Amy is a seasoned yoga practitioner who began practicing in the late 1970’s. A Nashville native, she grew up with a yogini Mom, and a grandmother who practiced to the “Richard Hittleman” (1950’s) yoga albums. Amy’s dad, Rev. Bill Barnes, also a Nashville native, is a Methodist minister who was a Civil Rights Activist in the 1960’s and is a life long servant and instigator of social justice.
Yoga runs deep, so to speak, a large part of who she is, not just what she does. Amy’s own teachers are many, but the most influential are: Julie Russell (Mom), June LaSalvia, Erich Schiffman, Gayna Uransky, Richard Freeman, Sharon Gannon & David Life, Shiva Rea, and Saul David Raye. Jai Uttal is her Bhakti Yoga inspiration and teacher.
“Yoga literally means to yoke, to unite, to go within. Yoga is a complete system, a science that was created over 5000 years ago to help us heal and connect into a state of inner wholeness. It was designed to cultivate a sense of well-being & freedom, in mind, body, and spirit. If one practices yoga, it works! Don’t take my word for it, try it; you might like it!”
Amy’s experience reflects an understanding that with the continual practice of yoga: asana (postures), kriya (intentional action), pranayama (breath awareness/extension), dhyana (meditation) and mantra/kirtan (chanting) we become more aware, present, and alive. Embodying & radiating this awareness helps us respond to ourselves and others from a natural and authentic state of kindness. Living in this way, in service, transforms our lives and relationship with all beings, into a more loving and joyful experience. Amy’s playful and energetic style encourages students’ inner curiosity, deep listening, spontaneity, and exploration of one’s unique experience.
Amy teaches from a life richly lived, drawing on her background in the arts, theatre, dance, and music. She facilitated therapeutic body work for 12 years which led into her 4 year psychotherapy training & certification as a body oriented psychotherapist. Amy currently leads kirtan in Nashville & other wonderful cities.
Amy offers private yoga sessions as well as classes, workshops, & retreats. amy@amybarnesyoga.com
Embodying a playful, passionate, and energetic teaching style, Amy encourages students' inner curiosity, listening, spontaneity, and exploration of one's unique experience…opening to the possibilities of living fully in the dance of our human and divine nature.
Amy discovered the magic of KIRTAN, singing with Dave Stringer at Yoga Source Nashville in 2000, and has been passionately exploring the practice and mystery of Bhakti Yoga ever since. She has been devotedly studying with her teacher Jai Uttal for the past several years, allowing Bhakti Yoga and devotional service to become the center point of her creative and spiritual life. She currently leads kirtan in Nashville and beyond.
Amy has been a dedicated realtor with Village Real Estate since 1997. She loves helping all people to buy or sell their unique home. movegracefully.com villagerealestate.com
Ode to June:
My first yoga teacher, June LaSalvia, was and is one of the greatest forces of love I have ever known. I had the great good fortune to meet her when I was a young girl. She was one of my mother's best friends and I reaped some of the gifts of their closeness. She seemed to take me under her wing, to shine the light on me in such a special way, that it made me feel like I could do anything in this world that was in my heart to do. She taught yoga from a place of freedom, creativity, and grace. She filled her guidance and encouragement with so much love; no one could help but open and grow in her presence. She saw clearly into the souls of others, and wanted the most for the people that she loved. She touched many. Our yoga dances were some of the most amazing shakti & joy filled experiences I can remember from that time. She strongly nudged me into teaching yoga way before I would have ever entered on my own and therefore planted a seed of courage and risk taking ability within me. Her way of touching us during savasana has never left me. I have rarely missed teaching a class when I didn't feel her streaming through my hands as I moved around the room in silence, touching blissful bodies, sharing that gift that she gave us all. I am forever grateful to have known her and to feel her still, so present in my heart and life.
