Scholar in Yoga and Ayurveda who dedicated his whole life to learning and exploring the ancient sciences of India — one of the best among yoga teachers in India.
Born in 1964, from a very young age he was so much interested in India's traditional studies. He was practicing yoga under several teachers. From the age of 15 he started joining different social services under several associations, and was also leading many social works under Matha Amruthanandamayi Devi at this young age. In 1982 he got the first rank in ITI engineering, and later joined the Indian Military Service as a technician after completing his education.
But during the later years, he realized he had bigger roles to play and greater duties to complete. So he quit the military to follow the spiritual path that led him to the Sivananda Ashram, where he spent five years as a yoga teacher, acquiring in-depth knowledge in Indian philosophy and spirituality from eminent masters and gurus.
During his time at Sivananda he met a sanyasi who explained to him the deep connection between Agastya's studies and yoga. He sold all his assets — his land and house — and went to Kulasekharam, Tamil Nadu, where the deep roots of the Siddha system belong. All his friends and family strongly resisted him going this way, but his intention to study, attain, and realize was so strong that nothing could hold him back. He stayed in Kulasekharam for three years with Dr. Rajkumar Ashan and practiced the Siddha medicinal system.
Then he realized it was time to get onto the spiritual path. In 1997, at the age of 33, he went to the Himalayas and received "Sanyasam" in the 'Nath' lineage. For the next few years he traveled on a spiritual journey, visiting and meditating in several holy and spiritual places in Tibet, Nepal, and various states of North India.
Later, in realization of the karmas ahead that should be completed, Swamiji established the Agastya Siddha Ashram in Edavanakkad in the year 2000. He then started practicing Ayurveda under the most popular and efficient Ayurveda acharya, Swami Nirmalanandagiri Maharaj. In the ashram, Swamiji organizes yoga, kalarippayattu, and Ayurveda classes for free, so everyone has the opportunity to learn and develop a sensible generation aware of the importance of environment, physical and mental well-being, and traditional practices. Since then the Ashram has become a sanctuary for many — for those who seek a cure for their bodily ailments, for those who are after a higher pursuit called spirituality, or for those who simply want to learn Kalari or Ayurveda.
Swamiji is compassionate to his fellow beings and ready to give a helping hand and support to those in need. All the poor villagers around the Ashram received free treatment and medicines when needed, and the Ashram organized free yoga and Ayurveda medical camps every month for the tribal community in Marayur and Vazhachaal forests in Kerala from 2008 to 2016.
Swamiji is a perfect blend of immense knowledge in India's greatest traditional studies, which gives him the strength to move on and pass on motivating vibrations and energy to seekers. He is a great channel to feel the spiritual vibrations of India.
Yogaacharya Chandran Master is the founder of Bodhananda Yoga, a unique yet very effective Hatha Yoga system. Its effectiveness and ability to heal physical and mental ailments make it considered one of the best yoga therapy systems.
The practice includes asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, kriyas, and suryanamaskara.
According to Master Chandran, "breathing is the soul of yoga." Master found his guru, Swami Bodhananda, in 1986 while he was a student, and practiced under him for many years. While learning yoga from his guru he had a strong determination to know the root or soul of this yogic science. It took a long time to know this — his guru would not answer his doubts directly, but instead told him that answers would come through intuition once regular practice of yoga and meditation was done. He went through rigorous sadhana while researching the healing effect of Hatha yoga.
One day a person approached the master to cure a headache that had been disturbing him for many years, and the master agreed to help. Within one month of practice, the patient's headache disappeared without a trace. Slowly, people started knowing about the effectiveness of yoga through word of mouth and began approaching him to treat different kinds of ailments — some not even considered curable through modern medicine.
He gives treatment and cures for a variety of ailments such as different kinds of back pain, eye-related problems, nervous disorders, heart problems, psoriasis, and thyroid conditions.
A renowned Tantric acharya from Kerala, a disciple of Rayarappasan, traditional priest of Chapparam temple associated with Kottiyoor temple.
Viswettan is an eminent Tantric in Kerala who is proficient in speaking and teaching authentically about the classical Tantra system called "Sri Vidya Sampradaya" — a systematic worship of the Mother Goddess.
Acharya is the founder of Shreshtachara Sabha, an organization completely dedicated to classical Tantra teachings and practice. Tantra means "expansion of awareness"; the practice of Tantra offers different techniques for higher spiritual sadhana, including pranayama, japa, meditation, mudras, kriyas, nyasa, homa, and pooja. According to the Acharya, spiritual life is not separate from material life — both are two sides of the same coin.
Acharya M.T. Viswanathan is revered by many Tantric devotees and priests around the world. He has dedicated most of his life to the protection and upliftment of spiritual seekers, and is also a longtime team member who worked with Madhavji, one of the pioneers of the Tantric system of Kerala.
Born in 1964 in a village in Kerala, he started learning Kalarippayattu from a young age. After 15 years of practice and other roles in life, in his 30s he started a Kalari school in Agastyasram, where he also began practicing yoga. Since then he has recognized the transformational path and spiritual philosophies of Kalarippayattu.
