Mercy Ananda, E-RYT 500, YACEP®

Mercy Ananda (M.A., E-RYT 500) has been teaching with Yandara for over 15 years, sharing her deep devotion to yoga, sound, and sacred music with generations of students. A dedicated yogini, certified sound healer, and accomplished musician, Mercy is deeply passionate about the transformative power of sound healing. She serves as the Lead Trainer for Yandara’s Sound Bath Program, as well as the Yoga Nidra Program and the Bhakti Yoga Program, guiding students into embodied states of presence, rest, and devotional connection.

Rooted in her daily Bhakti Yoga sadhana of asana, meditation, and mantra, Mercy has been shaped by the satsangs of revered teachers including Sri Neem Karoli Baba, Baba Hari Das, Sri Satchidananda, Anandi Ma, Sri Karunamayi, and Sri Mata Amritanandamayi. She has led satsangs for over 25 years, creating spaces of reverence, healing, and heartfelt service.

Mercy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Violin and a Master’s degree in Music Composition, with a focus on Ethnic and East Indian music. She has studied with legendary maestros Ali Akbar Khan and Deepak Ram, and in addition to violin, she plays harmonium, sitar, and other devotional instruments. Her musical offerings appear on numerous kirtan recordings with the Mount Madonna Center, Hanuman Fellowship, and Sacred Sound Choir, including Mahamrityunjaya Healing Mantra and Shri Anandi Ma’s Shri Ram Jaya Ram.

Mercy believes that “Bhakti Yoga creates a presence and resonance of healing and love.” With warmth, humility, and devotion, she offers her teaching as an act of service—inviting students to experience yoga as a living expression of the heart.

Student Testimonial

“Mercy's presence creates a sense of calm, safety, and deep connection. She opens a space where the heart can soften. It is clear to me that Mercy teaches from lived experience, and her love for Yoga is truly felt. Learning from her at Yandara is a gift I will carry with me far beyond the mat.” ~ Nicolina Sandstedt