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:
Introduction to Sanskrit
This course is an introduction to the classical Sanskrit language. We will become familiarized with the Sanskrit alpha-syllabary and Devanāgarī script, master the conventions of euphonic coalescence (sandhi), and learn the basics of Sanskrit grammar. We will also explore the spiritual aspects of the Sanskrit language with regards to Linguistic Mysticism- how the phonemes of Sanskrit correspond to and encapsulate broader patterns of reality. In addition, we will spend time learning about various āsanas commonly taught in Modern Yoga classes- specifically, the translation, meaning and mythologies surrounding the names of the āsanas and how to pronounce them with precision.
Begins May 1st & 3rd Mondays at 12-1:30pm EST
Intermediate Sanskrit
Building off of the basics learned in Introduction to Sanskrit, in this course we dive deeper into the Ocean of Grammar. Intermediate Sanskrit focuses on translation. By reading and translating Sanskrit passages inspired by the Rāmāyaṇa, one of India's great Epics, we will refine our skills in pronunciation, transliteration of the Devanāgarī script, sandhi, and grammar. Students should expect homework- mainly reading chapters from our textbook and transliterating select passages from Devanāgarī into the Roman alphabet. With this preparation for class, we will spend our sessions talking about the finer points of grammar and translating passages cooperatively.
Every 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at
7-8:30pm on Zoom
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.
Evety 2nd and 4th Tuesday
7-8:30pm
Sierra Gilman, MD
Sierra is a 500 hour certified yoga teacher in addition to being a doctor of physical therapy. Sierra obtained her 200 hour certification in May of 2024 and her 300 hour certification in January of 2025 both through Garnet Heart Yoga. 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.