Karen O’Donnell Clarke—Founder of Yoga Heals Us
TAYMS and YHU Chair Yoga for Every Body YTT
My name is Karen O’Donnell Clarke and I love what I do. I’ve been teaching yoga since 1996. The style I teach has evolved over the years in response to the needs of my students. In fact, some students have taken classes with me since I started teaching. Over time, I have leaned toward teaching gentle, therapeutic, and adaptive yoga including chair yoga and modified mat classes.
A lifelong student of yoga, I have advanced certifications from Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health and Integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT) as well as Yoga of the Heart and Yoga for the Special Child. I am also a person living with MS and cancer. I have learned first hand the healing power of yoga and the need to modify and adapt when the body says so. I know that I would not be as healthy as I am without the benefit of yoga. Yoga has been part of my life since my yoga first class in 1969.
Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997, I know that the practices and philosophy of yoga have helped to keep me healthy and nearly symptom free for over a dozen years. When I was diagnosed and treated for metastatic fallopian (ovarian) cancer in 2012, it was yoga that helped keep me sane. Since that diagnosis, I have not yet experienced a remission but I have experienced over 11 years of treatment including multiple version of chemotherapy. My body has been through a lot. My yoga practice has evolved toward a more contemplative and meditative practice to meet the needs of my ever changing body and the corresponding mental and emotional adjustments.
My business, Yoga Heals Us LLC, reflects my enthusiasm that yoga heals us – on all levels of our being – body, mind, and spirit.
I have been training yoga teachers in adaptive yoga techniques including Chair Yoga since 2003 all around the U.S. and most recently online via Zoom.
I’m happy to say that we were part of the accessible yoga movement before there was one. Yoga, adaptive and accessible, is becoming sought after by many diverse populations and finally there are teachers eager to meet the need in their communities.
Karen O’Donnell Clarke
- Certified Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT
- E-RYT500 with Yoga Alliance
- RCYT Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance
- YACEP Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider
- Kripalu Graduate 500 hours
- Integrative Yoga Therapy graduate 1000 hours
- Yoga of the Heart with Nischala Joy Devi
- Yoga for the Special Child with Sonia Sumar
- Yoga 4 Cancer with Tari Prinster
- Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy with Genevieve Yellin
- Faculty member 200 and 300 hour YTTs
- Former Mentor Kripalu School for Integrative Yoga Therapy
Susanne Murtha—Director of Yoga Heals Us
Chair Yoga for Every Body Trainer, Yoga Therapist and Certified Pain Management Coach
My name is Susanne Murtha and I’m passionate about helping others live healthier, happier lives. I am a motivated lifelong learner in both Eastern and Western perspectives on health. A yoga teacher since 1996, I taught for 18 years in several communities in the Adirondacks. I’ve been blessed to know Karen since our early days at Kripalu and attended Teaching Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis in 2007 and Chair Yoga for Everybody in 2020. In 2022 and 2023 I assisted and co-lead Chair Yoga for Everybody with Karen. Karen’s commitment to teaching and her students remained bright until her final days. When she asked me about continuing her Chair Yoga training, I said yes. I am honored to continue her legacy and Yoga Heals Us.
Susanne Murtha
- Certified Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT
- E-RYT500 with Yoga Alliance
- Kripalu Yoga Teacher Professional Level, 500 hours
- Integrative Yoga Therapy with Joseph LePage, 1000 hours, former mentor
- Kripalu School of Ayurveda & Ayurveda Yoga Specialist, 750 hours
- Yoga Heals Us: Teaching Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis and Chair Yoga For Everybody
- Dharmic Yoga Teacher with a specialization in Women’s Health and Wellness
- Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy with Genevieve Yellin
- Integrative Restoration Institute (iRest), 250 hours
- Mindful Yoga Therapy for Veterans
- Yoga for First Responders
- Therapeutic Wisdom of Yoga with Doug Keller, 20+ hrs. yearly 2015–2022
- Pranayama Course with Joseph Lepage & Karin Silberberg, 30 hours
- Bachelor’s Degree in Community and Human Services specializing in Health Promotion
- American Council on Exercise (ACE), Personal Trainer
- NASM Women’s Fitness Specialization
- National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach
- Certified Pain Management Coach
- Therapeutic Exercise (Yoga and Pilates) for Older Adults