Nalanie Chellaram - Founder of SIS
Nalanie was born in
1954 into a distinguished , leading family in Hong Kong, the Harilelas.
Nurtured by very spiritual Hindu parents and educated at a Catholic
Convent school, she grew up in the presence of a close family friend,
who. unbeknown at the time, was to have a deep and lasting influence in
her life. This frequent visitor and friend was Sri Swami Satchidananda,
her Beloved Gurudev.
She attended university in the United States where she read,
Philosophy, Psychology and Fine Arts. In 1975 she moved to Gibraltar
with her husband Shanky, where, for many years, they ran a very
successful fashion business. Nalanie continued her study of Philosophy
and Psychology while running a very popular dance school and raising
their two children Shani and Shaman.
In 1986 Nalanie formally became a disciple of His Holiness Sri Swami
Satchidananda and began her continuing study of the Science of Yoga.
She has been accredited by the Council of Teachers of the Satchidananda
Ashram in Virginia, USA. to teach Asanas, Pranayama and Meditation. She
is also an accredited Teacher Trainer for Integral Yoga and a therapist
under the British School of Yoga.
She is the Chairman of the Integral Yoga Centre in Gibraltar where she
runs regular weekly satsangs, teacher training and counseling sessions.
This Centre is a registered Charity serving the community.She has also
been instrumental in setting up another Integral Yoga Centre,
"Ashiana", in the South of Spain.
Nalanie, who now lives in Spain, frequently lectures on the Science of
Yoga, in Portugal, Spain. Germany. the United Kingdom, the USA and the
Far East. She is the first of a new generation of spiritual teachers.
Her particular upbringing and education has given her a special insight
into both Hinduism and Christianity, inspired by her Beloved Guru. Her
example as a wife, mother, businesswoman and now grandmother, who has
devoted her life to God and His service, has been a beacon to her
students. She shows that it is not necessary to withdraw from life in
order to find the "Guru within"
In March 2008, Nalanie received an Honor in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
the Second New Year Honour's List. She was recognised for her "Services
to Humanity". His Excellency the Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Robert
Fulton, presented her with a certificate and medal.
In October 2008, was also awarded a Humanitarian Award from Yogaville, Virgina, USA
Nalanie was recently widowed and has been an example to all in the way
she bore her grief at Shanky's sudden passing. Her inner strength was
amazing.
Nalanie is the proud grandmother of four beautiful girls, Tara, Natasha, Talia and Indira.
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