Rev. Ann Hayes (Sarasvati) was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2000 and ordained in 2007. She is a CSE Associate Minister, Meditation Teacher, and Meru Institute faculty member. Rev. Hayes and her husband, Rev. Jeff Collins, lead a Kriya Yoga Meditation Group in Santa Rosa, CA. Rev. Ann offers Spiritual Direction and officiates sacred ceremonies. She is a retired Registered Nurse and serves as a Hospice volunteer.
Acharya Priya Friday-Pabros was initiated into Kriya Yoga by Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian in 2002 and ordained to teach in 2005. She is a Senior Kriya Yoga Teacher and Associate Minister at Center for Spiritual Enlightenment. She is the Spiritual Director of Meditate & Thrive Kriya Yoga Community serving the Delmarva region of the Eastern US, where she shares the teachings of Kriya Yoga with all sincere seekers.
Rev. Dr. Laurel Trujillo (Prema) was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2003 and ordained in 2014. She is Producer and Host of The Yoga Hour, a Unity Online Radio program. Rev. Trujillo is a medical doctor who formerly worked at a multi-specialty medical group with a focus on Quality Improvement.
Rev. Tara Fukuda was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2004 and ordained in 2009. She is a Meru Institute graduate, Meditation Teacher. Tara is the Controller at Charities Housing Development Corporation, a member of the California Society of CPAs, and the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens previous treasurer and current member.
Rev. Christine Sodt (Kamala) was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2003 and ordained in 2009. She is a Meru Institute graduate, Meditation teacher, and teaches classes for adults and families, including the Teen Rite of Passage. Kamala is a Social Worker supporting at risk youth in Santa Clara County. She is an early childhood education specialist and part time college instructor teaching child development.
Rev. Irma Lovic (Sandhya) was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2015 and ordained in 2021. She serves on Staff at CSE as assistant to Yogacharya O'Brian and manages CSE Press and the Tree of Life Welcome Center and Bookshop. Irma is a graduate of Meru Institute, a certified Vedic Counselor, meditation teacher, and enjoys supporting others in feeling healthy, energized and inspired by living a yogic lifestyle.
Rev. Crystal Lanier (Mukti Devi) was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2011, earned her M.Div. from Meru Institute in 2018, and ordained in 2021. She serves as CSE's Meditation Programs Coordinator, leads Morning Sadhana, and teaches meditation at CSE, online, and at other venues. Mukti Devi also serves on the Community Care Ministry Team and offers Vedic Counseling, leads chanting, and sings in the Center Band.
Rev. Zachiah Murray (Viveka) was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2017 and ordained in 2021. She is a graduate of Meru Institute, teaches meditation, and provides leadership for the Teen Rite of Passage program. Professionally, she is a Registered Landscape Architect, Certified Massage Therapist and Active Release Practitioner, and is the author of Mindfulness in the Garden: Zen Tools for Digging in the Dirt.
Rev. Usha Sharma (Brahmi) was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2017 and ordained in 2021. She is a certified meditation teacher and Vedic Counselor. Trained in India and the United States, Brahmi is also a certified hatha yoga instructor and is an author and poet, facilitating poetic medicine as a tool for wellness and supporting souls in opening the heart’s voice.
Rev. Tina Petrigni (Kashi) met Yogacharya O’Brian in 2007 while studying Yogananda’s teachings. She was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2010 and ordained in 2021. Kashi is a 2018 Meru Institute graduate, certified meditation teacher, and Vedic Counselor. Inspired by Yogacharya’s book the Jewel of Abundance, Kashi facilitates the discovery of one’s innate bliss & uplifts the wellbeing of all through joy—ananda.
Rev. Genie Palmer, PhD. was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2013 and ordained in 2021. She earned her M.Div. from Meru Institute, where she now serves as faculty and is a certified meditation teacher. Genie previously held the position of Executive Core Faculty at Sofia University where she served as Director of the Writing & Research Center and Dissertation Director. She is also a retired RN, having worked in the medical field for over 30 years.
Rev.
Erin Edwards (Bhavani) was initiated into Kriya Yoga in 2012, graduated from Meru Institute in 2016, and ordained in 2021. Bhavani serves as a CSE meditation leader, prayer minister, Racial Justice Program leader, and small group facilitator. Residing in Arizona, Bhavani is currently studying to be a marriage and family therapist to enable her to serve while blending the healing modalities of therapy with the principles of Kriya Yoga.
Rev. Kathy McFadden (Devi) was initiated into Kriya Yoga by Yogacharya in 2008 and ordained in 2022. She is a certified Yoga Teacher, Meditation Teacher, and Vedic Counselor and received her M.Div. at CSE’s Meru Institute where she now serves as Dean of Students. Her intention is to support practitioners of all levels, in nourishing body, mind, & soul through yoga, meditation, & Vedic Counseling.