Kamaniya is a devotional singer who for many years has led ecstatic Kirtan, combining sacred chants and healing songs from diverse spiritual traditions that are intended to deepen one‘s connection to nature and the Divine. She has studied Yoga philosophy, Sanskrit and Indian music at Ananda Ashram and has sung and recorded with several well-known devotional singers.

Deepak Kumar Pareek is a light classical singer and composer from the state of Rajasthan, India. His music covers a wide spectrum of styles: ghazals (romantic poetry), bhajans (devotional songs), kirtan and classic film songs. Deepak first studied with his father, Shri P.N. Vyas, and later with Ustad R.F. Dagar, Ustad Moinuddin Khan and Shri Mohinderjit Singh. He has also been studying with Khayal classical singer Mrs. Kankana Banerjee, disciple of the legendary vocalist Ustad Amir Khan.

Mavis Gewant studied the ancient techniques of yantra and silk deity painting with Tantric Master Shri Harish Johari, serving as his personal assistant for over twenty years. He requested her to teach this knowledge and to illustrate his last book, Planetary Meditation Kit, containing yantras and mantras of the planets. A Vedic Astrology student and experienced teacher of many subjects, Mavis is one of the few persons in the U.S. with over two decades training in this sacred art and a devotion to teaching.

A founding member of Ananda Ashram, Joan Suval is a senior disciple of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, who called her “Mother of the Ashram.” Since 1964, authorized by Shri Brahmananda, Joan has offered meditation and Yoga-Vedanta programs for the Yoga Society of New York, both at Ananda Ashram and in NYC. Shri Brahmananda also directed Joan Suval in the recording of his “Blue Sky Meditations.” Over the years, she has accepted invitations to present her program, “Readings from the Masters,” in San Diego, Los Angeles, Nashville, Ireland and Switzerland.

Karuna Devi met her Guru Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in 1972 and has been a lover of Sanskrit and the practice and art of meditation since that time. She has also been deeply influenced by her study of Indian classical music with Acharya Roop Verma, and Zen Buddhist practice under the guidance of Eido Shimano Roshi. Karuna has served as a staff member and teacher at Ananda Ashram for many years. She specializes in Bhagavad Gita studies.

Ma Bhaskarananda (Ma Bha) studied directly with Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati for more than fifteen years, receiving intensive training in meditation, Sanskrit language and Yoga-Vedanta philosophy. She was a longtime resident teacher at Ananda Ashram and earlier served as a teacher and director at its sister organization, Brahmananda Ashram in San Francisco. Ma Bha was also on the faculty at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque for eight years, and in addition she offered classes and workshops at other centers in the U.S., Europe and India.