We were lucky to catch up with Amy Fogarty recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

I think it’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere and the journey of learning something new is process. In nursing school there was a saying, “see one. do one. teach one.” And that saying applied to everything. We would watch someone put in an IV, then we would practice placing an IV, and finally we would teach another student how to place one too. Although it’s most always more than “just one”, I feel like that basic learning process is how I approach yoga too. I love learning with my teachers when they guide a practice. Then I take what I’ve learned and explore it in my personal practice. Once I feel grounded and embodied in a practice, I begin sharing it with others in practices that I guide.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a lifelong learner, trauma-informed yoga instructor, yoga therapist, ayurvedic yoga specialist, and registered nurse.

Several years ago, my own healing journey led me to study somatic movement, yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. These practices transformed my life and I’m honored to now share them with others.

I guide group practices, work one-on-one with private clients, lead online workshops, and guide retreats.

Somatic movement is really incredible because through slow and gentle movement, I can help people untangle stress, tension, and pain that they’ve held in their bodies for years. And yoga is a beautiful ancient practice that helps us establish a deeper connection to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. These are practices that really have to be experienced to be appreciated fully.

A morning yoga participant recently sent me an email that deeply resonated with me (and I’m sharing it here with permission).

“So grateful to be back on mat yesterday.

Work has been crazy for way too long, (and I need to fix that aspect of my life) and yesterday I just took the time I needed. So glad I did as the day was even more of a “s—t show” than usual, yet I was able to just calmy walk thru it, as if it all smelled like a field of lavender…

Thank you for this time! It makes a huge difference!”

I can totally relate to this feeling. So often we’re told we should fill our own cup so we have more to give to others, but I believe when we give ourselves the time and care we need, we can walk through our days with more ease. That’s definitely been my experience. It’s almost like a thread of peace follows me from my yoga mat or my meditation cushion into my life.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was that professional work is linear. After graduating from nursing school with a BA, I got a job at a local hospital. I started out on a nursing unit and eventually transitioned into information technology and became an informatics nurse. I continued going to school and earned a masters in health information management and then a doctorate of nursing practice. But after 15 years of work, I got sick. It was probably a combination of trauma, burnout, and bad luck, but I realized I needed to make some changes. I started my healing journey and then signed up for a yoga training. I went into that training thinking that I’d use the knowledge to support my own health and well-being. After about a year, I realized that the whispers of my heart were inviting me to leave hospital work and fully step onto a new career path. And I’m so grateful I did.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

To be successful in this field, I think it’s really important to have time dedicated to your personal practice each day. I get up between 5AM and 6AM each day. After a little Ayurvedic self-care, I roll out my mat and light a candle. Then I sit down and ask myself, “why am I practicing yoga today?” What is it that my body, mind, and heart need? I let my physical practice unfold as an answer to that question and then I sit in meditation for 20 minutes. If I’m short on time, I’ll spend less time on asana (yoga postures), but I never skip meditation. Meditation is a non-negotiable part of my day.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yara.yoga
• Instagram: @yarayoga.duluth
• Facebook: @yarayoga.duluth

Image Credits
Sydney Carlino