Sadhviji was raised in an American family in Hollywood, California and graduated from Stanford University. She was completing her Ph.D.in Psychology when she left America in 1996 to come and live permanently at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, India. She has been living there since, engaged in spiritual study, practice, and service. She has been pivotal in putting Rishikesh on the world map as the Yoga capital and encouraging and inspiring thousands of international seekers to experience the rich natural, cultural and spiritual heritage of India in this sacred and growing city.
She was officially initiated into the order of Sanyas (monastic renunciation) in the year 2000, by his Holiness Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji.
Sadhviji gives discourses and question-answer sessions on topics ranging from Indian spirituality, to science and spirituality, to the keys of happiness and meaning in life; she also teaches meditation. She travels across the world giving spiritual discourses, question-answer sessions and meditation courses. Her talks blend the knowledge and logic of the West with the insights, spirituality and wisdom of the East.
She is President of Divine Shakti Foundation, dedicated to the holistic well being of women, their children, and orphaned/abandoned children, and to all of Mother Nature. DSF runs and sponsors free schools, women’s vocational training programs, orphanages/gurukuls, frequent free medical camps, animal care programs, a rural development program, and innumerable other humanitarian projects. (www.divineshaktifoundation.org; https://www.facebook.com/divineshaktifoundation)
She is also Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, the world’s first-ever international interfaith initiative which brings together the world’s faiths as allies in ensuring every child around the world has access to safe, life-giving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).(www.washalliance.org; https://www.facebook.com/Global.Interfaith.WASH.Alliance)
She is the Managing Editor for the monumental project of the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism. (www.theencyclopediaofhinduism.com)
She is the Director of the world famous International Yoga Festival held every year at Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh). The Festival runs from the 1st-7th March each year. This world famous festival draws yogacharyas, philosophers and seekers from every corner of the world. Over 1,000 delegates come from over 50 countries from all over the globe! Typically, 75-80% of the delegates are from abroad. The festival has become internationally renowned and covered in publications such as Time Magazine, the NY Times and many more. (www.internationalyogafestival.com)