Our Instructors
Pushpak Mehta
As true for all important things, life-style is the foremost Yogasan teacher – still true in India. On the mat, I have learned from several different Instructors and most importantly from practicing with students. Focusing on spiritual aspects as the North star and Iyengar’s Light On Yoga as the light-house, my Yoga practice has grown to an average 3-5 hours every day. I have learned as much from falling, probably more, as from following! I am very passionate about how Asanas can help improve every aspect - from injury free daily life to athletic ability and beyond - mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Helping people with the intermediate steps, techniques to get to the final pose, drives me. Students in the class surpass their expectations in terms of the poses they thought they could practice. I don’t believe in one size fits all approach as every person has different needs and abilities, even for the same person needs and abilities could vary by day or within a day! So Individualization is key emphasis – thus I don’t lead the class but follow participants. Classes are very interactive, students help each other with techniques for poses, this multiplies learning for everyone involved! My favorite part is the story at the end of the class, illustrating yoga in life!
Elle Potter
Yoga Buzz
Yoga Buzz Founder Elle Potter (ERYT-200) has been teaching yoga since 2008. She has accumulated over 1000 hours of training, taught over 1000 yoga classes and continues to find new ways to get excited about the practice. Her classes are accessible and empowering, and she is able to teach a room with brand new students as well as seasoned yogis without leaving anyone feeling left behind.
In 2010, Elle took a break from teaching yoga and was hired on as Logistics Director and Community Manager for Zephyr Adventures, where she ran two seasons of annual conferences for a variety of specialized blogger conferences. What she learned was that when a group of people come together to celebrate something they are passionate in, a lot of magic can happen. Plus, people who are passionate about their local communities make the love of all things local infectious.
Yoga Buzz was born from Elle’s desire to make yoga accessible, and to use a sense connectedness and community as the hub of wellness and healthy living. She believes in making yoga inclusive, and continually thinks outside the box for new ways to make the experience joyous, fresh, and connected.
Shrikanth began his journey into Yoga back in late 1996 - by picking up a book 'The Light on Yoga' by BKS Iyengar.
Ever since that day he has been driven by inspiring teachings of BKS Iyengar and K Pattabhi Jois.
Over the last 10 years - he has received extensive training in Asanas, Pranayama and Meditation from the Art of Living foundation.
He firmly believes that Yoga is the greatest gift to mankind and its rich benefits should reach every person on this planet.
He's been working to making Yoga accessible to people from all walks of life - from Adults to kids - by leading sessions at Places of worship, Learning and even workplaces. He's actively involved in spreading the essence of Yoga to people - to enable people to live a healthier, happier and fulfilling lives.
Currently he is undergoing his certification under the guidance of his mentors - highly acclaimed Yoga instructors Ms. Angie Campbell and Christine Yonker.
Shrikanth Gopalan
Martha Philipp
I adore the practice and many facets of yoga. I have taught more than 1400 hours of yoga for over six years to a variety of students in St. Louis from 3 to 80 years of age. I am a 200 certified yoga teacher.
I began studying for my yoga teaching certification shortly after beginning my yoga practice because I wanted to share yoga and all its benefits with as many people as possible. That feeling and my enthusiasm continues to grow. I teach yoga mostly in the areas close to my home which was one of my goals; bring yoga to my neighborhood that I love and where I live, in Normandy. I especially enjoy teaching students new to yoga so I can emphasize the importance of being compassionate with oneself in all one does, especially in one’s yoga practice.
I teach a challenging but gentle yoga class, with each session incorporating meditation, stretching, breathing, postures, and movement. Within the last year I received a double certification in Aqua Kriya Yoga, an enhanced yoga practice in the water. I am also certified in PiYoLive, a very aerobic workout which incorporates yoga and pilates movement and breathing.
Prior to becoming a yoga teacher, I spent 20 years in television news, where I enjoyed the fast-paced, deadline-oriented culture. In addition to teaching yoga, I coach swimming and diving and incorporate yoga into the team members’ daily practices.
Sudhir Brahmbhat
Yoga has been integral part of my life that I started when I was 7 years old. My dad was my mentor, who practiced Hatha yoga and taught me. Eight stages of yoga to secure purity of body mind, and final communication with God are extremely important to me.
I started participating in Bal Vihar of Allentown, PA, when my son was 6 years old, and I was instrumental in making yoga part of their school. When I moved to St. Louis, MO. In 1991, I was able to continue my journey of imparting the Yoga teaching to children ages 5 through 16 years. In 1992, I started Bal Vihar of St Louis, Center For Indian Cultural Education, which today has over 400 students in a school year.
To formalize the yoga teaching along with the Indian cultural, I authored and publish yoga book titled “Yogasana and Meditation Practices” and that has been the curriculum to our school students. Today, more than 3000 students in US have gone through training with me over more than 30 years and yoga has been part of their life in US.
Yoga helps me tremendously in my life as I continue embarking on various assignments in the professional and personal life. Thanks to my continued yoga practice.
Surekha Bidap
I have always been in awe of yogasana. As a young girl I used to practice the basic 12 poses with my sister and was always happier at the end of the practice.
Once in college, the practice was forgotten but not the experience. Couple of decades later, I was craving for that experience and was fortunate enough to meet some outstanding yoga teachers that revived my interest and faith in Yoga. I am still in awe of Yoga. The feeling when a subtle shift in your pose suddenly awakens your body and mind is incredible.
I coordinate the Yoga program for Bal Vihar of St. Louis, a non-profit organization, focused on teaching Indian Culture to children of Indian origin. Teaching children for the past eight years has taught me a lot of lessons in yoga and life. I teach adults as well. I love bringing people together. I love telling stories. And teaching yoga allows me to that.
Of all the things I do, practicing yoga has been the most liberating. I believe, Yoga transforms you!