BEGINNING BHAKTI

Manohara, a graduate from Chapman University, CA, has immersed himself in the science of bhakti-yoga for the last five years. This year he completed (with honors) the Bhakti Sastri course in Mayapur, India, a five-month intensive study of classical bhakti-yoga texts. Back in the USA, Manohara now serves at the Bhakti Center full-time, giving personal and communal tutelage on the science of bhakti-yoga.

Sundar Gopal and Ananga Sakhi are students of Radhanath Swami and have been practicing bhakti-yoga for 2 decades. Both have backgrounds in science and have professional careers in education and information systems. They are involved in various services related to facilitating spiritual culture within communities, and are currently raising their 9 year old with spiritual values of prayer, meditation and service.

Brinda Kumari (Susan Hu) is an E-RYT® 500, YACEP®, and founder of an RYS® 200 based in NYC. Born and raised in Shanghai, she has always been searching for the deeper meaning and purpose of life beyond the body and the mind. After obtaining two master’s degrees in Media and Journalism and working in marketing/communications for over seven years, she listened to her inner calling to become a yoga and meditation teacher. Brinda is initiated into the bhakti tradition of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya as a disciple of HH Radhanath Swami.

Tulsi Rani dove into the path of Bhakti back in 2005 and has been learning, practicing and sharing the teachings of Bhakti ever since. She spent many years getting trained in the application of the bhakti philosophy and lifestle by advanced teachers in Florida, India, and New York. She is currently learning how to apply the teachings of bhakti in her service as a full time mom of her darling toddler. She is also serving as a Bhakti Center mentor and is on the community care team.

Sundari Sakhi (Surabhi) grew up practicing the principles of Bhakti yoga and began her yoga journey at the BKS Iyengar Yogashraya, Mumbai. She is a C-IAYT (certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists), has a Master’s degree in Yoga from S-VYASA University, and yoga teacher training certifications from Jivamukti Yoga (300 hour), Sivananda Yoga (300 hour), and Govardhan School of Yoga (200 hour).

Karan has been practicing bhakti-yoga for over a decade, after first encountering it through the “Discover Yourself” course during college. While the tradition’s clear and thoughtful philosophy first drew him in, it was the kindness of the devotees and the joy of kirtan that anchored his heart. A software developer by profession, with a master’s degree in Computer Science from NYU, he is currently studying Bhakti Sastri. He offers Intro to Bhakti as an expression of gratitude, hoping to walk alongside others as they begin exploring the path of bhakti.

Vrinda Gopi is a software engineer born and raised in India with a deep love for sacred spiritual lands. She’s a bhakti enthusiast who finds ways to connect with her true self and spiritual identity through creative endeavors while contributing in small, meaningful ways toward humanity and conscious living.

Sankirtan Acharya was born and raised in the beautiful town of Dehradun near the foothills of the Himalayas, in a Vedic environment. Today he’s cyber security enthusiast with a strong aptitude for people and resource management, and a passion for guiding others toward better ways of living and closer to their true self.