Teacher Feature: Amanda
Some of you may have met Amanda, our new-ish Tai Chi teacher. But you may not know she’s been with us longer than that. In 2023, I saw Amanda’s business, Nice Life Photography, was doing a photoshoot, 30 Women Over 30. For some reason it called to me and I reached out. We ended up having a photoshoot together that changed a trajectory for both of our lives. Being photographed by Amanda, it allowed me to see myself differently and be willing to put myself out into the world a little more bravely. And Amanda took off as the yoga photographer in town. (I am calling her that… she may not see herself that way.) I saw so many of our friends, teachers and students working with her and it seemed her photography shifted somehow. So I asked her to photograph our team for new headshots. Now, she is our social media maven, photographer and tai chi teacher extraordinaire. But here is a little more about Amanda and her journey into yoga … in her own words:
Life before yoga felt like chaos. My nervous system was a wreck. I taught myself to “just deal” as a way of life. I felt disconnected and tried all the self-help books I could find. My life was falling apart and I knew I needed people. Greenville Yoga was a beam of light, calling “come to me.” I had already photographed Liz and her team, so I knew what existed here. It wasn’t until a year later that my intuition got strong and told me I needed a soft community. So, I dove in to learn more. I had to learn something new and I didn’t think I could do half of the things! My back was bad, but what I discovered is that there was always a variation. Now I can do SO MUCH MORE! I have more strength and more flexibility.
Currently, yoga connects me back to my body. I feel regulated- I am able to ride the waves instead of crashing. I have learned to listen to my body. When is it too much? I am stronger and more confident in my body as well. And I thought I was calm before. Now I am ultra-calm. My emotions aren’t as heightened. I can feel what I need to feel without it taking over.
As a photographer and business-owner, yoga has given me tools to help people in so many ways. I know how to help people get more comfortable, to shake things out. Now I utilize movement in sessions. I see how energy works and how it’s all intertwined. As I grow, my business grows with yoga and Tai Chi in the background, I’ve added it all together. I’ve allowed myself to lean more into the internal experience for the clients, taking them on an inner journey versus just having their pictures taken. The more I have learned to connect to my Self, the more I can help others do the same.
In reflection of my journey to this moment- it feels like a super power. Having all these tools to navigate this crazy-ass life… I am SO grateful.