The yogic life experience in the Ashram opened a wide world of physical and mental wellness through Kalarippayattu. Since then he has taught hundreds of students from within and outside India. "Disciplined life and regular practice are key to holistic wellness," he believes.
Connect with experienced yoga teachers in India to deepen your practice. Benefit from their expertise and take your yoga journey to the next level.
A skilful and unique yoga teacher whose extensive knowledge and training has its roots in both tradition and modern science.
His knowledge of different yoga styles and yoga therapy enables him to blend his teachings according to the physical, mental, and emotional needs of his students. Sudarsh is an inspirational teacher who brings the best out of his students through his yoga classes and workshops. Through deep knowledge of classical Tantra practices and a systematic approach to teaching, Sudarsh expertly guides his students to take their practice to the next level and apply this great knowledge in their day-to-day life.
Born in 1982 and brought up in a traditional Brahmin family in Kerala, South India, where daily classical Tantric practices such as yoga, pranayama, Vedic chanting, japa, homa (fire rituals), and pooja (rituals with mandala) are practiced naturally, his attraction to these mystical practices grew stronger as he grew older, and he dedicated himself to learning more about the secrets of this ancient wisdom while continuing his formal education.
After completing his graduation in English literature, Sudarsh decided to dedicate himself completely to the learning of Yoga, Vedanta, and Classical Tantra. He left his house in search of spiritual knowledge and found his teacher and mentor Acharya Harilalji of Arsha Yoga Gurukulam, beginning to study and practice the science of Yoga and yoga therapy. After 4 years of study (TTC, ATTTC, YTITC) in a gurukula system under the guidance of the Acharya, Sudarsh learned and mastered asanas, kriyas, and yoga psychology, and taught a wide range of students and business groups.
Sudarsh continued his spiritual journey and traveled extensively across India, attending different yoga programs including teacher training at Madurai Sivananda Ashram. He later served as a karmayogi for a year at the Sivananda Yoga Center, Delhi, completed the Yoga-Vedanta course with the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, completed his Vipassana meditation training at Dehradun, and completed advanced teacher training from SYVP. After 2 years of traveling, learning, and teaching, Sudarsh returned to Kerala and took his master's degree in Yogic Science (M.Sc Yoga), later completing 200 hours of Yin Yoga training (Level 2).
Continuing his spiritual quest, he found his guru, Yogacharya Chandran Master — a great yogi and yoga therapist from northern Kerala and founder of Bodhananda Yoga. From his master, Sudarsh learned about the Yoga Upanishads and the importance of different pranayama, mudra, and bandha. He continued his classical Tantra learning with his Tantric guru, Acharya Sri M.T. Viswanathan — the pioneer of Tantric teachings in Kerala and founder of Shreshtachara Sabha.
Sudarsh is an invited teacher at 3 different Ayurvedic Medical Colleges in Kerala and Gujarat, where he has taught Yoga to Ayurvedic doctors as part of BAMS training. Over the last two decades, he has traveled and taught in countries including Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
A spiritual explorer and sincere yoga sadhaka — 25 years of yoga life, 15 years of teaching experience, and two-time national champion of Kalarippayattu.
Born in 1990 as the son of a yoga and Kalarippayattu practitioner, he started practicing yoga from the age of 6, connecting him deeply to transformational practices. From the year 2000 he became a student of Swami Gorakhnath and Hariharan Gurukkal, learning yoga, Kalarippayattu (a South Indian martial art rooted in spiritual transformation), and the philosophies of various yogic systems more deeply.
At age 16, Nithin decided to start living in the ashram to learn yoga, Kalarippayattu, and Ayurveda under a disciplined lifestyle to pursue the higher results of these systems. From the age of 17 he taught in the ashram school, teaching hundreds of students of various age groups, keenly observing each individual's practice and transformation. The traditional, disciplined, and regular practice and teaching of Yoga and Kalarippayattu gave him a greater understanding of human anatomy and physiology, as well as the application of practice patterns suitable for different individuals.
From the age of 20, in 2010, he hosted several yoga retreats, trips, lectures, workshops, and seminars within and outside India. From a young age, Nithin was sincere in his sadhana and took a rational yet truthful approach to the practice systems he followed, exploring more deeply the spectrum of different yogic systems — a curious and passionate journey of inner exploration that helped him learn and practice among different gurus.
He studied the concept of 'devatas' extensively to deepen his research into Kalarippayattu, and developed "Kalari Yoga" — a balanced combination of Hatha yoga, Kalarippayattu, and the devata concept, dealing with the dynamic nature of energy and life.
In 2018, Nithin developed a practice program called "Pranadharanam," designed to develop the ability to experience prana and access higher yogic practices for serious yoga practitioners and spiritual seekers. He is a National Champion of Kalarippayattu, representing Kerala in 2018 and 2019.
