Growing up in a household with a strong yoga and mindfulness practice for over 30 years, Dr. Bhagat received early yoga and meditation training from his parents. He began formal training in meditation during middle school while attending and serving 10 day silent Vipassana meditation retreats near Mumbai, India during high school. Over the past several years Dr. Bhagat has been practicing with and facilitating multiple meditation groups in the Zen-Thich Nhat Hanh tradition around the New York City area. He is formally trained as a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) teacher through University of Massachusetts Medical Center and Brown University.
An accomplished Biomedical scientist and a commended medical school faculty by day, Dr. Bhagat teaches MBSR and other stress reduction programs at his Medical School and Cancer Research Institute to Cancer patients, Graduate and Medical Students, Medical Residents and Fellows, in addition to Medical Doctors, Therapists, Scientists and staff in his academic institution. Aside from doing translational cancer research, he is pursuing research on mindfulness-based well-being programs for professionals.
Dr. Bhagat firmly believes in the potential of science based mindfulness practices in reducing stress and increasing well-being. He embodies a deep commitment towards teaching mindfulness to open, willing participants and helping them integrate, apply practical skills in their regular life to create conditions for a happier, content and meaningful life.