Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Lee.
Amy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey with yoga started in Orlando, Florida where I attended college. My roommate at the time was really into fitness classes and she convinced me to try a Bikram yoga class. I had never taken a yoga class before and was not in the best shape. If you know anything about Bikram yoga you know it’s in a heated room and it’s pretty intense. Needless to say, I didn’t enjoy the class and felt sick from the heat. Sometime later, the same roommate suggested I try this 30-day yoga challenge on YouTube that she was doing.
I was jaded from my last experience, but I gave it a try anyway and I absolutely loved it! I’m sure it helped that this time we were doing Hatha Vinyasa style yoga which is much more beginner-friendly, and we were doing it in the comfort of our own home. Ever since I’ve always enjoyed having a home practice so that’s where I’ve done most of my yoga.
In 2017, I made the decision to move to San Diego from Florida and I still feel that it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I found myself working in the health and wellness industry as a weight-loss counselor and health coach, which I still do. I also realized how much bigger the yoga scene is out here and soon I was pursuing a 200-hour yoga teacher training program at Miramar College.
In May of 2018, I completed the program and became a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) through Yoga Alliance, which is the standard. I’ve taught classes all over San Diego and I’m currently teaching corporate, private, and public park classes. I really enjoy sharing yoga with others, especially when I can convince them that yoga is for everyone and everybody!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve definitely had plenty of struggles along the way. A few weeks before my yoga teacher training started, I actually had a yoga-related injury from flipping over while doing a headstand. Perhaps one of the drawbacks of doing yoga at home is you may have some furniture in the way. I lost my balance during a headstand and made the mistake of trying to catch my fall with my feet but ended up splitting open my shin on the edge of the coffee table nearby. I had to go to the ER, get three stitches, and I have a great scar to remember it by.
I’ve also had yoga jobs not work out. I had a job at a studio for about a month, but the commute was taxing and many times no one would show for classes so I wouldn’t get paid. I’ve also had corporate classes cancelled due to low attendance. I think it’s just part of the process that you have to go through. When no one shows up to class, I typically do my own flow while I’m already there on my mat and make the best of it!
Tell us more about your work.
My yoga business name, Prana Parade, came from brainstorming Instagram handle names. I wanted to create a separate yoga account to document my progress as I went through yoga teacher training. Prana is Sanskrit for breath or our life force, so it’s basically the breath parade since yoga is all about the breath.
I’m most proud of introducing some of my weight-loss clients to yoga. I needed practice hours teaching new students so luckily some clients agreed to be guinea pigs. For many of them, it was their first yoga class ever. I felt so honored! I started teaching a weekly class in my neighborhood park and gained a few regular yogis. To this day, I still have a weekly class in the park for my clients or anyone to attend.
Several of my yogi friends have also gotten their teacher certifications and I’ve had them teach the park class as well. Sometimes we co-teach, or I’ll be a student in their class so they can practice teaching. I like that we’ve built a little community around the yoga in the park class.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ve had some good luck. I recently obtained a private yoga client that was referred to me by another yoga teacher friend that couldn’t work the times the client wanted.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prana_parade/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prana.parade/
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