YOGA with SEBASTIAN


Sebastian’s yoga classes are alignment focused, rooted in yoga philosophy, social justice oriented, and trauma informed. All levels welcome.

Sebastian (E-RYT 200) has been teaching alignment-based yoga with care and skill since 2018.

Sebastian first studied yoga in India in 2010 and holds a degree in South Asian Studies from Wellesley College. He received his 200 hour yoga teacher certification in 2018 from Adhikara Yoga School & Teacher Training, where he studied under Molly Kitchen and Jacoby Ballard. In 2024 he received his 40 hour Accessible Yoga Teacher certification from Accessible Yoga School, where he studied under Jivana Heyman, as well as his 85 hour Prenatal Yoga Certification from YogaRenew, where he studied under Melie Purdon and Deidre Demens. He teaches weekly classes at Amherst College and at Sanctuary in Northampton, MA.

Class Description

Yoga with Sebastian provides a space to breathe and to move in community.

You can expect a full body physical asana practice along with space for breathing, meditation, and relaxation.

My offerings are optional and adaptable. I’ll highlight some possibilities, but you are always welcome to choose what is right for you.

Weekly Classes

Form and Flow
Tuesdays from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
in-studio & online at Sanctuary in Northampton, MA
sliding scale: $5-$30

Prenatal Yoga
Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m.
in-studio at Sanctuary in Northampton, MA
sliding scale: $5-$30

Yoga with Baby
Thursdays from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Five week series: September 11-October 9
at Seven Sisters Midwifery & Birth Center in Florence, MA
FREE

Rainbow Flow
Sundays from 5-6 p.m.
in-studio at Resonance in Amherst
$22 drop-in pass

Special Offerings

  • Yoga with Baby

    Yoga with Baby is a space for parents and babies with particular focus on the gestational parent and postpartum experience. This special series will provide an opportunity to reconnect with your body after giving birth, to move and breathe with your baby, and to be in community with other new parents. Each class will have time for checking-in with yourself and others followed by movement and breath practices that help us to release tension as well as strengthen capacity in the body with a focus on core and pelvic floor integration. 

    When: Five-week series: Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. September 11-October 9. You are welcome to come to every class in the series or just drop in when it works for your schedule. 

    Where: Seven Sisters Midwifery & Community Birth Center Community Room
    74 Maple St, Florence, MA 01062

    Who: While this class will focus on the experience of those who have recently given birth, any new parent is welcome to join in addition to or instead of a gestational parent. Any parents, including queer and trans parents, single parents, and those in non-traditional relationship and parenting structures are welcome. 

    Babies at any age are welcome and encouraged to attend. However, please keep in mind that you will be responsible for ensuring your baby does not physically engage with other participants, so if your baby is crawling a lot this might create some challenges to your ability to relax (ie if you know you will spend the entire time chasing after your very active crawling baby, this class is probably not a good fit for your baby’s developmental stage).  

    What to Bring: If possible, wear comfortable clothing that you can move in, bring a yoga mat if you have one, a blanket for baby to lie on, and perhaps a baby carrier if you like to use one. You are welcome to feed baby with body or bottle, change diapers, and attend to baby in any other way needed during class. 

    About the teacher: Sebastian Merrill (E-RYT 200) has been teaching alignment-based yoga with care and skill since 2018. He is a recent gestational parent and has been practicing yoga with his baby since she was four weeks old. 

    Cost: Free!

    Sign up for Yoga with Baby!

  • Rainbow Flow

    A slower-paced, all-levels vinyasa class set in a warm room. This class is designed especially for LGBTQIA+ identified students who are looking to connect with their bodies and their breath in a supportive, community oriented environment. Each class features time for community and connection and an alignment-focused physical asana practice, ending with gentle restorative movement. Sebastian’s teaching is gender affirming, body positive, and consent oriented. All bodies, sizes, and abilities are welcome and celebrated.

