Our Team
Bijan Parandeh
Founder - CEO
I was born in Vancouver, Canada and lived most of my life in Chicago, where I was first introduced to the transformative practice of yoga at the age of 12. Joining my mother at her local studio, I quickly discovered the physical and emotional benefits that yoga could offer. As I delved deeper into the practice, I found myself drawn to the teachings of Komal Bhonagiri, whose classes introduced me to life-changing forms of meditation and yoga philosophy.
Driven by a passion for health and wellness, I pursued a Bachelor's degree in Pre-Medical Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago. Throughout my academic journey, yoga served as a guiding force, helping me stay focused, energized, and grounded. It also instilled in me a sense of dignity and self-confidence that empowered me to embrace my true self by coming out of the closet.
Currently residing in Dallas, Texas, I have set my sights on attending medical school in the near future. In the meantime, I continue to explore my interests in fitness, reading, languages, travel, and dance. These diverse pursuits fuel my curiosity and passion for life, inspiring me to constantly seek growth and self-improvement.
As the founder of La Vida, I am dedicated to promoting holistic wellness and supporting others on their journey to self-discovery and self-care.
Educational Background
• BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois Chicago
Driven by a passion for health and wellness, I pursued a Bachelor's degree in Pre-Medical Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago. Throughout my academic journey, yoga served as a guiding force, helping me stay focused, energized, and grounded. It also instilled in me a sense of dignity and self-confidence that empowered me to embrace my true self by coming out of the closet.
Currently residing in Dallas, Texas, I have set my sights on attending medical school in the near future. In the meantime, I continue to explore my interests in fitness, reading, languages, travel, and dance. These diverse pursuits fuel my curiosity and passion for life, inspiring me to constantly seek growth and self-improvement.
As the founder of La Vida, I am dedicated to promoting holistic wellness and supporting others on their journey to self-discovery and self-care.
Educational Background
• BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois Chicago
Monica Patel
Co-Founder - President
Born and brought up in a very traditional Gujrati family so I learned Vedic chanting and Hindu traditional rituals from very childhood. When I was a child I was very introverted and had zero self esteem because of some situations in my early life. When I was a teenager to deal with my stress I started exploring many things in life that is how I found Yoga. I still remember my first yoga class experience which changed my life.
I began to live the yogic way of life from that early age and embraced spirituality as my routines began with worshipping Lord Krishna and continued with practising asanas, eating satvik food and chanting Maha mantra
I started practicing yoga in parks and people approached me and i started teaching them yoga for free to bring similar positive changes in other people's lives.
Educational Background
• Masters of Yoga Shastra from Somaiya University, Mumbai.
• Thesis on “Coping Management of Depression Described in Bhavagat Gita”
• Diploma in Yogic Sciences from Kaivalyadham Yoga Institute (This Yogic research institute is over 100 years old and founded by Swami Kuvalayananda in 1924)
I began to live the yogic way of life from that early age and embraced spirituality as my routines began with worshipping Lord Krishna and continued with practising asanas, eating satvik food and chanting Maha mantra
I started practicing yoga in parks and people approached me and i started teaching them yoga for free to bring similar positive changes in other people's lives.
Educational Background
• Masters of Yoga Shastra from Somaiya University, Mumbai.
• Thesis on “Coping Management of Depression Described in Bhavagat Gita”
• Diploma in Yogic Sciences from Kaivalyadham Yoga Institute (This Yogic research institute is over 100 years old and founded by Swami Kuvalayananda in 1924)
Komal Bhonagiri
Chief Yoga Officer
Educational Background
• Bachelor’s in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery from Pune , India.
• Masters in Public Health from University of Illinois at Chicago
Work Experience
• Private Yoga Therapy sessions for over 100 Clients since 2016-present
•Corporate Yoga workshops and sessions at General Electric Digital Women’s Network US West region
• Corporate Yoga sessions with Volkswagen Credit Union and Sonoco Products Company in Arlington Heights, IL
• Volunteer Yoga classes at Chinmaya mission- School of Vedantic Studies in Grayslake, Illinois
• After-school Yoga programs at local schools in Long grove an Vernon hills, Illinois
• School Yoga Units at Country Meadows Elementary School, Long Grove, IL
• Bachelor’s in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery from Pune , India.
• Masters in Public Health from University of Illinois at Chicago
Work Experience
• Private Yoga Therapy sessions for over 100 Clients since 2016-present
•Corporate Yoga workshops and sessions at General Electric Digital Women’s Network US West region
• Corporate Yoga sessions with Volkswagen Credit Union and Sonoco Products Company in Arlington Heights, IL
• Volunteer Yoga classes at Chinmaya mission- School of Vedantic Studies in Grayslake, Illinois
• After-school Yoga programs at local schools in Long grove an Vernon hills, Illinois
• School Yoga Units at Country Meadows Elementary School, Long Grove, IL
Janak Nayaran
Chief Innovation Officer
"I paint sometimes as I see it, other times as I imagine it - but always because I am loving it"
Art to me is about a beautiful journey of self-discovery and a medium to articulate my inner glee. Art is typically experienced by the sense of sight. I would like my art to be experienced through all the five senses by transporting my audience to a place which invokes a certain feeling of joy and a sense of being in the moment. I want them to step into the canvas and breathe in the world within my composition.
