Dr. Ram Pramod
Dr. Ram Pramod (PhD EYRT), Executive Director, Detroit Chapter has been an essential part of Yogabharati, Detroit chapter since its inception. He is a senior faculty member with Yoga Bharati, Detroit. He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University and works as a Director in an automotive company.
Nachi Muthukumar
Nachi Muthukumar (MS, BS Computer Science, RYT-200) is a volunteer at Yoga Bharati. He has undergone yoga teacher training at Yogabharati, Los Angeles in 2016 and is currently pursuing his Diploma in yoga Therapy. He has conducted Yoga Teacher Training programs (YTT) and also has led the Stop Diabetes Movement in the Los Angeles Area. He has been conducting yoga wellness programs for all ages around the Greater Los Angeles area. Nachi completed his Masters & Bachelor in Computer Engineering from India (Tamil Nadu). He is currently the Director of Engineering in SureCo, Inc at Santa Ana, CA.
Avima Sharma
Avima Sharma is a Yoga Teacher at Yoga Bharati LA. She is a software engineer by education and blends mindfulness with tech in daily life. She works as a Product Testing leader at NBC Universal and is based in Los Angeles with her family, she’s passionate about promoting balance, both on and off the mat, through a holistic Yoga practice.
Anil Surpur
Anil Surpur, B.E (E&C), M.S (Yoga), MBA, E-RYT 500, YACEP, C-IAYT, serves as the President of Yoga Bharati, where he is also a Senior Faculty and Yoga Teacher. Apart from his teaching roles, Anil actively engages in Yoga research. He holds positions on the Board of Directors of both Yoga Bharati and Vyasa USA. Furthermore, he currently holds the role of Director of Engineering at Ooma Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA.
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.
Amit Ganghas
Amit Ganghas (ERYT) is an experienced young yogi who has completed two teacher training programs: one from Sivananda Ashram and another from SVYASA Bangalore. He also has a Master's in Yoga from SVYASA. He is currently studying Kinesiology at West Valley College. Yoga has been both his career and passion. He has taught at various studios in Delhi, India, for the past five years and is now in the Bay Area for further studies.
Manjul Mishra
Manjul Mishra discovered Yoga after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2019. Starting with Therapeutic yoga, she progressed to Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Iyengar styles, experiencing profound physical and mental benefits. She completed her RYS 200 with Sanatana Yog Sandesh in Rishikesh and is pursuing her RYT 200 with Yoga Bharati. Additionally, she's a certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, integrating Ayurvedic principles into her classes. With a daily practice of Yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic Dinacharya, she's deeply committed to holistic wellness. Hiking and biking complement her passions. Alongside Yoga and Ayurveda, Manjul holds an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and works as a Product Specialist at Siemens.
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.
Anup Param
Anup Param eagerly anticipates sharing his yoga practice with the YB community, emphasizing pranayama, synchronized breath and body movements, core asanas, and relaxation techniques. With five years of experience in Patanjali yoga and a year of leading online sessions, his focus remains on incorporating breath work into each practice. Anup is passionate about fostering a supportive community where yoga is accessible to all, on and off the mat. He aims to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing and benefiting from the practice, ensuring that each individual finds their place in the transformative journey of yoga.
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.
Autumn Bukhart
Autumn's journey into Yoga began in 2004 with an at-home video, followed by a 16-week introductory course in the Iyengar style. Since then, she has explored all four paths of Yoga. In 2020, Autumn completed the 200hr level teacher training with Yoga Bharati, where she discovered a supportive community of fellow yogis. As a teacher, her primary aim is to guide students inward, fostering disciplined Yoga practice. Embracing Patanjali's wisdom, she believes that through dedicated practice, impurities are eradicated, and the radiant crown of wisdom illuminates our path (YS II.28).
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.
Santosh Kumar
Santosh Kumar, certified in YTT since 2019, has been passionately teaching and learning Yoga since 2018, both independently and as a Yoga Bharati volunteer. Holding MS degrees in Yoga Therapy and Philosophy from VaYU (Vivekananda Yoga University), he aims to share the enriching experience of Yoga with others. Santosh's teaching style, primarily IAYT-based, is personalized with a freestyle approach. Expect a blend of slow and fast-paced Yoga, infused with Vinyasa styles, in his sessions. With a commitment to imparting the transformative power of Yoga, Santosh invites you to join him on the journey of self-discovery and wellness.
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.
Indra Singhal
Indra Singhal, a dedicated yoga practitioner for nearly two decades, completed Yogabharati YIC teacher's training in 2013. He offers free community classes and is pursuing a postgraduate diploma in yoga therapy. Indra emphasizes mental engagement in his sessions. With a background in engineering and marketing at AMD, SynOptics, and Bell Labs, he's founded multiple startups and currently serves as a part-time operating partner at a venture capital firm. Indra holds a Bachelor's from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and a Master's from Penn State University. His multifaceted career blends a passion for yoga with entrepreneurial ventures and venture capital endeavors.
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.