We recently connected with Sami Lilly and have shared our conversation below.

Sami, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

It was my first job out of college, being a visual merchandiser for a big retail store. We were told that we were going to have a big visit from corporate and needed to look our best. The girls were separated and told, “wear something tight and sexy for our vice president.” I was thrown by this comment or request. I did not wear something short or sexy, I wore a long boxy dress and got pulled aside and asked why I was not in “dress code”? I simply responded that the VP is here to see my work, not my body.

It was a very important lesson that I need to stick to my morals and gut that I am a person and not an object. And that no job is worth being objectified.

Sami, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was in retail for eleven years where I practiced my specialty of installation Art or visual merchandising. In those years, I become a yoga teacher. Yoga helped me get out of my shell and really grasp leadership and empathy of others.

I help my clients feel good in their bodies and to always do their best when trying something new. I believe what sets me apart as an instructor is being adjusted to empathic language. Meaning expanding my vocabulary to describe yoga poses or shapes. Eliminating words such as, big, wide, or broad that could trigger someone.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes! To pull away from mainstream yoga and to go back to the roots of tradition as well as emphasis on that movement is for everyone!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding of being a creative is when clients coming to me and expressing gratitude or surprise that their bodies were able to complete a yoga practice.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: /samililly

Image Credits

No credits to give.