"Without volunteers, we'd be a nation without a soul"- Rosalynn Carter
Arva Yoga is grateful for the service of fabulous yoga teachers who have served on the platform!
Volunteer Teachers
(In no particular order)
Dr Ashlesha Raut
B.A.M.S.(India),
M.D. Ayurveda (India)
N.C. (Nutritional Consultant)
HHP (Holistic Health Practitioner)
RAS (Registered Ayurvedic Specialist)
BCIM – Board Certified in Integrative Medicine,
(American Association of Integrative Medicine)
Vaidya Raut is passionate about teaching and promoting Ayurveda and is an Ayurveda faculty at many colleges in North America. She has been presented by the North America award of “Charaka” in recognition of her excellence in Ayurvedic teaching in 2012. She is a ‘Second degree Reiki healer’. Vaidya Raut was also awarded a prestigious ‘Shiromani Award’ by Indian Board of Alternative Medicines for her contributions towards the integrative medicine in the industry. Vaidya Raut is an integrative Ayurvedic practitioner, Nutritional consultant and a holistic health educator. She is a third generation Vaidya who is classically trained in Ayurveda from Mumbai University, India. She earned the distinctive honor and a gold medal for her post graduate dissertation work. She has been practicing Ayurveda for more than a decade and has been an integral part of the Ayurveda healing community with a mission towards providing a Holistic Path for Wellness and Optimal Health through Ayurveda and integrative medicine.
Vaidya Raut has been an authorized teaching faculty for CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and lay responders and First Aid training programs at the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter in IL, USA and has won recognitions for her voluntary contributions on community health and safety at the American Red Cross. She has conducted a large number of workshops, authored publications, participated in talk shows, and presented research papers in the field of Ayurveda.
She holds a position as a “Secretary” of AAPNA (Association of Ayurvedic Practitioners of North America) and also an Executive committee member AAPNA. She is a Life time member of NIMA (National Integrated Medical Association-India), founder and core member at CAC (Counsel for Ayurveda Credentialing) and holds many advisory positions in various Ayurveda holistic health organizations. She is a Director of Ayurveda at Main Street Yoga, Bloomington and founding Director of Ayurveda for Healing and is actively involved in practicing and promoting Ayurveda in the country.
*Vaidya = Ayurvedic Doctor
Neelam Samant
Neelam offers over 20+ years of corporate business experience from several Fortune 100 & 500 organizations. 11 yearsof that experience comes from her pivotal Finance and IT Senior Leader role & partnership with the C-Suite executives.During that tenure, Neelam managed and coached many internal teams, individual contributors, and Senior Leaderswithin the companies. Her business experience includes Financial Analysis, Portfolio Planning, and InformationTechnology Strategic Planning. Neelam also serves as a peer coaching Pod Coach for George Washington University’sCenter for Excellence in Public Leadership (GW CEPL). Neelam serves the community as a Coach for SocialEntrepreneurs, BIPOC leaders, Veterans, and Students.
Shraddha Chandwadkar
Shraddha Chandwadkar is a dynamic and accomplished individual with a diverse background that spanspatent analysis, executive leadership, real estate entrepreneurship, and spiritual practices.As the Executive Program Director at Arva, Shraddha demonstrates exceptional leadership skills andstrategic vision. She oversees and strategizes the successful execution of various programs and projects,playing a pivotal role in the organization's operations. From calling prospective volunteers toestablishing new partnerships and engaging with existing partner organizations, she ensures the smoothfunctioning of initiatives while also contributing to fundraising efforts.
Neelam is committed to support conscious and authentic leadership transformations in her clients through a whole human development approach. She is a deep listener and meets every client where they are in their journey. She creates a safe, judgment-free, and curious coaching space where the clients can openly explore their challenges, ways of being, beliefs/blocks, and feel engaged to create possibilities to move forward and transform, one session at a time. Neelam helps her clients to develop their way of being and become authentic and effective leaders that take performance and outcomes at the next level. She nurtures and honors the trusting relationships that she builds with her clients.
Sneha Jhanb
Sneha Jhanb, a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, expertly utilizes an array of transformative tools such as tarot, sound healing, and meditation to guide parents towards discovering their inner truth and fostering compassion. As a self-published author, Sneha is dedicated to democratizing mindfulness practices for all. She passionately shares her insights and resources through her website
mindfulcommune.com.
