Bartender Wellness Guardian: Amy Dunki
Amy Dunki is a Vermonter currently residing in Washington, DC. After graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Math and Statistics, she has worked across the board from human rights and refugee advocacy to the hospitality industry. Amy is a former officer of the DC Craft Bartender's Guild and has been a bartender for over a decade. Amy cultivates strong community connections in an engaging and educational manner, from agricultural responsibility to environmental sustainability and community engagement to cultural immersion. Amy is now a Senior Ambassador for Barr Hill and Caledonia Spirits and serves as team lead for their internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. She is a member of the Zero Waste Committee in the DC Sierra Club and of Bartenders Against Racism.
Upon seeing a need for restorative wellness amongst protestors at Black Lives Matter Plaza in front of the White House, Amy began to coordinating a Midnight Yoga series. Thanks to the community and local studios for their generous donations of yoga mats, a spectacular local DJ who donated his time and equipment to provide music and microphones, as well as the energetic and passionate yoga instructors, Midnight Yoga provided a much needed space for healing after a long day of protesting in the hot summer sun. In addition to providing this mental wellness for protesters, it also was a way to engage the community in a peaceful community connection while outdoors and socially distant. It only took two sessions to grow from 35 to 200 participants, and it was clear how needed this space was. On the second event, an older woman completing her practice on a mat next to Amy, turned and said she had driven nearly an hour to come here with her son. Her husband had just passed away, and because he really loved Yoga she decided to give it a try here for the first time in his honor. It was a beautiful moment.
Mindfulness is especially important these days, and properly cultivating those spaces is essential to their effectiveness. For Amy, this means taking time to practice Yoga, going for long bicycle rides or walks, and listening to soothing yet energizing music. Creating certain habits, such as keeping your phone away from your bed or reading a book instead of staring at a screen, has been important for her mental clarity and wellness.
Check back here on January 19th, 2021 to see Amy’s recipe and to hear her story.
