YOGA FACULTY

Our Dedicated Yoga Faculty

Meet our passionate and dedicated teaching faculty and extended team supporting:

Akhanda global Online & Community Support | Yoga Teacher Trainings, Workshops & Yoga Retreats | Sansar Gyaan Pathshala School Charity | Haldi Rani - Organic Turmeric | Events & Offerings | Dedicated Ashram Staff

Together, we offer authentic yoga wisdom, specialized teachings with recognized qualifications, and global community support.

Yogrishi Vishvketu

Since his childhood in India, Yogrishi Vishvketu has been committed to learning, preserving, reviving, and sharing the teachings of authentic, holistic Yoga.

Yogrishi Vishvketu founded Akhanda Yoga Institute and developed unique practice styles to encompass all aspects of Yoga as it was originally intended.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Krishnaa Mukti

Krishnaa Mukti met Yogrishi Vishvketu in 2007 when she was staying at Yoga Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh with a group of students she had brought to India. She attended one of Vishva-ji’s classes in Laksman Jhula and his style of teaching resonated on a deep level.
In 2014, Krishnaa Mukti completed 300 hour YTT at Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram and she was invited to join the teaching team.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Pranav Baba (Piero Casanova)

Pranav Baba has travelled in India since 1994, drawn to the spiritual power of the Ganga River.

He has studied with Yogrishi Vishvketu since 1999 when he attended his first retreat at Yoga Niketan. Since then he has completed all basic YTTs plus many advanced modules.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Adi Shakti

Adi Shakti graduated from the Akhanda Yoga Institute’s 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training program in 2012. Since then, she has trained more than 2,000 Yoga teachers in the 200 hour, 300 hour, Prenatal, Conscious Business Leadership and Trauma Informed professional focus areas. She has led retreats focusing on humanitarian efforts in India, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Thailand, Cambodia, Guatemala, and beyond.

Dedicated Ashram Staff

Dhirendra Singh Tarar

Dhirendra Tarar has been serving in the Ashram for the past three years. Dhirendra has a Bachelor in Computer Application and Diploma in Yoga & Naturopathy science.

He has more than 12 years of experience in international NGOs. Dhirendra organizes Ashram’s non-profit activities, plus public relations.

Dedicated Teaching Team & President of Helping Hands for India

Anandi (Alison Francis)

began studying with Yogrishi in 2007 and remains a dedicated student. Completing Akhanda Yoga 200hr YTT, 300hr YTT, Pranayama intensives, retreats, and a TT internship at Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram. Anandi loves Akhanda as it embraces Yoga as a complete science. She is proud to be the President of Helping Hands for India, charity founded by Yogrishi Vishvketu.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Prem Sagar (Robin Campbell-Ziffer)

Robin (Prem Sagar) has pursued the art of Yoga and spiritual transformation since 1999 when he first met his teacher Yogrishi Vishvketu in Rishikesh, India.

He developed a deep connection with Vishva-ji and has remained a dedicated student.

Dedicated Teaching Team | Team & Social Media Manager

Deeksha Raturi

originally from Rishikesh and has gained a Bachelor’s in Science (Information Technology) and a post-graduation in Yoga in 2020 from Haridwar.

She started practising pranayama with her father when she was in her teenage years, and began believing in Yoga and the power of breath.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Gaytri Kalia, Dr.

Vaidya (Prof.) Gaytri Kalia, BAMS, MD (Ayurveda), PhD (Ayurveda), is a Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine, teacher, researcher, writer, and healer.

An alumnus of Banaras Hindu University, she has practiced as an Ayurveda consultant and Panchakarma specialist for more than 20 years.

Dedicated Teaching Team, Research & Design & founding Partner of Haldi Rani

Kal Prakashini

A Bhakti Yogi at heart, Prakashini ji (name meaning: that which radiates light) has close to 40 years of exposure to the mantras, rituals, philosophies and techniques of traditional vedic and yogic practices.

The initial seeds of curiosity planted during her childhood years immersed in ashram spiritual living,

Haldi Rani Team

Geeta Dagur

Mrs. Geeta Dagur is a good social worker and her top qualities are being non-judgemental, well organized, proactive and an excellent communicator.

