A culmination of two ancient yoga lines, the Gitananda Yoga Association has been a cornerstone for authentic Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga, preserving the ancient teachings of Swami Gitananda Giri for practitioners across generations.
Yogamaharishi Dr Swami
Gitananda Guru Maharaj
An Ancient Tradition
Kalaimamani Yogacharini Smt. Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani
Yogacharya Dr Ananda
Balayogi Bhavanani
Teachers & Mentors
in Australia
Our mission is to foster a community of dedicated Sadhaks who seek depth, connection, and spiritual growth. Through the profound teachings and international network, we offer a space for learning that transcends physical exercise, enriching the essence of the human spirit with classical yogic wisdom.
Yogacharini Yogathilakam Niraimathi Nicole Rubio,
seen here with Dr Ananda, is the Chairperson and learning facilitator of the GYAssoc. Niraimathi began her affiliation with the Gitananda lineage in 1994 when she undertook the Yoga Step By Step Course before doing her residential training with the 1996-97 intake. Niraimathi now runs face to face and online courses covering;
The Yoga Step By Step 52 lesson Course of Pujya Swamiji Dr Gitananda Guruji
Yantra, particularly the Science of Number and Form
Yoga Teacher Training Qualification with accompanying title of Yoga Sadhak
Weekly classes for Yoga Step By Step trainees
Residential programs at Ananda Ashram, India.
Yogacharini Bernadette Hearn
Having undertaken a 2.5 year Teacher Training Certificate with Yogacharini Niraimathi in 2005-2008, Bernadette went on to deepen her relationship with the Gitananda tradition, visiting the Ashram for programs as well as teaching her own classes. In 2025 Bernadette was given the title of Yogacharini by Yogacharya Dr Ananda Bhavanani in recognition of her dedication to the lineage. Bernadette now works alongside Niraimathi for residential training programs at Ananda Ashram, India.