About Amani

I grew up in an Italian Catholic neighborhood in Philadelphia riding my banana seat bike up and down the streets and playing jump rope until our mothers called us in for dinner. I was always the happiest when I was running or praying and I suppose that is true for me today. I studied Horticulture at Penn State and I joined the Peace Corps in Tanzania as soon as I graduated in 1987.

After 3 years in Africa as an Agricultural Extension Agent I ventured to India and discovered yoga and meditation. Two years later I returned home and backpacked across America eventually landing in a hippy commune in Oregon. This is where I began to dive into my own personal healing journey and pursue my passion for yoga, meditation, and herbal medicine. My path quickly shifted from growing food to nourishing spirit and I decided to become a massage therapist and a yoga teacher. 

In 1998 I decided to commit to a healing arts practice and hit the road again searching for a quiet retreat in the mountains. As soon as I landed in Taos I knew I was home and within a year I bought my land and opened my yoga and massage business where I am still operating today. Over the next 15 years I traveled all over America studying with various massage and yoga teachers while my personal practice deepened and my private practice grew.

In 2012 I realized my passion for teaching mindfulness was growing and I decided to go back to school and get my masters degree in counseling. I graduated in 2017 from Highlands University as a licensed school counselor and a licensed professional clinical counselor. I am currently teaching my mindfulness curriculum at several schools in Taos and working with teens individually through Golden Willow Counseling.