We are so excited to introduce to those of you who don’t already know her, our newest collaborator for our yoga + self care + cuisine retreat in Tuscany, Amy Commander! Amy has been friends with our founder Erin for many years and after last years Puglia retreat (Amy is also half of Boxerina) they have finally found the perfect collaboration in Tuscany. Amy is not only a yoga teacher, but also a holistic health and nutrition counselor, astrologer and reiki master. We sat down with Amy to get to know a little bit more about her background and how she is where she is today…
Hi Amy! Lets start with some background with you. How did you get started with yoga?
I started practicing yoga in 2003 and became pretty instantly obsessed. I was ironically trying to “fix” a knee injury and ultimately yet quickly gave up running for yoga.
I practiced yoga during all three of my pregnancies! I’m a Mom of three!
I opened my first (lol) yoga studio in 2008 which I successfully ran for twelve years. (I closed during Covid to be home with my youngest who was having trouble staying in school). I ran lots of teacher training programs. I think I’ve certified over 50 yoga teachers in our community of Saint Augustine!
What led you into the direction of holistic nutrition, astrology and reiki?
After closing my studio in 2021 I went back to school for nutrition. My youngest was having some behavioral issues and I felt like diet might help. (it did!) also losing my best friend to cancer in 2020 was a driving force for me to go back to school for nutrition.
This is how Yogi Bites was born! My youngest is definitely somewhere on the spectrum. Changing his diet has made a dramatic improvement and last year he was able to stay in school for the first time in his life! (At 5 years old) I started my grain free baking so he wouldn’t feel deprived. (At school and when he goes to summer camps etc because he can’t eat the typical cookies and treats they give) Ironically, now people are paying me to make treats!
My husband and I bought a commercial lot in 2021 and have finally opened and launched my latest project, The Studio. I have basically taken my love and enthusiasm for yoga and combined it with my passion for alll things wellness (I learned in school for nutrition) I guess I am taking yoga to the next level. I think yoga is a fabulous start but I’m trying to encourage my students to go further.
I am about to publish my book called “Heal This”. In my book I walk readers through moving their body, using meditation, and using food as meditation to “heal” whatever ails them.
The Studio is an in person version of my book. I walk people through the different modalities in my book. Nourishing the body through healing foods, meditation, and daily movement. Also using tools like the infrared sauna, chromotherapy, and cold water therapy to reset the nervous system and support individual detox pathways. I could go on and on!
Somewhere in between all of that LOL I obtained certifications in astrology, mediumship, tarot, and master level reiki. I have held reiki attunements (trainings) to pass on the reiki certifications. (this was done between 2013 and 2018) I learned so much about meditation and energy in general. I incorporate all of this in my yoga classes. I still offer readings weekly. I guess I’m just always trying to help people understand themselves and others as I’ve done for myself! I am an evolution junkie and I’m constantly trying to better myself and therefore help and empower others to do the same.
Could you tell me a little bit more about what lead you and Erin decide to partner up on this retreat and a little of what we can look forward to in Tuscany?
Ironically we’ve been talking about a retreat together since 2016! Italy was a huge part of my own healing. I go into great detail about this in my book. I think Erin has been intrigued and probably entertained (lol) watching my journey over the last several years. Aside from wanting to do something together, I think Erin really liked the idea of including wellness into one of her retreats. I think our goal of this retreat is to help people find balance. I plan to incorporate the idea of living an 80/20 lifestyle. We will definitely indulge and live the Italian lifestyle but we will also create balance by having breakfasts curated by me (Yogi Bites!) as well as trips to Italian spas with saunas and exploring time in the healing thermal pools! I plan to offer readings and teach daily classes and meditations etc. I also plan to sprinkle in health and wellness tips as go. For an example, eating a raw salad or raw veggies before the pasta or pizza, will help digestion! We will have warm water with lemon before coffee etc!
I am creating the cutest recipe cards so everyone on the retreat will receive the recipes of everything I make. I am pretty sure Erin has me working with an Italian chef to create a clean dessert! It’s a dream come true for me! I will also be making fresh juices and smoothies for breakfasts each morning.
Amy this retreat sounds absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for taking the time to let us learn more about you and we can’t wait to see you in Tuscany!