Christopher S. Schafer

Founder, Director / master yoga instructor

1992 - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, minor in Finance, California State Polytechnic University, California.

1993,  worked in mortgage banking, L.A., California.

1994 - 1996,  worked and explored S. Korea, China, Indonesia and India. Attained level one black-belt in Tae Kwon Do in S. Korea. Trained in Yoga under the guidance of Swami Vivekananda, Rishikesh, India and Swami Govinda of Sivananda Yoga, Neyyar Dam, Kerala, India.

1996 - 2001, worked for an environmental NGO, Forests Forever, San Francisco, CA. Instructed yoga in Manhattan, New York.

2001 - 2003, educational curriculum development and facilitation, Hiroshima and Takamatsu, Japan. Studied Za Zen Buddhist meditation, Bhutzuji Temple, Shikoku, Japan

2003 - 2005, Master’s of Art in Yoga Philosophy, Bihar Yoga Bharati under Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, Bihar, India.

2005 - 2007, Professional yoga instructor, San Francisco, California, certification of Teacher Training Level 1 & Level 2, and Diploma of Satyananda Yoga Teaching, Rocklyn and Mangrove, Australia.

2007 - present, established Atmayaan PVT. LMT., an Ayurveda care centre, yoga studio, and naturopathic spa, develop and facilitate yogic retreats and workshops, professional yoga instructor Teacher Training Course, Bangaluru, India.

“ Those ‘fortunate’ enough to be fully engaged in the business paradigm; are given the most opportunity to fully express and evolve subtle, inner, latent qualities . . . . there’s a growing consensus in the corporate sector; imbibing ancient technologies such as yoga - evolving the way of organizing, reaching into the next levels. ”

"I am inspired by the synergy of eastern traditions with the practical, ever-evolving, western approach to the modernity of life, so instruct yoga in a progressive way that harnesses our inner passions, releases energy blockages and at the same time remains true to the source of Yoga; total freedom, wisdom, and joy in action. Now I reside in Bangalore, India where the urgent need for an organized holistic, wellness structure is paramount!"

Regeesh Vatta Kandy

Master Yoga Instructor / teacher trainer / facilitator

He started his yoga studies when he was seventeen with the traditional teachers from Kerala.  The happiness and health he gained through yoga inspired him to delve more into yoga studies so that he could help other to enhance the quality of their life. The searches for higher studies in Yoga lead him to the great Bihar Yoga Bharati (the first university of Yoga in the world). Since the mind and its functioning has always been allured to him, he choose YOGA PSYCHOLOGY for his masters in Bihar.  After that he has been teaching Yoga in India as well in abroad. He has done an advanced course in PRANAYAMA from Kaivalyadham, the oldest school of yoga in India, under the guidance of Sri O P Tiwari.

To understand the dynamics of meditation he has been practising different types of meditation like vipasana, tantric meditations, contemplative mediation, and this has led him to Osho International Meditation resort where he did two months residential course. During this course he gained the experience of various kinds of mediation techniques like dynamic mediation, kundalini meditation, No dimensional meditation.

Regeesh is an expert in understanding the imbalances in the elements in one’s body and its affects in personality and to guide them to a happier, balanced and fulfilling life. His experience combined with the techniques like yoga Nidra make his relaxation class a very unique one

At the moment he is working with Atmayaan wellness teaching yoga, training yoga teachers, conducting workshops and retreats in India as well overseas

Cathy Lilly

Master yoga instructor / teacher trainer / consultant

Cathy teaches yoga to share gratitude and help others discover the healing aspects of yoga.  She encourages exploring yoga as the gateway to let go of the tense mind, body, and breath so freedom that is our birthright can flow in. 

This was not apparent when Cathy took her first yoga class in 1976 as it appeared so easy due to her acrobatics background. Fifteen years later though, medical practitioners and friends insisted she focus on yoga to treat physical injuries (from teaching aerobics) and unresolved grief. With recovery and renewed spirit, Cathy eagerly explored many styles of asana, pranayama, and meditation. 

Cathy has a Bachelor of Sciences degree from Michigan State University's department of Human Medicine. This allows recognition of how we can integrate ancient yogic wisdom with today's modern science. Advanced trainings include Yoga Of The Heart™  yoga for cardiac, cancer and other life threatening diseases teacher training with Nischala Joy Devi (author Healing Path of Yoga,  Secret Power of Yoga). Under Dr. Loren Fishman's direction Cathy teaches yoga as a form of physical therapy. Restorative Yoga training was done with Sara Tirner and Judith Hanson Lasater. She has also assisted Jillian Pransky's Yogaworks Restorative Yoga Teacher Trainings levels 1 & 2. A member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, her private clients include those working with ayurvedic doctors besides western medical professionals.

