Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Potter
Hi Camille, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey started as a college student at the University of Memphis. Before I began asana (postures), I spent time in meditation and doing breath work (pranayama) as a way to nurture my inner child, heal the body from trauma and to help process grief after losing my mother. I took a yoga class my final semester as an elective which led me to practicing with my neighbor, who invited me to practice with her to help my body process the loss of my mother. Taking those classes from nurturing teachers made me want to explore the practice in its entirety.
After I graduated, my yoga instructor invited me back to the U of M to continue practicing and also lead meditation sessions for his students. In February of 2021 after the peak of the Covid pandemic, I began to practice yoga again in a studio. And in May of 2021, I started my first Yoga Teacher Training at Haus School of Yoga gaining my 200 hr certification and in April of 2022, I traveled to Atlanta for several weeks to earn my 200 hr certification in Kemetic Yoga from YogaSkills Atlanta.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No journey is ever a smooth road. The smooth parts were being able to gain my certifications with a flexible work schedule, having a supportive tribe and being able to have alone time to study and delve more into my personal practice. My body began to change physically in a good way but also, health issues began. In 2022, I started having chronic pain. Starting with nodules on my thyroid which caused multiple symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, short term memory loss and changes to my voice. Other issues with mobility began to affect movement in my legs and shoulders. Excruciating pain, made it difficult to walk some days. But nevertheless, practicing yoga gave me relief from these issues.
The bumps and detours were learning to maneuver my changing body but also showing up for myself, my practice and my community. Yoga is living in the limbs and working through issues of attachment, truthfulness, and moral disciplines.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Camille Rose Yoga, LLC?
Camille Rose Yoga is the name of my business and it’s usually just myself and a yoga mat. I teach yoga in various spaces (parks, studios, and college campuses). I specialize in vinyasa and Kemetic yoga.
I think what sets me apart from others is my passion of connecting with my students. It’s not often you find a yoga instructor engaging with their students in the middle of a class to ask them “what posture would you like to explore?” I like to let my students tell me what they need or would like to try. I think giving them space to develop their own practice begins with listening to their needs and finding ways for them to enjoy the practice.
The Camille Rose Yoga brand prides itself on ensuring it provides community yoga throughout the year, meaning I opt to teach several charity classes throughout the year as a way to introduce yoga to people who aren’t familiar with the practice. I encourage anyone interested in yoga to take a class and see what it can do for them.
What matters most to you? Why?
Community matters most to me. I grew up in a time where people engaged and helped out each other. We all need a community or a village. Where there is community, there is healing. I’ve always had a supportive community of family and friends. Yoga has helped me to explore the many facets of what a village provides. Yoga means to yoke; bring together. In the Kemetic practice; it means the mergence of the Higher Self and Lower Self. The yoga community has taught me the power of unity and that is where I hold space for all things in my practice and teachings.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @camilleroseyoga
