Shantarasa School of Yoga

Shantarasa teachers are a highly dedicated group of yogis with diverse yet complementary levels of experience and skills in yoga instruction.

The founders of Shantarasa are Claude (Keval) and Deborah (Sadhana) Pezet. Both carry over 35 years of immersement in Yoga, as both students and teachers of the tradition. The founding of Shantarasa afforded both Keval and Sadhana the perfect vehicle to expose others to the teachings and practices that had so radically transformed their own living experience.

Claude (Keval) Pezet began his study of meditation, while at university in USA, with Baba Ram Das in 1970. In January of 1975 had a fateful meeting with his guru (teacher) Baba Mutananada Paramahamsa. Claude studied with his teacher for a period of five years and was ordained into the Saraswati order of monks in 1980. He spent the next several years traveling internationally imparting the pathways of Yoga and meditation. In 1986 Claude returned to secular life, married with his partner in Shantarasa and together they have continued to share their love and experience of yoga practice in its many forms. Claude (Keval) has cultivated a deep understanding of yoga precepts that is imbued with potent feeling, conveying his love of yoga. He communicates the subtle essence of yoga philosophy into a living language that is accessible and relevant. He also shares this understanding as a yogasana and meditation facilitator. Claude is dedicated to inspiring others to explore the sublime practices of yoga for their own upliftment.

Deborah (Sadhana) Pezet was first trained as a professional dancer and artist. She had her fateful meeting with her Mula Guru (teacher) Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa in 1977. She spent 10 years living yoga in community in both India and Australia. Swami Muktananda encouraged Deborah to study Hatha Yoga practice with the intention of teaching as part of her practice. She trained under his guidance in the traditional forms of Hatha Yoga practice and has received accreditation with other Yogasana teaching styles such as Satyananda and Iyengar systems. Deborah has developed a method of teaching yogasana that is profoundly purifying, strengthening and joyful for students and practitioners. Deborah imparts an infectious appreciation of the depth of yoga experience. She has also trained and researched over the years in Yoga Therapy to assist people through the various forms of life challenge. She is the principle asana and yoga therapy trainer in the accredited courses. Deborah is also a qualified transpersonal therapist and a trainer of therapists.

Claude (Keval) and Deborah (Sadhana) have a deep affiliation with Shanti Mandir and its founder, Mahamandelshwar Swami Nityananda Saraswati in Gujarat India. Each year they take a group of students to experience living yoga in the place of its origin in yoga community at Shanti Mandir. Swami Nityananda is the living successor to Swami Muktananda who was first personally appointed to this role by his teacher in 1981. He has continued, with total dedication, disseminating the path of Sanatana Dharma and the yoga of the Siddhas around the world. Gurudev Nityananda regularly visits Australia, staying for a time teaching through Shantarasa as its spiritual mentor.

At Shantarasa we have a wonderful team of gifted teachers, who have qualified through our teacher training programs, and staff who form the core of the very vibrant Shantarasa community life. Shantarasa qualified teachers are currently teaching in various areas of Adelaide and regional centres around Australia, and can be contacted through our links page.