About Ananda UK
Ananda UK and Ireland is part of a global spiritual movement dedicated to the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and the community ideals of Swami Kriyananda. It is a vibrant fellowship of truth-seekers committed to inner transformation, higher consciousness, and living a more fulfilling and joyful life.
Through meditation, Kriya Yoga, Ananda Yoga, satsangs, classes, retreats and outreach programmes, Ananda offers practical tools and spiritual support for those seeking a deeper experience of inner peace and connection. At the heart of Ananda is the understanding that spiritual growth is not simply about what we believe, but about transforming our daily lives through timeless practices and a sincere search for truth.
"The soul loves to meditate, for in contact with the Spirit lies its greatest joy. If, then, you experience mental resistance during meditation, remember that reluctance to meditate comes from the ego; it doesn’t belong to the soul.
Ananda Worldwide
Ananda Sangha is not an organization – but a “fellowship” of people dedicated to realizing higher consciousness and helping humanity evolve spiritually through the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Ananda offers spiritual friendship and support in many ways: through our meditation groups, retreats, online study and classes and our communities worldwide.
Ananda was founded in 1969 by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. Yogananda was the last in a line of Self-realized gurus. Before his passing, Swami Kriyananda named Nayaswami Jyotish as his spiritual successor. He and his wife Devi serve as Ananda’s spiritual directors, and travel frequently giving classes.
Ananda Sanghas throughout the world have over 10,000 active members, about 150 teachers, and nearly 150 meditation groups in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Founders and Directors
Swami Kriyananda
Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) is the founder of Ananda. In 1948, at the age of 22, he became a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. He bought property in Northern California in the late 1960’s and started Ananda Village. Now there are several more communities, including one in India and one in Italy, and many more centers and meditation groups. Swami Kriyananda is also the author over a hundred books and pieces of music.
Jyotish and Devi
Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi are spiritual directors of Ananda Sangha Worldwide, and Nayaswami Jyotish is the spiritual successor of Swami Kriyananda. Jyotish met Swami Kriyananda in 1966, and Devi in 1969. They worked closely with him to build Ananda’s work around the world. Nayaswami Jyotish and Nayaswami Devi travel throughout the United States, India, and Europe speaking on spiritualizing daily life and the practice of Kriya Yoga meditation. They have each also written and edited several books.
Our Teachers
Nayaswami Nalini
Spiritual Director, Ananda UK and Ireland
Nalini leads the Ananda community in the UK and Ireland, supported by her Gurubhais. As an authorised Ananda Minister and Lightbearer, she brings rich experience as a teacher, meditation guide, and retreat facilitator. She also offers personal counsel and mentorship, providing compassionate support to those on the spiritual path. After many years as a disiciple of Yogananda in the UK, Nalini spent 14 years with Ananda Assisi, gaining a deep grounding in the teachings and lasting inspiration that transformed her life. Since returning to the UK in 2014, she has been dedicated to the growth and development of Ananda UK and Ireland. Nalini finds joy in sharing the peace, strength, and wisdom that these teachings have brought her.
Brahmani
With years of background in yoga and meditation, it wasn’t until 2020 that Brahmani picked up Autobiography of a Yogi, and found what she was looking for! Since then she has delved deep into the teachings of Yogananda. Brahmani has devoted her career to healing others holistically; she is a traditional Acupuncturist and an Ananda Meditation and Yoga teacher. Brahmani is also a qualified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Advisor. She enjoys learning and sharing the wisdom she has gained from this path.
Indra
Indra has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and is a certified Ananda Yoga and Meditation teacher. He first read Autobiography of a Yogi many years ago and discovered Ananda in 2023 through Asha Nayaswami’s online talks. Feeling strongly called to attend her European tour, he travelled to Ananda Assisi — an experience that profoundly shaped his path. He became a disciple the following year and later received Kriya initiation. Through these teachings, he has found greater joy, purpose, and inner peace. His classes reflect his great energy and enthusiasm.
Surya
After the birth of his first child in 2015, Surya discovered Ananda while searching online for a meditation teacher training course. From that moment, he felt a deep connection with the teachings of Yogananda and the path of Kriya Yoga, and has been devoted ever since. Today, Surya is a certified meditation teacher, Vedic astrologer, spiritual counsellor, and student of Yogananda’s teachings. His approach combines grounded spirituality with warmth, sincerity, and a deep interest in helping others find greater clarity, peace, and meaning in their lives. Surya is also a husband and father, and is continually seeking to deepen his attunement to God, Guru, and a life of service.
Garuda
Garuda has a background in psychology, healing and energy medicine. A dedicated truth-seeker, teacher and father, Garuda is passionate about awakening human potential and helping others discover the truth, love, and joy already within. After visiting Ananda Assisi, he embraced the path of Kriya in 2005 as a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, later training as an Ananda Yoga and Meditation teacher, and brings much light, joy and wisdom into our community.