Sumati

Sumati Govinda, a gifted Raja Yoga teacher, meditation instructor, and spiritual life coach, is a senior disciple of H.H. Sri Swami Satchidananda, the founder of Satchidananda Ashram ~ Yogaville in Virginia and Integral Yoga International. As an Interfaith Minister (Order of Universal Interfaith) who grew up in Satchidananda Ashram ~ Yogaville, she firmly believes that a peaceful and respectful coexistence of all religions, belief systems, cultures, and races is achievable within her lifetime.

From an early age, Sumati had an intense spiritual desire to realize her true nature. She learned to meditate with her father before the age of two. Around age 5, she began studying Raja Yoga with a dear family friend, Nischala Joy Devi, who ignited her passion for the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, as translated by H.H. Sri Swami Satchidananda. In 1979, by the grace of her guru, she received mantra initiation, marking the beginning of her earnest daily spiritual practice.

Sumati and her three children were fortunate to attend the Yogaville schools, where they were taught to love and feel compassion for all beings. Balancing worldly and spiritual life, Sumati earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (Magna Cum Laude with honors) from UNC-W and has served in the medical profession as a Functional Medicine Nurse, for > 20 years.

As a Raja Yoga teacher, meditation instructor, spiritual life coach, and lively public speaker, Sumati infuses the joy of Yoga into all aspects of her life. She fully embraces each moment and generously shares her wisdom to help others live their lives to the fullest. Sumati and her family are proud founding members of Yogaville.