I have always had the travel bug. The numerous facets of my visual experiences of nature and landscapes while growing up in India and travel abroad have translated into ideas for my compositions. I also tend to notice patterns and gravitate towards their abstract rhythm. They fascinate me to an extent that I see abstract patterns where others do not and I revel in that personal discovery. Botanical elements, especially trees have become my muse- they take on human forms in my imagination; a continuity to my core belief that we humans have to become one with nature. Finally, color is the language of emotions and the medium of my expression.
Although my artwork tries to marry all the above facets into a crescendo of vibrant color and stylized compositions, my true calling and passion is all about my art bringing joy and healing through a unique visceral experience.
Art to me is about a beautiful journey of self-discovery and a medium to articulate my inner glee. Art is typically experienced by the sense of sight. I would like my art to be experienced through all the five senses by transporting my audience to a place which invokes a certain feeling of joy and a sense of being in the moment. I want them to step into the canvas and breathe in the world within my composition.
I have always had the travel bug. The numerous facets of my visual experiences of nature and landscapes while growing up in India and travel abroad have translated into ideas for my compositions. I also tend to notice patterns and gravitate towards their abstract rhythm. They fascinate me to an extent that I see abstract patterns where others do not and I revel in that personal discovery. Botanical elements, especially trees have become my muse- they take on human forms in my imagination; a continuity to my core belief that we humans have to become one with nature. Finally, color is the language of emotions and the medium of my expression.
Although my artwork tries to marry all the above facets into a crescendo of vibrant color and stylized compositions, my true calling and passion is all about my art bringing joy and healing through a unique visceral experience.
Angela Fralish
Project Manager, Kundalini Instructor
My initial interest in healthcare began in 2002 while I was working as a physical therapy technician to support my undergraduate education. I was accepted to law school and decided to leave patient care in pursuit of a legal career. During law school, I continued my healthcare interest by transferring to the top ranked University of Minnesota Law School to pursue a health law bioethics concentration. Upon completion of the fellowship, I spent the next 7 years negotiating healthcare contracts and budgets for the world's largest medical device developer. During this time, I began practicing yoga everyday and noticed the positive health impacts on chronic stress levels. I wanted to share this knowledge to help others, and obtained a teaching certificate in kundalini yoga and meditation. I then began leading corporate meditations, started a wellness program, and taught yoga at work, on the weekends to resorts, and with private clients.
I spent the next 2 years teaching others about kundalini and chronic stress before flying to India to live at an ashram and study yoga in the birthplace of yoga: Rishikesh, India. I completed my 2nd teaching course over the next 5 months while integrating my yogic studies with Western culture, and became a certified RYT500 with Yoga Alliance. My dedication to yoga to relieve chronic stress has continued as I am now facilitating weekend retreats for corporate professionals, while pursuing a Masters in Yoga Therapy, so that I can eventually open up my own practice and continue sharing the benefits of yoga and holistic medicine on the body. One of my favorite quotes from Rumi is "As you walk on the path, the path unfolds". It seems yoga certainly had a path for me in life [and I am very passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga with my community.]
Education:
Masters in Yoga Therapy, C-IAYT, Spanda Movement Therapy (In progress) RYT500, Yoga Alliance (Samadhi Yoga Ashram, Yoga Farm Ithaca) Juris Doctor, Charleston School of Law (Presidential Scholar)
I spent the next 2 years teaching others about kundalini and chronic stress before flying to India to live at an ashram and study yoga in the birthplace of yoga: Rishikesh, India. I completed my 2nd teaching course over the next 5 months while integrating my yogic studies with Western culture, and became a certified RYT500 with Yoga Alliance. My dedication to yoga to relieve chronic stress has continued as I am now facilitating weekend retreats for corporate professionals, while pursuing a Masters in Yoga Therapy, so that I can eventually open up my own practice and continue sharing the benefits of yoga and holistic medicine on the body. One of my favorite quotes from Rumi is "As you walk on the path, the path unfolds". It seems yoga certainly had a path for me in life [and I am very passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga with my community.]
Education:
Masters in Yoga Therapy, C-IAYT, Spanda Movement Therapy (In progress) RYT500, Yoga Alliance (Samadhi Yoga Ashram, Yoga Farm Ithaca) Juris Doctor, Charleston School of Law (Presidential Scholar)
Banu
Office Secretary & Logo