Kali Tanikella
Kali (Meera) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to helping adults and youth who feel stuck or overwhelmed reconnect with their authentic selves. She employs an integrative approach that combines Object Relations, somatic work, Internal Family Systems, and yogic principles to address trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges. Kali fosters a safe, collaborative environment that empowers clients to heal, grow, and thrive.
Ashwini Surpur
Ashwini Surpur, BS (CS), MA (Sanskrit), ERYT-500, CIAYT, is the Executive Director of Yoga Bharati and a Senior Yoga Therapist. With 15 years of experience as a Software Engineer at Oracle, she transitioned to full-time volunteering at Yoga Bharati in 2010. Specializing in yoga therapy, particularly for cancer and terminally ill patients, she's a sought-after speaker on yoga and Hindu philosophy and contributes articles to various publications. Passionate about literature and philosophy, she holds an MA in Sanskrit and enjoys writing poems and articles in her free time.
Savitha Nanjangud
Savitha Nanjangud holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and is currently practicing as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in San Jose, CA. She completed her Yoga Teachers training with Yoga Bharati in 2009. As a volunteer she taught Yoga and therapy classes, conducted teacher training and workshops and designed course curriculum for 8 years. An ardent student of Yoga/Vedanta, Savitha is passionate about integrating Yoga psychology in her counseling work. Her other interests include contextualizing historical trauma and decoloniality. Savitha also holds an M.S. in Ceramic Science and a B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering. She enjoys learning Hindustani classical music, especially Bhajans.
Shilpa Kurkut
Shilpa Kurkut, eRYT-200, RYT-500, IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist, specializes in yoga therapy for seniors, adults, and children in Pleasanton. With a Diploma in Yoga Therapy from Yogabharati and an MSC in Zoology, she brings over 20 years of yoga experience. Shilpa has also taught at the Blind Center in Santa Clara and conducted workshops including Vision, Stop Diabetes, Back Pain, and Kids Yoga Summer Camps. Her dedication to holistic wellness and extensive expertise make her a sought-after yoga therapist and educator in her community.
Ranjitha Sastry
Ranjitha Sastry completed her yoga instructor course in 2001 at SVYASA Bangalore. After a break, she resumed teaching by completing a bridge course through Yoga Bharati in 2018. Currently pursuing her "Master of Science (MS) in Yoga," Ranjitha views yoga as a blend of endurance, flexibility, and Pranayama. She enjoys pushing her limits to achieve deeper stretches and emphasizes dynamic mobility in her classes. Expect a fun, invigorating experience that will make you sweat and leave you feeling rejuvenated.
Kirtida Ruparel
Kirtida Ruparel, RYT-500, C-IAYT, is a dedicated student of Yoga and Vedanta, committed to teaching and healing through yoga. With over three decades in the Bay Area, she has immersed herself in the study of Yoga and Yoga therapy since 2011. Kirtida's teaching approach emphasizes achieving balance in body, mind, and spirit, making it accessible to people of all ages. She believes that Yoga is inclusive and beneficial for everyone.
Ishwarryah Ramanathan
Ishwarryah Ramanathan, a Yoga Alliance certified (RYT200) teacher and Faculty at Yogabharathi, holds a Master's degree in Computer Science & Information Systems. Transitioning from a career in mobile app development to become an artist and bakery business owner, she exemplifies versatility. Currently pursuing a Diploma in Yoga Therapy with a focus on psychology and pranayama, Ishwarryah credits yoga philosophy for bringing balance to her life—improving health, nurturing the mind, and fostering spiritual growth. Driven by a passion to share her transformative journey, she seeks to inspire others through her experiences.
Akila Padmanabhan
Akila Padmanabhan, a yoga teacher, is currently pursuing a diploma in yoga therapy. With over 5 years of experience, she teaches various classes including wellness yoga, kids, prenatal, and therapy yoga for both children and adults. Akila actively participated in the Diabetes Movement in collaboration with Sewa, Bay Area, and Yoga Bharati, showcasing her commitment to community health and well-being.
Minakshi Rai
Minakshi Rai, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, HCI Scholar, MA, B.Ed, BCA, serves as the Senior Yoga Therapist at Fremont's Yoga Bharati. With over two decades of yoga practice, she's been a Yoga Therapist in the USA for nearly ten years. Minakshi leads meditation sessions at Irvington High School and previously taught Hindi at HUA, Florida. Her workshops cover various topics including back pain management, diabetes, vision improvement, chronic ailments, and children's summer camps. Known for her compassion and discipline, Minakshi aims to integrate Ashtanga yogic principles into daily life to nurture mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Sindhu Singal
Sindhu Singal embarked on her yoga journey two decades ago under her mother's guidance and has remained committed ever since. Joining Yoga Bharati in 2017 as a YTT student, she's been instructing yoga since 2018 while pursuing a Diploma in Yoga Therapy. Sindhu teaches for several non-profit organizations and hosts private yoga sessions, driven by her unwavering passion for yoga.
Shriram Sarvotham
Shriram Sarvotham, PhD, ERYT-500, is a senior faculty member at Yoga Bharati. Practicing yoga since childhood, he received his Yoga Teacher Certification from the Art of Living Foundation in 2001. Shriram has conducted over 150 workshops and retreats on yoga, Bhagavad Gita, and Patanjali Yoga Sutras across the USA, including prestigious yoga conferences, educational institutions, and corporate offices. Recognized for his service, he received the Exemplary Service Award from the Consulate General of India in June 2015 and the Yoga Service Award from ISKCON in September 2009. Based in Silicon Valley, California, he also works in the tech industry.
Kavitha Vanamala
Kavitha is a senior faculty member at Yoga Bharathi. She is a passionate yoga teacher and MCA graduate who blends technology and mindfulness in her daily life. Based in Cupertino, she enjoys teaching yoga while balancing family life. She is dedicated to fostering wellness and empowers others to find peace and strength through movement and breath. She enjoys music, Sanskrit, cooking, and quality time with her family.