Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cheri Clampett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cheri, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have always been passionate about helping people heal. When I saw the healing power of yoga and experienced it in my own body, I decided it had all of the elements to support healing in an ancient and holistic way, honoring the body’s innate ability to heal, and I knew I wanted to share that with others in need.
I have a strong interest in bringing healing yoga into healthcare settings, and much of my career during the last twenty five years has been focused on either doing that directly or training others in Therapeutic Yoga so that they in turn can bring it into healthcare settings. Therapeutic Yoga combines propped restorative yoga postures, gentle yoga movements, guided meditation, focused breath work, and energetic healing techniques, giving the practitioner effective tools that can be integrated into almost any medical treatment plan or situation.
As a certified yoga therapist I started the yoga program at the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center of Santa Barbara in 1999 and continue to teach weekly classes there for patients going through treatment. Many of my private clients have included people living with conditions such as Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, HIV/AIDS, and various injuries.
I am most proud of co-founding the Therapeutic Yoga Training in 1998. After 25 years of teaching it live and in-person, it is now available in a well-honed and thoughtful on-demand on-line format. The incredible feedback we’ve received over the years, and hearing about the innovative and courageous ways graduates of the program have fostered healing through yoga is a great joy.
In addition to the yoga trainings, workshops, and retreats, I am also co-author of the Therapeutic Yoga Kit, and have recorded a number of guided meditations to music, including the Sun & Moon Meditation album. I am very excited about new products I am currently working on, and exploring yoga in new formats, like an upcoming Partner Yoga & Improv workshop that I am co-teaching.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
One is relationships. To be a connector, and embrace others helping connect you to those who need your gifts and skills. When we treat people well, uphold our values, and deliver on what we say we are going to deliver on – word gets out. A second one is authenticity. To commit to being yourself and translating what you learn through the unique light that you are. Let that be your brand. A third one is kindness and generosity of spirit. The fourth is to trust your gut. Only let products or other manifestations of your talent into the world when they feel right in your gut. If they’re not there yet, keep working on it until it does feel right.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When the COVID pandemic hit, it changed the yoga industry overnight. No one knew what to expect, but we knew that in-person events were not an option and that the healing aspects of yoga would be more needed than ever. We pivoted our in-person Therapeutic Yoga training to live on-line within three months. We were proud to be able to offer a sense of purpose and groundedness in a time of uncertainty, and by partnering with a number of the yoga centers we had previously been teaching at in-person, we were able to help them financially at a crucial time. We were already international with our training, but pivoting to on-line enabled us to serve students across the world in an even greater way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.therapeuticyoga.com
- Instagram: therapeuticyogatraining
- Facebook: therapeuticyoga
- Youtube: @TherapeuticYoga
Image Credits
Headshot: photograph Carl Studna. Therapeutic Yoga Session: Ciro Coelho