Meet the Faculty
At Vinyasa Yoga Academy, every teacher is a lifelong practitioner before they are an instructor. Our faculty hold Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500, RPYT, and YACEP credentials, with specialisations spanning Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Tantra, Pranayama, Meditation, Prenatal Yoga, Kids Yoga, Anatomy, Ayurveda, and Yoga Philosophy. Collectively, they bring over 150 years of combined teaching experience to the Rishikesh and Bali campuses.
When you join a programme at Vinyasa Yoga Academy, you are not learning from a single teacher — you are learning from a curated team assembled specifically because each member is the best in their domain.
Faculty members
Years combined
Countries served
Rishikesh Campus
The Rishikesh campus is home to our founding faculty — all trained in the Himalayan tradition with deep roots in classical yoga. View full profiles
Yogi Vishnu Panigrahi
Specialisation: Himalayan Yoga, Meditation, Karma Yoga and Yoga Philosophy
Qualifications: E-RYT 500, Yoga Alliance USA | 30+ years practice | Himalayan Tradition lineage
Founder of Vinyasa Yoga Academy, Yogi Vishnu began his yogic journey at age 12 and trained under two of the most revered masters of the Himalayan Tradition. He established the academy in Rishikesh in 2001, and has since guided over 5,000 students from more than 100 countries.
Leads: 100, 200, 300 and 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training — Rishikesh | Full profile
Maa Haripriya
Specialisation: Traditional Kundalini Yoga, Tantra, Pranayama, Meditation and Sound Healing
Qualifications: Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher | Trained under Himalayan Masters | Reiki and Cacao Ritual practitioner
Born in the UK to an Indian family, Maa Haripriya left her life in England to immerse herself in the wisdom of the Himalayas. She is the lead Kundalini instructor across both the Rishikesh and Bali campuses, and her classes consistently rank as the most transformative experience students report from their training.
Leads: Kundalini Yoga TTC — Rishikesh and Bali | Full profile
Ashutosh Mishra
Specialisation: Hatha Yoga, Yoga Therapy and Therapeutic Sequencing
Qualifications: B.Sc. Yogic Science — Patanjali University | M.Sc. Yoga Therapy — Uttarakhand Sanskrit University
Born and raised in Rishikesh, Ashutosh holds dual postgraduate degrees in Yogic Science and Yoga Therapy. He is known for combining intelligent sequencing with precise alignment cues calibrated to each student's body and health history.
Leads: Hatha Yoga and Yoga Therapy — all Rishikesh programmes | Full profile
Yogi Sajan
Specialisation: Meditation, Yoga Philosophy, Mantra Chanting and Mindfulness
Qualifications: M.A. Yoga | E-RYT 200, Yoga Alliance USA | Motivational Speaker
A calm and grounded presence, Yogi Sajan holds a Master's degree in Yoga and teaches meditation and philosophy from both deep scholarship and lived experience. His resonant voice and mantra chanting sessions are consistently described as the most memorable part of students' training.
Leads: Meditation and Philosophy — all Rishikesh TTC | Yin Yoga TTC | Full profile
Yogini Monika
Specialisation: Prenatal Yoga, Kids Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation and Sound Healing
Qualifications: M.Sc. Yogic Science | E-RYT 500 | YACEP | RPYT — Yoga Alliance USA
One of the most credentialled faculty members internationally, Yogini Monika holds E-RYT 500, YACEP, and RPYT certifications alongside her Master's in Yogic Science. She leads all Prenatal and Kids Yoga Teacher Training programmes at both campuses.
Leads: Prenatal YTTC, Kids YTTC — Rishikesh and Bali | Full profile
Anant Jethuri Ji
Specialisation: Anatomy, Physiology, Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy
Qualifications: M.Sc. Biology | 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training | Advanced Ayurveda studies
Born on the banks of the Ganga, Anant bridges modern science and ancient wisdom across the anatomy, physiology, and Ayurveda modules. His ability to make complex anatomical concepts immediately applicable to yoga practice is a defining quality of the Rishikesh TTC curriculum.
Leads: Anatomy, Physiology and Ayurveda — 200 and 300 Hour TTC | Full profile
Dr. Hemlata Saklani Bahuguna
Specialisation: Yoga Anatomy, Physio Yoga Therapy, Spinal and Injury Rehabilitation
Qualifications: B.Sc. Physiotherapy — CIMSR Dehradun | PG Diploma and M.Sc. Yoga | 10+ years clinical hospital experience
A qualified physiotherapist and yoga therapist with over a decade of clinical hospital experience, Dr. Hemlata brings evidence-based rigour to yoga anatomy that is rare in teacher training. Her sessions are particularly valued by students heading into clinical or rehabilitation teaching roles.
Leads: Physio Yoga Therapy and Clinical Anatomy — Rishikesh TTC | Full profile
Bali Campus
The Bali campus faculty bring a distinct cultural dimension to teacher training in Ubud, rooted in South and Southeast Asian yoga traditions. View full profiles
Yogi Yansa Ji
Specialisation: Asana, Meditation and Sadhana Practice
Qualifications: 200-Hour YTT — Yoga Foundation and Meditation of Ananda Marga | Initiated into Ananda Marga community
Born in Klungkung, Bali, Yogi Yansa Ji found his path through yoga after years of chronic pain and a transformative introduction to the Ananda Marga tradition. He is the lead instructor across all teacher training programmes at the Bali campus.
Leads: 50, 100, 200, 300 and 500 Hour Yoga TTC — Bali | Full profile
Yogi Shakti Ji
Specialisation: Naturopathy, Yogic Science and Traditional Dravidian Martial Arts
Qualifications: 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training | B.Sc. Naturopathy and Yogic Science (in progress) | Kshaktriyayoga lineage practitioner
Beginning his yogic journey at eleven through ancient South Indian disciplines, Yogi Shakti Ji is fully accomplished in Dravidian martial arts, Kshaktriyayoga, and diverse yoga styles. Students leave his sessions with an unusually clear grasp of ancient yogic principles.
Leads: Yogic Science and Advanced Practice — Bali TTC | Full profile
Dr. Devyani Semwal Ji
Specialisation: Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Panchakarma and Diet Consultation
Qualifications: BAMS — Ayurvedic Physician | Naturopathy and Therapeutic Nutrition | National-level Athlete and Khelo India Medalist
A qualified Ayurvedic physician and Khelo India sports medalist, Dr. Devyani blends Himalayan healing wisdom with modern health strategies. She leads Ayurveda and wellness workshops embedded within the Bali teacher training curriculum.
Leads: Ayurveda and Wellness modules — Bali TTC | Full profile
Immerse yourself in authentic yoga, meditation, and yogic living. Learn from expert teachers, reconnect with your inner self, and gain a globally recognized certification in the yoga capital of the world.
Explore More Yoga Programs
Expand your yoga journey with our Yoga Alliance certified programs available in Rishikesh India, Bali Indonesia, and Online. Whether you want to deepen your practice or specialize in a new style, we have the right course for you.
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contact@vinyasayogaacademy.com
