Reverend Shanti Wagner began her study of yoga in 1970 while she was in high school. She later pursued her academic interests in the arts, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors from the University of Montana, along with a minor in Native American Studies. She continued her education at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, where she studied Commercial Art, and went on to work as a professional artist.
In 1994, she became a disciple of Sri Swami Satchidananda and completed the Integral Yoga Basic Training that same year. She later received certifications in Integral Yoga Raja Yoga and Integral Yoga Restorative Yoga.
In 2014, Shanti began serving as a pujari at Chidambaram after receiving her training at Kailash. Over the years, she has also contributed her artistic talents to the Ashram, including the Rangoli Mandala outside the LOTUS Shrine Gift Shop, the Mandala at Mandala Market, and the permanent flower arrangements inside the Lotus Temple.
On July 19, 2024, she was ordained as a reverend.
Shanti feels especially grateful for the practices of Hatha Yoga, pranayama, and meditation, which form the foundation of her life. The study of Advaita (non-dualism), along with karma yoga, also plays a central role in her lifestyle.
She also has a deep interest in transpersonal psychology and continues to study in this field, integrating these insights with Integral Yoga teachings to support and guide others.
Here are a few thoughts from Rev. Shanti:
“By combining the opening of the Divine Heart with the tools and teachings of Integral Yoga, we are offered a lighter way of living. It becomes easier to see the beauty and the many possible solutions to life’s challenges. How wonderful it is to integrate our Divine nature with the healing and realignment of the body and mind. The Spirit of Life is a profound and joyful guide.”