 Cathy credits Desikachar (author Heart of Yoga), Yogiraj Alan Finger (author Chakra Yoga), Leslie Kaminoff  (author Yoga Anatomy), Mark Whitwell (author Yoga of Heart) and Dr. Loren Fishman (author Cure Back Pain with Yoga, Yoga for Arthritis, Yoga for Osteoporosis) as her most influential teachers.

Her karma yoga includes serving as the National CoChair of Screen Actors Guild's National Health Care Safety Net committee for over a past decade.

Prabha Krishna Raghavan

Yoga Instructor

Educational Qualifications: -

    •    Masters in Pharmacy (MPharm.) MGR University, Coimbatore, India

    •    Bachelors in Pharmacy (BPharm.) Trivandrum Medical College, Trivandrum, India

Professional Qualifications: -

    •    Certified Accupressurist, under the tutelage of Dr. Devendra Vora, Mumbai, India.

    •    Yoga Instructor Certificate Course (YICC), Swami Vivekananda Yoga Kendra, Bangalore, India.

    •    Yoga Therapy Instructors Course (YTIC), Swami Vivekananda Yoga Kendra, Bangalore, India.

Work Experience: -

2002-2004, Bay Area, California, USA

    •    Yoga therapy Co-ordinator, Instructor, Yogabharati, USA (http://www.yogabharati.org)

    •    Conducted several workshops in both general and therapeutic Yoga in and around the Bay Area.

    •    Bay Area Co-ordinator for SVYASA – Organized and led several initiatives in therapeutic yoga applications on Back Pain, Hypertension, Asthma etc.

2004-Present, Bangalore, India

    •    Ayush Health Care, BTM Layout, Bangalore – Yoga Therapist.  (http://www.leverayush.com/pages/AyushTher/yoga.htm)

    •    SVYASA, Bangalore, Yoga Volunteer

    •     Received training in Yogic remedial treatment and Counselling from Dr. R. Nagarathna, Dean, Division of Yoga & Life-sciences, SVYASA.

    •    Instructor at several SVYASA Yoga Centers in Bangalore.

    •    Conducted Yoga Training Programme at SSMRV College, Bangalore as part of Disha, an organization aimed at preserving Indian heritage and culture within the student community.

    •    Continues to conduct private yoga therapy classes for a wide variety of ailments and has extensive experience in pre-natal yoga.

“Prabha is passionate about the applications of Yoga and its great potential in enhancing the all round well being of an individual. She believes in promoting other related holistic sciences like Ayurveda, and Accupressure so that collective ancient wisdom can be utilized to benefit those who need it.” 

Dhanashree Athalvale

yoga instructor

Dhanashree has always been interested in health and wellness activates. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Christ college, Bangalore in 2006. She worked as a process analyst in Thomson Reuters for 2 years. Destiny called her to explore the beautiful world of wellness through Yoga. Developed a passion for it and headed towards making Yoga the whole and soul of her life.

Dhanashree has completed the Yoga Instructor’s Course from SVYASA (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana) and also the Hatha Yoga and Power Yoga teacher training course from the Atmayaan Academy.

She loves teaching yoga and giving her students that sense of balance and peace she finds by practicing Yoga. Contributing her own exploration of Yoga, works with a great passion for this ancient science. Dhanashree is dedicated to this art and science of yoga and will continue to share this knowledge through her teaching for many years to come.

She currently appears on the Raj Music Kanada channel in the programme ‘Yogam’.

Mayuri Kalita

Yoga Instructor

Unlike many others, did not go to the Himalayas in her childhood nor did she plan to be a Yoga teacher. She, like any other girl next door, wanted to have a good education, a good job and family, of course. Life was pretty much the way she thought of   ...  a well paying MNC job, happy family with son and husband. A simple and straight forward life. And then she goes for a trekking in the Himalayas and meets with a life threatening accident. It took her 4 months to walk again. That’s when she got into Yoga seriously to bounce back. Bounce back she did. But she didn’t go back to her regular job.

Yoga became her purpose of existence and she decided to be a messenger of the Power of Yoga to all. Thus began the journey of learning and self discovery. . . . .

Since then she has studied various styles of yoga practices like Sivananda, Ashtanga, Bihar school of Yoga under the guidance of some internationally renowned teachers.

Mayuri . . . . an internationally certified yoga teacher by now (2009)  has  5+ years of teaching experience in Power Yoga,  Kids Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Golden Age Yoga.

