Native Angeleno, Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor, and philanthropist: Uma has over fifteen dedicated years of experience improving society by creating opportunities that foster stronger cross-cultural and inter-generational connections. She is a certified master gardener involved with food insecurity issues in L.A. County and formed a corporation in her undergraduate career addressing food and cultural deserts in the areas of Compton and Watts. Currently, Uma sits on the board of two nonprofits that address health inequities for BIPOC in L.A. County.
Social justice is a cornerstone of Uma’s life and spiritual practice: She advocates for sustainable horticultural practices, habitat restoration, mindfulness workshops, and yoga in all communities regardless of race, class, gender, and ability status. 
Uma is a volunteer and academic instructor for those who are trying to rebuild their lives while incarcerated in the California prison system. She has also taught Yoga and Mindfulness in East Africa, corporate settings, at-risk communities of adults and school-aged ​youth, and the California Correctional system. 

Uma pursued her M.A. in Bioethics at Loyola Marymount University, where she researched the intersectionality of neuroethics, access to care, and health equity for vulnerable populations.​  Currently, Uma is obtaining her Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with a focus in Community, Liberation, Indigenous & Eco-Psychology.