Born and raised in Tamil Nadu, he studied Sanskrit and Vedanta at Aarsha Vidya Gurukulam in Rishikesh and Tamil Nadu from 1992 to 1998, under Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
In 1998, he received Sannyasa Deeksha from Swami Dayananda Saraswati.s.
After that, he began teaching Sanskrit and Vedanta in various parts of India, as well as Sri Lanka and Japan, with more than 19 years of teaching experience.
He has visited Japan three times. His humorous classes are very popular, and he has a friendly personality, cheerfully answering various questions from students.
Completely devoted to the learning, teaching, and propagation of Advaita Vedanta.
He says: "Only by understanding Advaita Vedanta can one have clarity of mind about the real purpose of life." Durga was born and brought up in a Brahmin family, his house near the famous Puri Jagannath temple in Odisha. As a young boy, he was always interested in hearing stories from the Puranas and was an ardent devotee of Puri Jagannath (Lord Vishnu), drawn to the ritualistic worship of Lord Jagannath. In his own words, "it is due to the grace of Lord Jagannath that the way was paved for the learning of Advaita Vedanta."
After completing his graduation in Sociology, Durga was inspired by the spiritual magazines of the Divine Life Society, founded by Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. He attended a 2-month Yoga-Vedanta course from the Divine Life Society (Rishikesh) and a three-month Bhagavad Gita immersion program from Arsha Vidya Gurukulam of Anaikatti, continuing a three-year Advaita Vedanta course from the same ashram with the blessings of Poojya Swamiji Sri Dayananda Saraswati and Sri Sakshat Kritanandaji. He also began listening to the audio lectures on the Bhagavad Gita by Poojya Swamiji Sri Paramarthananda Saraswati.
Influenced by this, Durga realized the importance of Advaita Vedanta (with the commentary of Shankaracharya) and how it can change human perception of the world order. By the blessings of the guru lineage, he later moved to Uttarkashi in the Himalayas and continued his deep learning of Advaita Vedanta under the guidance of Swami Paramarthanandaji — especially the "Prastana Traya," the three important teachings
A devout disciple of the doyen of Ayurveda, Prof. C. R. Agnives — Dr. Nimin Sreedhar hails from a family of modern physicians and traditional healers.
He received special training in medicine and pañcakarma procedures from the renowned Ashtavaidyan, Vaidyamadhom Cheriya Narayanan Namboothiri — an Ayurvedacharya (B.A.M.S.) graduate from Nangelil Ayurveda Medical College under Mahatma Gandhi University.
Dr. Nimin has been active in Ayurvedic treatment and academics for over a decade. He began his career at the prestigious Kerala Ayurveda Limited as a Medical Officer, later joining their Research and Publication Department, and served as executive editor of the reputed medical magazine, Vaidya. He has also edited several books and publications of Kerala Ayurveda.
He authored a book on Ayurvedic diet and recipes called "Mahānasaṃ — Culinary Delights of Rajah Ayurveda." Dr. Nimin is an ardent teacher and has served as faculty for Mayur University London, Kerala Ayurveda Academy in the USA, and Arsha Yoga Gurukulam, among others.
His classes are simple, interactive, and utilitarian. He is also the Head of Literary Research at Ekavaidya Knowledge Services Private Limited, a company focused on digital and print solutions to improve Ayurvedic learning and increase Ayurvedic awareness among the masses. He is an ambassador of genuine Ayurveda, promoting it as both a way of life and a healing system.
"The blessing of my life has been to discover the Indian tradition of yoga, and I have learned many things in my life with Sudarsh and Kuttu (Nithin Babu Madathiparambil)."
"I have been taught the way of yoga life. I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity to experience true yoga. The course includes living with teachers who carry on the Indian tradition, learning from their direct instruction as well as their attitude to life. It also aims to give students the opportunity to eat a vegetarian diet in the beautiful natural environment of India, which brings about a significant change in body and mind, and to make it a habit even after the course ends. I provide Japanese language support for such courses and try to make participants' life in India more comfortable."
Participated as Japanese interpreter in 16 RYT200 and 7 RYT500 teacher training courses in India, supporting 235 graduates (as of February 2021). Currently preparing for the next teacher training course in Europe.
Member of the Worldwide Association of Yoga Health Coaches, with 36 years as a yoga practitioner.
Tracey has been a yoga practitioner for 36 years and became certified as a teacher, inducted into the Sivananda lineage in Kerala in 2013.
Her curiosity and passion for Ayurveda were ignited a couple of years later, and she took her foundational training following a chance encounter with a traditional Ayurvedic healer while staying at an ashram in Kerala. Tracey later expanded her knowledge of Ayurveda and, after two years of training, became certified by the Worldwide Association of Yoga Health Coaches.
Tracey went on to develop a unique system integrating the habits of Ayurveda into modern life, which she has been coaching online and in person since 2016. Now a mid-life mentor, creator of many online women's wellness programs, and soon to be an author of a self-help book for women wishing to go through menopause naturally, Tracey truly embodies what she teaches and continues to help women all over the world. She has been organizing retreats to India since 2015 and has claimed Kerala as her spiritual home.