Our Story
Established in 2017, Swadhyaya Yoga School (SYS) has it roots in Rishikesh, India.
Swadhyaya (pronounced svadh-yah-yah) is one of the five Niyama (virtuous observance of self) from Patanjali’s Yog Sutras, and connotes introspection and the “study of self.” This Sanskrit term can be literally translated to mean “self-study.”
Meet the Team
Our core team at Swadhyaya Yoga School is comprised of yoga practitioners who are firmly rooted in yoga tradition, yet contemporary in their vision and communication.
Mimi Adeogba loves traveling and teaching about yoga. She is e-RYT 500-hour and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) certified with the Yoga Alliance, USA, and loves teaching about yoga asana, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy and the yoga lifestyle.
Mimi received her 200-Hour training in Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa flow, and Ashtanga yoga at PachaMama in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. She began teaching public and private classes and workshops in studios and corporations in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, soon after receiving 200-RYT credentials with the Yoga Alliance, USA.
After receiving her 300-hour certification from Rishikesh YogPeeth in 2016, Yogini Mimi began teaching yoga anatomy and physiology and yoga asana in the world capital of yoga, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.
As a visiting teacher at Rishikesh YogPeeth, Mimi helped design and develop curriculum to educate future teachers from all over the world during their 200- and 300-hour yoga teacher courses, sharing forward the information that was so graciously shared with her.
Her love of yoga and of traveling inspired her to co-create her destination teacher trainings in 2016 – Swadhyaya Yoga School – where she now plans and manages teacher training courses and retreats around the world.
Mimi is trained in Ayurveda and holds two degrees in Naturology (natural health and healing), a D.N. and a Ph.D., from American Institute of Holistic Theology, Birmingham, Alabama.
She studied various disciplines of biological sciences at Yale University, Baylor College of Medicine, and New Mexico State University; applying that knowledge in pharmaceutical sales as a sales person, sales trainer and regional & district sales manager, specializing in providing solutions to various disease affecting human organ systems.
Mimi is the host of her own podcast, “SHIfT HAPPENS…On the Path of Yoga.”
Deepa holds a master of arts in yoga and received her post graduate diploma from the prestigious Kaivalyadhama Lonvala, a college of experiential yoga where yoga tradition and yoga science meet. Deeply immersed in yoga tradition throughout her training, she has followed the yoga disciple’s path ever since.
After graduating, Deepa immediately began guiding others on their yogic journeys as a teacher at the world renown Rishikesh Yogpeeth, where she teaches yoga asana, yoga philosophy, yoga anatomy and physiology and yoga asana methodology to thousands of students from all over the world who have pilgrimaged to Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga.
Deepa served as teacher and counselor to other teaching staff members for six years, guiding them as teachers, at the Rishikesh YogPeeth teacher training courses, mentoring future yoga asana and anatomy and physiology teachers of the school. Because of her dedication and commitment in her personal practice, teaching and mentoring, she is sought after to teach at retreats and yoga schools throughout India and around the world.
Pavan Kumar
Religious yet modern in his approach, Pavan grew up in a traditional South Indian. His mother is his first guru. Under her guidance, he read many scriptures at an early age, laying a strong foundation for his spiritual progress.
He holds an MBA, and having worked in the corporate sector, year 2012 was his turning point, when he decided to leave his rewarding career and dedicate himself to the practice, study and teaching of yoga. Since 2013, he has studied under:
Vivekananda Kendra (Kanyakumari)
Kaivalyadhama (Lonavala), est. 1924 by Swami Kuvalayananda
Yoga and Vedanta, Shivananda Ashram, Rishikesh
Inspired by BKS Iyengar’s practice and service towards yoga, Pavan continues to study every year from the main Iyengar Institute in Pune, India.
Pavan has taught yoga to all levels and to all age groups. He worked as a yoga faculty for school children in north east Tripura, provided traditional teachings and practices of yoga philosophy in GOA and Rishikesh.
Pavan currently works as a remedial teacher in Hyderabad where he teaches yoga for doctors and for people with multiple physical problems.
Pavan believes that a combination of a healthy diet and yoga practice are great tools for reaching our full potential as human beings.
Brianna is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, 500-Hour certified yoga instructor and founder of Well Daily.
She studied design and marketing at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After working in the creative marketing industry for a few years and facing her own personal health challenges, she turned to alternative healing approaches and began her foray into yoga and holistic nutrition.
Brianna received her 200-Hour training in Hatha yoga, Vinyasa flow and Ashtanga yoga in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. She began teaching in Miami, Florida, USA, where she hosted integrated yoga events that combined yoga and movement with the healing vibration of sound and music through live DJs and performers.
She expanded her knowledge of the traditional roots of yoga while receiving her 300-Hour certification in Rishikesh, India. Her studies integrated the Hatha, Ashtanga and Iyengar along with the yogic lifestyle teachings. She combines her knowledge of anatomy to realign the body in various asanas while offering modifications for all body types and abilities.
Brianna holds a diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where she earned her Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP).
As the founder of Well Daily, a health and wellness website and online business, Brianna weaves her business and marketing and creative skills with her passion for empowering others to heal their bodies with natural and alternative approaches. She offers business coaching and marketing consultation for companies looking to build and grow a conscious brand, and teaches people about the powers of social media and authentic marketing to expand their business.
Brianna integrates wellness into her corporate yoga classes, private sessions and wellness workshops in Vancouver, BC. Her love for travel and experiencing new places has inspired her to lead yoga teacher trainings and retreats worldwide to spread the message of everyday wellbeing further while empowering others to be their own medicine.
Next Steps...
Register now for the 2023 Residential 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.