Merel is the founder of Parimukti (formerly WonderfulYoga), a succesful Yoga school in India (Goa & Dharamshala) aiming to spread the practices and wisdom of the Yoga philosophy. For her, Yoga goes far beyond asana practice and in fact Yoga to her is mere awareness. In her classes she always makes personal contact with each and every individual student. "Everyone comes with their own story and it is the teacher's responsibility to be sensitive, to create an atmosphere that everyone can work on their personal needs during that class".
After an ambitious career in International Public Health, frequently travelling to developing countries in Africa, she decided to dedicate her life to practicing and teaching Yoga. She now resides in India were she continues studying with different teachers and organizes Yoga retreats and Yoga Teacher Trainings.