Amy Ippoliti’s yoga journey began in a way that many can relate to, especially those navigating the rocky terrain of adolescence. At 16, she found herself struggling with the social dynamics of high school, particularly with the “popular girls,” which led her to retreat inwardly. Deciding to focus solely on her homework and distancing herself from social circles, she confided in her mom about her plans to become a “social outcast.” This conversation resulted in her attending her first yoga class, an experience that sparked something within her. “It was super far out, but something about the mystery of it all made me want to continue,” Amy recalls, and from there, she was hooked.
Yoga became a lifeline for Amy during high school, helping her cope with the pressures and emotional turbulence of those years. The phrase “surviving high school” may sound exaggerated, but Amy describes it as exactly that—perilous in its own way. What truly drew her to yoga, however, wasn’t just the physical benefits but the sense of community it offered. Amy believes that people who are attracted to yoga are seekers—those who want to deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. “Being around that kind of person is really appealing to me,” she says. This sense of connection to like-minded individuals has kept her dedicated to her yoga practice throughout the years.
As a yoga teacher, Amy finds immense fulfillment in guiding others through their own transformative journeys. Whether through workshops, retreats, online classes at YogaGlo, or at her own studio in Boulder, Colorado, she’s witnessed countless students begin their yoga practice for various reasons. Some come seeking stress relief, others for physical fitness, and many want to increase flexibility. However, Amy notes that there is a significant portion of her students who approach yoga as a form of self-discovery, wanting to explore who they truly are. She says, “The good news is that whatever your desire for starting yoga, you’re going to get all of it.” Her students are inquisitive, dedicated, and curious, which, in turn, makes teaching all the more rewarding for Amy.
Beyond yoga, Amy is deeply passionate about environmentalism and conservation. Whenever she can, she takes the opportunity to get outside and spend time with animals, fueling her commitment to protect the planet’s creatures. Together with her partner, Taro Smith, Amy creates powerful imagery that features interspecies interactions, aiming to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. She explains that traditional activism often uses shock and horror to get people’s attention, but she and Taro take a different approach. Instead of provoking fear, they want to inspire awe, joy, and euphoria. “Our hope is through awe and the joy of seeing imagery of species interconnecting to raise consciousness and awareness,” she says, emphasizing the power of love and admiration in motivating people to protect what they hold dear.
Amy’s conservation efforts extend to her art, with proceeds from her stunning imagery supporting projects like WildAid. She and Taro often feature subjects like manta rays or dolphins in their work, portraying them in a way that evokes wonder. “When you see images of someone doing yoga underwater with a huge 1500-pound manta ray or a pod of dolphins, it’s joyful and astonishing. It creates a reaction of awe,” Amy explains. These images tend to go viral in today’s social media culture, reaching more people and sparking a positive response. She believes that if this is what it takes to raise awareness and inspire action, then it’s all worth it.
Amy has also integrated an eco-conscious component into her yoga practice, particularly through her 30-day yoga challenge. The goal is to help participants create habits that are not only healthy for their bodies but also for the planet. She believes that yoga and environmentalism go hand in hand, as both are about connection—whether it’s connecting to yourself, to others, or to the world around you. “It’s super fun to be in the water with these animals. There’s been nothing more extraordinary in my life than trying to keep up with an animal that can hold its breath underwater way longer than I can,” she shares, underscoring the profound impact that connecting with nature has had on her life.
Yoga is inherently about connection, and Amy sees this principle extending far beyond the individual and the community. While yoga teaches us to connect with ourselves and with others, it also emphasizes a deeper, more universal connection—to everything around us. Many yogis practice non-violence and choose vegetarianism to honor their connection with animals. For Amy, this concept of connection includes the earth’s ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit it, making conservation a natural extension of her yoga philosophy.
Ultimately, Amy’s approach to yoga and environmentalism serves as a reminder that our practices on the mat are closely linked to the world outside it. The connection to our breath, our body, and the earth itself is what makes yoga so powerful. For Amy, it’s not just about personal growth or teaching others—it’s about fostering a deeper awareness and sense of responsibility for the planet we all share. Her work combines both passions, showing that yoga, community, and environmental consciousness are all intertwined in the pursuit of a more balanced, sustainable life.