Outside her mindfulness endeavors, Sneha thrives in the dynamic world of the gaming industry, embodying the essence of being multi-passionate. Based in Atlanta, GA, she shares her life with her loving husband, two energetic boys, and a cherished furry
companion.
Vaibhavi Haridas
200 RYT Multi-style Yoga and Certified Ariel Yoga Teacher
My name is Vaibhavi and I am the founder and President of Arva Yoga.
I am also founder of Ethnik Yoga (Ethnikyoga.com)- an online yoga studio where I conduct daily yoga and meditation classes and workshops. You can read about me in detail and the story of Arva Yoga in the section dedicated to "Arva Yoga Founding Story". I am also founder of Ethink Edge- an award winning candle company based on Bucks County PA and support various charity organizations through that venture as well.
I am grateful to you for stopping by on our Arva Yoga platform and hope you can take advantage of all our current offerings!
Vibha Mistry
Vibha was born and raised in London, UK with Bhakti yoga and Mantra chanting as part of her everyday life. Her keen interest in the human body led her to graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Brunel University. After moving to Pennsylvania, Vibha secured a position in HR at the County of Bucks, where she was the Wellness Coordinator for all 2,000 employees. She completed her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in July 2019 under the guidance of Alexis Ridge-Simek and Joe Simek at Dragonfly Yoga Studio. She also completed a course in “Mantra and the Dynamics of Sacred Sound” at the Himalayan Institute. Outside of Yoga, Vibha teaches Bollywood dance, allowing others to experience their own joy through movement. She is a certified level I Reiki practitioner, under the direction of Valerie Haag at Rainbows of Healing. In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, Vibha began teaching a chair yoga class. This class continues to this day, keeping people connected remotely, up and down the country. Vibha has learned and taken comfort in spiritual and religious teachings from around the world. In her journey in life, she has found that yoga has supported her immensely in aligning with her true path.
Palak Mulji
My name is Palak Mulji. Yoga has been a way of life for me since my childhood. I grew up in India and have been practicing yoga and meditation from my childhood years. Being a practicing physical therapist and working with musculoskeletal issues, I felt deeply inspired to become yoga teacher to help individuals to maintain strength, flexibility, and an overall better quality of life. I hold a doctorate degree in physical therapy, and my specialty is working with people who suffer from vestibular and balance disorders. I have a special interest in pranayama and breathing exercises and I believe it has greater benefits to have a sound mental health and a greater immunity. I enjoy my life with my husband and two boys. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, painting, cooking, and gardening. Yoga has been a way of life for Palak since childhood. She grew up in India and has been practicing yoga and meditation from her childhood years. Being a practicing physical therapist and working with musculoskeletal issues, she felt deeply inspired to become yoga teacher to help individuals to maintain strength, flexibility, and an overall better quality of life. Palak holds a doctorate degree in physical therapy, and her specialty is working with people who suffer from vestibular and balance disorders. She also has a special interest in pranayama and breathing exercises and believes it has greater benefits to have a sound mental health and a greater immunity. She is a mother to two boys as well. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, painting, cooking, and gardening.
Kedar Naphade
Kedar Naphade – HarmoniumConcert Harmonium Soloist, Accompanist & EducatorKedar Naphade is a globally renowned concert Harmonium soloist and accompanist specializingin Indian Classical, Semi-Classical and Devotional Music including Bhajan, Kirtan and Chanting.He is the founder of The Harmonium Institute, a not-for-profit organization which providesHarmonium education to students of all levels, ages and locations. The Harmonium Instituteaspires to create better human beings through music and service.Kedar was groomed for over three decades by legendary musicians Harmonium Maestro LatePadmashri Pt. Tulsidas Borkar and Vidushi Smt. Padmavati Shaligram-Gokhale a highly celebrateddiva of Indian Classical Raag Music.
Over a performance career spanning more than 30 years, Kedar has been featured as a soloistand accompanist at numerous concerts in India, US, Canada and Europe. This includes prestigiousvenues such as The Carnegie Hall (NY), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY), The LincolnCenter(NY), The Smithsonian Institute (Washington D.C.), The California Theater (San Jose,CA)Dadar Matunga Cultural Center (Mumbai), Alladiya Khan Smruti Samaroha (Mumbai) and TheWorld Harmonium Summit (Bangalore).Kedar's music has also been broadcast on National Public Radio in the US and several otherradio stations in the US and UK.