She is a trained Yoga meditation instructor, training women for a quality life.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Savita (Michelle Macnamara)

Michelle is a committed Yoga practitioner and teacher. After many years of disciplined asana practice, Michelle was introduced to Yogrishi Vishvketu, founder of Akhanda Yoga, and has since completed more than 600 hours of Akhanda Yoga Teacher Trainings and Yoga Life Coaching.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Jeanie Jyanti

Jeanie Jyanti (she/her) is passionate about taking Yoga off the mat and helping others discover the many aspects of Yoga and how they can be integrated into everyday life.

She is fascinated by life, how it forms and grows, and is constantly in awe at the majesty of the human body.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Khyati Kalyani

Completed her YTT 200 and Yoga Life Coach 100 YTT under Yogrishi Vishvketu at Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram. In 2021, she completed the virtual Classical Kundalini 100 YTT.

She holds a MBA from Jaypee University, Noida, and a Master degree in Yoga from Sanskrit Vishv Vidhalaya, Haridwar.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Mariellen Ward

Mariellen Ward is a professional Canadian writer and travel blogger. She is also a content marketing, communications, and SEO expert. Mariellen began travelling to India in 2005, about a year after meeting Yogrishi Vishvketu at a Yoga Conference in Toronto, and has spent more than seven years in the country altogether.

Helping Hands Team | Principal, Sansar Gyan Pathshala School

Minakshi Sharma

Minakshi Sharma is responsible for the management of Sansar Gyan Pathshala, which is supported by Akhanda Yoga Institute.

She’s a gentle soul who loves to help children however she can.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Anjani Devi

Anjani Devi is a playful and devoted bhakti yogini and sound therapist, living in the remote Shetland Islands of Scotland. She strives to bring authenticity and accessibility to the Yoga practices of those within her local community through her naturally loving and supportive way; incorporating the art of soundwork into her offerings wherever possible.

Ashram Staff

Parmod Rawat

Parmod Rawat has been serving in the Ashram for the past 11 years, and he is currently the front office manager. He has a bachelor’s degree in Commerce from HNB Garhwal University. He manages all the financial and maintenance work around the ashram. previously worked in Yog Niketan yoga ashram in Rishikesh.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Jot Anant

At the core of all of Jot Anant’s teachings is a desire to harness the power of the ancient wisdom of Yoga to heal ourselves, as a way to contribute to healing the world.

Jot Anant completed the 300-Hour YTT and 100-Hour Pranayama Foundations with Akhanda Yoga Institute.

Dedicated Teaching Team, Community Coordinator

Shriman

Shriman is a dedicated and passionate yoga teacher who firmly believes in the transformative power of a disciplined yogic lifestyle. With several years of devoted practice, under the guidance of Yogrishi Vishviketu, Shriman has cultivated a deep understanding of the profound impact that yoga can have on one's well-being. With a commitment to the yogic path, Shriman serves as a guide, helping others navigate their journey towards a healthier, more harmonious life.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Omkar (Tony Dennis)

In 2011, Omkar was looking for a new Yoga teacher. He tried many classes, but they never seemed quite right, until he came upon an Akhanda Yoga class. With Akhanda Yoga, Omkar has completed 200 hour YTT, 300 hour YTT, and 100 hour Lunar Yin Yoga.

Ashram Staff | Dedicated Teaching Team

Pradeep Tiwari

Pradeep Tiwari works in the Ashram and teaches daily yoga classes. He has a post-graduate in Human Resource Management from Ewing Christian College. Pradeep has six years of experience in hospitality and tourism and has worked with many NGOs such as ISKCON, ISHA Foundation, and Food for Life.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Pragya Leala Enfield

Leala’s Yoga journey began in 1992 in New York City. Her first Yoga class sparked a sense that there was much more to life than what the world had presented to her. Within a year, she had moved to the remote side of Maui where she met David Williams and began a three-month intensive study of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. She went on to develop an intensive home practice.

