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Amanda Todd, PhD supports others in deepening their connection to nature and engaging the senses through creating meaningful rituals, working with sacred spaces, and exploring contemplative practices. As a classically trained and holistically inspired geographer, her work explores the intersections of nature, cultural traditions, and spiritual practices. Learn about Amanda’s research.
As a lecturer in Anthropology and Geography at Coastal Carolina University, Amanda’s students come to understand how important it is to know both the physical and cultural aspects of a place and its people. One of her most unique courses involves students designing and constructing a labyrinth for the campus community, providing a space for reflection, meditation, and contemplation. Learn more about her academic teaching.
Inspired by her own spiritual awakening during graduate school, she is passionate about supporting students as they explore their own spiritual paths and well-being. Through her teaching and campus service, she encourages students to engage with diverse cultures and religious traditions while gaining hands-on experience in thriving mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in today's world. Amanda regularly collaborates with the LiveWell office to offer mindfulness-based events during the academic year, where she shares the contemplative practice of labyrinth walking.
Amanda shares a more expansive perspective in holistic education with real-world learning experiences. She’s a Veriditas-trained Labyrinth facilitator, who facilitates monthly group labyrinth walks in her community. She also teaches women and kids Hawaiian hula and is a practitioner and trainer of Kahi Loa, a nature based energy work system with roots in Kauai. Amanda learned Reiki initially for her own well-being while in graduate school and today teaches Reiki.
In both Kahi Loa and Reiki, Amanda teaches mindfulness, relaxation, and stress-reduction techniques to empower others in their personal well-being journeys. Drawing from her own spiritual awakening and extensive experience teaching both inside and outside the traditional classroom, she brings a holistic, lived approach to her practice. Within academia, Amanda collaborates with the Counseling and Psychological Services office to offer Reiki and meditation workshops that support student wellness and mental health.
As an invited speaker, Amanda shares perspectives, contemplative practices and tools that can help us navigate our busy lives. She’s often invited to speak about labyrinths and consults with organizations on building labyrinths. She’s authored a guided workbook and journal series for sacred walking in different settings and one focuses on labyrinths. She enjoys speaking with diverse groups—ranging from K-12 students to college audiences and adult community groups on Hawaiian Hula. Invite Amanda for a talk or workshop with your group.
Amanda earned her Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Geography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she researched how people participate in ceremonies and rituals in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. She explored prominent mountains and waterfalls in the region where weddings, baptisms, memorials, meditations, multi-faith spiritual activities, and indigenous rituals and group activities still occur. She has a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Geography from Appalachian State University. She received her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Natural Resources with a concentration in Soils and Water Systems from North Carolina State University.
- View Amanda’s Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Image: Cumberland Falls State Park, KY moonbow (One of dissertation research sites.)
Amanda Todd, Ph.D., LLC - Doing Business As
As a hula dancer and teacher, Amanda provides women a space to learn Hawaiian Hula, build community, and grow spiritually through weekly classes and special workshops. She also teaches kids (keiki) hula and provides talks and workshops to the public and schools on hula. She is the director of Emerald 'Aina Hula Dancers. You'll find them performing at various festivals including the NC Pacific Arts Festival, International festivals, and local town festivals. Amanda also offers Kahi Loa sessions and Training, as well as Women's Retreats to Hawaii.
As an ordained Interfaith Minister, Reiki Practitioner/Teacher, Funeral Celebrant, and Death Doula, Amanda crafts distinctive ceremonies and rituals that seamlessly intertwine reverence, creativity, and intuition. Sacred Way Ceremonies offers rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings for life, love, and loss. Here you'll find free monthly guided labyrinth walks and Reiki Training or Sessions .