Nayaswami Supriya Chadwick, Spiritual Director
E-RYT 200, Board of Directors
Supriya is a minister, lightbearer, and a member of the *Nayaswami Order. She has been on this path of Self-Realization for over 27 years and has devoted her life to living and sharing the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Trained as an Ananda Yoga instructor, meditation teacher and Raja Yoga instructor, Supriya is experienced in teaching beginning and advanced students. Her warm and relaxed manner is appreciated by everyone who comes to the center.
*What is a Nayaswami? The Nayaswami Order is a new movement in renunciation launched in late 2009 by Nayaswami Kriyananda, a direct disciple for over 60 years of the great yoga Master, Paramhansa Yogananda. Nayaswamis often wear a deep blue color as a sign of their commitment to living for God alone. You can find out more about the order and the book by Nayaswami Kriyananda, “A Renunciate Order for the New Age” here.
Maitri Smithhisler, E-RYT 500, YACEP
Managing Director, Minister, Teacher
Maitri has been a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda since 1987. She came to Ananda Dallas in 1996 after living at Ananda Village in California for 8 years. She serves as an Ananda minister and Managing Director of Ananda in Texas, also leading Sunday Services as well as teaching many of our core classes. She has been practicing yoga for over 30 years and teaching yoga and meditation since 1996. A Bhakti yogi, she loves chanting and leading kirtan as well. For many years she also led our family ministry which she enjoyed with her husband Mark and son Galen who are also very much a part of Ananda in Texas Sangha. She considers one of her greatest blessings to share with others the joy she has received through these life transforming teachings.
Mike Wolverton, E-RYT 200
Minister, Teacher
Mike Wolverton has been an active member of Ananda Dallas for years and is enthusiastic about learning and teaching . He is a Certified Ananda Yoga Teacher RYT200, Certified Ananda Meditation Teacher, Advance Pranayama graduate, and the newest member of our ministry team.
Hugh Madrigal, MTT
Board of Directors, Teacher, Secretary
Hugh holds a Bachelor of Historical Studies and has been working as a Certified Bilingual/ESL Teacher at the Elementary level for 13 years. He is an avid student of yogic science and the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Hugh has been practicing meditation for 10 years and has taught Beginning Meditation to teens and adults at Ananda Dallas since 2015. He also loves to share the precepts of Mindfulness with his students at work.
Kim Pradhan
Board of Directors, Ananda Austin Meditation Group Leader
A native of Indianapolis, Kim was raised in a loving, Catholic environment, which prepared her spiritually for the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. A meditator since 1987 (TM), and a Reiki practitioner/master since 2001, Kim officially embarked on the Ananda path after reading several books of Yogananda’s while the family was living in Bangalore, India on an expat assignment for Texas Instruments.A Kriyaban since 2010, Kim enjoys sharing the Hong Sau technique with budding meditators, helping lead the Ananda Austin Meditation Group, and participating in the Ananda Healing ministry. She has an MA in Linguistics, TESOL certificate, and a Texas Educator certificate at the elementary and middle school level. She teaches English as a Second Language for two elementary schools in the Lake Travis school district.
Linda Schoendienst
Treasurer, Teacher
Linda has been on the path of Self Realization for 26 years. She is a serial software entrepreneur, mother of 2 and holds degrees in accounting, tax and law.
Mark Smithhisler, MTT
Board of Directors, Ananda Minister, Teacher
Mark Smithhisler has been practicing yoga and meditation since 1997. Along with teaching classes in Raja Yoga and being an Ananda Dallas Sunday Service leader, he also teaches meditation classes. He particularly enjoys sharing how science and the ancient teachings of yoga relate to one another.
Malorie Tolles, LMT, MTT
Board of Directors, Teacher
Malorie found the Ananda path in 1999 and found deep peace being in attunement with the Masters. She has been enthusiastic community participant ever since! A graduate of our Meditation Teacher training course for the past 5 years, she enjoys teaching our Free Intro to Meditation to new seekers. She holds a Masters degree in social work, as well as a license in massage therapy and owns a petsitting business.
