Meet the Teachers

RAGHUNATH

Lead Instructor

Raghunath has been transforming people's life since he was a teenager, when he got into yoga and clean healthy living from a young age. He was the lead singer and songwriter of two internationally-acclaimed bands that toured the world in the punk/hardcore music community. Although the music was abrasive, it was filled with positive uplifting and spiritual lyrics that transformed tens of thousands of fans' lives espousing vegetarianism, karma, positive mental attitude and a drug-free life. Considered a teacher's teacher, Raghunath is a gifted speaker and educator of self-transformation & spirituality. He travels internationally, leads teacher trainings, annual sold-out pilgrimages to India, and has been living the life of a yogi for 35 years. At 22 he went to India and lived in a Krishna Bhakti ashram as a monk. He studied deeply sacred literature, music, cooking and deeper facets of yogic culture. Raghunath is the co-founder of Wisdom of the Sages: a daily yoga podcast and lives with his family in Canaan NY at their retreat center, Supersoul Farm.

CINDY LUNSFORD

Yoga Asana

Cindy is the former owner of four Yoga studios in upstate New York and one in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a certified Bikram, Vinyasa, Yin Yoga and Level 2/3 Barkan Vinyasa teacher. She has completed Yin Yoga certifications with Paul Grilley and Josh Summers. She also completed Ana Forrest's Advanced Yoga training as well as Baptiste's Art of Assisting and Advanced Art of Assisting trainings. Cindy fulfilled her 500 hours with both Jimmy Barkan and Rolf Gates. For five years, Cindy assisted Jimmy Barkan at his level II/III Vinyasa teacher trainings. She practices and studies Bhakti Yoga in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and owes eternal gratitude to her teacher Raghunath. She currently leads 200 hour Vinyasa and Hot 26 teacher trainings. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee where she and her husband Steven have recently opened Yoga Soul Nashville; a thriving Yoga Studio and Bhakti Center.

KAUSTUBHA DAS

Sacred Texts & Philosophy

Kaustubha Das serves as Senior Educator & Creative Director of The Bhakti Center. He teaches bhakti-yoga philosophy and meditation, which he has practiced for over twenty-five years in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Kaustubha was initiated as a Vaishnava brahmana (teacher/priest) in 1990. Between the ages of 21 and 34 he lived as a Hindu monk, traveling and studying in ashrams in both India and America. He aides as a member of the Board of Directors for The Broome Street Temple. You may have heard him in his role as co-host on the beloved podcast, Wisdom of The Sages.

BOBBIE MARCHAND

Yoga Asana

A sweet, soulful teacher, Bobbie encourages students to refine and integrate the many aspects of yoga, both on and off the mat. Her richly textured classes are designed to serve and nurture the ‘whole person’. Sequences are anchored in breath; and through dynamic, alignment-inspired asana, practitioners are encouraged to harness both structure and support, strengthening the body/mind feedback loop and therefore generating greater kinesthetic awareness. 

In contrast, her classes foster creativity and expression through free-form movement, cultivating curiosity and multidirectional possibilities that can open doors to the intuitive, Spiritual Self.

Bobbie also is an advocate for 'experiential rest', a practice of bringing and observing the body and mind in a state of deep tranquility. She draws on tools from a deep love of Yin and Restorative practices to soothe and reset the nervous system. These classes are an invitation to pause, turn inward to a felt sense of support and take the practice to a quiet, nourishing place.

JANESWAR DAS & MAYAPURESVARI GAURANGI DEVI DASI

Kirtan & Music

Janeswar grew up singing and playing kirtan. He is a master at leading kirtan and a gifted teacher who has been practicing bhakti from a very young age. His music training took place at the Bhaktivedanta Gurukul (traditional vedic education system) under the well known mridanga (drum) teacher Radha Govinda Pal. Later on, Janeshwar traveled to the holy village of Vrindavan where he took the vows of a monk and did selfless service at the famous 24-hour Kirtan Mandali for several years. Today he travels around India playing for Kirtan Festivals. Under his tutelage, students will learn the best and traditional way of drumming (on the mrdanga clay drum) and will leave with the skills needed to accompany kirtans.

Mayapuresvari was born into a bhakti family, and taught at a young age how to sing, and play instruments like kartals and mrdanga. She has been studying with her bharatanatyam dance teacher since age 8. She has been performing ever since as mostly a service for the Lord and finds joy in sharing her knowledge with others.

RADHANATH SWAMI

SPECIAL GUEST

His Holiness Radhanath Swami has been a monk in the bhakti tradition for nearly 50 years. While leading social initiatives which feed, house and heal millions of those in need. He dedicates His life to helping people find meaning in theirs. He is the heart behind Govardhan Ecovillage and other spiritual communities/shelters. He has so much to offer and we are very grateful for His contribution and teachings during our trainings. He acts as a Guru for many of the teachers on this team.