Amanda's Journey: Yoga for Everyone

Dearest Friends, Yoga Teachers, Yoga Students, Family, and Loved Ones ~

I am writing today to tell you of a journey I am continuing on. It is my journey as a yoga teacher, and it began a decade ago when I took my first yoga teacher training course at Balance Studio in Cohasset, Massachusetts. This 200-hour training, and my beloved teachers and fellow students, changed my life. I went on to offer yoga freely to those who would not otherwise have the financial means or wherewithal to try it. I taught at the Cohasset Public Library, to judges, clerks, and courthouse staff at the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts in Boston, at a Benedictine Priory in Weston, Vermont, and at the Chatham Public Library. Today, I am honored to teach mindfulness yoga to the hospital staff at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Now I've come to that fork-in-the-road of my life and I want to embark on more training so I will have more to offer my community. This is where you can help! I am asking for financial support for what is my non-profit undertaking, offering yoga to underserved populations and those who would not otherwise encounter yoga. I left my job as a public library director in October of 2024. I made this hard decision in order to create a life devoted to better mental health and more self-care. I now work part-time and money is tight in my household.

I found a beautiful yoga school based in the UK called Shanti Atma Yoga. They are offering a 100-hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training in June and I would dearly love to participate in this. They also offer a Retreat Leader Training Program I'd like to do. One of my dreams is to combine my two great passions ~ poetry and yoga ~ in beautiful and special retreat settings. I'd like to offer my Yoga & Poetry Retreats "at cost" to make them accessible for more people. I also hope to expand my yoga teaching in the community where I live, the Berkshires of Massachusetts and the nearby Hudson Valley region of New York state. My traveling yoga studio could be outdoors in public parks such as French Park in Egremont, MA, public libraries, co-ops, church basements, senior centers, community centers. I would like to hire a local photographer to take some creative shots I could use to create a website and social media presence. All of this will get me closer to my goal of reaching more people and inviting them to try yoga!

Of course, there are costs associated with photography, website design, continuing education, and teacher training. If any of this sounds worthwhile to you and like something you can get behind, please consider a donation. Any amount is welcomed. And if you don't wish to donate, please consider praying for my undertaking or sending me positive thoughts and encouragement.

With tremendous gratitude for each of you reading my words ~ and especially all of my yoga teachers and students,

Amanda S. Merk, YTT 200 Hours

Venmo @Amanda-Merk-1