As a yoga teacher Mayuri provides able and caring guidance for injury free practice. She   recognizes that every individual is unique in his/her attitude and abilities and therefore   creates sequences to suit the individual need of every practitioner. She also encourages   everyone to work to their own personal capacity and motivation.

Christy Brown

Yoga Instructor

Teaching yoga since 2000, Christy has studied in India with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and S.N. Goinka and in the U.S. with a variety of teachers including Sarah Powers, Paul Grilley, John Friend, Mata Amritanandamayi, TKV Desikachar, and H.H. the Dalai Lama.  In her teaching, Christy emphasizes mindfulness, breath and alignment; strengthening and moving from core; and cultivating one’s highest wellbeing for the benefit of all beings.  Drawing on ancient yogic teachings and elements of Ashtanga, Iyengar and Anusara yoga, Buddhism, and other wisdom traditions, she weaves a creatively flowing, invigorating yet calming, centering yet expanding exploration of Self through Asana. Christy teaches in the San Francisco Bay area and leads workshops and retreats at locations in the U.S. and abroad.  Check her website - www.christybrownyoga.com

Eric Shaw

Master Yoga Instructor

Eric as spent his life teaching and earning degrees and learning more and more about the human body—through athletics, yoga, marital arts, dance, energy work, and anatomy study. He is certified by both Kripalu and Yogaworks teacher training programs.

His first teachers in self-transformation were his parents, Christian ministers who integrated psychology and social justice into their work.  He grew up amidst activism, strongly influenced by his father and paternal grandfather’s political risk-taking, and his mother’s pioneering work in feminism.

He began daily meditation in 1984 and was introduced to yoga in 1987. His key teachers have been: Paul Grilley, Matt Huish, Natanaga Zhander, Tony Briggs, Arkady Shirin, Sianna Sherman, Karl Erb and Dan Barry. Since 2001, he has taught unique vinyasa forms from Shadow, Ashtanga and other Flow Yogas. In 2005 he created Prasana Yoga from an integration of these systems and exploration of traditional texts. 

Eric has earned Masters degrees in Teaching and Religious Studies and notice for his Ph D work in yoga. His classes are vigorous but relaxed, serious but fun, meditative but expressive—and informed by years of formal training in alignment and scholarly work. Eric’s lectures on Yoga Philosophy and History are offered worldwide at conferences, studios and universities.

He is writing a book on the History of Modern Yoga for Anusara Press and contributes regularly to periodicals. Eric is the creator of Prasana Yoga, Alignment in Movement, and Yoga Education Through Imagery. Check his website - www.prasanayoga.com

Disha Punamiya

Yoga Instructor / Naturopathy

Dr of Naturopathy.

Sujok acupressure therapist.

Hindustani classical singer.

Kathak dancer.

 

EDUCATION:

SSLC:B.B.U.L JAIN VIDYALAYA.(1998)

B’COM:S.B.M.J.C AND CENTRAL COLLEGE . (2001-2004)

M.A in Religion and philosophy. LADNUN UNIVERSITY . (2004-2006)

SENIOR IN HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL MUSIC.

DIPLOMA IN KATHAK.                                                                                                         

 

CERTIFIED COURSES:

 

Yoga instructor’s certified course.

Yoga therapy instructor’s course (from Swami Vivekananda Anusandhana Samsthana)

Doctor of naturopathy: GORAKHPUR SCHOOL OF NATURAL THERAPEUTICS . (2007-2008)

POWER YOGA TEACHER’S TRAINING COURSE FROM ATMAYAAN WELLNESS.(JUNE2010)

REIKI-LEVEL-3

SUJOK THERAPY-LEVEL-2

AREAS COVERED IN YOGA THERAPY:

 

YOGA FOR ASTHAMA,DIABETES,BACK-PAIN,ARTHRITIS,

HYPERTENSION,KNEE-PAIN,HEAD-ACHE,GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISORDERS,,OBESITY,NECK-PAIN,MENSTRUAL DISORDERS, ANXIETY,DEPRESSION,PROMOTION OF POSITIVE HEALTH,

 STRESS AND TENSION,ACIDITY AND MANY MORE.

NATURE CURE THERAPY:

 

Nature cure is the right way of treating the disease without polluting the body with drugs and poisons. Nature-cure consultation imparts the knowledge of fundamental health laws and bringing about healing through balance of five elements in the body.

·         Earth element –right diet.

·         Water element –hydro therapy.

·         Fire element -using the sun energy.

·         Air element –yoga, pranayama, and exercises.

·         Ether element-fasting and relaxation.

 

NATURE CURE THERAPIES:

 

MASSAGE.

