About Doug Greene

Doug received his spiritual name Shivaraj, which means: Lion of God who walks with grace and courage throughout his life, and who creates a living kingdom around himself of truth and purity.  He looks to this as a set of ideals to revere and aspire to.

Shiva is a name for the quality of the Divine relating to the evolutionary process of transformation.   Although some have interpreted Shiva as the "destroyer",  Shivaraj teaches that the process of transformation is one of involution and evolution, whereby we accept and absorb into ourselves that which we deny or are repulsed by.  We then accept all of these qualities as legitimate aspects of ourselves and welcome them into our minds openly and compassionately. This opens the way for spiritual evolution and growth. 

In this path, Shivaraj aims to allow his presence to be healing and uplifting to those around him. Teaching Yoga classes and workshops is his way of doing this.

Shivaraj has studied the Eastern metaphysical and mystical arts and sciences - Yoga, Reiki, Pranic Healing, Ayurveda and Yoga Tantra - on a continuing basis since 1972. On semester break from UCONN in the spring of 1972 he was attracted to watch a Channel 13 presentation of "Yoga for Health", by renowned Western Yoga Master Richard Hittleman. From that point on, Doug was hooked. He went on to practice on his own until undergoing Reiki spritual training and initiation by William Lee Rand who gave him his Reiki Master transmission. Next, Doug studied with Gail Bentley Walsh, founder of Yoga Mountain in New York for his 200-hour Yoga Teacher training so that he could gain teaching skills to begin sharing his experence and skills with others in a classroom setting. Then, he went on to Kripalu Center for Yoga in western Massachusetts to study and receive his 500-hour Yoga Teacher training certification. He studied under disciples of the Indian Kundalini Yoga Master Swami Kripalu who founded the facility in the 1970s. The names of these students and devotees of Swami Kripalu may be familiar to you: Richard Faulds (Shoban) who is the current Chairman of the Board at Kripalu, Danna Faulds who is an accomplished and inspiring poet and spiritual writer (see Resources for her works); Jonathan Foust who is a past President of Kripalu and trained Shivaraj in several very profound Meditation practices; Carolyn Dell'Uomo (Vidya) who continues to lovingly guide him along his path; Carolyn Lundeen (Suddha) who introduced Doug into the Kripalu method and into Ayurveda; and Don and Amba (Brahmanand and Amba) Stapleton who greatly enhanced his knowledge and experience in the science of Yogic Breathing: Pranayama. And last but not least, Devarshi Steven Hartman, Dean of the Kripalu School of Yoga. Shivaraj bows to and honors these beautiful souls for their willingness and kindness in teaching him to open his heart and continue to grow into the full expression of his own humanity.

Doug credits his practice of Yoga for helping to mange stress and to maintain his health, both physically and mentally. Now in his late fifties, he is an avid snowboarder, hiker and surfer, as well as a veteran volunteer firefighter for his hometown fire department. He also enjoys woodworking and boatbuilding, playing the piano, listening to music and attending Kirtan - musical chanting of the sacred and ancient sanskrit mantras for healing and health.

The owner of Greene and Company, a successful accounting and investment advisory company, Doug and his wife reside in rural Connecticut.