Wellness Classes at Bright Mind
Some of Our Lead Instructors
Paula Casanova
Executive Director, Bright Mind Wellness; Bright Mind Director of Mindful Education
Paula is an Indigenous Peruvian educator with 17+ years of international experience teaching yoga and mindfulness. She has been a certified Tibetan Yoga instructor since 2018 and has taught across Europe, parts of Asia, notably India, and Latin America.
Roopa Sridhar
Lead Health & Nutrition Instructor
Roopa is a wellness educator and community leader who integrates health, nutrition, mindfulness and cultural education. With professional experience in health services across a range of settings, she brings a holistic approach to supporting growth, youth development, and compassionate community engagement. She is a longtime chef focused on providing food at community, nonprofit, and civic events. and has trained in both traditional and contemporary ways of providing nutritional access. For decades, she has led classes and programs for children and families.
Martin Brooks
Lead Nature & Outdoor Education Instructor
Sridhar Shanmugam
Lead Performing & Martial Arts Instructor
Sridhar is an expert teacher, performer, and choreographer with decades of teaching experience in traditional and contemporary performing arts. He has performed and collaborated internationally with award-winning artists, including internationally acclaimed composer Philip Glass, and has performed and choreographed at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall (Lincoln Center, NYC), as well as other world-class venues. He has been a soloist for the most renowned modern and traditional dance companies in India. In addition, he has served in senior roles at major hospitals and medical centers, working closely with doctors and patients to support compassionate, holistic health care. Drawing from traditional and modern dance, music, and Indian martial arts, he integrates these disciplines into wellness, education, and community programs.