Natalie is an environmental educator serving the San Francisco Midpeninsula. Engaging people of all ages in the stewardship of trees and the urban forest is a passion. And so is sharing the healing benefits of yoga. She has found that yoga is a practice of returning again and again to her inner strength and wisdom within. Natalie brings vibrant energy and calm awareness to the postures, helping you become stronger and more resilient through your practice.
Bhawani Isaacson
Bhawani is an E-RYT 200-hour certified Yoga Instructor, Ananda certified Meditation Teacher, and a long-time meditator. Inspired by yoga since the age of 18, Bhawani’s creative, playful approach makes her classes fun, as well as a relaxing and centering experience. She is passionate about helping people live in a balanced way and reach their highest potential through relaxation and dynamic energy awareness. Bhawani loves to be outdoors and connect with nature. She holds a Master’s degree from CIIS in East-West Psychology, with a specialization in Spiritual Counseling.
Suman Brar
Vivekadevi Noh-Kuhn
Vivekadevi is a gifted teacher and counselor. Her warm and engaging style allows students to relax and dive deeply into the essence of her topic, whatever it may be. She teaches weekly classes on yoga, meditation and the spiritual life and offers private sessions for individual support.
RYT 500, Certified Ananda Yoga Teacher, Certified Meditation Teacher
Dr. Marcel (Mahavir) Hernandez
Marcel is a naturopathic doctor and medical professor by profession. But he shines in the evenings as a thespian and play director. He went to Stanford on full scholarship as a theater major, where he studied with acting greats such as Otto Preminger. He brings deep sensitivity and experience to stage direction, and brings Ananda plays to magical life on our small stage.
Chris Thorman
Chris is a computer programmer working in the high-tech industry since 1986, and a senior IT executive with the Episcopal Church since 2004. A longtime meditator and kriyaban, he's been been especially drawn to Swamiji's and Yogananda's teachings on the Bhagavad Gita, Sanatan Dharma, and yoga philosophy.
Dr. Connie Hernandez
Dr. Connie is co- founder and director of Pacific Naturopathic in Mountain View, and Pacific Naturopathic Retreat Center in Hawaii. She is a gifted teacher: clear, thoughtful, and warm. In her busy medical practice, she has worked with many chronic and acute concerns. She believes that Yogananda’s healing principles offer keys to the deepest healing of body, mind, and soul.
Amara Fiesterman
Gary McSweeney
Gary teaches at Living Wisdom School, specializing in the most fun, and perhaps most challenging time: middle school. He is loved and respected by his students, and has a gift for the discipline and support that kids that age crave. He was manager of the Ananda Community for many years. He has a terrific sense of humor and is a calm, unflappable fellow.
Todd Billingsley
Anaya
Eric Munro
Eric, a retired high tech executive, has been a member of Ananda for over 17 years. He served at the Living Wisdom School as Development Officer. Recently, he doffed his farm hat and is managing Ananda Valley Farm. Eric is a man of many unusual talents. Inspired by his personal practice, he guides a weekly Devotional Walk at Ananda Community Thursdays at 7 pm.
Nayaswami Anandaprem
Anandaprem serves as an administrator for the Sangha, and is often the warm voice on the other end of the phone when you call for any reason. She is a counselor, a friend, and a support for all. She spent 30 years in high-tech electronics, raising 3 children as a single mother. Her passion is creating beautiful and welcoming environments for devotional celebrations at Ananda.
James Noh-Kuhn
James Noh-Kuhn is a former senior executive with a San Francisco based coffee company. His calm, cheery management style in a fast-paced environment is born of many years of yoga and meditation practice. He directed the yoga program at Ananda Santa Rosa in 2003. In the corporate world, he was often asked how he remained so calm. He joyfully answered by sharing Ananda's breathing and meditation practices. He brings years of management and strategic planning experience to the Sangha staff.
Sita Reed
Rammurti Reed
Books and serving people are Rammurti’s lifelong passion. He has served as the head of Ananda's publishing arm in India. A lifelong book lover, he and his wife, Sita, owned and managed Bookbuyers, a Bay Area used book haven, for many years. He is a teacher, counselor, and lends his considerable gifts as an actor and singer to many Ananda events.
Nayaswami Chidambar
Chidambar is one of Ananda Palo Alto's founding members and long-time manager of the Ananda Community, home to more than 60 Ananda members who live together in an intentional, spiritual community. Chidambar teaches advanced meditation training. He also provides one-on-one support and mentoring for long-time meditators and those with a Kriya Yoga practice. He is wise, patient, and awake.
Steven Manus
Saranya LaCosse
Saranya LaCosse is a gifted professional educator; her life-long passion has been teaching and working with deaf children of all ages, from babies to college students. She has presented workshops on many topics in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. She has also taught Sunday School for many years in many settings. You may know her from her rich alto voice in choir and Ananda kirtans.
Nayaswami Biraj
Biraj’s warmth and joy are contagious. He has been practicing and teaching meditation since 1987, including at Ananda's Expanding Light retreat, on the east coast, and in India. He was a founding member of Ananda India, and also helped begin Ananda Valley Farm. His passions are singing, selfless service, and connecting meaningfully with others.