Ananda Ashram Teachers
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
International Schools of East-West Unity Teachers
Visiting & Guest Teachers
Andrea Fennell
Andrea's intention is to help empower others to find balance within. Along with her 200+ Hour YTT knowledge, Andrea incorporates her background in the Unity Worldwide movement, chakra affirmations, and musical expression into her classes, thus allowing her to foster a strong connection to restorative and vinyasa benefits through her offerings.
Here's also what students have said: Andrea’s flows are set to inspiring music and are taught with care, accessibility, and awareness at the forefront. She has a beautiful ability to meet students exactly where they are, helping them find balance, relief from tension, and a sense of calm that carries well beyond the mat.
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Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Andrea Tymczyszyn
Andrea values the opportunity to share the benefits of yoga practice and connect with students in a space that supports growth, curiosity, compassionate awareness, and a playful spirit. Her classes weave together asana, pranayama, Yoga Nidra, philosophy, and devotion, inviting students to explore the deeper dimensions of practice and experience the natural bliss of presence.
Andrea is a 500-hour RDYT, YACEP, and sound healing practitioner rooted in the eight-limbed path of yoga. She completed her teacher training at Ananda Ashram and continues her studies in Hatha Raja Yoga with Sri Dharma Mittra (NYC).
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Arjun Verma
Arjun Verma, sitarist, began performing at the age of seven. He is a student of his father Acharya Roop Verma and of Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, with whom he studied for eight years. Arjun has performed in the U.S., Europe and India, including at the United Nations in Geneva,
Prague Castle in the Czech Republic and the Fillmore in San Francisco. He teaches Sitar and North Indian classical music at the Ali Akbar College of Music in California and at the East-West School of Music at Ananda Ashram. Visit his website for more information.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
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Bharati Devi
Bharati Devi (Bharati E. Balmes) began her studies with Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati (Ramamurti S. Mishra, M.D.) in 1968. She studied the Sanskrit language, Yoga-Vedanta philosophy, meditation and related subjects with him both in Europe and at his Ashrams in the U.S., simultaneously working as his assistant. Under his direction she began teaching in 1971.
Bharati was named head of the School of Sanskrit at Ananda Ashram and appointed trustee of the Baba Bhagavandas Publication Trust and the International Schools of East-West Unity by Founder Shri Brahmananda. She also studied with renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet Dr. Ram Karan Sharma from '97-'15.
Christina Wypijewska
Christina Wypijewska (Kika), MPH, ERYT500, YACEP, is a Yoga Teacher, Sound Healer and College Professor. Since her yoga training at Ananda Ashram in 2011, she has been dedicated to creating sacred spaces for self-exploration through heart-centered practice. Integrating movement, sound, breath awareness and stillness, Kika shares the transformative power of yoga in a holistic, inclusive and modern way.
She holds certifications in yoga therapy from the Yoga Vidya Gurukul (India) and sound healing from the Sage Academy of Sound Energy (Woodstock, NY). With over 25 years of experience in public health, Kika is currently on the Faculty at Kean University. Please visit kikayoga.com to learn more.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
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David (Yogananda) Hollander
David (Yogananda) Hollander, 500 RYT, has been teaching yoga since 1994 and Mysore style Ashtanga Yoga since 2005. He helped to develop Teacher Training programs at New York Yoga, Yoga Sutra and Pure Yoga in NYC. Currently he runs the East Side Mysore Club. David has studied with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, B.N.S Iyengar (of Mysore), Manju Jois and Nancy Gilgoff and is certified by David Williams and the Mysore Mandala in India.
He directed Yoga Teacher Trainings at Ananda Ashram from 2009 to 2020. David is also a classically trained figurative artist who has taught drawing for over a decade.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
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Deepak Kumar
Deepak Kumar Pareek is a light classical singer and composer from the state of Rajasthan, India. His music covers a wide spectrum of styles: ghazals (romantic poetry), bhajans (devotional songs), kirtan and classic film songs. Deepak first studied with his father, Shri P.N. Vyas, and later with Ustad R.F. Dagar, Ustad Moinuddin Khan and Shri Mohinderjit Singh.