    Sundays from 5-6 p.m. at Resonance Yoga in Amherst

    Sign up for Rainbow Flow

Student Testimonals

  • “Every time I attend one of Sebastian’s classes, I know that I will be given the opportunity to explore my yoga practice with kindness, curiosity, and a new lens of feeling into my mind and my body. His classes draw on yoga philosophy and he incorporates threads of self reflection into physical body movement. If you are looking for a well rounded class that meets you with welcoming arms, highly suggest taking his class.”

    — Cara

  • “Sebastian’s yoga classes are a kind, generous, and restorative time for me. He’s got such a warm and comforting presence that has allowed me to really be present in class and start a yoga practice. If you are looking for a supportive and understanding instructor, Sebastian is it!”

    — Nikki

  • “Sebastian teaches with so much care and respect for students’ autonomy – care for the various needs and lives we all carry into the room on any given day by offering many invitations and options to adjust poses to where we’re at; care for the larger practice of yoga beyond just the physical, and its roots and history; and care for the time we spend together. I always leave Sebastian's classes feeling more connected and alive.”

    — Emily

  • “Sebastian teaches with intelligence, skill, and heart – most especially heart. His classes are always beautifully prepared and meaningfully focused. I appreciate his commitment to creating a safe and comfortable space for everyone, whether in virtual or in-person classes.”

    — Anne-Marie

  • “Sebastian creates a warm, fun environment where it’s ok to be yourself. All bodies and abilities are welcome as he offers adaptive options for most poses. A great learning and practice environment.”

    — Anonymous

  • “Sebastian creates an incredibly affirming space to build community, explore our yoga practice, and show up as our full, authentic selves!”

    — Lauren

  • “I had a fantastic time taking Sebastian’s Queer & Yoga class series. There was so much intention put into the space and classes he created. Would highly suggest to anyone who is looking to engage with their body in a way that provides options and self agency. Not to mention, space to have fun, reflect, and share conversation with others!”

    — Cara

  • “Sebastian’s classes are a lovely mix of appreciation for our practice and ourselves. He introduces each week’s themed focus with references to their ancient lineage, and how we can apply those asanas for our personal physical and spiritual benefit. Classes are conducted at a moderate pace with care and a playful spirit. And we just love Sebastian’s infectious laughter!!!”

    — Lizzy

  • “Sebastian teaches yoga the way I learned fifty years ago from an Indian teacher.”

    — Anonymous

  • “I so appreciate your sense of humor and your playfulness. I appreciate that you offer alternatives for poses and are very welcoming. Love your non-judgmental attitude. I like that you strive to develop community by asking us a question at the start of class which we are free to answer or not. Poses seem varied, too, so it’s a great workout. Thank you, Sebastian!”

    — Julia

1:1 Sessions

When you choose to engage with me one-to-one, we will work collaboratively to design bespoke sessions addressing your specific needs as a mover and a creative. From building comfort with foundational yoga poses, to deepening your personal practice, to sparking your inner creativity through movement, these sessions are designed to be nourishing and supportive. A great option if you are feeling in need of a fresh perspective, empathetic witnessing, or a nudge of direction toward greater expansion. ​

Sessions are hourly either in person (Western Mass only) or online. We’ll set up an initial call to discuss details and co-design a plan tailored to your individual needs and goals. 1:1 sessions are offered on a sliding scale: $75-$150. I trust you to decide on an amount that is both significant to you and financially viable.

I will bring to each session

  • My full attention and confidentiality

  • Mindfulness and movement tools developed from years of training

  • My embodied experiences as a queer and trans mover, teacher, and award-winning poet

  • Tangible, time-sensitive calls to action beyond our session to follow up on

    • Pursue a specific movement inquiry

    • Build comfort with foundational yoga asana

    • Develop and deepen a sustainable personal yoga practice

    • Strength, mobility, and confidence building

    • Refine your specific techniqe and individual alignment

  • For creatives looking for inspiration or transdisciplinary exchange

    • Explore movement as creative expression

    • Develop and sustain a creative practice

    • Sense check on a specific creative vision

    • Purpose and vision mapping

    • Generative writing support

Get in touch.

Want to book a 1:1 Session? Have questions about my classes or workshops? Fill out the form below: