Yoga Instructors

Peter Monteparo Bio
Peter Monteparo, also known as Prashant, is a scholar-practitioner of Classical Tantra with nearly a decade of practice and seven years of formal education in South Asian Studies and classical Indian religions. Prashant teaches classical Tantric philosophy and yoga (meditation), Sanskrit, and mantra-science.
He holds a B.A. in Religion and Anthropology from the University of Florida, and an M.A. in Sanskrit and Yoga Studies from Naropa University. His Master's thesis centered on the concept of mantra-vīrya (the potency and potentization of mantra) and Linguistic Mysticism (the idea that language has mystical and transformative power and is a means for accessing union with the Divine) in classical Tantric sources.
Prashant is passionate about Tantric philosophy, yoga, Sanskrit translation, and education. Uniting the experience of his personal spiritual practice with the rigor of academic study, he seeks to aid others in their quests for Awareness Cultivation and Recognition of their own innate divinity. By delving into the sacred Sanskrit language, one can access ancient yet atemporal wisdom and reach new vistas of universal understanding. By practicing Tantric meditation, one can obtain a more vibrant and fulfilling relationship with Reality. It is with these views that Prashant approaches teaching, endeavoring to enrich his students' spiritual practice and life.
Courses and Classes Offered by Peter:
Beginning in March 2025, Peter brings to Garnet Heart Wellness an introduction to the classical Sanskrit language. It includes developing familiarization with the Sanskrit alpha-syllabary and devanagari script, mastering the conventions of euphonic coalescence (sandhi), and learning the basics of Sanskrit grammar. In addition, we will begin reading stories and texts from the classical Indian tradition, particularly selections from the Mahābhārata/Bhagavadgītā and the Rāmāyaṇa. We will also explore the spiritual aspects of the Sanskrit language with regards to Linguistic Mysticism, how the phonemes of Sanskrit correspond and encapsulate broader patterns of reality.
This course provides an overview of mantra and how to utilize it in a yogic capacity. We will explore what mantras are, how they work, and why you might utilize them in spiritual practice. We will explore different mantric practices such as japa and uccāra (the secret and almost lost practice of raising a bīja mantra through the central channel, which is not well known in the mainstream yoga world). An overview of basic Sanskrit pronunciation will also be explored.

Sierra Gilman, MD Bio
Sierra is a 500 hour certified yoga teacher in addition to being a doctor of physical therapy. Sierra obtained her 200 hour certification through Garnet Heart Yoga in May of 2024 and her 300 hour certification in January of 2025. Sierra has practiced yoga since 2014 and started teaching in 2024. Her medical background and time spent treating injuries has helped to shape her practice and give her insight into how the body moves and in preventing injuries. Sierra’s passion for healing and helping others to heal themselves is reflected in the way that she teaches. She currently runs her own physical therapy practice, does personal training, and teaches yoga.