Melissa Heart has been teaching Ananda Yoga since 2012 as a certified Ananda Yoga instructor. She’s been with Ananda Portland since 2007 and has served in many capacities at the Temple. Currently she manages the Ananda Temple and coordinates for the Education for Life Outreach Program.

Teaching yoga has always been a joy and it has transformed my life. It has always given me more energy and a calm acceptance of what is in front of me. I love that everyone can do yoga!  -Melissa

 
 
 
 
Wendy Chapler has been practicing yoga since the early 70’s. Upon retirement she took Ananda Yoga Teacher Training through the Ananda Bay Area School of Yoga and Meditation in Palo Alto, CA in June 2018. She started a “community”, donation based, yoga class at Scotts Valley Ananda to make yoga accessible to all. Unfortunately, Covid closed down the Ananda Scotts Valley Temple so she is happy to return to teaching as a member of the Ananda Portland Temple. Her teaching has been described as kind and authentic.   
 
I find Ananda Yoga, with it’s affirmations and emphasis on moving energy throughout the body and going within, the truest yoga I’ve practiced. It’s not about how we look, but how we feel. This is joyful, gentle yoga. – Wendy
 
 
 
Pooja Copley

I am a devotee and lived in the ashram of Ananda Center of Laurelwood, Gaston, Oregon  from 2011 to 2018. I completed Yoga Teacher’s Training there and subsequently did Meditation Teachers Training at Ananda Village. In the ashram we meditated every morning which gave us the chance to be calmer and happier. I have taught Ananda Yoga® and meditation classes in Ananda Portland and Palo Alto and Ananda Center at Laurelwood for many years. I was born in Calcutta(Kolkata) India and grew up listening to the Sanskrit verses of Bhagavad Gita from my grandfather. Later on I studied physics as an undergraduate and management in my Master’s studies. These studies could not take care of my emotions and life circumstances. So I took refuge in spiritual books. Now I work as an Ananda minister with Ananda Portland and as a software analyst with a software company. At the same time I want to pursue a life of yoga and meditation.

 

Badri is an experienced yoga and meditation instructor with over 15 years’ experience. His dedicated spiritual practice began in 2007 which led him to Ananda Village where he resided for 14 years, studying as well as teaching numerous yoga, meditation and other classes, as well as serving in community management. He moved to Ananda Portland in 2023 where he serves and lives with his wife Gita, and children Tulsi and Jay. Badri loves Ananda music and chanting, adventures in travel and nature, and surfing and sports. He believes yoga and meditation, along with the priceless gifts of spiritual community and friendships, are the keys to happiness and peace in this world.