Ashram Staff | Organic Farm Management

Pramod Panwar

Pramod Panwar leads the administration and operations at the Ashram Organic Farm which supplies delicious farm to table ingredients for the Ashram meals. He is a great example of a Yoga off the mat and brings a lifelong background in organic, sustainable farming, devoting most of his life to serving mother earth.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Varsha Panwar

Varsha has been practicing yoga since childhood in Rishikesh, India. To attain a deeper and better understanding of Yoga and its philosophy, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Yogic Science & Psychology and a Master degree in Yogic Science (2013-2018).

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Shantprem

Shantprem first met Yogrishi Vishvketu at Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram in 2012. She was quickly captivated by Yogrishi’s wisdom and joy and returned to India multiple times to study and apprentice. Shantprem holds a YTT 200 hour in Kripalu Yoga and a YTT 300 hour in Akhanda Yoga.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Shree Sundari

Morena Shree Sundari Firpo is an E-RYT 500 hour Akhanda Certified Yoga Teacher. Shree Sundari met Yogrishi Vishvketu in Venice in 2012 and went to Rishikesh in 2013 to train with Yogrishi Vishvketu at Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh, India. She completed Akhanda Yoga 200 hour and 500 hour YTT, as well as other short courses.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Yolande Jeevika Diver

Yolande Jeevika Devi (She/her) is known for her nourishing and nurturing approach to holding space in her community. She is a long standing yoga practitioner and believes that these ancient teachings serve as a gateway to knowing your true nature by developing insight, honouring your innate individuality and connecting to your inner wisdom.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Chetana (Jessica)

Chétana Jessica co-founded the initial Akhanda Yoga training approach, and has taught Yoga Wisdom, Teaching Methodology, and Transformational Experiences for more than 25 Akhanda YTT programs in both India and in Canada. Chétana was a significant contributor to the initial leadership and organization of the flagship Akhanda Yoga Teacher Trainings.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Vishwajeet (Kashi Chatterji)

Vish Chatterji is an accomplished business leader turned Vedic Coach. Vish met Yogrishi Vishvketu in 1999 in Rishikesh, India, and they have been connected ever since. Vish has been practicing Akhanda Yoga for more than 20 years. In collaboration with Yogrishi, Vish authored The Business Casual Yogi.

Helping Hands Team | Administrator, Sansar Gyan Pathshala School

Yogiraj Karanpal Giri

Yogiraj Karanpal manages the Sansar Gyan Pathshala in Pritamgarh and also undertakes many other social service projects to help underserved children lead happy healthy lives. He is a teacher and has organized Yoga camps in many states across India for the past 20 years.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Ganesh Guy Tardif

Guy’s journey in Yoga began in 1999 watching VHS format Yoga videos in an attempt to rehabilitate himself from a motor vehicle accident. Fascinated by how breath and postures helped to heal his body, he wanted to see how Yoga could improve other areas of his life. That curiosity led him to explore many styles of Yoga.

Ashram Staff | Dedicated Teaching Team

Mayank Dagur

Since the time he was young, Mayank experienced the teachings of Yoga through his devout family. Originally from Delhi, Mayank visited Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram regularly until moving there full time in 2015. He has since devoted his life to Yoga.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Om Shanti (Melanie Charlebois)

OmShanti Charlebois (E-RYT 500) is the owner of Bodhi Tree Yoga in downtown Kemptville, Ontario, Canada. A lifelong practitioner of Yoga, OmShanti’s goal is to bring authentic and holistic Yoga to the North Grenville community and beyond.She is committed to ongoing education and has studied under many experienced yoga practitioners both in Canada and at Anand Prakash Ashram in Rishikesh, India.

Teaching Faculty | Dedicated Teaching Team

Yog Sundari

Yog Sundari began her journey within the healing arts in 1994 as a Holistic & Ayurvedic Therapist. This has become an integral part of her Yoga and meditation teachings. She met Yogrishi Vishvketu at an Ayurvedic Conference at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh, India.

Our Mission

“Our mission is to help people experience oneness and well-being by sharing carefully preserved ancient Yoga wisdom and techniques.”

We want as many people as possible to experience their true nature and realize that wellbeing and happiness is their birthright."