Master Anup Gupta

–  Director –

Anup Gupta was born in 1982, started yoga when he was a in his childhood living in Rishikesh at Sivananda Ashram. In 1999, he turned himself into yoga path journey learning from Sri Upendra Ji who is his best friend and first Teacher. After that he traveled the Himalaya to learn with different Yoga Masters. After years of study & travel he found his passion — Hatha Alignment, the Art of Adjustment, and Ashtanga Vinyasa. Well known in his area of expertise and for his uplifting positive energy, he accepted invitations to teach in Russia in 2010, China & Thailand in 2011, and Thailand, Kazakstan in 2012. Since 2012, he has taught every year in Japan, China and Thailand.

One of Rishikesh’s most sought after Yoga Instructors, Master Gupta (AYS) demonstrates both knowledge and skill in his unique teaching style. His philosophy is “Yoga is for learning not for doing.” He conveys his profound sense of devotion to the practices and philosophies of Yoga to his students, creating an inspired balance of Asana, Pranayama, Mantra, and Meditation. These help each practitioner to generate strength, mindfulness, and joy within.

Sukhmit Baba-Ji

Sukhmit was born in 1980 into a Sikh family in Punjab, India. After his primary education he joined the Central Reserve Police Force. After 5 years of service, he left this job and began his spiritual practice. In 2006 he met Gurudev Shri Swami Veda Bharti and studied Gurukulam from 2006 to 2011. After the 5 Year course of Gurukulam he studied with local Aacharyas (Sadhu) to learn more in Sanskrit. At present he practices the Sadhana given to him by his Guru, sharing the Spiritual Knowledge of this Lineage (Guru Parampara).

Yogi Ram

Yogi Ram, born in Orissa, in SouthEast India, comes from a family with long Yoga & Ayurvedic traditions. He started Yoga at age 13 from his GrandFather in the village of Amamunda, where he lived until the age of 17.

He studied Economics & History in Ganga Dhar Meher College in Orissa, during which he never missed Satsang (spiritual teaching) in Sambalpur City — an ancient city with many Sages. During this time, he attended the Satsang of Swami Chidananda (disciple of Swami Shivananda from Rishikesh). This encounter changed his mind and Life. Afterwards, he experience Spiritual Awakening and began intense spiritual practice & study, reading books by Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Shivananda, Rama Maharshi, and others.

After graduation he qualified for work in the Orissa Government, but his deep interest in spirituality, inspired him to leave in 1998 and travel to Rishikesh. In Rishikesh he first visited Shivananda Ashram to attend a Yoga course. After this course he meet Swami Vigyananda from Yoga Niketan, with whom he went deeper in the study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavat Gita, Hatha Yoga, and meditation. After this period he spent years doing Sadhana in Swarg Ashram, and in Himalayan caves seeking perfection of his Spiritual Practice. Since then, he has taught Yoga in Rishikesh for the past 15 years, guiding his students (who come from all over the world), and funding the Shanti Dham Yoga Ashram — an institution dedicated to disseminating Spiritual Knowledge to Seekers on the Path of God Realization.

Kaita Bliffert

– Guest Teacher –

Kaita Bliffert, founder and co-Director of famous ‘KirtanFest Milwaukee’, is a Yoga Teacher and Healer, born and raised in America. As a nationally certified & licensed masseuse in Wisconsin, she has visited India many times, including most recently as guest faculty at Ananda Yoga Shala in Rishikesh.

Kaita studied Ayurvedic Medicine with Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, NM, is a certified Reiki Master, with a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification from the Kripalu School of Yoga. Fusing her wide array of therapeutic traditions and modalities — East & West — Kaita provides Ayurvedic Consultations, Swedish Relaxation Massage, Neuromuscular Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Therapy, Reiki Healing, as well as Aromatherapy.

Parichat Andraes

– Guest Teacher –

Parichat Andraes (Kru. Apple), the Owner & Director of Ananda Yoga Paradise in Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a highly skilled Yogi, Teacher & Healer. Born into an illustrious Thai family, she has practiced Buddhism, Yoga, Thai Dance & Meditation since childhood. As a result, Apple infuses Buddhism & Yogic Philosophy into her Practice, Classes, Workshops, & Teacher Trainings.

She earned a Bachelor of Science (Nursing and Midwifery) from Payap University, a Bachelor in Buddhism from Dhammakaya Open University, USA, and a Masters Degree in Nursing Science from Chiang Mai University in 2018.

From 2011-2016, she studied Hatha Yoga with Master Maruti Jagat Jagatap, and attended workshops and seminars with all of Thailand’s top teachers, and many Yoga Masters from the West. In 2017, she was an Assistant Teacher for Master Anup Gupta at a 200 hour ‘Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course’ in Thailand, and completed his 200 hrs. ‘Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course’ at Master Anup’s Ananda Yoga Shala, in Rishikesh, in 2018.

Kru Apple integrates her advanced studies in Nursing with Yoga (The Anatomy of Hatha Alignment), and her studies in Buddhism with the Yogic Art of Meditation. In 2019, she begins her PhD Degree study to ‘Integrate the Therapeutic Benefits of Yoga for Community Health’ at Chiang Mai University.