Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Lipford
Hi Amber, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I vividly remember playing “teacher” with my teddy bears and dolls. Little did I know that that was the calling on my life: to educate…in any capacity. I grew up in Whitehaven with my mom and my four sisters in very humble beginnings, but I would not change it for the world because it made me who I am, flaws and all. Fast forward years later, I am in Christian Brothers University’s halls, changing my major from English for Corporate Communications to education (you cannot run from God’s plans for you). Throughout my college career, I experienced some downs that caused me to look into yoga as an outlet, so I kept that as a practice throughout my adult life. I would record and post my practices to see how my body looked in poses and to encourage others to get on their mats. The founder of Your Inner Yogi contacted me and asked if I thought about becoming a yoga instructor, which I had before. I had not put too much thought into it, though. I went through the training with Your Inner Yogi and now, I am a certified 200 hour yoga instructor with my own yoga business, Yellow Bug Yoga. I work for a nonprofit here in Memphis as a sustainability educator by day, and I work on my business and teach yoga by night.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Getting to where I am today, the peace I feel in waking up in my life, doing what I do, took some work…a lot of hard work and honestly, a lot of tears and frustration. I was an educator for seven years in every sector you can possibly think of: public, private, charter. I loved teaching my students, but it was/is a very difficult job. I commend those that are in teaching classrooms, because it is a very rewarding but hard job. I always kept yoga in my back pocket as an outlet. I did not look at it like a business at that time but as a practice for me to breathe and take time for myself after being drained from working. Going back to “school” to get my yoga teacher certification was a lot especially with me teaching full time because I could not commit myself to learning as much as I wanted to, but I made it through! Once I started my business, I had to learn how to keep the momentum going. I looked at others, but it is extremely different once you try to do it on your own. Handling of money, promoting, setting up of events, settling on a price on your services (whew, that was a hard one for me), putting yourself out there…it was all too much for me for a long time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am very proud of my business and its mission: Yellow Bug Yoga was founded to expose underserved communities to the benefits of yoga and meditation. When people take my classes, whether it is a class that I am hosting or subbing, I want them to walk away with a sense of rejuvenation. On top of that, I want them to understand that whatever they engaged in on their mat, whether they laid in savasana for the entire class or tried every pose, that as long as they were in tune with their breath, they were practicing yoga. I think that is what sets me apart is that I truly consider myself a beginner yogi especially while I am teaching, so it feels like you are learning with a friend, not an expert (but I will make sure you get in and out of those poses safely).
I took a break from YBY, but I am back and ready to teach again! I am currently offering one on one sessions (you can book by sending me an email). I have subbed some classes around the city, and I host some of my own. That is all on my Instagram. My Youtube channel (Yellow Bug Yoga) is finally up, so you can practice yoga with me in the comfort of your own home. I am currently looking for a place to teach yoga part-time, so that you can get that in-class experience.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, when I was around my sisters and my mom, I was/ still am very extroverted, but I was/ still am an introvert in every sense of the word around every one else. I hated talking on the phone (I would literally cry when people called to talk to me). I remember having to “recharge” after being at school all day, having to socialize. That is still something I find myself doing in adulthood. I was also a creative growing up. I drew pictures a lot, created my own kind of Pokemon cards, wrote stories with my friends, etc. This carried over into my adult life as well, but I am a true Gemini. So I pick up hobbies and put them down a lot.
Contact Info:
- Website: yellowbugyoga@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yellowbugyoga/
Image Credits
Desmond Brown – Aries Photography