He has also been studying with Khayal classical singer Mrs. Kankana Banerjee, disciple of the legendary vocalist Ustad Amir Khan. Deepak is accomplished on several musical instruments including harmonium, tamboura, guitar and keyboard. He is co-director of the East-West School of Music at Ananda Ashram and as a faculty member teaches and performs regularly.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Dina Comolli-Samargian
Dina’s Vinyasa yoga classes are designed to flow and help students condition, strengthen, align, and embody a true sense of pleasure through the meditative and energizing effects of combining breath with movement. Set to groovy playlists, Dina’s classes inspire students to realize and unearth their full potential on the yoga mat and in life. Dina received her 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training at Yoga Vida in NYC, but she truly draws much of her creativity and knowledge from her 27 years as a student of yoga, under the tutelage of all the brilliant Teachers who have led her along the way.
Dina is also a NY/NJ Trail Conference Volunteer Maintainer in Harriman State Park, Avid Hiker, Actress, Arts Educator and Account Executive for The Photo News. Hence, why she needs yoga.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Elias Lopez
Elias combines his love of nature with his love for Yoga. He infuses classes with careful attention to alignment and he views yoga as a practice to live well and love fully. Elías believes in the power of yoga to deeply transform our lives. He is inspired by the poetry of the body and the organic forms found in nature.
He is part of the new Anusara School of Hatha Yoga and finds inspiration in the Bow Spring method, which infuses him with a passion for aligning the body and the Divine through breath and heart opening. He loves sharing this beautiful journey called yoga with his students while creating a fun, safe, and sacred place where everyone can feel empowered to achieve their full potential and be open to Grace. Elías is full of gratitude to his Guru Sri Brahmananda Sarasvati who has been guiding him on his path.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Elisa Rowan
Elisa Rowan has been practicing yoga since 1980. She is grateful for the dozens of teachers worldwide, mainly in NYC and in the Hudson Valley, who she has studied with on this journey. It is apropos that she completed the RYT200 at Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY in 2023. It was here in her hometown that she visited Ananda Ashram on a 5th grade field trip and first heard the word yoga. A call out of gratitude to all teachers-know that planting the seeds do indeed grow. This is just one of the serendipitous circles of life that yoga has provided her.
While over many decades she has studied many styles of yoga, she now prefers teaching Gentle, Yin, and Restorative yoga classes incorporating Pranayama and Meditation. Come to a class to move the body, quiet the mind, explore inside and be grateful. Learn how to recognize and love the eternal guest of Honor-YOU!
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Hari Mulukutla
Hari Mulukutla is a student of Yoga, Sanskrit and Bhakti. Hari seeks to connect the wisdom of the ancient scriptures along with the knowledge of contemporary science and technology. Born into a family deeply rooted in Hindu spiritual traditions, his parents were both fluent in Sanskrit. His childhood was imbued with the richness of Hindu scriptures in their original form. This early immersion fostered a deep connection to his heritage and inspired a profound respect for traditional wisdom. However, Hari's true spiritual awakening emerged at Ananda Ashram, a sanctuary of tranquility and spiritual enrichment. The teachings he received and the inspiring people he met were transformative, sparking a profound journey into self-discovery and spiritual evolution. He is deeply grateful to the teachers of Ananda Ashram and the disciples of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati including Sharon Gannon and David Life, founders of Jivamukti Yoga, who have enriched his spiritual journey with their wisdom and love. Hari’s friendship with Shyam Das was instrumental in deepening his understanding of Bhakti, Kirtan, and the concept of spiritual happiness, or Sat-Chit-Ananda. This relationship helped him discover contentment and profoundly influenced his journey of self-discovery. Hari is a certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher.
Indira Bulkin
Indira (Ann) Bulkin met Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in the summer of 1971 at Ananda Ashram in Monroe, New York. The following spring, she became a full-time resident student at the newly established Yoga Society of San Francisco, where she lived for several years. During that time, Shri Brahmananda, then known as Dr. Mishra, held Sanskrit classes for many hours a day, seven days a week, and Indira fully participated in this program. In the summer of 1973, Dr. Mishra asked Indira to start teaching Sanskrit. In the early 1980s, he named her the head of the Sanskrit Department at the Yoga Society of San Francisco, a position she held until 2010.