Neliza Patterson
Neliza Patterson is a dedicated Postpartum Holistic Health and Recovery Practitioner, Health Coach, and Hypnotherapist with a deep passion for maternal health. As a devoted mother, Neliza’s mission is to support mothers and healthcare professionals, especially postpartum nurses, in overcoming the physical and emotional struggles of the postpartum period with a holistic approach. She specializes in helping postpartum nurses overcome exhaustion, brain fog, and overwhelm to reclaim their energy, shed postpartum weight, and fully engage in both their professional work and motherhood.Drawing from her personal experience overcoming Postpartum Depression and her background in the medical field, Neliza combines professional expertise with a heartfelt understanding of the challenges mothers face.
Her work is fueled by a profound desire to see every mother thrive—not just survive. She knows firsthand the struggles of balancing motherhood with a demanding career, especially as a mother of young children, and is deeply committed to helping other mothers reclaim their health, vitality, and joy.Neliza is the author of the upcoming book Decoding Baby Blues & Postpartum Struggles, an essential guide offering practical tools and emotional support for mothers at all stages of motherhood. The book helps them navigate the complexities of motherhood while recognizing emotional risks along the way. She has been featured in Best Holistic Life magazine and co-authored the international best-seller Becoming An Unstoppable Woman in Health & Wellness: Part 2.Through her tailored approach, Neliza is dedicated to helping postpartum nurses find relief from burnout, regain mental clarity, and restore their physical health, so they can live vibrant, balanced lives and continue supporting others with renewed strength and vitality. Neliza’s unwavering passion for empowering mothers and healthcare professionals shines through in every aspect of her work, making her a vital advocate for maternal health and wellness.
500 hr RYT & Certified Yin Yoga Specialty
Steph Goldman's yoga journey began as a result of looking for help for Lyme Disease and dealing with being overstressed in the Army. After completing training to become a Certified Reiki Master Practitioner, Steph certified with Yoga Alliance to become 500 hr RYT and certified to teach Yin Yoga as a specialty. Steph incorporates chakra balancing, emphasis on myofascial, the 8-Limbed Path, Kabbalah, Meditation, and energy healing into her personal life and teaching approach. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education. When she is not on the mat, you can most often find her gardening, being with her furbabies, outdoors with her husband, or at the gym where she teaches tumbling to 3& 4 year olds.
Stephanie Goldman
Giselle Mendes
200-HR RYT with a specialization in trauma-informed yoga My name is Giselle and I'm a 200-HR RYT with a specialization in trauma-informed yoga. My journey with yoga began in my childhood when my mother introduced me to the practice. Later on in high school I completed a 6-month internship at a yoga studio where I was introduced to various styles of yoga like vinyasa, yin, and restorative. From there I was inspired to begin my teaching journey! As a lover of fitness, I enjoy teaching power yoga sequences that are designed to challenge both myself and my students. The objective of my classes is not to make you feel discouraged or frustrated if you're not able to get into all the poses or hold them for a period of time. Rather, I want you to feel strong and empowered for trying your best! Growth at any level-whether that be physical, emotional, or spiritual-only comes from struggle! Commend yourself for your efforts and have fun!
Abigail Enders
Special Needs Yoga TeacherAbigail started her Yoga journey 5 years ago while attending community college; and she found that by moving through each asana harmoniously with others, in a non-judgmental and self-accepting way, it brought her peace and clarity. Simultaneously, cultivating a yoga practice brough her interconnectedness with the teachers and students she moved with and breathed with.After attaining her B.A. degree in Psychology in May of 2019 and taking a short break from yoga, Abigail started her career first as a Direct Support Professional/Caregiver for a young adult with Autism.
After seeing how beneficial and life changing providing this type of assistance could be, Abigail felt called to take it one step further and learn a more constructive method of assisting those on the Autism spectrum by learning and practicing ABA therapy with children on the spectrum as a Registered Behavioral Technician. From 2020-2022, during Covid and both in the home and school setting, Abigail has juggled being both a caregiver/DSP for the adult she worked for and a Behavioral Technician for a child based on the child’s individualized plan and utilizing natural environment teaching, functional communication training using a PECS device, coping strategies for tantrums and teaching many social skills and life skills. Abigail completed her 200-hour Wellness, Social Emotional Learning, and Yoga Teacher training certification through Breathe For Change.
Tiffany Evans
Chair Yoga teacherI have been practicing yoga for 9 years, and my practice includes Vinyasa, Hatha, Bikram, Restorative and Yin Yoga. Previously, I was working in the Financial Institution industry, and I was looking for a way to manage stress and keep in shape. Yoga resonated with me, as I felt at peace while practicing, and it taught me to be present and mindful. In late 2020, I resigned from my job after experiencing signs of burnout, and my primary instinct was to practice yoga to heal my mind, body and soul. I felt ready to share yoga and serve others leading me to pursue a yoga teacher training in September 2021.
