“For me, Amrita Yoga is a priceless gift from Amma. I’ve lived in the German Ashram since 2007 after meeting Amma on Her second world tour. With a teaching background in different kinds of bodywork, contemporary dance, and Hatha Yoga, I was thrilled to attend Amrita Yoga retreats as soon as they started in Amritapuri. My happiness was immense to be invited to the first Amrita Yoga teacher training class in Amritapuri in 2014! Through its movement, flow, stillness in the asanas, and the power of the mantras, Amrita Yoga has been a wonderful awareness practice for me! I feel privileged to regularly give open classes in the German Ashram and retreats in other European Amma Centers.”

“Upon meeting Amma in 1994 my long search for a meaning in life had taken shape. My husband and I became actively involved with the Amma organization in Switzerland. I am a primary school and theatre teacher always interested in knowledge transfer and pedagogy. Raising two daughters I learned to teach the Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM) for children; organizing several retreats in Germany and Switzerland. Human values like love, peace, righteousness, truth, and non-violence were always in the foreground of these children’s and family meetings. I’ve trained in Bharata Natyam dance for 20 years and learned so much about mindful movement. Moving with awareness is important to me. Amrita Yoga is such a comprehensive and profound part of yoga. It allows me to move with attentiveness while perceiving my true self more and more.”

“I grew up in France and was always in search of meaning in my life. In 1988 I met Amma and decided to take a year’s leave from work and traveled to Amritapuri. Upon return, I never went back to my old way of life.  Nowadays I spend my time in India and Europe teaching IAM meditation, Amrita Yoga, bhajans, and how to conduct pujas. Because I used to do ballet, yoga appealed to me as it was another way to move my body; but with more awareness. When I teach Amrita Yoga, I like to do so with softness and sweetness and a sense of joy and serenity. Amrita Yoga combines meditation, devotion, and awareness. It is a perfect vehicle to know yourself.”

I meet Amma and had my first darshan with Her at Amritapuri in 2007.
Originally from Ireland, I worked as an engineer for many years at IBM.
My Yoga journey started 21 years ago, when I attended a local Iyengar class in Dublin.
The desire to learn more about Yoga inspired me to quit my job and come to India. I made several trips over the years to learn from various yoga teachers all over Northern India.
While back home in Ireland in 2007, I felt a very intense desire to go back to India and eventually ended up at Amma’s Lotus feet, the feet of Maha Yogini herself.
Eventually I became a permanent resident of Amritapuri Ashram, where I immersed myself in the study of Amrita Yoga, which I practice and teach.
When someone asks me why I do Yoga, I simply answer: “If done correctly, it helps you become a better person.”

“Since childhood, I was educated in the deep cultural values of India. Despite the great difficulties I experienced in my own life, I was nonetheless eager to serve humanity as well as I could—hoping I may set a useful example that no matter what, we can overcome obstacles with courage and a positive mindset. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Management but my interests are music, arts, and photography. I’ve completed the Teacher Training course for adults, youth, and kids. I mainly teach children and senior citizens. My adoration for and desire to serve senior citizens allows me to attend to them with utmost gentleness and care.”

“I was taken to Amma as a child and have been volunteering throughout my life under several humanitarian service projects. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology and completed the Amrita Yoga Teacher Training course for adults, youth, and kids. My classes are mostly for youth and senior citizens. I am a team player and am highly organized and skilled at teaching youth and kids with an arresting blend of humor. I prepare and give special classes for seniors, too. With great pleasure, I also offer my services for the International Day of Yoga (IDY) events of Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) and support the team of Amrita Yoga wherever required and in all possible projects.”

“I met Amma in 2003 and was touched deeply by Her presence. I’m a lecturer at Israel University. Teaching children fills me with so much joy. This inspired me to undergo the rigorous Amrita Yoga for Kids teacher training. So far, it has been a wonderful journey. I enjoy every moment of it. I have been teaching Amrita Yoga for Kids now for more than 12 years! Serving Amma in this way is such an incredible blessing for me. Visiting Amritapuri is my vacation. It’s the best place to reconnect with myself, recharge my batteries, and rejuvenate.”

“After meeting Amma in Mumbai in 2006, we shifted soon to Kuwait and are associated with the Amma Kuwait organization since 2010. Since then we’ve been involved with Amma’s ashram and all activities of Amma’s Kuwait organization. After Amma asked me during Gurupurnima 2018 to do the Amrita Yoga Teacher’s training course (TTC), I was blessed to do this under Brni Shobanaji as well as attend the one-week TTC of the IAM technique as per Amma’s guidance with Swamiji Atmananadapuri in August 2019. It is Amma’s abundant grace to do this humble service in this faraway land. It gives me immense satisfaction whenever I share the little knowledge She has imparted in me. I feel grateful for these valuable seva opportunities and for how Amma guides me in my spiritual sadhana.”

“I met Amma in 2003. Since then I attended weekly satsang in San Ramon. With a BA in Fine Arts, I offer my selfless services year-round teaching others to knit, sew, and paint. I am a special education teacher for grades one and two at the San Ramon district and am working on a master’s degree of the same. I first studied yoga when I was 17 and loved it. In my late 40’s I received an Honorary Teaching Certificate from the Yogic Science Research Foundation in Lansing, Michigan. YSRF spread Pavanamuktasana traditional Yoga which they called Medical Yoga and in 2016 my Amrita Yoga teacher training from Shobha in Amritapuri. I lead a weekly Gentle Amrita Yoga class at M.A. Center San Ramon most Saturdays.”

“I’ve gained previous yoga experience under the Sivananda school when I was in India. After meeting Amma in 2003, I felt drawn to practice Amrita Yoga. In 2017 I completed the Amrita Yoga teacher training course at Amritapuri under Brni Shobana. I am thankful for the opportunity for this seva. I live with my three children and husband in Boston and recently graduated as a fashion designer.”

“Shortly after I met Amma in 1996, I moved to the Santa Fe ashram. I visited Amma’s home in Amritapuri–an unforgettable adventure—before I returned to complete my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Currently, I work for the New Mexico School for the blind or visually impaired. Although yoga was always a part of my life, it was always more of an exercise rather than a spiritual practice. This changed with Amrita Yoga as it has given me a new way to relate to my body and “inner being”. By Amma’s grace have I been lucky enough to study under Brni Shobana. Now I teach weekly classes at the Amma Center of New Mexico.”

“Upon meeting Amma in 2001 in San Ramon, CA, I was completely captivated by Her extraordinary divine presence. My life quickly began to flow in new directions bringing changes in relationships, jobs, and residence. In 2006, I became actively involved with Amma’s Washington DC ashram. Since 2017, I lead classes at the DC ashram and co-teach at retreats during Amma’s US tours. Unlike other schools of yoga, Amrita Yoga is a practice of love, longing, and divinity; always returning our awareness to the heart, thereby transcending our preoccupation with the body. It is a tool for going deep into our true nature, enabling us to cultivate greater levels of joy, stillness, and love.”

“Amma’s infinite tenderness called to my heart many years ago at an Amma program in New York. With a blink of that cosmic eye, this inexplicable moment changed my life forever. I took what felt like a quantum leap of faith and moved with my wife to Amritapuri. It was a shock at first!  Wait, where am I? Yoga became my friend. It took me inward and I found more peace. From the blessing of Amma, Amrita Yoga’s sweetness and strength are a clarion call for the times we live in; it answers the timeless question of “What is the purpose of human birth?” by gently turning the practitioner inward to the heart. Join us, all are welcome to Amrita Yoga classes!”