Indira was privileged to study Sanskrit with Professor Robert Goldman at UC Berkeley, and in 1993, she graduated with a B.A. in the Sanskrit language, before going on to earn her Master's degree in physical therapy. She opened her own clinic, Balance in Motion Physical Therapy, in 2009. She was blessed to be able to continue her Sanskrit studies with Dr. Ram Karan Sharma for more than 17 years. She and her husband, Shanta, co-founder of the East-West Sanskrit Institute, have been married for many years and have two grown sons and four beautiful grandchildren. For more info, see eastwestsanskritinstitute.com.
Janesa Calone
Janesa Calone has been practicing yoga for 18 years, cultivating strength, flexibility, and fearlessness both on and off the mat. Her practice inspires her to live each moment with greater mindfulness. With 12 years of experience as a yoga instructor, Janesa brings together powerful, creative sequencing, a spirit of playfulness, and a touch of inspiration in her classes, helping students deepen their practice. She is dedicated to supporting others in thriving, with the intention that each person leaves feeling refreshed, nourished, and balanced. Students are encouraged to arrive open and ready to receive the many benefits of yoga.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
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Juliet Leight
With over a decade of practice, Juliet received her Yoga Teacher Training (YYT) in 2015. Her teaching style is rooted in alignment-based Vinyasa, with a strong emphasis on pranayama (breathwork) and linking movement with breath. Juliet believes in the power of yoga to restore balance to the body and mind, promoting mental clarity, emotional well-being, and a calm nervous system. In addition to her work as a yoga teacher, Juliet is a therapist and school counselor, integrating mindfulness-based somatic therapies with traditional talk therapy.
She works with individuals and children, helping them navigate emotional challenges and fostering growth through both movement and conversation. Juliet creates a supportive space for students of all levels to explore yoga’s physical and spiritual dimensions, offering a mindful practice that encourages self-awareness, healing, and personal growth both on and off the mat.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
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Karmananda (Jeffrey) Gottlieb
Karuna Devi met her Guru Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in 1972 and has been a lover of Sanskrit and the practice and art of meditation since that time. She has also been deeply influenced by her study of Indian classical music with Acharya Roop Verma, and Zen Buddhist practice under the guidance of Eido Shimano Roshi. Karuna has served as a staff member and teacher at Ananda Ashram for many years. She specializes in Bhagavad Gita studies.
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Karuna Devi
Karuna Devi met her Guru Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in 1972 and has been a lover of Sanskrit and the practice and art of meditation since that time. She has also been deeply influenced by her study of Indian classical music with Acharya Roop Verma, and Zen Buddhist practice under the guidance of Eido Shimano Roshi. Karuna has served as a staff member and teacher at Ananda Ashram for many years. She specializes in Bhagavad Gita studies.
Kelly Kamm
Always on the hunt for some deep connection with the invisible forces of magic and spirit, Kelly studied Eastern philosophy and Japanese in DC, hiked the Appalachian Trail, traveled the world, and worked as a stylist in the NYC fashion and music business.
When she found yoga she saw it as the confluence of everything she valued and longed for – creation and form, connection to the magical unknown, the fusing of the sacred and the everyday. She opened a studio in Goshen NY in 2006 and sold it 10 years later, and she now leads retreats and trainings all over the globe. She is honored to study with and be influenced by many great teachers including Cyndi Lee, Sondra Loring and Douglas Brooks. Her classes are lighthearted, sprinkled with storytelling and joyful.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Krishna Devi
Krishna Devi is a Kirtan musician and Bhakti Yogini. She was initiated into the spiritual practice of Sanskrit chanting by her Guru Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, who taught the Sanskrit language as the "science of vibration." Krishna Devi regards chanting as a gateway into meditation and believes that chanting the sacred sounds allows an opening of one’s heart. She leads Kirtans at Ananda Ashram; she is also a published author of the book Kirtan Angels and has recorded and produced several albums. In addition, Krishna Devi teaches a weekly Beginners' Sanskrit class.
Laraaji Nadananda
Laraaji Nadananda is an internationally recognized recording artist best known for his specially designed electric zither, his vocal performances and his new music improvisation. He also uses the African Mbire, synthesizers, hand drums, percussion and Tibetan gong. He has presented concerts and laughter "playshops" for the global community since 1978, especially in Europe, Asia and the United States. A regular and much appreciated contributor to Ananda Ashram programs since 1980, he received special initiation from Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati. Visit his webpage for more information. Also visit here.
