yogaHOPE Team Bios

Sue Jones

Sue, Founder and Executive Director of yogaHope has practiced yoga for over 10 years. Sue is a trained associate Baptiste yoga instructor and she combines her knowledge of the Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga style with her keen sense of intuition to craft classes which are cleansing, playful and inspirational and help her students to access a deeper understanding of themselves. Sue trains, inspires and and leads a team of 30+ volunteer teachers who donate their time in 8 substance abuse rehabilitation centers, domestic abuse safe houses and homeless shelters for women. In addition, Sue has spearheaded the launch of yogaHOPE in Seattle Washington where yogaHOPE is operating their programs in two facilities.

Sue’s bold vision of transforming communities by tapping into the power of yoga to support women through life transition has inspired a community of volunteers, yogis, and students to come together to make YogaHOPE a force that is changing not only the lives of the women it serves but the lives of yoga practitioners everywhere. Through her natural leadership abilities, endless energy and undying passion, Sue motivates those around her to open their hearts and give generously of themselves to help others through challenging times.

Sue cares deeply about her family, community, and students. As a teacher, she speaks honestly and directly to her students’ needs and challenges, showing them how to tap into their heart and intuitive voices and to find the strength to heal themselves from the inside out. She takes a personal interest in every student, providing individual support – whether through a gentle, loving assist during through a heart to heart conversation before or after class. Sue is most fulfilled when she witnesses her students applying the lessons of yoga to improve the quality of their lives off the mat and she credits her students and her experiences with them as her most profound teachers.

Amanda Richter

Amanda’s journey with yoga began in 2004 after completing a marathon. Amanda discovered that while running and other competitive sports she had participated in left her body strong, her heart was empty. Amanda sought out yoga initially for relaxation, but began to see yoga’s true power as the painful layers she carried were broken and her true self was recognized. Amanda knew she wanted to bring the gift of yoga to others and in late 2006 completed her 200 Hour teacher training through Open Doors Power Yoga studios and began teaching at their Canton studio. She also completed her Reiki I and II certifications. After about a year of teaching, Amanda began to realize that her job as a Development Director wasn’t as fulfilling as the two or three classes she taught a week. Fear was holding her back from taking the leap to teaching yoga full time. In November 2007, that all changed. After returning from a week long inspirational and transformative yoga retreat with Sue Jones that Fall, Amanda quit her job, took on the role of part time Volunteer Coordinator at yogaHOPE, and decided to pursue teaching yoga full time. She hasn’t looked back since! Since that time, Amanda has studied with a variety of teachers, considering Richard Lanza, Jene Rossi, Jacqui Bonwell, Sue Jones and David Vendetti to be some of her greatest mentors. Currently Amanda teaches at the Open Doors in Westwood and a few other spots in the Boston area, and leads workshops regularly. Her teaching methodology involves creating space in her classes so that her students can bring honesty and awareness to their practice, and transform this to their lives!.