STEAM BATH.

MUD BATH.

ENEMA.

HOT WATER TREATMENTS.

COLD WATER TREATMENTS.

YOGA, PRANAYAMA,RELAXATION AND MEDITATION.

 

 SUJOK ACCUPRESSURE THERAPY:

 

It is a Chinese traditional method of treatment where the blockages of energy channels are removed and balanced through pressure, seeds,magnets,moxa,colour,needles,on the hands and feet.

  

OTHER ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES:

 

·         REIKI.

·         SUJOK ACCUPRESSURE THERAPY.

·         MUSIC THERAPY.

 

SPEACIAL ABILITIES:

 

Bhagvatgeeta shlokas, mantra chanting,prayers , and bhajans for mental peace,and tarot card reading.

Rachael Fallon

Master Yoga Instructor

• 200 hour Iyengar Intensive with Rudra Dev at the Yoga Center Rishikesh, India 2011

• Vedanta studies at Dayanada Ashram Rishkesh, India 2011

• Vinyasa Detox and Off the Mat and into the World with Sean Corne Yoga Conference Toronto, Canada 2011

• Theory and Practice of Tibetan Open Heart Yoga with Geshe Michael Roach and Ellen Wong Shanghai, China 201

• 40 Hour Power Yoga for teachers with Bryon Kest Beijing, China 2010

• Vipassana 10 day silent retreat Barrie, Canada 2010

• Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yoga Conference Toronto, Canada 2008

• Derek Beres Earthrise Yoga at Yoga Sanctuary Toronto, Canada 2008

• Eion Finn Blissology Workshop, Vancouver, Canada 2007

• David Life Vinyasa workshops Jivamukti Canada, and New York City 2005-2009

• Sharon Gannon The Power of Vinyasa Workshops Canada and New York City 2005-2009

• 40 Hour Iyengar Intensive Ramanan Patel and Heart Lazor Yoga Lounge Toronto, Canada 2008

• 250 Hour Teachers Training Sivanada Ashram, Kerala, India 2004

• Gestalt Institute Art Therapy for Professionals 2004

• Transformational Arts College Spiritual Psychotherapy program 2000-2003

Teaching Experience:

Atmayaan Yoga Center Bangalore, India 2011

• Lead Master classes in Power Flow

Karma Yoga Shanghai, China 2010-2011

• Designed workshops on a weekly basis for beginners, and advanced practitioners

• Lead Power Flow, Hatha, Hot Yoga, Yin Yoga, level 1-2 classes

• Specialized classes in Nada Yoga with Live Music, Kids Yoga, and Pre-natel

• Worked at Shanghai’s Top studio accommodating 3000 members

Om Shanti Beijing, China 2010

• Lead Hatha, Hot, and Vinyasa Flow classes

• Designed Workshops for beginners and advanced practitioners

Tula Yoga Studio, Toronto, Canada 2005-present

• Senior Teacher for Hot Hatha and Power Flow, Vinyasa, and Hatha levels 1-2

• Facilitator for Teachers Training Program running 4 trainings per year

• Lead Karma Yoga classes for various charities

Yoga Lounge Toronto, Canada 2005-2007

• Vinyasa and Hatha Flow

Singing Lotus Toronto, Canada 2005-2007

• Vinyasa, and Hatha Classes

• Worked with Disabilties

• Created Yoga program in High Schools

• Private classes

Gyms in Toronto 2005-2007

• Vinyasa, Power, and Hatha classes

Specialty Classes:

• Developed Yoga classes in Elementary Schools for Children, Toronto, Canada 2005-2010

• Developed program for Teens in High Schools, 2005-2010

• Yoga for pregnant single Mother Teens 2009

• Stress management for New Teachers for the Toronto Board of Education 2006

Singapore

Pallavi Ghosh

Yoga Instructor / international sales / Teacher Training Administrator

A post graduate in Yoga Psychology, had taken up the course to boost her efficiency to heal, in the non profit organizations,she used to work in India. But at the end of two years residential course, she could discover the balance that a CLEAR MIND can bring. And from there, started the never ending journey to spread the techniques of Yoga that help tremendously in enhancing effectiveness and awakening the higher mind.

She specializes in Yogic Counseling, in which she helps people to use the techniques of Yoga to combat the demands of life and the associated stress. Five years in India and two years of experience in Singapore has allowed her to work with different corporate, social organizations as well as challenging areas like the children of the prostitutes.

Pallavi has been widely covered by the media, viz.,India Today (India),The Straits Times,CLEO,SHAPE etc (in Singapore).

speciality: prenatal yoga