Dr. Sunil Thummala
Dr. Sunil Thummala, M.D., MBA, 1st US Board Certified Neurologist, and Certified Yoga Teacher. He is the President of Yoga Bharati, Dallas chapter and a Board of Director of Yoga Bharati. He is also a faculty of Diploma in Yoga Therapy course. As a SathyaShodhana, he is an amateur photographer with interest in Physics, Astronomy, and Vedanta. His clinical expertise includes Stroke, Movement Disorders, Headache, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Peripheral Nerve Disorders, and Traumatic Brain Injury-related Psychosis.
Dr. Saravanan Chockalingam
Dr. Saravanan Chockalingam (Van) is a Senior Yoga Therapist. Dr. Saravanan (PT, DPT, C-OMPT, CLT, C-IAYT) is a Physical therapist specializing in Vestibular Rehabilitation, a clinical instructor in Vestibular rehabilitation, and a clinical mentor for orthopedic Physical Therapy residency at the Institute of Therapeutic Sciences. Dr. Chockalingam was certified as a Yoga Instructor in 2004 by YogaBharati Detroit & SVYASA, Bangalore, India. He is a certified Yoga Therapist by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). He practices Yoga Therapy in conjunction with Physical Therapy. He conducted numerous Yoga Therapy seminars and camps. He has been a senior faculty for YTT, Detroit for several years.
Rohini Garimalla
Rohini Garimalla, B.S. in Computer Science and E-RYT, currently advancing her expertise through a Diploma in Yoga Therapy at Yoga Bharati. Her yoga journey began in 2013, sparking a deep curiosity that shaped her path as a dedicated student and teacher. She is passionate about the multidimensional nature of healing, embracing health and wellness that nurtures the physical, emotional, and spiritual layers of our being.
Sharat Joshi
Sharat Joshi, RYT-200, B.E., is a software engineer. He serves Yoga Bharati Dallas chapter as a Treasurer. He is passionate about Gita chanting and teaching children and adults. He also is passionate about bringing yoga to the underserved and underprivileged communities. He supports the chapter in upbringing the holistic understanding of yoga in the communities and is involved in chapter activities and events.
Dr Joysree Subramanian
Dr. Joysree Subramanian, MD, MBBS, C-IAYT, Pain Board Certification -ABA, and American Board of Anesthesiology certified. She has over 40 years of experience in the medical field, with expertise in Anesthesiology, and pain medicine. She is affiliated with O U Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center and Baylor Scott and White Medical Center. She is passionate yoga practitioner and integrates yoga therapy in her practice. She is a Physician Advisor at Yoga Bharati.
Seetha Ramu
Seetha Ramu (MS, EYRT) is President of the Detroit Chapter and a senior yoga instructor. She has organized and facilitated several YTT sessions and yoga retreats in Detroit. She is certified by VUASA and an EYRT with Yoga Alliance. She has been teaching free community classes for the past several years. She works for a well known healthcare company as a senior EDI manager.
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.
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.