top of page

Our Story

Japam Yoga Treks and Tours was born out of the shared journey of Sarah-Jeanne and Himanshu.

When Sarah met Himanshu, a devoted yoga student with a passion for trekking, she was on a solo journey for already a couple of months. After numerous profound discussions, treks, and adventures together, they decided to work on a dream of theirs, opening a small business.

 

Drawing on their mutual values of yoga, trekking, environmental responsibility, and community engagement, Sarah-Jeanne and Himanshu founded Japam Yoga Treks and Tours.

 

Their vision is simple yet powerful: to showcase the beauty of India by offering yoga and trekking experiences while fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship.

With a commitment to mindfulness, the couple invites travelers to join them in discovering the natural wonders of Uttarakhand and in living the true and humble awareness of yoga. 

Himanshu and Sarah-Jeanne in the Harkidun Trek, when they met.

What's behind the name?

Japam or Jap means silent repetition. It is the act of being absorbed in the constant repetition of the name of a God or of a Mantra. It is believed in Indian philosophy that this repetition, when done with utmost devotion and love, brings peace to the mind and purifies the soul. 

This devotion and silent introspection, practiced at any place and moment, creates an awareness of the self and its environment.

Meet the Team

Behind every memorable journey is a team of passionate individuals who strive to make your experience exceptional. Allow us to introduce the heart and soul of Japam.

Himanshu under a tree during the Chopta-Tungnath trek.

Founder, owner.

Yoga teacher, trekking guide.

Himanshu Joshi

Himanshu is from a village in Almora district and currently lives in Rishikesh.

An experienced trekker, he has climbed several summits in Uttarakhand. With his training as a mountain guide at NIM, he is ready to make you discover the most beautiful hikes.

He also has a master's degree in yoga, which he did at the Sanskrit University in Rishikesh. He has years of experience teaching yoga and yogic philosophy in schools and studios around Rishikesh. 

He is at the head of Japam and manages the groundwork with an ever-lasting smile. He guides treks and gives the morning Hatha Yoga classes and the Balancing class at the studio.

Sarah-Jeanne in the Chopta-Tungnath trek

Founder, owner.

Business management, public relations. Physio-yoga therapist.

Sarah-Jeanne Baron

Sarah-Jeanne is from Montreal, Canada. She fell in love with the Indian culture and the Himalayas and decided to move to India permanently.

She is a physical therapist of formation and practiced yoga for years. She has a background in Adapted Therapeutic Yoga and training in myofascial release.

She is the hidden face of Japam as she manages the social media and the website. She constantly thinks of new improvements and always tries to give the best experience possible.

She teaches the yoga therapy group class, gives private therapy sessions and anatomy workshops, leads retreats, and sometimes guides treks.

Neeraj Joshi

 

Customer service, Trekking guide.

Neeraj Joshi

Neeraj is from Almora, a beautiful town perched in the mountains of Uttarakhand. 

He completed his diploma in mathematics and computer science in 2020 and worked in Delhi for a while. He then decided to change his field for some time and come work with us at Japam. 

Neeraj is an always positive and very hard-working person. He loves nature, the mountains, and music. You'll easily catch him singing some random lines of Indian songs, and if you have the chance to be guided by him during a hike, you'll be treated like kings and queens. 

Neeraj joined our team in December 2024 and works in our trekking office and as a trekking guide.

IMG-20260707-WA0015.jpg

Yoga Teacher.

Suraj Singh

Suraj is from Mussoorie.

He completed his master's degree in Yogic Science at Shri Dev Suman University and has more than 8 years of experience teaching yoga.

Suraj focuses on dynamic yoga styles, combining Ashtanga and flow sequences to improve flexibility, strength, and body awareness. With a strong understanding of the body's movements, he provides precise guidance to help students progress sustainably in their practice.

Trained in both led and Mysore Ashtanga, Suraj teaches Ashtanga Yoga classes at Japam Yoga.

He joined our team in April 2026.  

SON15283.JPG

Yoga Teacher.

Vaibhav Raturi

Vaibhav is a certified yoga instructor and traditional practitioner from Rishikesh.

Having begun his journey at a young age, he has spent years immersed in dedicated practice, study, and teaching, developing a deep appreciation for yoga as both a traditional discipline and a practical tool for modern life.

His teaching integrates classical yogic principles with applied anatomy and movement science, allowing students to understand not only how to perform postures, but also why they work. Vaibhav specializes in helping practitioners develop greater body awareness, mobility, strength, and confidence through safe and intelligent practice.

Vaibhav joined our team in April 2026 and teaches the Body Opening and online classes at Japam.  

Address

Japam Yoga Treks and Tours

Tapovan Road, Upper Tapovan, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.

PIN 249192

Phone

+91 63981 90138

+91 70880 52630

Email

Connect

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
bottom of page