Name: Ann-Marie Everitt
Location: Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York
Website: facebook.com/ambayogaandsoundhealing
Occupation: Yoga Teacher
How did you hear about MFN? The Arthritis Foundation
How do you or your business help those with chronic disease/medical conditions or who need pre & postnatal care?
I offer the tools of yoga – Mind, body, breath – to bring people a holistic and fulfilling experience of themselves. No matter our age, shape or condition, yoga shifts our attention to our power, the peace of mind we access brings harmony balance and energy to our bodies, to our relationship with ourselves and our relationships with others.
What makes you different from all the other fitness professionals out there?
My focus is inner peace, self acceptance and universal love. Cue Bob Marley.
What is your favorite activity or class to participate in?
Combining a regular yoga class with Sound. We all go to a very deep and happy place.
What is one piece of advice that you would give other fitness professionals about working with special populations or those who need pre-& postnatal care?
Meet people where they are at and expect to ride the ups and downs of healing and recovery with an open mind and hear. Prepare your sessions and then change course the moment you see the present needs of your student would do better with an alternative approach.
What type of community activities are you involved in?
Arthritis Foundation awareness initiatives like the walk coming up in New York in May; summertime meditation on the high line; fundraising for mustard seed communities; yoga in schools and yoga for Teens / youth basketball.
What is one of your favorite memories involving working with someone who has a health challenge or disability?
One day my student was brave enough to see if he had regained sufficient strength to come to standing from the floor without EMT assistance. He felt elated to regain independence. For me it was humbling.
What would you like to see change/develop/emerge in the future of healthcare and the fitness industry?
For people to find greater balance in their Work:Life ratio – which would bring committed and integrated preventive care lifestyles and for their to be better communication channels between medical and fitness professionals. We’re all in this together.
And what are you doing to make this happen?
I am a member of Yoga Alliance and Accessible Yoga – we emphasize wellness advocacy in our missions and complementary relationships and partnerships with medical professionals.
What is your favorite fitness/inspirational/motivational quote?
I see the beauty in you, you see the beauty in me.
Anything else we should know about you?
I like to laugh, a lot, no point taking ourselves too seriously.
