Meet Ananda Staff

Nayaswami Hriman (Terry) McGilloway

Hriman and his wife Padma, are the spiritual directors and Kriyarcharyas of Ananda in the greater Seattle area. Hriman came to Ananda in 1977. Director of finances for Ananda’s worldwide work in the Eighties, and then manager of the Expanding Light Retreat in California, Hriman and his wife Padma were asked by Swami Kriyananda to serve in Seattle in 1993. Together they are the spiritual directors (Kriyarcharyas) of Ananda in the greater Seattle area. Hriman’s studies in Catholic theology have given him a profound respect for the essential truths and the practical benefits of raja yoga and for the underlying universality of the scriptures of East and West. Students appreciate not only the wisdom of yoga that he shares but the gentle humor and the useful insights into daily life that he offers. Hriman is an ordained Lightbearer-Minister of Ananda Church of Self-Realization.

Nayaswami Padma McGilloway

Padma and her husband Hriman are the spiritual directors and Kriyarcharyas of Ananda in the greater Seattle area. Padma found Ananda 37 years ago and moved to Ananda Village in 1973. Her service to Ananda has been in the areas of publishing, teaching, counseling, and ministry. Padma & Hriman raised their children at Ananda Village in California, learning to balance parenting, meditation and service. As manager of Crystal Clarity Publishers for Ananda for nearly 10 years, she worked closely with Swami Kriyananda during some of his most prolific years of writing. She still travels internationally to meet with publishers around the world who might be interested in publishing books from Ananda. Now such publications can be found in 28 languages. In classes and at spiritual gatherings she weaves her love for God and for truth through memorable stories. Padma also coordinates the ongoing study programs for those who practice Kriya Yoga. She serves in Seattle together with her husband, Hriman, as spiritual directors (Kriyacharyas). Padma is an ordained Lightbearer-Minister of Ananda Church of Self-Realization.

Nayaswami Jamuna (Jacqueline) Snitkin

Jamuna has been involved with Ananda since the early 70′s, teaching meditation and classes on spiritualizing daily life for more than 25 years. She co-managed the first East West Bookshop for Ananda in Menlo Park, CA. She has been teaching, counseling, and serving at both Ananda and East West Bookshop (in Seattle and Bothell) since 1996. Jamuna’s warmth and openness characterize her ‘Say Yes to Life’ spirit and are her gifts to all who participate in her classes and enjoy her company! Bringing spirit into the workplace and into relationships is Jamuna’s specialty. Jamuna is an ordained Lightbearer-Minister of Ananda Church of Self-Realization.

Nayaswami Nivritti Steenstra

Nivritti co-founded the Seattle East West Bookshop in 1989, and served as the manager of Ananda’s publishing (Crystal Clarity, Publishers) at Ananda Village in California during the mid-90’s. Nivritti has been teaching meditation and other subjects for over twenty years. Nivritti is also a certified Ananda Yoga teacher. As a former school teacher and school administrator, Nivritti has combined her love for meditation and yoga with her former skills to help launch and guide Ananda’s Living Wisdom School in Shoreline as its director. Nivritti is an ordained Lightbearer-Minister of Ananda Church of Self-Realization.

Nayaswami Susan McGinnis

Susan is the manager and one of the co-founders of East West Bookshop of Seattle. Whether managing the store or teaching a class, Susan uses her background and talents in the graphic arts to express inspiration creatively, by example, and with practicality. Susan is a certified Ananda Yoga teacher, and teaches classes in meditation, philosophy, and the art of spiritual living. Susan is an ordained Lightbearer-Minister of Ananda Church of Self-Realization.

Tyagi Larry Rider

Larry is manager of the Ananda Community in Lynnwood, a teacher, and is a Tyagi member of the Nayaswami Order. Larry and his wife Prem-Shanti moved back to Ananda in Seattle in 2008 after having founded and operated the Ananda Retreat Center in Rhode Island and having served Ananda’s work on the east coast for nine years. Larry moved to Ananda Village in 1979. He has served in a number of Ananda busineeses including the East West Bookshops in Menlo Park CA and in Seattle (in the 90’s). Larry combines a happy spirit, a musical talent that is expressed on various instruments, and deep devotion to God. Larry is an ordained Lightbearer-Minister of Ananda Church of Self-Realization.

Tyagi Prem-Shanti Rider

Prem-Shanti (Karen) Rider serves Ananda at the Meditation Temple in Bothell on staff and is a Tyagi member of the Nayaswami Order. She also serves part-time at the Living Wisdom School in Shoreline. Prem-Shanti’s smiling presence has been part of Ananda since moving to Ananda Village in 1988.With her husband Larry she has also lived at Ananda communities in Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA. She and Larry also founded and operated the Ananda Retreat Center in Rhode Island for many years. Her delightful voice and radiant good cheer have touched many hearts everywhere she goes. Prem-Shanti is an ordained Lightbearer-Minister of Ananda Church of Self-Realization.

Carole Bartoo and Lajjana Beeninga, both ministers, are certified Ananda Yoga teachers. Both are dedicated to the path and practice of yoga & meditation with years of experience in both in personal practice and in teaching.