Hersha’s Bio & Credentials

“I’m committed to sharing the teachings of Yoga
as authentically as they have been passed down to me.”

Hersha has been featured in:

My first visit to Yogaville

I'm the little one tucked up under Sri Gurudev's arm. While this was my first visit to Yogaville, it was not my first time meeting Sri Gurudev. I do remember going to his Connecticut ashram when I was younger than this photo, and I met him even younger than that, but don't remember that meeting. You can see the beautiful LOTUS temple is just a construction site at the time. Also, here is my dad, mum and one of my grandmothers.

The Saint -- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

One of my greatest heroes and inspirations in life. I can't believe I received her blessings as a young child.

Dada JP Vaswani

My sister, Lakshmi, invited me along to her private audience with Dada Vaswani. It was such an incredible opportunity to ask him some of life's biggest questions. What a soul! Thanks sis!

Swami Swaroopananda of Chinmaya Mission

Swami Swaroopananda was my teacher before he was even a Swami and I was just a little girl. He is a great storyteller and I will never forget receiving his teachings in this traditional method, learning about the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita.

Integral Yoga's Senior Teahers

The middle row of Swamis, plus Satya on the third row second from the right, pretty much sums up the amazing line up of Integral Yoga teachers I've had over the years growing up.

Swami Ganeshwarananda

This blind Swami frequently visited my family home. He gifted the family with an ancient version of the Vedas, and it sits at my family temple. I can't read it but my family was wise to have a smaller, English version too.

Bodhinatha Veylanswamy

Successor to Guru Sivaya Subramaniamswamy, Bodhinatha led a travel-study program in India in 2003 that was open to women. (It's an orthodox Hindu monastery by the way). It was an honour to learn about Yoga's Forgotten Foundation: The 20 Yamas & Niyamas in great detail from it's original traditions. (Yes, we learned 20 not 10, who would've thought?).

George Harilela

This is the original patriarch of the Harilela family. It was Dada George that welcomed Sri Gurudev into our home for the first time. He is known to many as a householder saint and was a great spiritual leader of our family. Dada JP Vaswani once touched his feet and called him a saint. There was not a dry eye in the room.

Matthew Sanford

I recently took Matthew Sanford's yoga intensive prior to the first Accessible Yoga Conference. Matthew Sanford is trained in the Iyengar tradition, and has deeply studied the essence of BKS Iyengar's teachings to create a system that works beautifully for those living with paralysis and disabilities. I'm a dedicated Integral Yogi, but this training blew my mind!

Meet Hersha: Your Guide to Adaptive Yoga for Healing & Transformation

For over 20 years, I’ve dedicated my life to making yoga accessible, therapeutic, and transformative for every body. I believe yoga is not a privilege for the fit and flexible, but a powerful tool for healing, resilience, and self-discovery—available to complete beginners, seniors, individuals with disabilities, chronic illness, or injury, and anyone seeking peace. My students learn to reduce anxiety, find emotional balance, reclaim physical agency, and cultivate a courageous, peaceful life.

My Yoga Lineage & Foundation:

I was born into a family of devotees, with Integral Yoga as my lineage. My father was my first Hatha teacher; my mother embodied Karma Yoga (selfless service). Our family Guru was the revered Sri Swami Satchidananda, and I spent formative years under his guidance at Satchidananda Ashram (Yogaville). My practice is rooted in the classical Eight-Limbed Path, integrating asana (postures), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, and ethical living as a complete system for personal change.

My Training & Specializations:

My certifications are a map of my commitment to inclusivity and healing:

Certified Yoga Teacher (2002): Satchidananda Ashram: Yogaville.
500-Hour Advanced Teacher (2004) & Teacher Trainer: Authorised to train others through the Integral Yoga Academy.
Prenatal Yoga Teacher (2008): Supporting pregnancy and motherhood.
Children’s Yoga Teacher (2011): Nurturing young minds and bodies.
Certified Yoga Therapist (2017): Advanced training to address individual health challenges.
Live-in Service (2003): Lived and served at the Integral Yoga Institute in Tamil Nadu, South India.

My Philosophy: Yoga is DESIGNED FOR A SPECTRUM OF abiliTY.

My teaching path was shaped by my students: beginners, older adults, people with health issues, disabilities, and athletes injured in rigorous classes. This led me to develop signature Adaptive Yoga trainings for teachers, empowering them to welcome anyone who walks through their door with confidence and skill. I partner with students to create practices that respect their unique needs and goals.

Transformational Outcomes (BASED ON Testimonials):

The greatest honour is witnessing my students’ transformations. I’ve seen them:

Reduce dependency on medication for anxiety and mood.
Heal relationships and rediscover connection.
Find the courage to speak their truth and set boundaries.
Rebuild confidence and self-belief after injury or illness.
Consistently choose the path of peace in daily life.

Continuing Education & Influences:

I am a lifelong student. My methodology is enriched by studying with pioneers in accessible yoga, trauma-informed practice, and mind-body medicine, including:

Jivana Heyman (Accessible Yoga)
Matthew Sanford (Yoga for Disabilities)
Dr. Gabor Maté (Trauma & Compassion)
Sonia Sumar (Yoga for the Special Child)
Dr. Mala Cunningham (Yoga for Heart Health & Medical Settings)
Nalanie Chellaram, and other esteemed Swamis and therapists.

Let's Begin Your Journey.

Whether you are seeking relief from stress, recovering from injury, or longing for a deeper spiritual connection, I offer a compassionate, skilled, and truly adaptive approach. Explore my StrongMind Yoga Course for building mental resilience, or [contact me] to discuss private therapeutic sessions and teacher trainings.

Hersha’s Bio & Credentials

“I’m committed to sharing the teachings of Yoga
as authentically as they have been passed down to me.”

Hersha has been featured in:

Meet Hersha: Your Guide to Adaptive Yoga for Healing & Transformation

My Yoga Lineage & Foundation:

My Training & Specializations:

My Philosophy: Yoga is DESIGNED FOR A SPECTRUM OF abiliTY.

Transformational Outcomes (BASED ON Testimonials):

Continuing Education & Influences:

Let's Begin Your Journey.

Everyone has the right to an easeful body, a peaceful mind and a useful life.

Educating our yoga community to be inclusive, diverse and body positive

Hersha’s Bio & Credentials

“I’m committed to sharing the teachings of Yoga as authentically as they have been passed down to me.”

Hersha has been featured in:

Meet Hersha: Your Guide to Adaptive Yoga for Healing & Transformation

My Yoga Lineage & Foundation:

My Training & Specializations:

My Philosophy: Yoga is DESIGNED FOR A SPECTRUM OF abiliTY.

Transformational Outcomes (BASED ON Testimonials):

Continuing Education & Influences:

Let's Begin Your Journey.

Everyone has the right to an easeful body, a peaceful mind and a useful life.

“I’m committed to sharing the teachings of Yoga
as authentically as they have been passed down to me.”