Chandrakant John Hiester

Chandrakant John Hiester is a preacher’s son, a Vietnam era veteran and a graduate of Rutgers University. He has distilled more than three decades of practice and study with Gurudev into simple, engaging teachings designed to help you enter the next level of your practice. In 2008, Gurudev bestowed upon Chandrakant the title of Yogacharya, preceptor of Yoga. This is the same title Bapuji bestowed on Gurudev in 1972.

Kamini Desai, PhD.

Over the last 20 years, internationally known Kamini Desai, PhD. has created an exciting and versatile body of teaching, combining western psychology and eastern philosophy. Kamini’s experiential teaching style has been welcomed in over 10 countries around the world. Her proven system of Professional Energy Management has benefitted employees at Sony, KPN Telecom, Mars Confectionery and in the Netherlands government. She is developer of core curriculum of the Amrit Yoga Institute and currently serves as Director and Lead Teacher of the Amrit Method of Yoga Teacher Trainings Level I and Level II as well as the Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra Professional Training with Gurudev.

Veda Lewis

Veda Lewis enjoys sharing Amrit Yoga and Yoga Nidra in the Gainesville area, assisting at the Amrit Yoga Institute and traveling nationally and internationally to support the teachings. Veda’s background includes Aikido, instructional design, staff training, marketing and business management. She is pleased to be able to use those skills and her 15 years of dedicated study to give what she has received. Veda is certified in Amrit Yoga Level I & II and Amrit Method Yoga Nidra.

Prakash Joe Ferrara

Prakash Joe Ferrara’s first meeting with Gurudev in 2000 revolutionized his understanding and practice of yoga and meditation, extending it into his everyday life. Now a Senior Amrit Yoga Teacher, Joe emphasizes correct alignment in a non-competitive, meditative approach which allows the experience of relaxation and fulfillment through the practice of physical postures.

Nirali Lauren McCrea

Nirali Lauren McCrea met Gurudev in 2006, shortly after graduating from high school. This meeting transformed her understanding, approach and practice of a yogic lifestyle, actualizing her dedication to this path. Answering her heart’s call, Nirali moved to the Institute in March of 2009 to live closer to Gurudev and to assist others as needed. She works in the kitchen, on the grounds, as a transcriptionist, recording assistant and other on-site activities. Nirali is a certified Amrit Yoga Teacher and Amrit Method® of Yoga Nidra Facilitator.

Ila Michelle McAlpin

Ila took her first yoga class in 1975 and developed her first committed yoga practice when she learned the Amrit Method® of Yoga at Anahata Yoga School in Providence, RI. She is certified in the Amrit Method® of Yoga Level I and Level II and the Amrit Method® Yoga Nidra. Ila enjoys teaching to help other people gain the self-knowledge, peace, and contentment that she has gained from the teachings of Yogi Amrit Desai. Ila has been a professor of economics, a landscape architect and horticulturist, and a development officer and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University. She currently serves as co-director of the Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra Immersion and Professional Training with Kamini and Gurudev.

Priti Chanda Klco

Priti Chanda Klco draws her experience of yoga foremost from immersion in nature. Combining 14 years of training and experience in philanthropy, nonprofit administration, yoga, meditation, dance, bodywork, study of languages and world travel with the inspiration of this moment; Priti practices and teaches personal and organizational transformation as the embodiment of balance between mind and heart. She currently serves as Co-Executive Director at the Amrit Yoga Institute.

Jaya Jennifer Buckland

Jaya Jennifer Buckland is a former addictions counselor and Senior Amrit Yoga Teacher whose heart is in helping people meet themselves where they are, in life and on the yoga mat. With sensitivity, humor, and unwavering kindness, she creates a safe and loving environment where students, especially those who may not see themselves as typical yoga students, can engage in deep personal exploration.

Jagdish Tom Buckland

Jagdish Tom Buckland is a certified 500 hour Amrit Yoga instructor, an avid disciple of Yogi Amrit Desai, and student of asana and scripture. If you talk to him for long, you will discover that his heart resides in Nada Yoga. A musician and sound recording engineer, he has loved sound from early childhood. He was introduced to chanting through Bhagavan Das and has incorporated it into his practice.

Lila Deb Blish

Lila Deb Blish assists Gurudev in managing his office, appointments and travel. She is an editor of Gurudev’s writings and was instrumental in the production of the Yoga Nidra Manual. She developed the Yoga Nidra Professional Training, Lineage of Light and Prana programs. She moved to Salt Springs in 2001 to be closer to Gurudev and his teachings and is a devoted student of the lives of the Masters of our Lineage.

Ganga Diane Hanson

Ganga Diane Hanson is trained and certified as a hypnotherapist, social worker, Usui Reiki Master, Pranic Healer, and intuitive reader. Ganga received initiation from Swami Diviyananda Saraswatti, Kriya Yoga and ordination in the Order of Melchizedek. She became a student of Gurudev in early 2008 and performs seva full time, assisting in Gurudev’s office. Ganga is integrally involved in Healing Arts at the Institute and is available for healing sessions. Certified Level I Amrit Yoga Teacher and Amrit Method Yoga Nidra Facilitator.

Shanti Desai

Yogi Shanti Desai, Gurudev's brother, is an awakened yoga master and a new age revolutionary thinker. His wisdom is the result of practicing yoga, living with awareness, contentment and being rooted in the Self. He has a vision of personal awakening and transformation that can lead to global transformation.

Dr. Vijay Jain

Dr. Vijay Jain brings more than 30 years of experience in General Surgery and 10 years of focused study of integrative medicine to his work with Amrit Yoga Institute. His intention is to integrate traditional/Western medicine with ancient Indian medicine and well-tried systems of healing from different cultures. He has studied mind/body medicine with Dr. Deepak Chopra, MD, Yoga Therapy from Vivekenanda Research Center in Bangalore, India, courses in Ayurvedic medicine with Dr. Sunil Joshi, MD (Ayurvedic) in Nagpur, India and courses in Integrative Medicine with Dr. Andrew Weil in Tucson, AZ. He has studied Ayurveda and Panchakarma with Dr. Prerak Shah , MD (Ayurvedic) in Ahemdabad. In addition to his surgery practice, Dr. Jain lectures on Ayurvedic Principles and Practices, and how to create Optimal Health. Recently, he has become interested in the science of graceful aging as it relates to holistic practices.

Bhagavan Das

Bhagavan Das is a Master Nada Yogi. This workshop has proven transformational to thousands of people around the world. Teacher, performer, counter-cultural icon, lover of God: Bhagavan Das is as rich and manifold as Existence itself. Bhagavan Das is one of the last living cultural icons of the 60's. As Ram Das's mentor (author of Be Here Now) he ushered in the New Age spiritual movement and was the first widely known kirtan artist in America. His groundbreaking album "Ah" (1971) produced by Jimi Hendrix's manager, Michael Jeffrey, was the first world music album from Reprise Records. Bhagavan Das has also toured with Allen Ginsburg, opened for the Grateful Dead and sung with Bob Dylan. In 2006 he released NOW, produced by Mike D of the Beastie Boys, bringing his message of love and transformation to yet another generation. Living as a sadhu (ascetic practitioner of yoga) in India for six years, Bhagavan Das studied the ancient science of Nada Yoga under the guidance and direction of his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba. Nada Yoga is the path of devotion to the inner sound current as a means to God Realization.