Anna Maria Signorelli, LCSW-BACS

AnnaMaria is a social worker, psychotherapist and organizational consultant. In addition to her private psychotherapy practice, she is a clinical supervisor and systems adviser for businesses, university programs and non-profit agencies. She has been facilitating organizational retreats for  30 over years, and renewal and spiritual retreats for over 16 years. Over the past 40 years, she has developed special interest and expertise in the field of spiritual psychology. This interest follows her life long personal exploration of religious traditions and contemplative practices which support compassionate and joyful engagement in everyday life.

AnnaMaria spent two years in Richard Rohr’s Living School for the Center for Action and Contemplation (class of 2015). She also completed Circlework Leadership Training with Jalaja Bonheim, Ph.D. in 2018 and 2019.

Marilyn Yank (1956 – 2017)

Marilyn Yank was co-founder of the Amma Center. She died on March 20, 2017 after a brief illness with cancer.

Marilyn was a student of Tai Chi and Qi Gong, meditation, yoga, and movement arts for most of her life and a teacher for the last 15 years. She taught Tai Chi as a body/mind /spirit practice for increasing awareness, reducing stress, building internal strength and energy, and promoting physical and emotional balance. She was a certified teacher through the Institute for Integral Qi Gong and Tai Chi.

Marilyn lived for many years in Austin and New Mexico before settling in New Orleans in 2002. Throughout her life Marilyn was deeply committed to spiritual practice. For five years she was part of the community at the Lama Foundation, a retreat center in Northern New Mexico. She was a dancer, retreat cook, food educator, urban farmer, and co-founder of the New Orleans Food and Farm Network. She loved growing food and flowers, laughing with friends, teaching, studying, and spending time at her mountain retreat in New Mexico.

Marilyn held within her a rare wisdom and grace which drew people to her. She is missed by a wide group of friends, family, and her many students. She was an inspiration to many and continues to be a guiding spirit for the Amma Center.