About

Padma Ramaswamy grew up in India, in a home well acquainted with Vedic traditions and practices while being open to all influences, and where the pursuit of high education was actively encouraged. From a young age she was naturally curious about religion and often studied the scriptures on her own. Athletic and health-conscious in her teens, the teachings of yoga deeply appealed to her. Very soon she realized that yoga was both a physical and spiritual journey, and that the tenets of yoga were universal to all faiths. 

Padma graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Economics and English, continued her education studying computer software and became a software engineer. This career led her overseas to the United States where she worked for many years in Silicon Valley. All the while she actively practiced yoga, studying under many different teachers and experiencing different styles. She began a regular meditation practice.

It was only after her children were born that Padma heeded the call deep within her to become a yoga teacher. She formalized her knowledge of yoga by getting her teaching credentials at Mark Stephen’s Yoga in Santa Cruz in 2016. She started working at the YMCA of Silicon Valley, teaching Hatha yoga, Vinyasa and Pre-natal yoga. She began teaching privately as well, working with cancer survivors, high-school students and the elderly. 

The pandemic brought an end to in-person classes in 2019, but Padma continued to teach virtual classes through zoom. While it does not afford the benefit of in-person instruction, the connections across the distance between students remains strong, and she is deeply grateful for their dedication and commitment to their practice.

Padma sincerely believes that yoga is for everyone. She has a keen knowledge of physical anatomy and kinesiology, and believes that every person, regardless of their physical limitations can feel equally fulfilled in the practice of yoga. Towards this she offers many ways of adapting poses. 

Teaching yoga has brought Padma a sense of deep fulfillment. For her, yoga is more than a physical workout; it is a way of life. Having lived on two continents, Padma brings the best of East and West into her teaching. Her knowledge of Sanskrit and the scriptures allows her to share the meaning of the various asanas and the myths surrounding them. Her goal is to take her students beyond the physical practice, and journey within themselves to a deeper level of consciousness.