Book Launch and Goddess Puja      

Acharya Shunya will be joined by her long time students, CEO Gayathri Raman and core team at the  Awakened Self Foundation, eminent guests, authors, professors and spiritual teachers at the online book launch of her newest book: Roar Like A Goddess, releasing worldwide on September 6, from Sounds True. Acharya Shunya will begin with a visually beautiful short puja (ceremony of thanks) to her muse,  with accompanying chants. She will then read from the book and finally give a short talk about the journey of writing this book, and the support she got along the way from the goddess.

Susanna Barkataki                          
Susanna Barkataki, who is is a yoga advocate, speaker,  teacher, and author of international bestseller Embrace Yoga's Root, will lead participants through roaring yoga session and  empowering talk. Susanna is an inclusivity promoter and she believes in a world where yoga supports us in dissolving separation and creating unity. Her work explores how we can decolonize, reclaim and honor our own yoga practice while continuing to centralize yoga as the main teacher for healing ourselves and each other. She is the founder and lead teacher of Ignite Yoga and Wellness Institute, that offers Yoga Teacher Training. www.sausannabarkataki.com 

Yogacharya Ellen O'Brien                 
Yogacharya , who is  an internationally as a sought after teacher, speaker, and retreat leader will  be leading participants through her musics on Goddess Saraswati and how her archetype can benefit modern woman. Yogacharya leads two successful nonprofit organizations and has been the recipient of several awards  for community service, including the Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Promotion of Religious Pluralism from the Hindu American Foundation. Just as important, she is a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her life in all of its fullness brings the timeless Vedic teachings out of ancient India and into the modern lifestyle of seekers of all faiths who yearn for a more spiritually conscious, fulfilled way to live. www.ellengraceobrian.com

Nina Rao                                                     
This beautiful gathering will be blessed by goddess kirtan from Nina Rao, who learned traditional chants (bhajans) from her grandfather in a village in south India when she nine years old. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. For many years Nina has been Krishna Das’ business manager and accompanies him musically as well. In 2007, she recorded the track 'Nina Chalisa' on Krishna Das’ CD “Flow of Grace",  and has since then released two albums, “Antarayaami-Knower of All Hearts"and “Anubhav”. Nina regularly leads kirtan, workshops, and retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn/New Paltz New York and beyond. www.ninraochants.com

Rita D. Sherma                                               
Rita D. Sherma is founding Director and Associate Professor at the Center for Dharma Studies; Core Doctoral Faculty; Department Chair of Theology & Ethics; and Co-Chair of Sustainability 360 Initiative at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California, USA. She will share her views on Acharya Shunya's read  book and give a  talk on Goddess Durga in light of empowerment and enlightenment, particularly as it pertains to our difficult times. In her own life, Rita is a goddess devotee and holds an MA in Women’s Studies in Religion, and a PhD in Theology & Ethics from Claremont Graduate University, CA. www.ritasherma.com

Richard Miller                                             
Richard C. Miller  is a clinical psychologist, author, researcher and scholar of yoga. He is the founding president of the Integrative Restoration Institute (IRI), co-founder of The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) and founding editor of the professional Journal of IAYT. He is also a founding member and past president of the Institute for Spirituality and Psychology, Senior Advisor to the Baumann Institute, and was the founding president of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Marin School of Yoga. Richard is along time friend of Acharya Shunya's and he will give his blessings and share his thought son Acharya's upmcinh book Roar Like A Goddess.  www.irest.org

Ekabhumi Charles
Ekabhumi is the award-winning illustrator of Acharya Shunya' book Roar Like A Goddess. He is also an author, poet, arts and yoga instructor of repute. His Bhakti Coloring Book and Shakti Coloring Book ar available worldwide from Sounds True. Ekabhumi has been studying tantric yoga since 2005. He will share his journey of developing original art pieces for this book and what it takes to connect with the goddess, to express her on paper. www.ekabhumi.com


Acharya Shunya                                         
Acharya Shunya shall thanks all speakers and conclude with  a guided meditation on the blessings of this book becoming a darshan (perceived blessing) for all readers, all genders, all sentient beings from every part of the world. Participants may stay on for an extra half hour if they wish to  learn about the various goddess offerings coming up by Acharya Shunya, to be offered right here at the Awakened Self Foundation, online. www.acharyashunya.com