Alisa Bhatnagar was born and raised in England. From an early age she attended a convent school. This gave her an appreciation of the importance of self surrender through devotion. At age 12 she went to the outward bound boarding school, Gourdonstoun, (in Scotland) which nurtured her adventures spirit and love of nature. She furthered her education at Cambridge where she studied History of Art and English. In 1988 she discovered the practice of yoga and meditation which she found awe inspiring and completely natural.

In pursuit of an acting career, she moved to the U.S.A. and studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York City. She had the opportunity and privilege of meeting and working with some of the greatest teachers, directors and actors. Concurrently, she maintained her practice of Yoga.

During this time, in search of self knowledge, Alisa was graced to meet her Guru, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati. On the morning of Ganesha Chaturthi (September 19, 1993) Alisa received shaktipat (transmission of energy) from her Guru; that same evening Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati left his physical body. This phenomenal event propelled her to dedicate her life to the science and practice of yoga. To date Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati’s presence and teachings continue to be a source of guidance and vibrant inspiration to her.

Several years later she had the good fortune to meet Sri Shyamji Bhatnagar . The clarity and precision of Microchakra Psychology™, and the InnerTuning® system profoundly resonated with her. Especially remarkable were the InnerTuning® sounds which produce suryakash (golden space) leading to deep meditation. Through the grace of Sri Brahmananda Sarasvati together with the teachings of Sri Shyamji the core of Alisa’s personal sadhana and teaching style was established.

Since InnerTuning® had its origins in ancient Indian therapeutics, Shyamji brought Alisa to an authentic Ashram in South India for additional training as a yoga teacher. This ashram is the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Ashram, a traditional training center for teachers and sadhaks (spiritual practitioners) where scientific research on yoga is conducted. Dr. H. R. Nagendra, Ph.D., a great yogi, scientist, and President of International Yoga conferences is the founder. Alisa’s training involved a highly disciplined practice both physically and mentally. Many classical methodologies were taught including advanced studies in yoga science and philosophy.

She completed her practical training and diploma by working with therapy participants who enrolled in the Ashram’s Arogyadhama clinic to experience a holistic yogic lifestyle, well-being and peace. She was certified as a Yoga Therapist and appointed as a teacher at the Ashram. Later her practice included Asthanga Yoga, with revered Shri K. Pattabhi Jois at the Asthanga Research Institute in Mysore, South India.

Teaching for over a decade, Alisa continues to refine her studies of Microchakra Psychology™ and InnerTuning® directly under the tutelage of Sri Shyamji Bhatnagar and regularly journeys to India. Currently on the faculty of the Open Center which is New York’s largest center of holistic learning. She is the Director of Yoga for SRI Centre International and InnerTuning® in Europe and the U.S.