The teacher training has only deepened my love and respect for the practice after studying the meaning, philosophy, and mental benefits of yoga. As of November 2021, I have completed a total of 230 Hours of Hatha and Gentle Yoga Specialty teacher training with The Soul of Yoga in Encinitas, CA. My Gentle Yoga specialty training included Gentle Asana, Joint Freeing Series, Intro to Chair Yoga and Yoga on the Wall to name a few.I am a Yoga Alliance member, I am registered as a 200 RYT under the name: Tiffany M. Evans, with 30 hours of continuing education in Gentle Yoga.
Partner Organizations
Kriya Yoga International Organizations (http://www.kriya.org) represents an authentic and unbroken lineage of Kriya Yoga Masters starting with Babaji Maharaj and including such spiritual giants as Yogiraj Shri Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahashaya, Swami Shriyukteshwar Giri, Shri Bhupendranath Sanyal Mahashaya, Paramahamsa Yogananda the author of Autobiography of a Yogi, Swami Satyananda Giri, Paramahamsa Hariharananda and Paramahamsa Prajnanananda. Kriya Yoga International Organizations comprise of three Mother Centers (headquarters) - Prajnana Mission (headquartered in Jagatpur, Odisha, India), Kriya Yoga Institute (in Homestead, Florida, in USA), and Kriya Yoga Centre (in Tattendorf, Austria). These organizations run and maintain several ashrams. In India there is Hariharananda Gurukulam at Balighai, near Puri and several other ashrams. In USA, there are four ashrams - Kriya Yoga Institute in Homestead, Florida, Temple of Harmony in Joliet, Illinois, Tempe of Peace in Lakewood, Colorado, and Temple of Compassion in Brenham, Texas. In addition, there is the Temple of Divine Love in Sao Paulo Brazil. In Europe there are two ashrams in Tattendorf, near Vienna in Austria and in Sterksel, near Amsterdam in The Netherlands. In Australia the ashram Kriya Yoga Vidya Mandir is in Lisarow NSW, near Sydney. In these ashrams and regions there are more than one hundred monastics and more than forty Yogacharyas (household teachers) who serve the mission of the Masters. These ashrams conduct several spiritual programs throughout the year. Videos like this one are from such events which comprise of discourses by our teachers (monks and householders), chanting and devotional singing, studies of scriptures, and various celebrations. Transcript
Tejgyan Foundation (TGF) was established with the mission of creating a highly evolved societythrough the all-around self-development of every individual that transforms all the facets ofhis/her life.The motto of Tejgyan Foundation is 'Happy Thoughts'. This motto was chosen since 'HappyThoughts' are thoughts of self-realization, thoughts that motivate one to get rid of all otherthoughts and raise collective consciousness. A 'Happy Thought' does not merely signify positivethinking. It is the thought which helps us to achieve liberation from all other thoughts. A HappyThought is the purest of human desires to be liberated from all desires.The very purpose of the Tejgyan Foundation is to work as the transformative agent to raiseglobal consciousness, so that new vistas of a highly evolved society, that is waiting to appear,begin to manifest on EarthTGF is a 100% volunteer organization. The Foundation has more than 20,000 self-drivenvolunteers People from all walks of life, such as doctors, scientists, educationists, businessmen,senior citizens, and housewives. The Foundation also has Trainers with extensive corporate andinternational experience. With the motto of spreading 'Happy Thoughts,' the Foundation haspublished more than 200 books and CDs/DVDs on various topics, from self-help to self-realization.The Foundation has centers all across India as well as the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.The Foundation undertakes projects for self-development catering to various audiences such aschildren, school students, youth, women, senior citizens, teachers, doctors, the police force, andprisoners. TGF programs are tailored to address the specific needs for these varied targetaudiences.
Yoga Festival Volunteer Partner Teacher and Organizations
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June 22, 2024 Festival Yoga Sessions
Sun Salutations by HSS
Vinyasa Flow by Geoffrey Tough of Invert Your World
Yin Yang Yoga by Kristin and Mindy of Nourishing Storm
Chair Yoga and Mantras by Yoga by Vibha
Yoga for Women's Health by Palak Mulji
Movement and Meditation by Terri Palacio of Evergreen Yoga Studio