Yoga for Every Body
Yoga Instructor
Meet Susan Merritt
Susan’s classes are accessible & enjoyable whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned yogi. With the wisdom of 45 years experience, intuition, and an eye for proper alignment, Susan excels at individualized instruction and gentle, hands-on guidance. Her innovative use of various props and balls of all sizes helps to open up chronically stiff areas, comfortably easing the body into the proper depth of the yoga poses…the depth that is right for you and your body’s abilities. She has a gift for making people feel comfortable in the class and in their body.
Susan has a thorough foundation in the Iyengar system of hatha yoga. Her foremost teacher has been Ramanand Patel, a world-renowned yoga instructor. She feels indebted to him for such a good grasp of biomechanics.
Over the years she has studied with numerous excellent teachers of yoga and other movement forms. Feldenkrais, Yamuna Body Rolling Therapy, and The Melt Method also serve to deepen her own innate knowledge of the body’s structure and movement. Even an occasional Dressage lesson, not even getting on a horse, inspires her understanding and teaching.
In the realm of hatha yoga, Susan is an innovator. Her creative use of props of all sorts, various size balls, weights, you name it, helps to ease your body into the yoga poses.
Her love of yoga, movement, anatomy, structure, & balance in the ever-changing body, keeps her in constant learning mode. It is her life’s calling and she loves sharing it in her classes.
Susan had her Santa Cruz studio, Body & Soul for 23 years. Then the pandemic came along. Since then, she’s been teaching on Zoom, and after remodeling the garage, she is also offering in- person, group, & private classes, and occasional one day workshops.
forty five years of Teaching and Practice
Deep anatomical knowledge met with a calm, supportive approach.
Based in Felton, California, I provide a professional and welcoming space for students to explore mindful movement. Whether we meet in my studio, or through an online session, I focus on helping you find balance using clear anatomical principles and forty five years of teaching experience.
forty five years of Dedicated Practice
A Foundation in Tradition
I have been teaching for forty years, and my practice is deeply rooted in the Hatha Yoga lineage of B.K.S. Iyengar. My time spent training at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India, under Geeta and B.K.S. Iyengar provided me with a master-level understanding of body alignment and structure. I also draw on my background in dance and arts education, which helps me keep my teaching both technically precise and creatively fluid.
Practical Anatomy
Learning How Your Body Moves
I help students connect their body, breath, and mind by focusing on how we are physically built. My classes often use tools like the Melt Method for fascia hydration, Yamuna Body Rolling for circulation, and soft rollers for joint health. This technical approach helps you understand your own physical architecture, turning each session into a process of discovery and genuine joy.
Real Health for Real People
Support for Every Stage of Life
I believe everyone can benefit from movement, regardless of their physical condition. Whether you are athletic, recovering from an injury, or simply navigating the changes that come with aging, yoga is an essential tool for your well-being. I take pride in supporting seniors and those focused on active aging, emphasizing mobility and balance in a peaceful, encouraging environment.
Our Services
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What Our Customers Say
Build a deeper connection with your body
Personalized Yoga Backed by 45 years of Experience
Together, we will explore how your breath and mind work together, using specialized tools to decompress your joints and build lasting body awareness. If you are just starting out, I offer a free 30-minute private session so you can feel comfortable and prepared before your first full class.
Our Location
Our Location