Ask Ananda’s Experts
Questions and answers about meditation, yoga, the spiritual life, and more
About the Experts
Introducing a group of Ananda ministers who are international speakers, authors, experts, and pioneers in their fields.
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Anandi Cornell
An inspiring teacher and insightful counselor, Anandi is one of the founding members of Ananda. She is a staff teacher at The Expanding Light Retreat, and has taught countless classes on meditation and spirituality over her many years of service.
Anandi also serves as an editor for Crystal Clarity Publishers. These duties, in addition to her own spiritual practices, have helped Anandi to develop a profound understanding of Yogananda's teachings.
Bharat directs Ananda's online Meditation Support. As a minister and a long-time Ananda member, he has taught and practiced meditation for over 35 years. Bharat is an internationally acclaimed naturalist, educator, and author. He lectures worldwide, inspiring audiences with his love of nature, spirituality and meditation. |
Catherine's path to Ananda included a wide arc that took her from Indiana, where she grew up, to other world travel, including a 5-year residency in Japan. She was introduced to the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda through his Autobiography of a Yogi, and found in them everything she'd been seeking as a restless, international vagabond. Her 30-some years of service to Ananda have included supervising Ananda's publishing work and the guest retreat. She became Ananda's first full-time fundraiser in 1984. 25 years later, she still considers her task a great joy, because of the greatness of heart she encounters in those willing to support Ananda's work. |
A long-time Ananda minister and Raja Yoga teacher, Dave is the director of Ananda's Kriya Yoga ministry. Kriya Yoga is the most advanced technique of meditation taught by Yogananda. Dave's duties include preparing devotees to receive Kriya Yoga, conducting Kriya Yoga Initiations at Ananda Village and other parts of U.S., India and South America. An important part of his ministry is to provide ongoing guidance and support for Kriyabans all over the world. |
Devi is one of the founding members of Ananda, having lived at Ananda Village and other Ananda colonies since 1969. Over the years, her duties included teaching, outselling, and directing many aspects of Ananda's work. Together with her husband Jyotish, Devi serves as a Spiritual Director for Ananda Sangha Worldwide. She travels and lectures extensively throughout the world sharing Yogananda's teachings of integrating meditation and spirituality into daily life. |
Gyandev McCord is the founder and director of the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training Program, which he teaches at the Expanding Light Retreat and worldwide. Gyandev is also a founding board member of Yoga Alliance, the non-profit organization which ensures professional standards for yoga teachers in the U.S. Prior to embarking on the yogic path, Gyandev received a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Stanford University. After deeply contemplating the purpose of life, he decided to relinquish the outer science of math to explore the inner science of yoga. |
Maria Warner As a spokesperson for the team, she welcomes your ideas for new features and services on Ananda's websites, and your feedback. |
Peter Goering In his travels around the world, Peter met and married a wonderful Spanish lady named Marga. Together they dreamed about starting an intentional community. Upon arriving at Ananda in the early 90's, they knew they were home. Peter has served as the manager of the Ananda Meditation Retreat, the Expanding Light Retreat, and for the last 5 years, of Ananda Village. He and Marga have a 13-year old son Mark who was born at Ananda. |
Pranaba has been an Ananda member and minister for almost 30 years. During this time he has served in many Ananda colonies in the U.S., and in Assisi, Italy. Until recently, Pranaba directed the membership training program at Ananda Village. He now coordinates Ananda’s Meditation Centers and Groups, and also works with Ananda's outreach ministry. He travels frequently, bringing Yogananda's teachings and inspiration to Ananda devotees nationwide. |
Savitri has been an Ananda minister for the past 30 years. She is a counselor and staff teacher at The Expanding Light Retreat, where she directs the Meditation Teacher Training program, and offers seminars on the chakras and other aspects of yoga philosophy. In addition to her devotion to the spiritual path, Savitri is a musician, herb gardener, gourmet vegetarian cook, and nature lover! |
Seva is a founding member of Ananda, and has lived at Ananda Village and other Ananda colonies since 1968. Her many years of service included taking charge of the fledgling community's finances, helping start new Ananda centers on the West Coast of the U.S., in Europe, and in India. Seva is a true pioneer! Currently she resides at Ananda Village and directs the Ananda Course of Self-Realization. Unfailingly cheerful and loving under all circumstances, Seva has a deep understanding of the spiritual path, born of a lifetime dedicated to God. |
