International Yoga Day is celebrated on June.21. / Pexels

As the International Yoga Day inches closer, a spotlight shines on a group of Indian-American yoga instructors who are creating a unique impact on the global wellness community. These instructors, through their diverse platforms, are not just teaching yoga, they are fostering a deeper understanding of this ancient practice, adapting it to contemporary lifestyles, and reaching millions across the globe.

Yoga, with its roots deeply embedded in Indian culture, has transcended geographical boundaries to become a global phenomenon. This International Yoga Day, we explore three Indian-American yoga instructors who have embraced digital platforms to share their expertise and passion for yoga.

Through YouTube channels and podcasts, these instructors are revolutionizing how yoga is perceived and practiced, making it accessible to a diverse audience ranging from beginners to seasoned practitioners.

Arundhati Baitmangalkar

Arundhati Baitmangalkar in a yogic pose. / Arundhati Baitmangalkar website

Arundhati, an Indian immigrant yoga teacher in the US, hosts the podcast "Let's Talk Yoga”. She discusses teaching yoga, cultural appropriation, and merging yoga with business. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and TuneIn. She has 31,600 Instagram followers and over one million YouTube subscribers.

Born in South India, she started yoga at 25 after a career in Bollywood dance. She quickly excelled in yoga and began teaching.
“I just knew it was right for me,” says Arundhati.

Tejal Patel

Tejal, a first-generation Indian-American, promotes yoga through a social justice lens. / Tejal Patel website

Tejal Yoga is led by Tejal Patel (she/they), a yoga teacher, writer, podcaster, and social justice advocate, with a team of 13 experts.

Tejal, a first-generation Indian-American, promotes yoga through a social justice lens. Tejal runs the Tejal Yoga online studio, the ABCD Yogi global community, and the Yoga is Dead Podcast on Zoom. Tejal has almost 29,000 Instagram followers and goes under the username "tejalyoga."

One of her community member writes, “Having reflected on 2022 and all the changes in my life, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to these teachers and the community I hold so dear."

Sumedha Khosla

Sumedha loves pranayama and believes in the healing power of yoga. / Sumedha Khosla website

Sumedha is an Indian-American yoga educator and meditation teacher based in Seattle. She helps people become stronger, flexible, free, and fearless. Her creative, alignment-based sequencing and playful spirit provide a safe space for healing. She loves Pranayama and believes in the healing power of Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, and Mindfulness.

“Traveling from the outside world to the inside world" is a mantra she practices each day.

She has a YouTube channel named Indian Yoga Girl with close to 3,000 subscribers and over 13,000 followers on Instagram.