Lotus Do
Lotus Do is a certified RYT yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance and has taught qigong and yoga for over 13 years at Star Island Conference for the Arts. She has enthusiastically conducted workshops combining meditation, yoga, qigong and creative arts at conferences and art institutions. Within the last few years Lotus has taught community yoga classes for museum attendees, goat farmers, bank employees, and educators.
She is a certified “Breathe for Change” health champion. Lotus’ belief is that yoga fosters physical, mental and spiritual health and is a long-life practice. She is versed in visualization, meditation and various styles of yoga and qigong. Lotus has been fortunate to have studied with many kind and thoughtful master teachers including the yogis at Ananda Ashram.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Michelle Dawson
Michelle Dawson is a traditional Henna Body Artist, Yogi, Aerialist, and Pole Dancer. With roots firmly grounded in ancient spirituality, Michelle's unique articulation of her movement modalities combines the essence of all that is holy. She is the creator and visionary of The Body Art Barn, a sacred space in Blooming Grove, NY. Always wanting a bigger, more progressive challenge and a thrill-seeking rebel of Yoga, Michelle discovered Pole Dancing and has now weaved it into her regular practice.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Michelle Sobala
Michelle first found Yoga over 10 years ago and has been practicing ever since. She moved to America in 2023 from England and found the beautiful Ananda Ashram. Michelle decided this was the perfect place to finally do a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course. Michelle is thrilled to be certified now and teaching at Ananda Ashram Yoga.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Naren Budhakar
Naren Budhakar was born and brought up in the Indian classical music tradition. He began performing Tabla at a young age. A disciple of Tabla Maestro Ustad Shabbir Nisar, Naren has played with prominent instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Jasraj and Shaed Parvez. He has performed at prestigious venues in the U.S. and Europe, providing Tabla accompaniment for various musical genres.
He is also a disciple of Shri Aditya Khandwe, a virtuoso vocalist of the Gwalior style of classical Indian vocal music. Naren is co-director of the East-West School of Music at Ananda Ashram and as a faculty member teaches and performs regularly.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
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Nikki Lewitan
Nikki Lewitan is certified in both Hatha Yoga and Yoga Therapy. She received her Yoga Therapy certification from Yoga Vidya Dham in India and her Hatha Yoga teacher's certification from Ananda Ashram. She has lived and taught at the Ashram since 2007 while studying yogic scriptures and practicing meditation with several teachers who have deeply influenced her life.
Her countless travels through India and Peru have brought her heart and soul closer to the teachings of ancient sages and medicine healers.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
Sarasvati Devi (S. Donates)
Sarasvati Devi (S. Donates) received instruction in Sanskrit and Yoga-Vedanta philosophy from Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati starting from 1983. She is a retired Bilingual School Psychologist and worked with children from Kindergarten through High School during her career in the public school setting. She has taught at Ananda Ashram offering programs and teaching Introduction to Sanskrit for many years.
Satya Narayana Charka
Pandit Satya Narayana Charka is a distinguished Kathak dance performer, choreographer and teacher of international acclaim. His gurus include Pandit R.K. Shukla, Pandit Shambhu Maharaj, Shrimati Maya Rao and Pandit Birju Maharaj. Pandit S.N. Charka has won many prestigious awards, including first place in the All-India Dance Competition.
Since the early 1970s, he has presented numerous traditional dance recitals as well as dance dramas, bringing myth to life for today's audiences. Since 1981, he has been the director of the East-West School of Dance, New York, based at Ananda Ashram. He has been teaching in the wider New York metropolitan area and has been performing internationally.
Faculty of the International Schools of East-West Unity
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Shanta Bulkin
Shanta Bulkin was a desperately unhappy 22-year-old when he first met Shri Brahmanananda Sarasvati (Dr. Ramamurti S. Mishra) at Ananda Ashram. It was the summer of 1972, and the young man was at rock bottom. The first thing Dr. Mishra said to him was, "If you want to stay here, you must study Sanskrit." Shanta followed his instruction and immediately felt the healing effects of this cosmic language. Dr Mishra later described the process as the "washing machine of the mind."
