Denise Thomas began to practice the Siddha Yoga teachings in 1993 and became a staff member in the SYDA Foundation just five years later, when she was director of the first Golden Tales at Shree Muktananda Ashram. Denise served on staff until 2006 and then returned to staff in 2012; she has been a staff member since that time.

Denise holds a BA from Hartwick College and did graduate work in theater education at New York University and at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She has worked as director of education for an Emmy Award–winning touring theater company and as artist-in-residence at a regional theater in New Jersey. Currently, Denise lives in Loch Sheldrake, New York, with her husband, Bob Pratt, and their son.