Meet the board.
Our Story.
Sara, Meredith, and Marie met while in school at Maryland University of Integrative Health, obtaining a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy. During our two years learning and working together and through our shared histories of trauma, we realized the power of evidence-informed Yoga Therapy to affect change in trauma recovery and began Empowered Wellness solely to provide survivors with better access to holistic healthcare. Through this non-profit organization, we aim to provide discreet, low-cost or free care, trainings for those working with survivors, and further research to advance the reach and effectiveness of holistic wellness.
Sara.
MS, MBA, MSHA, C-IAYT, E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP
I am the founder of Empowered Wellness, a non-profit organization that provides free or low-cost yoga therapy sessions to people who have experienced trauma. I started this organization because I know first-hand how yoga can help heal the wounds of the past and create a brighter future.
I was so inspired by the transformation that yoga brought to my life that I decided to pursue a career in yoga therapy. I enrolled in a master's program in yoga therapy and learned how to apply the principles and practices of yoga to various mental and physical health conditions. I learned how to tailor yoga sessions to the specific needs and goals of each individual client. I learned how to use yoga as a tool for healing, empowerment, and resilience.
While I was in school, I noticed how most survivors of trauma cannot afford holistic care like yoga therapy. I saw how many people were suffering from the effects of trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, insomnia, and addiction. I saw how many people were in need of a safe and supportive space to heal and grow. I saw how many people were missing out on the benefits of yoga therapy that I had experienced myself and witnessed in my clients.
That's why I created Empowered Wellness. I wanted to offer free or reduced care to survivors of trauma who otherwise would not have access to yoga therapy. I wanted to share the gift of yoga with those who need it the most. I wanted to help others find their voice, their power, and their hope. That's why I invite you to join me on this journey of healing through yoga.
Meredith.
MS, C-IAYT, E-RYT, YACEP
Meredith Phipps is a dedicated advocate for trauma survivors with a passion for ensuring access to effective, evidence-based healthcare, especially for those with low incomes. This desire stems from deeply personal experiences of sexual trauma during her childhood and teenage years, and from the wholeness and healing she discovered in yoga and somatic therapies.
Inspired by a desire within her to share this healing with others, she became a trauma-informed yoga teacher and obtained a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy. She has worked with trauma survivors in her military communities and abroad, and continues to find new avenues in which she can support those in need.
For Meredith, the driving force behind Empowered Wellness Group is the belief that no survivor should be left without care, that all individuals will have access to the healing and support they deserve.
Marie.
MA, MS, C-IAYT, RYT 500
Marie Pampanin grew up in foster care and group homes; this was fertile ground to cultivate her passion and understanding of working with adolescents dealing with trauma. 2003, she graduated from Sonoma State University as a marriage and family therapist. She also began teaching yoga at this time, receiving and exploring the healing benefits of her practice. The mind-body connection resonated deeply within her.
In 2021, Marie returned to school to earn her M.S. in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health. As a certified yoga therapist, she currently works with people with dysregulated nervous systems from trauma. Providing one-on-one sessions, workshops, and somatic yoga classes, she continues to work and provide a healing space for people to find balance and well-being in their lives.