Yogadex

Name: Atmananda Das (it means, servant of the bliss of the realized soul)

Age: 42

Occupation: Yoga teacher trainer

First Big Yoga Experience: being initiated by a Yogi of the Shankaracharya lineage at the age of 11.

Favorite Yoga Pose: Siddhi-asana (the accomplished pose) sitting cross-legged with the heel in the perineum - "this seated pose feels so strong and steady, I love it for doing Japa [mantra repetition.]"

Favorite Place to Meditate: Rishekesh on the banks of the Ganges river - "although I am looking forward to visiting Vrindavan and doing sadhana [yoga practice] there."

Reasons for Teaching Yoga: I consider the Vaisnavas to be the ultimate Vedic adherents. They are the Jedis of modern times. From my own analysis, based on Vedic evidence, I believe these Vaisnavas are the most powerful and respectable sources of Yogic knowledge on the planet.
Furthermore, they have urged me to pursue this life of spiritual activism and to teach this science of the soul, and out of a desire to please them I have complied.

Favorite Drink: Carnamrta (nectar) - the milk, honey, ghee and yogurt used to bathe God's feet. "Nothing gets me more intoxicated, but if I drink too much I definitely feel it the next morning!"