Hi! :) Welcome to my page, and thank you for stopping by! My name is Leiana, or Lila Vati Devi. My birth name Leiana, means Heavenly Flowers, or Heavenly Child of God.

The name Lila Vati Devi was given to me by my Guru, Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati, and it means Divine Play of the God.

Both names are very special to me, you can call me either :)

My yoga journey began when I was 17 years old. Introverted, big emotions, anxiety, and trying to understand myself in a teenage world. I always felt everything so deeply, and at that age I was already searching for something more. A path to God.

My dad introduced me to my first yoga teacher in Trinidad, 17 years ago - Karen Stollmeyer, who was directly trained under Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati.

My life changed after that, and yoga began changing my life more than I could have imagined. Leaving Trinidad, I went off to college in San Francisco, to study psychology. Meanwhile I searched the streets of SF for another yoga teacher that spoke to my soul in such a divine spiritual way. While I did join one group that had potlucks and seemed genuine, my spirit longed for the teachings I began with. I began to realize that what Karen shared with me, was so special, and that such a lineage of Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati, was rare in this day and age.

After a series of events which I won’t dive into now, I went back to Trinidad and took Karen’s Yoga Teacher Training course. I did not take the course with the intention of ever teaching, I just wanted to learn. Little did I know that after taking the course, yoga was all I could think about. 

During the space between college and yoga training, I had actually become a personal trainer. I worked in gyms - both in America and Trinidad - and helped people achieve their fitness goals. After my yoga training however, I quit this and began teaching yoga full time. I began teaching classes by donation, and then I formed my own practice as I turned my teaching into my full time career. 

Since then, I took Karen’s Bliss Yoga Level 1 and Level 2 Teacher Training. I also went on to taking a Zenergy Kids Yoga Foundation certification, Advanced and Kids with disabilities yoga teacher training. I continued and did a Karma Kids Teen Yoga Teacher Training. I’ve also done Yoga and Horse Trauma Informed Certification. I’ve been to many of Swamiji’s retreats for continued learning and practice under the guidance of my Guru. Recently I took Jo Phee’s Yin Yoga Teacher Training, which really spoke to me. 

Last year, I took a NOFFS training course and got certified to teach the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System. This is basically a fitness program that the Navy Military uses to train their Sailors and is a guide to Navy health and fitness professionals. 

I’ve branched out, and took an Upbeat barre certification last year as well, and have also started teaching Barre classes in gyms. Barre is a fitness class inspired by the combination of ballet, pilates and yoga. 

With all this being said, I continue to invest in my knowledge to better serve my community

I believe that through dedication, devotion, discipline, determination and discernment a person can use the tools found in the yoga practice to live a happy, healthy, balanced, harmonious, peaceful and blissful life. I have experienced for myself with the help of yoga, that is is absolutely possible to find a true connection with yourself and the universe. It is possible to live a stress free, healthy and beautiful life; even through all of our life’s hurdles and challenges. Since ancient times in India, the real essence of yoga has been passed down from teacher to student. I feel very lucky to have learned form such a sincere and esteemed linage of yoga. With many years of passionately teaching, I have received the blessing from my Guru Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati and my teacher Karen Stollmeyer to continue to pass the ancient traditions of yoga by conducting teacher training courses, to continue to inspire humanity with the powerful teachings of my Guru Swamiji, his teacher Swami Satyananda, and Sivananda lineages. 

Teaching Yoga Teacher Trainings have become a favorite of mine, as I deeply admire the transformation process of such a course and being able to pass on the torch of yoga to others so that they may also teach and inspire their communities to live healthier, happier lives with more light and joy. 

Om shanti shanti shanti/ om peace peace peace