Shanta's professional career in construction started when Dr. Mishra put him in charge of building the temple at the Yoga Society of San Francisco. Shanta continued to grow as a Sanskritist, studying with world-renowned Sanskrit teacher and writer, Professor Ram Karan Sharma. Now, more than five decades later, having retired as a contractor, Shanta feels it is his dharma to share the amazing vibrational study of Sanskrit with those who are searching for hope. He devotes much of his time to teaching one-on-one and small-group Sanskrit classes online. Since 2012, Shanta has been teaching at the College of Ayurveda at the Mt. Madonna Institute, and is the co-founder of the East-West Sanskrit Institute, along with his wife Indira. For more info, see eastwestsanskritinstitute.com.
Shri Radha (Radha Gaines)
Shri Radha met her Guru Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in 1977 and received intensive training from him until his passing in 1993. She was his secretary and assistant, traveling with him and serving as his main interpreter during the final ten years of his life.
She lives at Ananda Ashram where she is a life-term trustee of the Baba Bhagavandas Publication Trust and a trustee of the International Schools of East-West Unity (Gurukula). Since 2004, she has regularly spent time in India, furthering her spiritual education and practice with Amma Sri Karunamayi. Radha offers programs in meditation, Yoga, Vedanta and Sanskrit.
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Tammy (Vimala) Quinn
Vimala Devi (Tammy Quinn) began her practice of Yoga in 2008 and realized soon that Yoga was much more than physical exercise. Her passion for Yoga led her to take the 200 hour “Life of a Yogi” teacher training with Sri Dharma Mittra in 2011. She began visiting Ananda Ashram in 2013 in an effort to continue her study of asana, Yoga-Vedanta philosophy and meditation.
More recently, Vimala completed a 300-hour Yoga Alliance Certification and is now designated as a 500RYT and YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider). Her style of teaching is a classic approach, incorporating asana, pranayama (breathing techniques), chanting, and the basic principles of Yoga.
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Tara Devi
Tara Devi (Tara Federman) received training in meditation, natural healing, Sanskrit and Yoga-Vedanta philosophy from Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati from 1971 on. Professionally, she is an educator of children with special needs.
Tara has been a senior staff teacher at Ananda Ashram for many years. She offers a weekly evening program with emphasis on meditation and breathing exercises as well as a weekly Beginners' Sanskrit class.
Tomek Regulski
Tomek Regulski is a composer, sitarist and meditation teacher. As a sitarist, he received his foundational training in the style of the Maihar Gharana from the late Acharya Roop Verma and continues his studies with Arjun Verma and Pandit Krishna Bhatt.
Additionally, he is a vocal student of Ramakant and Umakant Gundecha, masters of the Dagarbani tradition of dhrupad singing. Tomek performs sitar in the classical concert setting as well as for yoga and meditation. He is on the faculty of the East-West School of Music at Ananda Ashram, where he teaches monthly sitar classes.
Tracy Verma
Tracy Verma has been a yoga practitioner for 40 years and is a student of Indian culture and music, with much inspiration from her late husband, Acharya Roop Verma, and Pandit Sharda Sahai (tabla). Her spiritual and yogic training was from Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati and Dr. Edith Epstein.
She also has a background in Western music. She founded the Catskill Choral Society Girl Choir, sings with the Catskill Choral Society, and teaches yoga at Hartwick College and the Atma Lotus Center in Oneonta, NY. As a tamboura player, she has accompanied her husband and recorded numerous CDs. See their website for more information.
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Yehnemsah Oneha (Ahimsa)
Yehnemsah was certified as a Yoga teacher by "Seven Centers Yoga Arts" in Arizona, a center affiliated with the American Yoga Alliance and teaching the traditional style of the Bihar School of Yoga (founded by Swami Satyananda Saraswati). She has practiced Kundalini Yoga with certified teacher Datta Kaur Khalsa in Ithaca, NY, and has studied Patanjali's Yoga Sutras for many years with various teachers, most recently at Ananda Ashram, where she resides as a staff person. Yehnemsah has also been deeply influenced by the teachings of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi.
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Rev. Kim
Lesley
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