving as a Yoga teacher for almost one year in the USA, at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Grass Valley and also the Sivananda Yoga Center in Los Angeles. She currently teaches Sivananda Yoga in Ho Chi Minh City at different locations. She will be the vietnamese consultant for the course.
Tulku Karma Rinpoche
The Venerable Tulku Karma Gyurme Sonam Rinpoche is the founder and spiritual leader of the Yogi Tsoru Dechen Foundation based in Miami, Florida. The Foundation was created to provide Westerners access to the Buddha Dharma (Path of Awakening), and to supply Compassion and Wisdom to all human beings. Tulku Karma is recognized as a Lama - a term reserved for senior members of the Tibetan Order.
Rinpoche has devoted his life to champion humanitarian efforts. He travels throughout the world teaching the Buddha Dharma, and speaking to small and large audiences on the empowerments of achieving a calm mind and loving heart through compassion. Rinpoche also continues to help establish new Dharma centers in the United States. Visit www.ytdr.org for more information.
Vidya Chaitanya
Vidya Chaitanya is a radiant Yogini renunciate who has more than 20 years of experience in Yoga and meditation. She is the current director of the Sivananda Los Angeles Yoga Center and was assistant director at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm for many years. She had a medical background in England and hails from Australia originally. She earned her Certificate in Permaculture Design and Advanced Permaculture from Mid West Permaculture and is now passionate about bringing Yoga and the Environment together at this exciting time of Transition. Her practical lectures are about Yoga philosophy, Vedanta and how to deal with emotions and mind in times of transition.
Vidya Devi (Virginia Barrett)
Vidya Devi (Virginia Barrett) holds a Master's degree in Teaching Art from the Rhode Island School of Design. She has been teaching art to all ages for nearly twenty years. Her greatest inspiration for her own visual work are forms found in the natural world. In February 2007 Vidya devi completed the Sivananda Meditation intensive course and in May of the same year completed her Teacher Training course at the Yoga Farm. Vidya Devi seeks to combine her love of nature with the meditative practice of drawing and to share this with others.
Wayne Weiseman
Wayne Weiseman has been certified by Bill Mollison and The Permaculture Institute of Australia to teach the Permaculture Design Certification Course. Raised partly in the country as well as New York City, Wayne learned at a young age how to find solace in nature. Wayne has been working with plants for as long as he can remember. He currently resides in Carbondale, IL, with his wife Frannie and their 5 year old daughter. He has worked as a builder and contractor, herbalist, renewable energy expert, and farmer for the past twenty-five years. He currently focuses his energy at Dayempur Farm in Southern Illinois, a land-based, self-reliant community project, combining organic crop/food production, ecologically-built shelter, renewable energy, appropriate technologies and educational programs. He is also the Director of The Permaculture Project, a full-service, international consulting business promoting the ideas of eco-agriculture, renewable-energy resources and eco-construction methods. His skills in this area led him to leading a full permaculture design course for the staff and friends of the Findhorn Community in Scotland in the summer of 2005 Wayne has spent several years as a school teacher but more recently as a consultant to educators and administrators in curriculum and professional development. As a primitive wilderness instructor he relies on observation techniques and a thorough understanding of the natural world to assist his students. He has worked extensively with corporate executives in the arts of team building, nature study and the application of ideas in business and life, developed through the observation of the cycles and connections found in the natural world. www.midwestpermaculture.com
Yogini Shambhavi
Yogini Shambhavi has an in depth knowledge of inner tantric Yoga for over 15 years and has deep spiritual insights into the working of the inner world. She is an international speaker and teacher along with her partner Dr. Pandit Vamadeva Shastri. She is the author of "Yogini, Unfolding the Goddess Within" and of "Yogic Secrets of the Dark Goddess".
