Having had various careers as a musician, nonprofit housing manager, purchasing agent, and industrial engineer, Rev. Surya was ordained in 1980 and continued his life on a spiritual path at the feet of Sri Swami Satchidananda. He is a Yoga teacher and in the past he owned and operated Yoga studios in Toronto and Charlottesville, and briefly directed an IYI in Montreal. Rev. Surya now works as an insurance agent specializing in retirement income, life, home, and auto insurance. He is a father of three children, the youngest being 16. He has lived in Yogaville since 1988 and serves as a pujari at Chidambaram whenever he can. Rev. Surya is a talented tabla player and accompanies many of the kirtan sessions at Yogaville.