Rutu Chaudhari
Rutu is a masterful teacher in the art and science of yoga. She has been a dedicated practitioner since 1999 studying with leading teachers in the U.S. and India. Rutu is known for her depth of knowledge in asana, pranayama, meditation, anatomy, yogic philosophy and nutrition.
Rutu is deeply inspired by the transformative power of yoga to heal, awaken, and liberate. Her teaching is grounded, soulful, and free of gimmicks—with an invitation to listen inward, deepen awareness, and expand potential. Students consistently describe her classes as uniquely powerful and resonant.
Rutu founded All Life is Yoga studio in 2012 in Atlanta, GA. There she leads inclusive, intelligently sequenced classes that balance physical alignment with inner awareness. She offers comprehensive teacher training courses including 200HR, 300HR, Restorative, and Yoga Wall certifications. Since 2008, Rutu has certified over 150 instructors and mentored countless others.
Rutu is the founder of The Dharma Project, a nonprofit that brought yoga and mindfulness to underserved communities—including incarcerated individuals, youth, first responders, and educators. Under her leadership, the program received major recognitions, including awards from United Way, Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Center for Civic Innovation, and funding from SPANX and Invest Atlanta. The Dharma Project became the first yoga certification in prisons recognized by the Georgia Department of Corrections as a vocational school.
Rutu was drawn to yoga at a time when she was navigating depression, anxiety and social withdrawal, much of which stemmed from a traumatic upbringing marked by domestic violence, racial exclusion, and isolation during her K-12 school years. She also struggled with dissociation and negative body image. Her first meaningful yoga class offered a glimmer of presence and self-connection. Looking back, Rutu describes it as her first experience of self-love. She recognized instantly that she needed more of this feeling and began to pursue yoga with dedication. She immersed herself in studying yogic texts and practiced along with VHS recordings from prominent yoga teachers. Over time, yoga became a non-negotiable part of her daily routine—her personal form of therapy and a crucial tool for healing.
Through consistent practice, Rutu began to feel grounded in her body and capable of connecting with others in authentic, meaningful ways. Her social anxiety gradually lessened, and her depression gave way to moments of joy, clarity, and self-love. She honors her body as her home and now treats this home with unconditional love and nourishment. While her journey is ongoing, yoga continues to be a source of inner growth, fulfillment, and boundless love.
Rutu was named “Best Yoga Teacher in Atlanta” by Creative Loafing and received a Hambidge Fellowship for writing. She holds a BA in English Literature from Georgia State University.
When not teaching yoga, Rutu prioritizes other creative pursuits such as acting and writing. She enjoys music, film, cooking, and time in nature.