About Chandra
“Only through deep inner communion with the higher planes of reality can we experience the subtle unity of the phenomenal world.”
~ CHANDRA OM
Chandra is a NYC/Raleigh based teacher, widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of the classical system of yoga in modern times. She is the senior disciple of Dharma Mittra and has spent most of her life in service to humanity, disseminating the ancient knowledge of how to achieve radiant health and spiritual development through the classical system of yoga. Chandra was born in Miami, and raised in New York, where she met her Guru. After intense study and practice of the eight limbs of yoga, she was accepted and initiated by the Guru, dedicating her life to the ideals of peace, unity and love.
Known for her dedication, humor, love and kindness in teaching, Chandra has been loyally teaching the classical system of yoga, and has always made herself available for students in need of help and direction. She tirelessly promotes ahimsa (the first step of yoga) through vegetarianism, a live diet, and kindness to all living beings, especially our brothers and sisters of the animal kingdom. She has been featured and profiled in every major yoga publication and has been honored for her work with LGBT youth, a cause she has dedicated the entirety of her social efforts toward.
In 2001, Chandra founded the North Carolina School of Yoga to provide serious aspirants with an opportunity to deepen their own spiritual sadhana, starting countless students on the path of teaching yoga. For 14 years, the North Carolina School of Yoga was one of the only schools left in the world still teaching traditional yoga, based on scriptural and oral transmission of Vedanta. Chandra’s teacher trainings are attended by yogis from all over the world. Designed from practices that Chandra did herself in her years of study, the school and its alumni fostered the growth of thousands of sincere seekers. As the school’s work and service evolved, the need became apparent for a more permanent spiritual home for study, research and service where students could study and live the principles of yoga in a peaceful atmosphere charged with devotional vibrations.
In 2011, Chandra founded the Shanti Niketan Ashram, an ideal place of spiritual retreat to learn and practice the full system of yoga wherein sincere seekers could renew and refresh their being; physically, mentally, morally and spiritually. With this next step in the work of the school, the banner of divinity was raised higher and the ashram soon began to flourish as a dynamic center of Divinity awakening many to the true purpose of life, enlightening them on the various means and methods of attaining this lofty goal, and inspiring students to strive for its attainment.
Chandra does not teach ‘styles’ of yoga, but remains truthful to the traditional, classical teachings of this most ancient science. She has initiated thousands of students on the path of yogic practice and teaching, and teaches solely as an offering to her Guru and to all spiritual aspirants. Students from all walks of yoga love Chandra’s teachings, regardless of their previous styles of practice. After years of being a “teacher to the yoga teachers” and a celebrated and much respected teacher in her own Guru’s center, in 2008 Chandra was recognized by the modern publication “Yoga Journal” as one of the top yoga teachers in the world.
She is the author of numerous critically and commercially acclaimed Mantra and Meditation CD’s, 4 best-selling books and countless articles and lectures. Chandra embodies and imparts the very essence and virtues of yoga; kindness, patience, humility, fortitude, humor, selfless service, ahimsa, and unconditional love, compassion and understanding for all. Her approach incorporates all of the traditional aspects of yoga including a sincere respect for both the physical and spiritual aspects of the practice. Chandra is a beloved teacher, still teaching in the traditional way, and emphasizes ‘complete surrender to the Lord. Without this, there will be no success in yoga’.